Wild Eagle opened at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on March 24, 2012, becoming the first wing coaster to operate in the United States. Built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride seats passengers in pairs on either side of the track with nothing above or below them, giving every rider an unobstructed view as they soar through the Smoky Mountain foothills.
Named for the bald eagles that nest along the nearby Little Pigeon River, Wild Eagle cost roughly $20 million to build and quickly earned recognition in the industry, taking home the Best New Ride award at Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards in 2012. A striking 8,000-pound steel eagle sculpture with a 42-foot wingspan greets guests at the entrance plaza.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Opened: March 24, 2012
- Height: 210 feet
- Top speed: 61 mph
- Length: 3,127 feet
- Inversions: 4
The Ride Experience
After a chain lift hauls trains to the top of the 210-foot structure, Wild Eagle plunges 135 feet before threading through four inversions, including a vertical loop, a zero-gravity roll, an Immelmann, and a corkscrew. Because riders are seated on the outer edges of the track in wing-style seating, the sensation of flight is especially pronounced through the inverting elements, where nothing but open air separates them from the drop below.
The full circuit covers about 3,127 feet and takes roughly two minutes and twenty-two seconds to complete, with two 28-passenger trains keeping the line moving through Dollywood’s Wilderness Pass area.
Industry Impact
Wild Eagle’s debut marked a milestone for American amusement parks, introducing the wing coaster format to U.S. audiences after B&M had already built similar models overseas. Its success helped pave the way for later wing coasters at other parks around the country and cemented Dollywood’s reputation for pursuing record-setting, family-friendly thrill rides.
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Wild Eagle FAQs
Why is Wild Eagle called a wing coaster?
Riders sit in pairs on either side of the track, away from the center rail, so there is no seating directly above or below them — a layout B&M calls a wing coaster.
How fast does Wild Eagle go?
Wild Eagle reaches a top speed of about 61 mph during its 135-foot first drop.
Was Wild Eagle the first coaster of its kind in the U.S.?
Yes, it was the first wing coaster to open in the United States when it debuted at Dollywood in March 2012.
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Photo: Whitewolf Photography / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.