Big Bear Mountain Press Release
August 1, 2022
THRILLS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! GET READY FOR AN ADVENTURE IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS AS DOLLYWOOD PRESENTS ITS LONGEST, LARGEST, MULTI LAUNCH ROLLERCOATER NEW FOR 2023
Pigeon Forge, T.N. – Dollywood® will unveil its longest, largest family-friendly multi-launch rollercoaster new for the 2023 season. With an investment of over $25 million, it is part of the biggest expansion in the park’s 62-year history. Guests of all ages have even more to discover at Wildwood Grove, as they continue their travels in search of the mysterious Big Bear, a black bear who wanders Wildwood Grove but has never been seen. As a resident and wilderness explorer of Wildwood Grove and having hidden knowledge of this area, Mr. Ned Oakley has made it his mission to assist travelers whom have the same curiosity as him in finding the legend that is Big Bear. He has set up the Adventure Outpost Base Camp, where he welcomes others to join him in his four-wheel drive SUV as they make the journey to the Grove’s Hidden Hollow.
Built by Dutch manufacturer Vekoma, Dollywood’s tenth rollercoaster provides completion to a margin of the Wildwood Grove section which debuted in 2019. The coaster measures at a whooping length of 3,990 feet over a span of 6 acres of land, as well as being the first audio coaster to be built at Dollywood, relaying musical beats and announcements from our friendly neighbor Ned Oakley. It will feature ten vehicle-styled cars per train with two seats across a single row, allowing for 20 guests per train. Riders will get the thrill of a lifetime as they accelerate at speeds of up to 48 miles per hour in 1.04 seconds.
Expect a surprise as riders are immediately catapulted into a twisted frenzy of huge steel track. They will then race horizonally before soaring through hair-raising 90 degree overbends and s-curves with views of the hillside terrain, all while the voice of Ned Oakley leads the way. Hold on tight while dashing full throttle into a dark tunnel and over the sparkling waterfall. After navigating through more scream-inducing bends, riders will be lifted out of their seats in the sky as they descend down 66 feet (6 stories) through the Tennessean smoky gorge. Nearing the end of their wild, crazy excursion with more airtime-fueled twists and turns, do they make it back to the station unscathed. Will any of them be lucky enough to find Big Bear?
STATS
Name: Big Bear Mountain
Type: Steel/ Multi-launch coaster
Location: Dollywood
Ride Manufacturer: Vekoma
Duration: 1.04 seconds
Height Elevation: 66 feet
Maximum Speed: 48 miles per hour
Length: 3,990 feet
Minimum Height Requirement: 39 inches
Opening Date: May 12, 2023
Stay tuned for updates on Big Bear Mountain in the coming months. Guests can improve their park experience by purchasing a Dollywood season pass. Our gold, silver and summer splash passes offer the gift of unlimited access to events and award-winning festivals you won’t want to miss.
Dollywood® is a family-oriented theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – just 12 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Owned by world famous country-singer Dolly Parton, Dollywood was named the best theme park in America during the 2022 Travelers Choice Best of the Best Awards and was ranked the eighth best amusement park in the world.
References
Big Bear Mountain. 2023. Dollywood. Web. Accessed 4 May 2023. Dollywood.com
https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/rides/big-bear-mountain/
Gregory, John. “Dollywood Opening Multi-Launch Coaster Big Bear Mountain in 2023”. 5 Aug 2022. Theme Park Tribune. Web. Accessed 4 May 2023. Themeparktribune.com
Dollywood opening multi-launch coaster Big Bear Mountain in 2023
Kasko, Brittany. “Dolly Parton Announces New Rollercoaster Attraction at Dollywood Theme Park”. 5 Aug 2022. Fox News. Web. Accessed 4 May 2023. Foxnews.com
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/dolly-parton-announces-new-roller-coaster-attraction-dollywood-theme-park
Murphy, Cindy. “Dollywood Named #1 Theme Park in U.S by Trip Advisor Awards”. 14 Jun 2022. Fox News. Web. Accessed 4 May 2023. Foxnews.com
https://www.google.com/amp/s/fox17.com/amp/news/local/dollywood-named-1-theme-park-in-us-by-tripadvosor
