Dollywood today announced plans for Big Bear Mountain, a new-for-2023, nearly 4,000-foot-long family triple-launch coaster to open in the Wildwood Grove section of the park.
According to the park, “Big Bear Mountain’s massive structure hugs six acres of undulating topography which runs along the border of Wildwood Grove, with riders racing through the wilderness before soaring high above the forest on the search for the legendary bear.”
Featuring a top speed of 48 mph, Big Bear Mountain will feature three separate launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed turns and tunnels — including a pass behind a waterfall.
Watch an animated video of Big Bear Mountain below:
Click the image below for a large-size version of Big Bear Mountain’s layout and location in Wildwood Grove:
Big Bear Mountain, Dollywood’s new-for-2023 family multi-launch coaster is the longest coaster at the park at 3,990 feet.
The coaster is being manufactured by Vekoma, the company behind, Dragonflier, the family suspended coaster that opened with the Wildwood Grove area in 2019.
Big Bear Mountain will be the longest coaster at Dollywood with a length of 3,990 feet of track and a ride time of roughly 100 seconds.
The coaster will stand 66 feet tall and feature a max speed of 48 mph.
Each train will seat 20 guests. Big Bear Mountain will have a 39-inch height requirement.
“Big Bear Mountain is an exciting ride that really is going to be a game changer for us,” said Eugene Naughton, President of the Dollywood Company.
“Not only is it the largest coaster we’ve built, but it includes features—like on-board audio—that are new for our company. Big Bear Mountain also expands the footprint of Wildwood Grove and serves as another monumental step in the ongoing investment plan Dolly and I announced in June 2021. She’s keeping me busy. Now that we’ve announced Big Bear Mountain, I’ll start working on the next projects she has lined up for me!”
Additionally, it will be the first coaster at Dollywood to feature onboard audio.
The Dollywood website describes Big Bear Mountain’s back story:
It’s almost time to venture into the Smokies for an unforgettable adventure aboard Dollywood’s largest attraction. Ned Oakley, Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, knows a thing or two about this hidden land and is setting up the Adventure Outpost Base Camp, located just a stone’s throw away from the Grove’s Hidden Hollow. Here, you’ll join Ned in his specially-outfitted, four-wheel drive SUVs for the ride of your life in search of the Grove’s most storied and elusive inhabitant, Big Bear.
In true Dolly fashion, Big Bear Mountain will also include 25 “butterfly moments,” although the specifics of that have were not released.
“I’m excited our guests will be able to head out on their own trip into the Smokies to see if they can find that Big Bear!” said Dolly Parton herself.
“Whether he’s out there or not, I’m sure they’ll find a lot of memories along the way that they’ll keep forever.”
This is a developing story — check back for more details as they are released!
Big Bear Mountain is scheduled to open in spring 2023.
What are your thoughts on Big Bear Mountain? Let us know in the comments section below!
Not only am I so totally excited and thrilled to hear about your new Big Bear Mountain Coaster because Bears, including Polar Bears, Black Bears, especially Brown Bears, all Wolves, all foxes, Hummingbirds, Hawk family, Wolverines are my ultimate most number 1 favorite animals of all times, but believe it or not, my birth surname is actually Bearpaw. With that said, what month and day in the Spring of 2023 is the opening day for the Big Bear Mountain?