Is Dollywood calling your name this vacation? If so, you’re in for a memorable experience enjoying your time at one of the most popular theme parks in America! There’s plenty to love about Dollywood, from the rides to the live shows, craft demonstrations, dining, and shopping. But the highlight of the Pigeon Forge theme park is the Dollywood roller coasters! It’s on these legendary coasters that you’ll enjoy heart-pumping fun that makes the hair on your arms stick up. Here are 5 Dollywood roller coasters to experience for the ultimate thrills:
1. Lightning Rod
If you love the rattle and uneasiness of wooden coasters, Lightning Rod is for you! This coaster starts by taking riders up more than 20 stories on its lift hill before launching down a 165-foot drop. You’ll reach speeds of up to 73 miles per hour, making this a favorite among Dollywood roller coasters for the biggest thrill-seekers. You’ll go through sharp turns, significant changes in altitude, and even get to enjoy some of the best scenery at Dollywood aboard this ride.
2. Wild Eagle
Step aboard America’s first winged coaster! Wild Eagle is essentially like soaring through the Smokies skies like a bird! You’ll sit along either side of the coaster’s track with your feet dangling, creating a sensation of being propelled through the air, 21 stories above Dollywood. Experience a 135-foot drop, 4 inversions, extreme banking, and top speeds of 61 miles per hour as you enjoy picturesque bird’s eye views of the Smoky Mountains.
3. Mystery Mine
Head deep into the mines of Dollywood aboard Mystery Mine! Combining horror stories with thrills, this coaster navigates through the dark tunnels and sudden drops of an abandoned coal mine. Not your traditional coaster, Mystery Mine includes special effects and immersive themes that make it more of an experience than just a ride. You’ll experience near-vertical drops, 2 complete inversions, maximum speeds of 60 miles per hour, and plenty of G forces!
4. Big Bear Mountain
One of the top Dollywood roller coasters for families is Big Bear Mountain! The longest coaster in the park at nearly 4,000 feet of track, it’s a smooth and scenic adventure that all ages can enjoy as long as you meet the minimum height requirement of 39 inches. Because it isn’t as intense as other Dollywood roller coasters, it’s a great option for families with children who want thrills without the experience being too much. It reaches a maximum speed of 48 miles per hour and includes on-board audio to elevate the storytelling experience.
5. Thunderhead
Thunderhead is another of the wooden Dollywood roller coasters you have to experience. It’s the wildest ride in the woods at Dollywood thanks to its speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, a 100-foot drop, and tumbling terrain! More than 20 crossovers and banked turns help create a sensation of feeling weightless as you enjoy a smooth but exhilarating experience. Thunderhead is routinely voted as one of the most popular wooden coasters in the United States!
Ready to Ride Dollywood Roller Coasters?
You can expect heart-pumping fun and endless memories when you step aboard these Dollywood roller coasters! As you plan your trip to the Smoky Mountains, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is where to stay. Our Pigeon Forge cabin rentals have all the extras that make you feel at home and are convenient to Dollywood. Take a look today to find a vacation home that you’ll love!
