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With multiple park expansion projects well underway when Anakeesta made the decision to temporarily close their doors in March over coronavirus concerns, the park’s recent announcement of a tentative reopening on May 21 has many wondering exactly what Anakeesta has in store for guests upon their return.
The current list of pending projects includes the new AnaVista Tower, Smokehouse restaurant & brewery, TreeVenture (a new challenge course) and a new family outdoor water play area.
While most of these new additions will still be under construction at the time of the park’s reopening, guests will be able to get a sneak peek at the progress made over the course of the past couple of months. Guests will also be able to enjoy a brand new shopping plaza which will be ready by the time the park reopens.
“Guests who are used to visiting Anakeesta will notice a huge change upon their return to the mountain,” said a representative from the park.
Pictured: Construction progress on AnaVista Tower, band stage & plaza, and the new Smokehouse restaurant and brewery. (photos courtesy of Anakeesta)Current tentative open dates are as follows:
- TreeVenture: Early June 2020
- AnaVista Tower: Mid-Late June 2020
- Smokehouse restaurant: Fall/September 2020
- Family outdoor water play area: Fall/September 2020
TreeVenture, Anakeesta’s new challenge course is set to open to the public in early June (photo courtesy of Anakeesta)Anakeesta’s new AnaVista Tower stands at 55-feet tall and once it is completed, will be the tallest point in Gatlinburg.
Last month, Anakeesta gave its guests and fans a unique opportunity to name that tower through a social media contest, for which it received 1,300 name submissions, according to their social media page. The winner was Carla Ann, a Tennessean who was the “first of many” to suggest the name “AnaVista Tower” — blending the names Anakeesta and the location of the new tower, Vista Gardens.
It can be a brave move letting the Internet name such a landmark, as a British government agency famously learned when their $287 million research ship was almost named Boaty McBoatface. But because the folks at Anakeesta hand-picked from the submissions, in lieu of handing it over to an Internet vote, a Tower McTowerface never came to fruition.
Aerial view of Anakeesta’s new AnaVista Tower (contributed photo)It’s also important to note that season pass holders who purchased their season passes prior to the park’s closing will have extended time on their passes that will match the length of time of the closure.
What are you most looking forward to about the park’s reopening? Let us know in the comments!
Visit the CDC website and the Tennessee Department of Health website for the latest information about the coronavirus.
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AHHHHHH I cannot wait!!!
Finally!