Dollywood started its 29th season with a blast — by opening FireChaser Express, the dual-launch Gerstlauer family coaster.
The $16 million coaster is touted as the first of its type in the United States. The 2-minute and 19-second coaster launches riders forwards and backwards.
The coaster is situated on the land formerly occupied by the Adventure Mountain obstacle course.
Riders are launched out of the station from zero to 16 mph in 1.1 seconds.
The coaster’s lift hill stands 79 feet above the ground. Riders reach a top speed of 34.5 mph on the 2,427-foot-long course.
All Photos © Dollywood
The coaster also features a family-friendly 39-inch minimum height requirement.
“Whenever we build something, of course we try to create something unique to Dollywood,” Dolly Parton said. “And this FireChaser Express certainly is unique … what makes it special, is the ‘fire company’ — the kids and their parents — are launched forward … and then about halfway through, they are launched backwards. That sounds scary to me!”
Watch the entire announcement here.
Have you ridden FireChaser Express yet? Share your thoughts about the coaster in the comments section below.
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