NightFlight Expedition Construction at Dollywood September 2025

NightFlight Expedition construction has taken off! Following the announcement of NightFlight Expedition, Dollywood’s new-for-2026 hybrid roller coaster and water ride, members of the media were invited to tour the large construction site, which provided us with an up-close glimpse of the massive 44,000-square-foot building that will house the attraction.

I hadn’t been to the park since opening weekend in March (the building was not constructed), so I was following construction from my phone. As I was watching this building rise from afar, I read several comments stating that it was much larger in person.

They were right! Photos don’t do this massive hangar-like structure any justice.

Stacks of track and supports were lined up on the outskirts of the construction site. NightFlight Expedition is a Mack Rocking Boat, only the second in the world — and the first to be totally enclosed.

Some sections of track were painted gray while others were black. I can’t say for certain, but I’m guessing the gray sections will go in the water scenes, as I guess that lighter color wouldn’t show as much under rushing water.

NightFlight Expedition will stretch 1,255 feet in length, so I’m guessing there is even more to come.

While there is some debate as to whether this is a roller coaster, I will likely count it (and I’m fairly conservative with what I count as a credit). The sections above sure seem like coaster track to me!

The attraction itself will stand just under 30 feet tall and reach a top speed of 29 mph.

Back at the building, I hope someone will eventually be able to create a drawing of the layout (as I’m sure the park wants to keep the layout a surprise, which is certainly understandable).

We learned during the construction tour that a small pond will be situated to the right of the show building. A large plaza will be situated in front of the building, which will be themed to an airplane hangar.

This is the general path guests will take to enter — passing under Big Bear Mountain’s finale.

Inside the building, tall concrete footers are rising toward the building’s roof.

The backside of the building is still visible from the Dollywood Express.

I’m not sure at what point the building will be completely enclosed, but I’m guessing we’ll see at least some of the track sections installed before the walls block our view.

I do hope the park plants some trees to hide the building from the train once it’s complete — or at least paint the walls so that it blends in with the Wildwood Grove theme.

The park hasn’t revealed a specific date or time frame for NightFlight Expedition’s opening, but my guess would be April or May based on Dollywood’s past new rides’ opening dates.

To learn more about NightFlight Expedition’s ride system, check out our in-depth look at Mission Bermudes, a Mack Rocking Boat at Futuroscope.

What do you think about NightFlight Expedition? Share your thoughts about Dollywood’s new-for-2026 hybrid attraction in the comments section below.