More information regarding the new Dollywood ride is here! After the media event on September 17, 2025, we now know the name and more details about the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river rafting ride: NightFlight Expedition! According to Dollywood President Eugene Naughton, this new attraction, which has been 3 years in the making, is coming in the spring of 2026. Are you ready to see what happens when the sun goes down? Here’s everything we know so far about NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood:
NightFlight Expedition: The Story
The NightFlight Expedition ride is extending Dollywood’s story of Wildwood Grove. Hidden Hollow Aviation was a clue to Cora and Jasper’s family quest to find Secret Lake, a place they’ve been searching for longer than Uncle Ned has been searching for Big Bear. The promo video shows them finding a book called The Legend of Secret Lake, which contains the story of the magic that makes the Great Smoky Mountains so special, and explains that Secret Lake provides the beautiful glow to the Wildwood tree here at Dollywood, as well as the creatures and plants that grow in the moonlight. So Jasper has invented and bioilluminator, and wants our help to discover the lake’s secret location!
The NightFlight Expedition Experience
4 in 1 Attraction
You’ll begin the ride by soaring high above the Smokies before plunging into the whitewater rapids for a thrilling adventure. NightFlight Expedition also features climb and drop elements like a roller coaster as you ascend majestic mountain peaks, navigate into the heart of the night to discover the light, and wind through a shimmering lake. No one has put all 4 of these experiences together in one ride…until now!
Innovation at its Finest
As previously announced, NightFlight Expedition will be located at WildWood Grove in a 44,0000 square feet building for year-round protection from the elements. Now we also know that it is indeed a water ride, with 500,000 gallons of water for the rip-roaring rapids! From the creators of Wild Eagle, Lightning Rod, and Big Bear Mountain, this is the most ambitious adventure Dollywood has ever imagined and the first ride of its kind in the world!
Plus, this new Dollywood ride is already an award-winning attraction, as it was recently awarded the Golden Ticket for the most innovative ride in 2025 for Dollywood’s partner and manufacturer, MACK Rides. The ride itself features a custom-designed amphibious vehicle, immersive multimedia projections, as well as lighting, audio, and visual special effects.
NightFlight Ride Quick Facts
Speed: 29 miles per hour
Highest track elevation: Nearly three stories high
Track length: 1,255 feet
Ride duration: 5.5 minutes
Passengers per vehicle: 10
Seat type: Lap bar restraint
Minimum rider height: 39 inches
Good News for Diamond Season Pass Holders
If you renew your Diamond Season Pass for 2026, you can be one of the first people to experience NightFlight Expedition! You won’t want to miss the opportunity to check out this new Dollywood ride before everyone else. Plus, a season pass is a fantastic way to save money and make the most of visiting the theme park.
Dollywood: America’s #1 Amusement Park
Dollywood remains committed to innovation and world-class storytelling, making NightFlight Expedition the park’s most expensive endeavor to date, and we can’t wait to experience this new world of wonder in spring 2026! Read more about Dollywood being crowned the #1 amusement park in America!
