Dollywood is greater than only a theme park. It is a full trip vacation spot that mixes rides and points of interest that showcase the pure great thing about the Smoky Mountains whereas additionally honoring the music, artistry and delicacies of those that name the Knoxville, Tennessee, space house.

Dolly Parton’s brainchild has greater than 50 rides that weave in and across the foothills of the Smokies. They vary from “enjoyable for all ages” to “quick and livid,” so everybody in your get together will discover a favourite at this family-friendly theme park. That will help you plan in your subsequent go to, these are the most effective rides at Dollywood.

Dollywood Categorical

Location: The Village.
Rider necessities: No minimal top requirement.

The genuine steam locomotives that energy the Dollywood Categorical date again to the Nineteen Thirties and Forties; they had been constructed to be used in World Warfare II, making it the oldest attraction at Dollywood.

On this peaceable 20-minute journey by way of the park, you will notice a few of Dollywood’s hottest points of interest, whereas taking in attractive views of the mountains that border the park.

The conductor shares fascinating info and park historical past alongside the 5-mile experience, making it an amazing “first experience” if in case you have by no means visited Dollywood and wish to familiarize your self with the park. After that first go to, it is certain to change into an on the spot basic.

Thriller Mine

Location: Timber Canyon.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 48 inches tall to experience.

Thriller Mine is an indoor/outside curler coaster that travels by way of an deserted coal mine. Once you board the coaster and descend into the pitch-black depths of the mine, you rapidly understand the mine is not deserted however somewhat haunted by the miners who as soon as labored there.

Although it solely reaches a prime pace of 43 miles per hour, Thriller Mine’s two vertical carry hills, beyond-vertical drop and a number of inversions make it one of many extra intense rides at Dollywood.

Large Bear Mountain

Location: Wildwood Grove.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 39 inches tall to experience.

Large Bear Mountain is the longest curler coaster at Dollywood, coming in at about three-quarters of a mile. There aren’t any loops or huge hills on this family-friendly coaster, however there are a number of tummy-tingling twists, turns, airtime hills and high-speed launches. Because the identify suggests, the coaster follows the story of a bear noticed within the space.

Once you experience Large Bear Mountain, you change into a part of the search workforce in search of the “Large Bear.” You’ll be able to hear his growls many occasions throughout your experience, however he all the time appears to remain one step forward. No matter whether or not you see him, your complete household could have a bear-y good time on this coaster.

Associated: My ‘9 to five’ despatched me to sleep in Dolly Parton’s $10,000 tour bus suite — right here’s what it was like

Lightning Rod

Location: Jukebox Junction.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 48 inches tall to experience.

Like the entire points of interest in Jukebox Junction, Lightning Rod has a Fifties aptitude. The experience was impressed by Parton’s personal childhood in close by Sevierville, Tennesee. She has stated it reminds her of “these colourful vehicles cruisin’ up and down Foremost Avenue in downtown Sevierville again after I was in highschool.”

Lightning Rod’s practice vehicles appear like scorching rods, they usually transfer like them, too. Moderately than a conventional carry hill, Lightning Rod launches riders up a 20-story carry hill at 45 miles per hour. The experience solely will get quicker from there because it climbs towards a prime pace of 73 miles per hour. This coaster is certainly one for thrill seekers.

Rockin’ Roadway

Location: Jukebox Junction.
Rider necessities: No minimal top requirement. Riders underneath 42 inches should be accompanied by somebody 14 or older.

Rockin’ Roadway is adjoining to Lightning Rod. In case you are touring with youthful children who’re scared off by the towering coaster, they will take a extra leisurely experience alongside a scenic nation street and nonetheless catch a glimpse of Lightning Rod because it speeds by.

Rockin’ Roadway permits children to get behind the wheel of a colourful Corvette, Thunderbird or Cadillac — even when they’re years away from getting their license.

FireChaser Categorical

Location: Wilderness Cross.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 39 inches tall to experience.

Double the launches means double the enjoyable. On the family-friendly FireChaser Categorical, you launch ahead initially of the experience then launch backward in your return journey to the loading station. The practice vehicles are themed to appear like hearth engines, and riders change into volunteer firefighters, charged with holding the Smoky Mountains secure from forest fires.

This coaster is gentle sufficient that riders of all ages must be courageous sufficient to tackle the problem.

Thunderhead

Location: Timber Canyon.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 48 inches tall to experience.

If the phrases “relentless” and “roaring” get you excited to hop on a coaster, Thunderhead is the experience for you. This huge picket coaster encompasses a 100-foot drop and hits a prime pace of 55 miles per hour because it rushes by way of the Tennessee wilderness.

Thunderhead could look intimidating from a distance, however it’s designed to be loved by kids and adults alike. In case your youngster is prepared for his or her first “massive child” picket coaster, Thunderhead is a wonderful selection.

Lumberjack Lifts

Location: Timer Canyon.
Rider necessities: Should be no less than 40 inches tall to experience. Riders underneath 48 inches should be accompanied by somebody 14 or older.

Lumberjack Lifts is likely one of the few points of interest at any theme park that’s powered by its riders. Teams of two strap in and use a rope between them to drag themselves to the highest of a 30-foot tower. Once you get to the highest of the tower, you might be handled to views of the park and surrounding mountains. You’ll be able to take within the sights or let go of the rope and journey slowly to the underside of the tower and do it over again till your time is up.

This experience exams your power and aggressive spirit do you have to select to problem members of your group to see what number of occasions you’ll be able to ascend to the highest of the experience.

Wild Eagle

Location: Wilderness Cross.
Rider necessities: Should be between 50 and 78 inches tall to experience.

Wild Eagle earned its identify not solely as a result of it’s the nation’s first winged coaster, but in addition as a result of you’ll soar excessive above the Smoky Mountains throughout your experience. Riders sit on both aspect of the coaster observe, so there’s nothing above or under you; this leaves you free to fly by way of the countryside. After climbing to the highest of a 210-foot gentle hill, you come hovering again down at speeds of as much as 61 miles per hour.

Bonus: rides for younger children

Location: Nation Honest.
Rider necessities: No minimal top requirement.

The Nation Honest space of Dollywood is themed after a small-town truthful with rides and video games designed for households to expertise collectively. There are a number of family-friendly rides on this space. The Wonderful Flying Elephants, Busy Bees, Lemon Twist, Fortunate Ducky and Piggy Parade are all supposed for toddlers and preschoolers to experience all by themselves — even when they’re too brief (or too frightened) to get on a few of Dollywood’s different rides.

Backside line

Dollywood is well-known for its Southern-style nation cooking, sensational reside leisure, family-friendly environment and world-class experience lineup. Whether or not you might be in search of thrills or one thing with slightly extra relaxed tempo, you may discover it at Dollywood.

Associated studying: