Big Bear Mountain Family Coaster to Roar into Dollywood in 2023

© Dollywood

Dollywood has announced the addition of a thrilling new family roller coaster, named Big Bear Mountain, for the park's 2023 season.  The new ride is the focus of a large expansion to Wildwood Grove, the park's latest themed area, and will cost a substantial $25 million.  The custom layout coaster will be feature three separate launches to power the ride and will be created by Vekoma.

As with most of Dollywood's recent additions, Big Bear Mountain comes with a full backstory.  "According to legend, Big Bear is a massive black bear who has been roaming through Wildwood Grove for as long as anyone can remember.  While no one has ever seen him, telltale signs regularly appear in the hills surrounding the Grove.  Dollywood guests are invited to join Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, Ned Oakley, on an adventure to find Big Bear.  From his base camp—located just a stone’s throw from the Grove’s Hidden Hollow—Oakley takes adventurers for the rides of their lives in his specially-outfitted, “four-wheel drive SUVs.” 

© Dollywood

Big Bear Mountain will start with a mini launch out of the station and over a small hill, then trains will launch through the first of two main launch sections.  The ride's layout will border most of Wildwood Grove, with orange track and green supports working as a backdrop for the area.  The coaster will have a maximum height of 66 feet off the ground and the top launch speed is 48 miles per hour.  Seen above in concept art form, the ride will zoom through a cave that is surrounded by waterfalls, should be a very pretty set up.

© Dollywood

The coaster's layout in relation to Wildwood Grove is shown in the image above, be sure to click for a much larger look.  Big Bear Mountain's 3,990 feet of track, which is very long for a launched coaster, covers six acres of land and features carousel turns, tunnels, undulating hills and more.  Even better, the coaster will feature on-board audio with Ned Oakley narrating "as guests come daringly close to Big Bear" while on their journey.

Another great aspect of Big Bear Mountain, which is planned to open in the Spring of 2023, is it will only have a 39 inch height requirement.  Dollywood is a family theme park, and it is great to see them continue to building a selection of rides aimed at thrilling the whole family!  Check out the animated on-ride and off-ride animation of Big Bear Mountain below!