Thrilling New Dollywood Ride in 2023

It drives me crazy to watch all these exciting roller coaster videos--and I do watch them--and not be able to climb into one. I have enough acrophobia to make that a non-starter.

But a new attraction at Dollywood, coming in 2023, might make me buck up and conquer that fear. I'd hate to be the only one eating at her Beans 'n' Greens restaurant while everyone else is having a screaming good time. Yes, I said SCREAMING.

DOLLYWOOD -- PUSHING 40, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT

If you can believe this, Dollywood has been with us since the mid-80s. And when it began, it was very quaint, very folksy. Lots of craft venues, musical entertainment, and good old southern home cooking. Here's an excellent 30-year retrospective from 2015.

DOLLYWOOD -- THE EARLY YEARS

Yes, Dollywood has retained that folksy charm throughout the decades, even now that popular theme park has kept pace with the addition of new thrill rides every few years. If you've been going since Dollywood's inception, you've probably ridden its first ever coaster, Blazing Fury. Interestingly, Blazing Fury was built in the late 70s, long before Dollywood opened.

Check out this late-80s commercial for Dollywood, starring the icon herself. And I REMEMBER this vividly.

DOLLYWOOD PREPARES FOR BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN

Dollywood has come a long way, and it still has a long way to go. The addition of Bear Mountain is particularly exciting because it will be the largest attraction ever built at Dollywood. At nearly 4,000 feet, it's also the longest coaster to be featured at Dollywood.

Here's what Dollywood has to say about this exciting new addition:

It’s almost time to venture into the Smokies for an unforgettable adventure aboard Dollywood's largest attraction. Ned Oakley, Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, knows a thing or two about this hidden land and is setting up the Adventure Outpost Base Camp, located just a stone’s throw away from the Grove’s Hidden Hollow. Here, you'll join Ned in his specially-outfitted, four-wheel drive SUVs for the ride of your life in search of the Grove’s most storied and elusive inhabitant, Big Bear.

WHAT BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN WILL LOOK LIKE

Check out this simulation.

This thrilling new multi-launch coaster looks to be ready in 2023, so there's something very awesome to which you can look forward.

Of course, fans ALWAYS look forward to arriving at Dollywood; this is just icing on the cake.

[SOURCE: Coaster101.com]

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