Coming to Dollywood in 2026: NightFlight Expedition
Set within Wildwood Grove, adventurers will board remarkable ride vehicles that transform seamlessly between air, water, and land—delivering four unique thrills in a first-of-its-kind experience. Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, “a more than $50 million attraction.”
–Soaring Over the Smokies
–Plunging Into Whitewater Rapids
–Climbing a Mountainside
–Navigating a Mysterious Lake
Dollywood has announced its most ambitious attraction yet, NightFlight Expedition, opening in 2026. This groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater adventure takes riders on a daring quest that blends thrills and storytelling into one unforgettable journey.
“As the newest expansion to Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove, NightFlight Expedition is featured in an astounding indoor, weather-independent 160,000 square foot facility.”
-Track Length of 1255 ft (nearly a quarter of a mile).
-Minimum Height Requirement of 39 inches.
-29mph top speed.
“NightFlight Expedition, the first attraction experience of its kind in the world, combines four unique features into one groundbreaking thrill ride sure to delight guests of all ages. Created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and esteemed manufacturer Mack Rides, the custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle interacts with vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, as well as special lighting effects, to immerse guests in an extraordinary Smoky Mountain adventure. Mack Rides recently won the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation thanks to the ride system utilized in NightFlight Expedition.” -Dollywood
@amusementinsider NEW Mack Rocking Boat water/coaster ride!! Dollywood has officially announced its largest attraction investment ever, a more than $50 million project debuting in 2026. The new ride, NightFlight Expedition, is a one-of-a-kind hybrid that blends roller coaster thrills and whitewater rafting; all housed inside a massive 160,000-square-foot show building. rollercoaster dollywood pigeonforge themepark rides NightFlight Expedition offers: A Track Length of ~ a quarter mile, Over 5 minutes ride time, and a 29 mph top speed! Developed by Herschend Creative Studios in partnership with Mack, Guests will encounter multimedia projections, dynamic audio, and spectacular lighting effects that bring the Smoky Mountains to life in an unforgettable indoor adventure. Four Adventures, One Ride 1. Soaring Over the Smokies – A blend of thrill and flight. 2. Plunging Into Whitewater Rapids – Similar to systems seen at Futuroscope, reimagined indoors with glowing roots and magical light effects. 3. Climbing a Mountainside – An upward trek. 4. Navigating a Mysterious Lake Opening in 2026 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, NightFlight Expedition redefines what a theme park attraction can be—uniting multiple ride systems into a single adventure. Imagery by Mack Rides, Dollywood, Reddit User Storm_Surge-, ♬ original sound – Austin Rdzanek
