USA: Dollywood Announces Largest Capital Investment in Its History

Tennessee’s Dollywood amusement park has recently announced the development of a new theme area, which is set to be the largest capital investment in its 32-year park history. Scheduled to open in 2019, “Wildwood Grove” will feature eleven different attractions for guests, including six rides.

Entering the new theme area, visitors will pass through a massive hollow trunk of a fallen tree, before they will see the 16.7 meter (55 feet) high “Wildwood Tree”, which will be the eye-catching centerpiece of the new area with a green, leafy canopy adorned with thousands of butterflies, coming to life each evening in a nighttime show. A highlight for thrill-seekers, “The Dragonflier” suspended coaster from Dutch manufacturer Vekoma Rides will let guests soar with a dragonfly along gushing geysers and a lush landscape. Another attraction will be the “Black Bear Trail”: Riders hop on the back of friendly bears for a trek through their natural habitat. The “Sycamore Swing” takes guests back and forth just like a leaf falling from a giant sycamore tree while the “Treetop Tower” – a twelve meter (nearly 40 feet) high family tower – promises adrenaline for the whole family. Guests can experience a flight above the park grounds on “The Mad Mockingbird”, an interactive flight attraction; on “Frogs and Fireflies” riders hop up and down as they chase each other around a lily pad trying to catch flickering fireflies.

Furthermore, the new theme area will feature several indoor and outdoor play areas, live entertainment and a new restaurant. The Dollywood Company will invest a total sum of approx. 37 million US Dollar (32 million Euros) into the project. Nearly one million US Dollar (more than 800,000 Euros) have been planned for landscaping the area, with over 400 trees and 1,000 shrubs helping transform the space into a lush and relaxing spot. (eap)