Legend Building In Dollywood and Hidden Hollow Aviation

What is the legend of Secret Lake and what does it have to do with Hidden Hollow?

For quite some time now, we’ve known something massive and new was coming to Dollywood in the near future. Information has been revealed in dribs and drabs.

We know it’s not a roller coaster. But we do know the Hidden Hollow Aviation is a $50 million indoor attraction that will be housed in a five-story, 44,000-square foot building. The location is between the northernmost bend in the Big Bear Mountain coaster and the Dollywood Express track. In fact, if you want a good look at the construction, just ride the Express and you can see the building going up in all its glory. 

But what is the ride exactly? We know that previously, Dollywood VP Pete Owens said the attraction will be unlike anything in the world. Dolly Parton herself said it’s the biggest thing the park has ever done. And Dollywood President Eugene Naughton added that it will be the most ambitious endeavor. 

What is Hidden Hollow?

Hidden Hollow is an indoor kids’ play area in the Wildwood Grove section of the park. It is located across from the DragonFlier and it’s a good place for parents or grandparents to rest in air conditioning – or heat when it’s cold – while the younger kids burn off some energy. 

However, it appears that Hidden Hollow will have a bigger role in the park and Wildwood Grove in the future. Promotional materials for the new ride have featured the name Hidden Hollow Aviation. There is also a logo of a propeller and a tag line that tells guests to prepare to take flight. 

Is the new ride going to be named Hidden Hollow Aviation? Maybe. But regardless it’s clear that Hidden Hollow Aviation will feature prominently as will the Legend of Secret Lake.

What is the Legend of Secret Lake?

We don’t know specifically. However, in another promo video, we see a young girl pull a book titled “The Legend of Secret Lake” out of chest with a few other objects. The scene then cuts to a nighttime flight over a lake – one with significantly more wave action than you’d typically see in a mountain lake. And the tag line tells guests to prepare to take the plunge. 

What is the ride going to be?

There was a lot of speculation that it would be some kind of indoor coaster/video screen hybrid. But Owens previously said it would not be a coaster. Plus, the building under construction is not really big enough for a coaster. For reference, the building that houses the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind building in EPCOT is believed to be roughly 200,000 square feet. 

However, internet sleuths say this ride is a suspended dark ride attraction by Vekoma, a Dutch attraction creation company. The company previously worked with Dollywood on the DragonFlier and Big Bear Mountain. The ride should be something akin to a next generation version of the Peter Pan ride in the Magic Kingdom or the ET the Extraterrestrial Ride in Universal Studios Orlando, but with significant upgrades in ride experience, vehicle, and technology. 

Importantly, the ride vehicle can change levels. It can be lifted or lowered from one track to another. This would be an important part of a ride that promises to take guests “up over and through the Great Smoky Mountains down to the heart of the ancient Wildwood Tree” where they will “follow the light to something unexpected.” Something like a Secret Lake perhaps? 

It seems possible that the five story building will have multiple levels allowing guests to fly over the mountains, down through the tree to a secret world with a secret lake – which makes me think of the old Cherokee Legend of Aghati, a secret lake that could only be found by the pure of heart. Judging from the Vekoma animation, the ride would have the capability to interact with practical sets like old school rides as well as screens to provide an experience like Soarin’ at EPCOT. 

Could the ride have two or three tiers? I think two tiers are likely and three tiers are entirely possible.

Who is Ned Oakley and how does he figure into all this?

Ned Oakley is a key part of the lore Dollywood has created for Wildwood Grove. Oakley – a fourth-generation wilderness explorer (not in caps to avoid issues with Pixar?) Oakley is also Benjamin Bear’s caretaker and a fervent believer in the mystical legend of Big Bear – a giant bear who lives in the forests surrounding Wildwood Grove. Big Bear’s a lot like Big Foot except he’s a bear and not a humanoid or ape-like being. Oakley has been gathering intel on Big Bear and is prepared to go searching.

How does Oakley figure into Hidden Hollow Aviation? We can’t be sure. However, the voiceover for the ad with the girl and the book feature the line “a family’s quest will illuminate a world of wonder and adventure.” Just before this line, the girl picks up a pair of aviator’s wings with the initial N in the middle. It seems possible that the adventure will involve Oakley’s family or possibly descendants as they follow Ned’s passion for seeking out mountain lore.

It’s also possible that Ned will go missing in his search for Big Bear. Therefore, our mission will include bringing him home from Secret Lake. Only time will tell.

   

How can we find out more?

Part of Dollywood’s promotion encourages guests to call 865-868-0168, text the word “Hidden” to 41274 or go online to www.hiddenhollowaviation.com.  Each of those options allow guests to sign up for marketing to be among the first to get updates on Hidden Hollow Aviation and the secrets that will be revealed until the ride’s projected opening, sometime in 2026.

Why is the ride important?

As Dolly, Owens and Naughton all indicated, this ride represents a significant step forward for Dollywood operations. Dollywood has done a fantastic job adding and upgrading attractions over its 40 years. But the vast majority of those are outdoor experiences and weather dependent. Ain’t nobody wants to ride Lightning Rod when it’s pouring rain or – more importantly – in 25-degree weather in January.

However, Naughton has gone on record that his vision is to see Dollywood become a year-round park, not closing down in January in February. For that to happen, they have to have things for people to do when it’s too cold to be fooling around with roller coasters. A massive, popular, and successful attraction that can run year-round and doesn’t have to close in a summer thunderstorm is a heckuva addition to a park that wants to draw revenue 12 months out of the year. 

What do you know about the new indoor Dollywood ride? Let us know in the comments!