Rollercoasters at Dollywood

When’s the last time you flew down a wooden structure at more than 60 MPH? Do you remember within the last 6 years spinning in both directions while going up and down a half circle at the same time? How about riding through a creepy 1880s disaster as it suddenly turns into a rollercoaster? Have you ever flown almost completely upside down on a giant gondola or been carried high up into the sky with little more than the wings of an eagle keeping you afloat? Have you ever just barely escaped a blast of fire to the face or an explosion by driving backwards at 40 MPH on a track you can’t even see?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, we recommend you get to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge almost as soon as you arrive (when in season, that is). If you’ve never been to Dollywood, or never been on the rides at Dollywood, you simply haven’t lived; Dollywood and its sister park, Splash Country, feature everything you’ve ever wanted in rollercoasters, thrills, water spills, spins, grins and violations of gravity you didn’t even know were possible!

As you might guess, this article is all about rollercoasters at Dollywood and we want to showcase to you some of what you should be enjoying next time you come into town:

Barnstormer
“Enjoy the same breathtaking moments that daring stunt pilots of the 1920s might have experienced as they zoomed over the fields of nearby farms. The Barnstormer features two pendulum arms with seating for 32 riders. Seated back to back, riders travel progressively higher on each swing of the Barnstormer’s massive arms, reaching a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and 230 degrees of rotation. At its peak, the Barnstormer reaches a staggering 81 feet in the air! Located adjacent to the Mountain Slidewinder, the Barnstormer rests amid a big, red barn, creating a huge, barnyard-themed area which includes a 22-foot by 16-foot bi-plane play area as well as a pig pen water play area for children.” – Dollywood.com

Blazing Fury
“An out-of-control fire is just minutes away from engulfing this 1880s town, and chaos ensues as the town’s residents, a cast of characters ranging from firefighters to gunslingers and damsels in distress, hurry to escape the blaze. Riders scream through town on this indoor roller coaster, taking each hill and curve with great speed as they try to outrun the fire.” – Dollywood.com

Daredevil Falls
“Only a real daredevil will venture into an abandoned logging camp for a one-of-a-kind boat expedition. If you’re up to the challenge, let our adventurous guides help you navigate your way through some close calls with the bears and the old left-behind lumber machinery. But, just when you catch your breath, your boat careens over a waterfall down a 60-foot drop at a heart-racing 50 mph!” – Dollywood.com

Drop Line
“Drop Line lifts guests more than 20 stories above Dollywood’s Timber Canyon. As it ascends, the ride’s gondola slowly spins around the tower, providing guests with a bird’s eye view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests shouldn’t get too comfortable with the commanding vantage point they find high above the ground, however. In an instant, Drop Line plummets them back to the ground in a thrilling rush of excitement.” – Dollywood.com

FireChaser Express ®
“They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In the Smoky Mountains that’s more than just a saying. Fortunately, it seems like with every big blaze, there have always been a few brave souls willing to answer the call – heroes able to tame nature’s fury and preserve the Smokies for generations to come! Now comes your turn to celebrate that heroic spirit in a new coaster sure to test your mettle, and leave you screaming for more! It’s FireChaser Express – the nation’s first dual-launch family coaster – blasting riders forward and backward!” – Dollywood.com

Lightning Rod ®
“Themed after a tricked out 1950s-era hot rod, Lightning Rod ® launches riders from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories up its lift hill to one of the ride’s first airtime moments. At the crest of the hill, riders face twin summit airtime hills before tackling the daring first drop. Lightning Rod races down the 165-foot drop and propels guests along its 3,800-ft. track to a top speed of 73 mph, the fastest speed for a wood coaster in the world. Located in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction, Lightning Rod rockets riders around its massive wooden structure on an adrenaline-charged lap through the trees in the hills and valleys surrounding Dollywood. During the ride, guests experience nearly 20 seconds of airtime. The coaster train is comprised of 12 cars, carrying two passengers each, for a total of 24 people per train.” – Dollywood.com

Mountain Slidewinder
“The Mountain Slidewinder is situated in an authentic Smoky Mountain setting. Your adventure begins as you climb through the actual mountain terrain on your way to boarding this water toboggan thriller. The Mountain Slidewinder literally slides down the mountainside along high-banked curves at breathtaking speeds. Let there be no doubt: you will get wet on this ride!” – Dollywood.com

Mystery Mine
“What if there is no light at the end of the tunnel? Find out on Dollywood’s Mystery Mine® steel coaster where a 1,811-foot track travels through an abandoned coal mine. Uncertain encounters and amazing maneuvers await, including a hair-raising 95-degree, 85-foot vertical drop that plunges into darkness!” – Dollywood.com

Sky Rider
“On the Sky Rider, you’re the pilot as the plane soars 70 feet above Country Fair. There’s even room for a co-pilot and either can control the rudders to move the wings on this exciting ride. With the pilot and co-pilot at the controls, each ride is a different experience but every ride is incredibly fun since mom and dad can enjoy the Sky Rider with their little ones.” – Dollywood.com

Smoky Mountain River Rampage
“If you want to experience one of the Great Smoky Mountain’s most popular sports, then Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain River Rampage is a must! This white water rafting adventure is full of exciting dips, twists and turns along the way. No two excursions are the same, but each one promises a good soaking for all who dare to brave the rapids.” – Dollywood.com

Thunderhead
“An old sawmill once moved lumber out of the mountains at Thunderhead Gap. Wood is still the focus, but now the operation known as the Thunderhead is the wildest ride in the woods! Carefully situated between two mountains, this massive wooden coaster stands tall among the mighty trees and takes advantage of the area’s rough and tumble terrain to create a daring ride featuring a 100-foot drop and a top speed of 55 mph.” – Dollywood.com

Wild Eagle
“America’s first wing coaster, the first ride of its kind in the U.S., is perched 21 stories above Dollywood and takes riders on a unique experience that feels as if they are actually soaring high above the Smoky Mountains. Instead of having the train on the track, Wild Eagle® seats riders on either side so there is nothing but air above and below the rider!” – Dollywood.com