Dollywood’s newest ride is finally open and it’s drawing huge crowds and long lines. Some guests have shared on social media that the wait to ride NightFlight Expedition was around three hours,
NightFlight
opened for all guests on Aug. 19. The innovative indoor attraction combines multiple ride elements, offering a unique ride experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Dollywood fans and theme park enthusiasts had been eager to try out the ride ever since the project was announced nearly ago.
Without spoiling too much of the experience, here’s a little bit of the journey you’ll go on once you finally make it to the NightFlight Expedition line.
What’s NightFlight Expedition really like to ride?
When you hop on NightFlight’s boat-like vehicle – and I do mean hop on – it’s just the beginning of an adventure that will have you soaring over the Great Smoky Mountains and surging through rapids, all while searching for a secret shimmering lake.
Immersive dark ride: The entire ride is indoors but twinkling fireflies, sounds of cicadas and other colorful details through lighting and special effects bring nighttime in the Smokies to life inside.
Soar: One of the biggest surprises comes early in ride when you meet twin scientists Cora and Jasper Oakley and you’re sent flying over the mountains.
Plunge: NIghtFlight isn’t a water ride, but you just might get wet! No spoiling in how you go from flying in the air to braving through rushing rapids that glow, but it certainly adds an unexpected thrill to an indoor ride.
Twists and turns: Despite flying in the air and floating through water, make no mistake that NightFlight Expedition is a roller coaster. The ride is all tracked and has the quick jolts and twists you expect on a theme park coaster.
How long will you have to wait to ride NightFlight Expedition?
NightFlight has only been open for a few days, so curiosity and hype are likely driving the long lines guests have reported. Social media videos even show the queue extending all the way to The Wildwood Tree, the centerpiece of Wildwood Grove section of the park.
However, 3-hour-long waits are not expected to be the norm for NightFlight. Dollywood expects about an hourlong wait during normal operations and says about 1,200 people per hour will be able to ride NightFlight.
Dollywood spokesperson Wes Ramey also noted on Aug. 20 that the ride is still in technical ride rehearsals and that can affect the wait time as well.
Can you use a TimeSaver Pass to skip the line?
NightFlight Expedition is not an available TimeSaver fast pass attraction as of Aug. 20, according to Ramey.
“We will announce details in the future regarding its addition to the TimeSaver offerings,” Ramey said.
It should be noted that a TimeSaver Pass sign for the ride is posted just past the NightFlight “portal” entrance.
NightFlight Expedition by the numbers
- Maximum speed is 29 mph
- Minimum height requirement is 39 inches
- Ride duration of 5.5 minutes
- Nearly a quarter of a mile of coaster track
- 10 passengers per car
- 44,000 square foot facility (which is larger than four football fields)
- Nearly three stories high at highest track elevation
- 500,000 gallons of water used
- Cost over $60 million (Dollywood’s most expensive ride ever)
When are Dollywood’s hours?
- Dollywood is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. now through Sept. 13.
- The park will be open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 14-Oct. 2, Oct. 16-Nov. 25, and Nov. 29-Dec. 23.
- Dollywood will be open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 3-15, Nov. 27-28, and Dec. 26 through Jan. 3, the last day of the season.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Eager to ride NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood? Be ready to wait
