Major New Attractions (And More) at Dollywood in 2025 and 2026

Dollywood has big things planned for the future. Here’s what we know so far

If the 40-year history of Dollywood has taught us anything, it’s that the park’s leadership does not believe in allowing the park to stagnate.

When Dolly Parton partnered with Herschend Family Entertainment, Silver Dollar City, as the park was known, received an instant investment infusion of $5 million. When it opened for the 1986 season as Dollywood, the park was rewarded with a massive attendance increase. Perhaps as much as 75%, depending on your source. The way forward was clear. 

Through a well-thought-out and measured campaign of investment and growth, Dollywood would shed its cocoon of a relatively minor theme park. Wings were stretched and Dollywood became one of the world’s best and most recognized amusement parks. 

That doesn’t mean every decision has worked out or that there haven’t been bumps in the road. For instance, the River Battle was – I believe – a good and well-executed idea. But it just didn’t work. To their credit, Dollywood’s management recognized it wasn’t working. They shut it down after nine seasons and you’ll see something new in its place this year. 

The ability to be clear and level-headed, not stubborn, has been a big part of Dollywood’s success. There is a willingness to recognize what works and double down, such as the popular Wildwood Grove addition, quickly followed by the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster and now NightFlight opening in 2026.

1. Wilderness Pass Restaurant

The Wilderness Pass Restaurant is now open at the former location of the River Battle. The restaurant, with its covered outdoor seating, will bring some sorely needed quick-service dining to the Wilderness Pass Area of the park between Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. The restaurant’s menu includes rotisserie chicken, fish, and pork and even has a vegan option. Menu prices range from around $15 to $22.

2. Better parking

As much as I appreciate the efforts of Dollywood management to improve the park over the years, the biggest lingering issue is parking. The lot itself is awkward. The buses and trams can get overwhelmed during peak times. As I’ve said before, my top 10 worst experiences at Dollywood have all been trying to get back to my car at the end of the day.

There was even a day last year when Dollywood officials suggested people park at Patriot Park and take the city trolley to Dollywood. I don’t have many hard and fast rules in life, but one of them is that if the amusement park’s parking lot is full, the park is full. Go somewhere else. I’m not taking a tram just to get on another tram to go to your park.

The good news is that help is on the way. Dollywood officials have unveiled a large new lot above the preferred parking area that will significantly increase Dollywood’s parking capacity. Work began in the summer with dozers moving earth and flattening a space to create more space for parking. I’m certainly curious as to how it changes parking logistics. The lot is placed on the far side of the preferred pay lot, away from the park. It doesn’t appear accessible to the current tram and bus system. Will it have a bus route?

It’s walkable, but it would be a pretty good hike for some. I’m also curious if there will eventually be a public Wildwood Grove entrance – as part of the multi-phase Wildwood Grove rollout – which could save people walking up and down that massive hill to the current second bus system.

3. Wildwood Grove phases

When Wildwood Grove – a massive expansion that increased park size by 20% – opened in 2019, the indication was that was just phase I. The addition of the Big Bear Coaster appears to have been phase II. Owens basically said they are developing another park at Wildwood Grove. He also indicated phase III is coming in 2026 and a phase IV beyond that.

“The Goal is we become the preferred family destination in the United States,” Owens said.

If you think about it, Wildwood Grove as a second park makes sense. Dollywood has opened two major hotels in DreamMore and HeartSong and plans for up to three more. To accommodate that many guests, Dollywood either needs a second park or to make the existing park much bigger.  

4. NightFlight ‘Coaster’

NightFlight is a four-in-one ride experience that takes guests above the mountains at night and plunges them down into a rapids ride. Reportedly, it won’t get guests very wet at all. It attaches to a track, transforming into a dark ride before turning into a traditional roller coaster. 

“NightFlight Expedition is the ride that industry experts, media, and influencers have all called the most anticipated attraction of 2026,” said Naughton. “This ride is going to be a game-changer for the theme park world. But it isn’t the only game changer for Dollywood this season. I am so excited to participate in Dollywood’s ‘Run Dollywood’ race alongside the other participants. I also can’t wait to watch families make even more memories together during our brand-new, after-hours events and other festival offerings. This truly will be the most exciting season at Dollywood yet.” (According to Dollywood’s Eugene Naughton)

The family-friendly ride will be thrilling, with a relatively low height limit, so kids and adults can enjoy it.

“Being the fact that it is our 11th coaster, we had to throw some other things into the bucket, so to speak,” Naughton said. “That’s why we built a 60-foot water tower that holds half a million gallons of water, which is going to carry us through the rapids portion of the ride.”  

5. Blazing Fury refurbishment

Blazing Fury was closed for a while and reopened in 2025. The ride is a much less bruising endeavor now. They also upgraded the sound system – “Weak back or not, Luther, here I come!” is now much more intelligible. Naughton also indicated they gave some TLC to the ride’s characters – like Molly and Luther – as well as its scenery. They also did some repair work on the building to fix what Naughton called light leaks. However, you and I would refer to them as holes. The dark ride is now once again, dark. 

“While the heart and spirit of Blazing Fury remain unchanged, guests may notice a few enhancements throughout the ride. The ride has been refreshed overall with characters receiving new costumes, updated signage, some new track work and the waterfall area receiving a complete and beautiful rebuild. This work was done with respect for the attraction’s original charm.

Other additions added to Dollywood in 2025

The Dollywood Website announced several other improvements or additions for the 2025 – 40th anniversary season. They include a new stage show celebrating the park’s history of entertainment. Also added are a new 40th-anniversary drone and fireworks show and a “newly refreshed” Country Fair with all new seasonal overlays. At the preview, it was confirmed that Country Fair games are gone, replaced by a new splash pad.

Other improvements include new paint, carpet, and seats in the Celebrity Theater. A new outdoor Dollywood sign on a hill, inspired by the Hollywood sign in California, that was installed.

The Heartsong Theater has been renamed The Imagination Playhouse. The Heartsong Show has moved to the Dolly Parton Experience.

What do you think about the changes at Dollywood? Let us know in the comments and on the socials! Are you planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains soon? Make sure to check out our coupons page before your trip!