Dragonflier is a suspended family coaster at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, located within the park’s Wildwood Grove area. Built by the Dutch manufacturer Vekoma, it opened to the public on May 10, 2019, as the centerpiece thrill ride of the $37 million Wildwood Grove expansion, a 5.5-acre area designed around family-friendly attractions.
The coaster carries riders through a seven-story first drop into a tunnel before winding through the trees of Wildwood Grove at speeds up to 43 mph. Dragonflier held the distinction of being the first installation of this particular Vekoma suspended family coaster model in the United States, giving Dollywood a family coaster unlike anything else in the country at the time.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Dollywood
- Manufacturer: Vekoma
- Opened: May 10, 2019
- Height: about 63 feet
- Top speed: 43 mph
- Length: about 1,486 feet
- Inversions: 0
- Ride duration: about 1 minute
The Ride Experience
Riders board a single train with hanging cars that swing freely from side to side as the coaster winds through curves, a signature feature of Vekoma’s suspended family coaster design. After a quiet lift powered by a drive-tire system rather than a traditional chain, the train plunges into a seven-story drop that sends it directly into a tunnel beneath the Wildwood Grove landscape.
From there, the layout weaves through wooded terrain at speeds reaching 43 mph before gliding to a stop, delivering a ride that feels faster than its modest height suggests thanks to the swinging cars and tight-feeling turns through the trees.
Part of Wildwood Grove
Dragonflier anchors Wildwood Grove, the family-oriented expansion that Dollywood unveiled in 2019 at a cost of roughly $37 million. The area was built around a woodland, fantasy-adventure theme aimed at younger riders and multi-generational families, and Dragonflier quickly became one of its signature draws, helping the expansion earn a Golden Ticket Award for Best Kids Area shortly after opening.
With a 39-inch height minimum, Dragonflier is accessible to many younger riders while still delivering enough speed and movement to appeal to older guests looking for a shorter, less intense coaster experience between bigger rides elsewhere in the park.
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Dragonflier FAQs
How tall do you have to be to ride Dragonflier at Dollywood?
Riders must be at least 39 inches tall to ride Dragonflier.
Who manufactured Dragonflier?
Dragonflier was built by Vekoma, a Dutch roller coaster manufacturer, as one of its suspended family coaster models.
How fast does Dragonflier go?
Dragonflier reaches a top speed of about 43 mph during its run through Wildwood Grove.
Get More from Dragonflier
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.