Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain, the largest single attraction investment in the park’s history, has opened to the general public with much fanfare and a visit from Dolly Parton.

The $25 million Big Bear Mountain roller coaster launches park guests from its ride station on what the park say is “an exhilarating search for the elusive “Big Bear,” a mythical bear of epic proportions, which is said to live in the hills near the park’s Wildwood Grove area.”

At 3,990 linear ft., the ride is ¾-mile long and becomes the longest roller coaster at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park. Dollywood guests are invited to assist Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, Ned Oakley, in his quest to find Big Bear.

In addition to becoming the longest roller coaster at Dollywood, Big Bear Mountain, built by ride manufacturer Vekoma, also marks the first attraction at the park to feature on-board audio. The sound system provides auditory thrills to match the ride’s dynamic movements as guests come daringly close to Big Bear. 

The highly-detailed coaster trains resemble four-wheel-drive SUVs and feature working headlights and taillights. Each coaster train seats 20 guests.

With theming elements throughout the ride reminiscent of Dolly Parton’s’ beloved Smoky Mountains, the singer commended with excitement: “We said we’re going to expand Wildwood Grove, and we really meant it.” 

“This ride is bigger than, well, Big Bear! Seriously though, I’m so glad we’re able to incorporate so much of the Smokies into this ride. I’m proud of where I’m from, and these Smoky Mountains truly are so much a part of me and who I am to this day.”

Images: Dollywood