The second Mack Rides Rocking Boat ride in the world is coming to Dollywood as brand new details were today revealed about this very exciting new attraction that is set to change the game entirely for this amazing ride system.
When we visited Futuroscope for the opening of Mission Bermudes, the world’s first Mack Rides Rocking Boat ride we were screaming for this technology to be incorporated into an indoor dark ride experience where the ride can navigate water rapids, lifts and drops like a coaster and more as the coaster track is located underwater in this very clever ride system.
Mission Bermudes was a victim of budget cuts but still delivered a fun experience through a tropical jungle on a mission to the Bermuda Triangle, in steps Dollywood who have today announced NightFlight Expedition as their brand new attraction and it’s going to cost a staggering $50 million at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee theme park.
Opening in 2026 this is the largest attraction investment in the history of the park and the first attraction experience of its kind in the world as four unique features combine into one groundbreaking thrill ride.
This 5 and a half minute experience will have guests seat on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies from whitewater rafting to traversing a mountain ridge on a roller coaster not to mention navigating a mysterious lake by boat.
This experience certainly looks like a step up on the Futuroscope execution of the ride and with a budget like that to spend this could be a very special attraction indeed and being the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride this will have the best of both worlds as you’ll truly be on a themed adventure like no other, the concept art alone looks remarkable and I can’t wait to see it envisioned.
Dolly Parton herself had the following to say about the ride:
I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition. I have no doubt it’s going to be a huge part of Dollywood’s next 40 years. We’re always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we’re doing in the park, and they’ve definitely been able to do it with this ride.
A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is. Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life! Obviously, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the synchronous lightning bugs, but I also love to just sit and listen to the owls calling or the frogs croaking, and I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky. It’s pure mountain magic.
Combing cutting edge technology with immersive storytelling NightFlight Expedition really is one ride to get excited about in 2026 as this 160,000 square foot indoor ride facility is certainly going to be of keen interest to coaster and ride enthusiasts across the world and that’s before the general public will be wowed by its unique ride system and scenic adventure.
Roll on 2026 at Dollywood!
But until then check out the ride system in action during our visit to the opening day of the Mission Bermudes attraction at Futuroscope where we said in our VLOG, this NEEDS to be an indoor ride!
