Dolly Parton ‘excited’ to launch brand new rollercoaster at her beloved Dollywood

metro.co.uk:

Dolly Parton is launching a new rollercoaster at her iconic theme park, Dollywood.The 76-year-old country star and entrepreneur, who opened the world-class amusement park in her native Tennessee back in 1986, announced on Friday that a brand new ride called The Big Bear Mountain will be launching in 2023, reportedly costing a cool $25million (£20.7m).Alongside a video teaser of the new ride, the Dollywood company teased: ‘Join Ned Oakley in Spring 2023 on our largest family adventure yet: Big Bear Mountain.

This multi-launch coaster contains 3,990 ft. of track, expanding Wildwood Grove with a six-acre ride.‘Prepare for things to get BIG by watching our exclusive first look at ride animation.’According to a press release, the Big Bear Mountain ride will feature ‘three separate launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed carousel turns, and tunnels, including a pass behind a waterfall’, because of course chart-topper Dolly doesn’t do things by halves.The Jolene hitmaker, who previously revealed she avoids riding her own rollercoasters over the fear of losing her hair – ‘And God knows what else will fall out on me!’ – took to social media to express her ‘excitement’ that fans will be able to travel the Smoky Mountains themselves via the ride.The Smokies are all about adventure and going exploring.

Iâm excited our guests will be able to head out on their own trip into the Smokies to see if they can find that Big Bear! https://t.co/2Is8JG3AdpShe also popped in a sly reference to her 1994 song Smoky Mountain Memories in the process.‘The Smokies are all about adventure and going exploring.