Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dollywood is celebrating its newest edition, the NightFlight Expedition, the first of its kind in the world.
The $60 million immersive experience focuses on following Cora and Jasper Oakley, the niece and nephew of Ned Oakley, a character made famous at the Big Bear Mountain family coaster.
"I think it's gonna really catch people off guard with the uniqueness of it," said Dollywood Parks and Resorts president Eugene Naughton.
According to a news release, the ride was created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios, and manufacturer Mack Rides.
"It has a media-based room that we're gonna be traveling and flying through the Smoky Mountains. It's gonna be as close to a VR experience that you possibly can have, and then probably my funnest part of the ride that I really like is the rapids area," Naughton said.
Originally supposed to open in the spring, the ride experienced an engineering delay, but officials say they're excited for the opening.
"This really is the biggest thing we've ever done here at Dollywood, and we can't wait for you all to take a voyage with us and find Secret Lake," Naughton said.
Comprising four different experiences, the coaster takes riders through the Great Smoky Mountains, plunging into a whitewater excursion of 500, 000 gallons of water.
"Nothing I've ever been on is like it. The first part was just very screen ride," said Brie Floyd, content creator. "But then it really surprised me when we went into another section of the ride and the water part of it was something I've never seen before"
Although unable to attend the event in person, Dolly Parton was present via video to talk about the ride and provide a health update after recent worries.
"I like to keep all of you in the loop, like I said I would, on everything, so all is going well on the medical end of things," Parton said.
Parton says she's proud of the new ride.
“I’m so proud that we’re able to create something like NightFlight Expedition and give families a brand-new way to experience the Smokies together,” said Dolly Parton in a press release. “Growing up here, I learned to love these mountains in a way that stays with you your whole life. I always want folks who visit Dollywood to feel that same way,"
The ride marks the 11th coaster and the second indoor one at the park.
Starting Saturday, August 15, through Tuesday, August 18, passholders at Dollywood can get a preview of the ride before it opens to the general public on Wednesday, August 19.
#dollywood #rollercoasters #tennessee
MORE: wlos.com/news/local/dollywood-roller-coaster-nightfight-expedition-fun-opening-tennessee-amusement-park-pigeon-forge-music
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WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
Dollywood is celebrating its newest edition, the NightFlight Expedition, the first of its kind in the world.
The $60 million immersive experience focuses on following Cora and Jasper Oakley, the niece and nephew of Ned Oakley, a character made famous at the Big Bear Mountain family coaster.
"I think it's gonna really catch people off guard with the uniqueness of it," said Dollywood Parks and Resorts president Eugene Naughton.
According to a news release, the ride was created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios, and manufacturer Mack Rides.
"It has a media-based room that we're gonna be traveling and flying through the Smoky Mountains. It's gonna be as close to a VR experience that you possibly can have, and then probably my funnest part of the ride that I really like is the rapids area," Naughton said.
Originally supposed to open in the spring, the ride experienced an engineering delay, but officials say they're excited for the opening.
"This really is the biggest thing we've ever done here at Dollywood, and we can't wait for you all to take a voyage with us and find Secret Lake," Naughton said.
Comprising four different experiences, the coaster takes riders through the Great Smoky Mountains, plunging into a whitewater excursion of 500, 000 gallons of water.
"Nothing I've ever been on is like it. The first part was just very screen ride," said Brie Floyd, content creator. "But then it really surprised me when we went into another section of the ride and the water part of it was something I've never seen before"
Although unable to attend the event in person, Dolly Parton was present via video to talk about the ride and provide a health update after recent worries.
"I like to keep all of you in the loop, like I said I would, on everything, so all is going well on the medical end of things," Parton said.
Parton says she's proud of the new ride.
“I’m so proud that we’re able to create something like NightFlight Expedition and give families a brand-new way to experience the Smokies together,” said Dolly Parton in a press release. “Growing up here, I learned to love these mountains in a way that stays with you your whole life. I always want folks who visit Dollywood to feel that same way,"
The ride marks the 11th coaster and the second indoor one at the park.
Starting Saturday, August 15, through Tuesday, August 18, passholders at Dollywood can get a preview of the ride before it opens to the general public on Wednesday, August 19.
#dollywood #rollercoasters #tennessee
MORE: wlos.com/news/local/dollywood-roller-coaster-nightfight-expedition-fun-opening-tennessee-amusement-park-pigeon-forge-music
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
