NEWS: A Groundbreaking Ride Opening at Dollywood Has Been Delayed

We recently got out of Disney Parks and made our way to Tennessee to visit Dollywood (and let’s just say that we now understand the hype). We had a great experience at the theme park, and are looking forward to what’s coming next.

We previously told you about a groundbreaking new ride coming to the park called Nightflight Expedition. That ride was supposed to open in the spring, but its opening timeline has now been delayed.

A video on the Dollywood website from Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President, gives an update on the progress of Nightflight Expedition. In the video, he explains that the original “ambitious schedule” for the ride, the largest ever for Dollywood, would have it ready by spring 2026. In the video, he explains that the ride still needs a little bit more work, but Dollywood promises to work on it “as diligently as possible.”

In the video, Naughton states that Dollywood is now looking towards a mid-August opening for Nightflight Expedition. He then goes on to detail more of what Dollywood guests can expect this summer when visiting the resort.

Nightflight Expedition is a one-of-a-kind attraction that combines four ride experiences into one. The indoor attraction will have guests flying over the Smoky Mountains, plunging into whitewater rapids, climbing a mountain, and traversing a mysterious lake. It’s a cross between a roller coaster and a whitewater river ride that takes you on a journey to discover the mystery of Secret Lake.

The ride is being built inside a 44,000 square foot building and has a track length of almost a quarter of a mile with a maximum speed of 29 mph and a ride duration of around 5.5 minutes, including loading and unloading. The ride’s height requirement is 39 inches.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates about Nightflight Expedition, so check back with AllEars again soon for more.