Dollywood has revealed their brand new attraction arriving in 2026 and we've gathered all of the details including photos, video, location, and more! Dollywood has claimed that this is the largest investment in a single attraction in the history of the park, which is incredible!
NightFlight Expedition
The brand new ride will be named NightFlight Expedition. Dollywood has shared the following description about this exciting new ride:
NightFlight Expedition is a groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride with Cora and Jasper Oakley leading you on an extraordinary journey to discover the mystery of the legendary Secret Lake. Embarking on a daring journey aboard remarkable vehicles, adventurers will experience four thrilling experiences in a first-of-its-kind attraction as they fly through the Smokies, conquer raging rapids, climb mountain peaks and glide across a shimmering lake. Follow the roots and light the way!
This hybrid coaster will be unlike anything currently available anywhere. It will soar, plunge, climb, and navigate to a Secret Lake. It will be set against the backdrop of nighttime in the Smoky Mountains and is said to "illuminate a world of wonder".
The new ride system is the design of Mack Rides and has already won the 2025 award for the "Most Innovative Ride". It will be enclosed within a 44,000 square foot building that will be temperature-controlled, creating a comfortable ride no matter the weather outside!
Features & Elements:
- - Immersive Nighttime flight over the scenic Smoky Mountains
- - More than half-a-million gallons of surging water for a thrilling whitewater rafting experience
- - Indoor roller coaster on a mountain ridge
- - Winding boat ride gliding through a shimmering lake
- - Custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle
- - Immersive multimedia projections
- - Dynamic onboard and offboard audio and sound
- - Special lighting effects and projections
- - Max Speed: 29 miles per hour
- - Highest track elevation: nearly three stories high
- - Track Length: 1,255 feet, nearly a quarter of a mile
- - Ride Duration: 5.5 minutes, including loading and unloading
- - Vehicle Description: A custom-built all-terrain, all-weather flying boat
- - Passengers Per Ride Vehicle: 10 (Eleven cars, 10 passengers per car)
- - Seat/Restraint: Lap-bar restraint
- - Manufacturer: MACK Rides GmbH & Co KG
- - Minimum Rider Height: 39"
Where is it Located?
NightFlight Expedition is located in Wildwood Grove right behind the large Big Bear Mountain roller coaster. It's on a previously unused patch of land, so this attraction is an addition to Dollywood rather than a replacement of a ride! The large building that houses this attraction is easily visible from the Premium Parking Lot as well as the train ride right as it reaches the back edge of Wildwood Grove.
Video of NightFlight Expedition
Dollywood has also provided the following video of NightFlight Expedition to give an idea of what to expect…it looks great!
Images of NightFlight Expedition
Dollywood has released the following images showing what to expect of NightFlight Expedition, but they have also said that the ride is about "search and discovery". They are being careful not to reveal too much as they want riders to be delighted and surprised when they experience it for the first time:
Height Requirement & Age Range
The height requirement of NIghtFlight Expedition will be 39", which means this will be a fantastic new family ride. Wildwood Grove is geared towards smaller children and families, so this is a perfect ride in the perfect location of the park.
Expected Opening Date
Dollywood states that it will open in Spring 2026. In previous years, large attractions such as this have typically opened a bit later than the opening day of the season. Almost always, though, they have opened by Memorial Day. Be sure to check Dollywood's official site before you visit to make sure that it is open.
More Details for NightFlight Expedition
Dollywood has a page on their website dedicated to NightFlight Expedition, which you can see here.
Plan your Dollywood Visit
If you're planning a visit to Dollywood in 2026 to experience NightFlight Expedition, be sure to check out our coupons, Dollywood Schedule, and Crowd Calendar to make sure you have the best possible day at Dollywood!
