Dollywood confirmed on July 29, 2026 that NightFlight Expedition, its most expensive attraction ever, will officially open to the public on August 19. Season pass holders get early access during previews from August 15-18.
Billed as the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, the Mack Rides-built attraction represents a $50 million investment for the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee park — the largest single-ride investment in Dollywood Parks & Resorts history.
Stats at a Glance
- What: NightFlight Expedition, a $50M indoor hybrid coaster/whitewater raft ride
- Where: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- When: Public opening August 19, 2026 (passholder previews August 15-18)
- Why it matters: Combines four distinct ride experiences in a single fully indoor attraction — a first-of-its-kind concept for the industry
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides
- Ride length/speed: 1,255-foot track, up to 29 mph, ~5.5-minute ride time
The Story
Guests board ten-person amphibious vehicles inside a 44,000-square-foot, three-story, temperature-controlled building for a journey that mixes soaring flight effects, mountain climbing, and a 500,000-gallon whitewater rapids plunge before ending on a bioluminescent lake. New characters Cora and Jasper anchor the story, which Dollywood President Eugene Naughton says blends four separate ride types ‘no one has ever put together in one epic attraction before.’
The announcement, confirmed simultaneously by multiple outlets including AttractionsMagazine, AllEars.Net, and Knoxville’s WBIR and WATE, sets an exact date after months of anticipation since the ride was first unveiled as part of Dollywood’s ongoing expansion push.
What It Means for Visitors
Riders must be at least 39 inches tall, and Dollywood Season Passholders and TimeSaver Premium holders get priority access before the general public debut. Because the ride is fully indoor and climate-controlled, it’s positioned as a year-round, weather-proof addition to the park’s lineup rather than a seasonal attraction.
For coaster and family-ride fans planning late-summer trips, August 19 marks the first date the general public can experience the ride, making it a key date to plan around for anyone visiting Pigeon Forge this fall.
Explore more: more new roller coaster openings.
Dollywood FAQs
When does NightFlight Expedition open at Dollywood?
The ride opens to the general public on August 19, 2026, with Season Passholder previews running August 15-18.
What kind of ride is NightFlight Expedition?
It’s billed as the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, combining flying, climbing, and rapids sequences in one attraction built by Mack Rides.
How much did Dollywood invest in the new ride?
Dollywood says NightFlight Expedition cost more than $50 million, the largest single-attraction investment in the resort’s history.
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Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.