Dollywood is gearing up for a 2026 season “unlike any year before in its rich history,” according to the park.
Next year sees the arrival of its largest attraction ever, a new harvesttime special event and the inaugural Run Dollywood race weekend set for April 25-26 2026.
NightFlight Delight coming to Dollywood
The park’s 41st season will open on Friday, 13 March, with special ride preview days for season passholders in advance of its NightFlight Expedition attraction opening.
NightFlight Expedition, at a cost of more than $50 million, is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts and is scheduled to open in Spring 2026. It is the first attraction in the world to merge its four unique experiences into one ground-breaking ride.
“We’re just getting started”
“I’m often asked if there’s anything I would do differently when it comes to what we’ve accomplished at Dollywood, and I can safely say I wouldn’t change a thing,,” commented Dolly Parton.
“I’m so proud of what the park has become in its first 40 years, and with what we have in store for our guests this year, it’s safe to say we’re just getting started!
“When we opened the park in 1986, it was hard to imagine that we would be able to open attractions like NightFlight Expedition. It’s so big and so different from anything else we had at that time, that even with all my dreaming I don’t think any of us dreamed of something like this back when we first opened.
“I’m just honoured that so many people have come to visit and support us through the years. It’s because of that support that we’re able to come up with something like this now!”
As the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition takes Dollywood guests on a journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park.
During the 5 1/2-minute experience, guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat.
Riders will board amphibious ride vehicles on a voyage enhanced by multimedia projections, onboard and off-board audio, and cutting-edge lighting effects.
The construction of the ride is brought together through a partnership between Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and Mack Rides.
Image: Dollywood
