Dollywood's Newest Ride Is A $50M Hybrid Water Roller Coaster That's The First Of Its Kind

This year, theme parks and water parks across the United States have pushed the limits of fun, including in Tennessee. In August 2026, Dollywood opened its groundbreaking (and longest, at nearly six minutes) 11th roller coaster, a $50 million hybrid water roller coaster that's unlike any other ride in the country. While new rides like the world's first giga dive roller coaster have pushed the limits of rides (and riders) this year, Dollywood's new NightFlight Expedition offers a more family-friendly experience.

Guided by bioluminescence, riders on the NightFlight Expedition join scientists on a simulated nighttime flight through the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Riders climb through the mountains and splash into rapids on a quest to find Secret Lake and the mythical source of water for the Wildwood Tree. The indoor and climate-controlled wet-and-dry roller coaster has left riders truly impressed by the end. In a promotional video, riders of various ages called the ride "magical" and "amazing," and one guest noted she "couldn't stop smiling."

Unlike other thrill rides, with sudden drops or towering heights, the NightFlight Expedition Ride thrills riders with its fully immersive environment, not towering drops or high speeds. The hybrid coaster maxes out at three stories and 29 mph, fast enough to feel the wind in your hair but not be overwhelmed while taking in the changing scenes. Riders must be at least 39 inches tall, making the attraction accessible to families with little ones ready for a big adventure.

At the time of this writing, NightFlight Expedition is temporarily closed for additional maintenance work after briefly opening to the public. But thankfully, even if the ride is shut down during your visit, Dollywood is known as one of the best things to do for first-time visitors to Tennessee and offers plenty of other attractions. The theme park was opened by the late Dolly Parton in 1986 and includes a 165-acre amusement park and a water park. Unique to Dollywood, the theme park showcases Parton's life and meshes amusement rides and attractions with the local natural environment. Visitors can explore East Tennessee through each of the park's 11 different areas, from its wildlife and scenery to music and heritage, and, of course, local Southern cuisine. Dollywood has won major awards for its rides and its food. For example, Aunty Granny's Restaurant in Rivertown Junction and the 20-story-high Lightning Rod roller coaster have won USA Today 10Best awards. Other popular roller coasters include family-favorite Big Bear Mountain and the Tennessee Tornado, which zooms through the mountains at 70 mph.

Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, a popular tourism hotspot in the Smokies. Visitors looking for the most convenient airport for Dollywood and East Tennessee should fly into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) outside of Knoxville, an hour away. Day passes for adults start at just under $95; however, visitors staying at the park's HeartSong Lodge & Resort, DreamMore Resort, or the Bear Cove Cabins can receive free TimeSaver passes or discounted priority access passes with their stay. Before heading home, be sure to take a stunning drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in America.