Opening in 1961 as the small Rebel Railroad park, Dollywood has seen many changes during the past 65 years. It even was named Silver Dollar City Tennessee beginning in 1977 after Herschend purchased the property. Dolly Parton entered the picture in 1986, and the park would never be the same. It’s now a regional destination in Pigeon Forge that draws guests from well beyond nearby Knoxville.
Dollywood currently has 10 roller coasters, with Big Bear Mountain being the latest addition in 2023. The scenic park includes a cool mix of family and thrill rides. I had the chance to visit Dollywood in March during my daughter’s spring break. We spent a full day there and rode everything that was open (more on that in a bit). There were big crowds all day, so my pricey choice to invest in the TimeSaver Premium pass was the right move. It allowed us to do everything and avoid most of the lines.
Ranking Dollywood’s coasters was more difficult than I expected; there are no duds. Even the kids’ coaster has great theming! Your list probably differs a lot from mine, and it really comes down what you type of rides you love. I’ve tried to explain how I arranged my list, but I’m even questioning my choices. The toughest ones were picking between the #7/#8 and #2/#3 spots. Those were the closest picks, and I went back and forth a few times before nailing down what you see here. Let’s get to the list!
NR. Mystery Mine
Type: Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter
Opened: April 2007
Top Speed: 43.5 miles per hour
Height: 85.3 feet
Inversions: 2
Sadly, I wasn’t able to experience this unique Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter during our visit. Mystery Mine closed for an extended period last year and was not open during our trip. I did see ride vehicles testing, but I didn’t sense anything was imminent. The ride entrance was fully blocked and set up for downtime. Thankfully, we’ve seen new reports that it’s open! So that’s a relief if you’re visiting this year.
I’ve heard a wide range of reactions to Mystery Mine from enthusiasts that have experienced it. I love the haunted mine theme, and the place making around the ride is excellent. It begins with an indoor section including a vertical launch, and I’ve avoided POVs to maintain the surprise. Having another enclosed thrill coaster rounds out Dollywood’s coaster lineup well, so I’m glad to hear it’s back in operation.
9. Whistle Punk Chaser
Type: Zamperla Steel Family Gravity Coaster
Opened: May 2017
Top Speed: Unknown
Height: 13 feet
Inversions: 0
This well-done family coaster from Zamperla includes cool theming nestled below the massive Thunderhead. Its title refers to logging from the early 20th century; a Whistle Punk is a crew member who operates a steam whistle for safety. While the coaster has a basic track layout, I appreciate the effort to create a fun setting.
Situated in the middle of the coaster is a device from “Willy’s Whistles” that sells the idea you’ve a logger many years ago. Whistle Punk Chaser is the perfect starter coaster for any young enthusiast before they’re ready to take on the larger models. It provides a smooth ride as a newer addition to the park. I should note that the line can move slowly, and this coaster is not part of Dollywood’s “TimeSaver” program. So it may not be as required for most guests unless you’re trying to do a credit run.
8. Tennessee Tornado
Type: Arrow Custom Looper Coaster
Opened: April 1999
Top Speed: 63.0 miles per hour
Height: 163 feet
Inversions: 3
We’ve reached the first difficult choice for me on this list, and I suspect many of you will have this Arrow Looper a lot higher. It really comes down to personal preference on the types of coasters you seek. Tennessee Tornado packs a punch and is arguably the most intense coaster at Dollywood. I loved the first drops, which whip you forward into a quick tunnel. The inversions that followed (especially the last two) felt a bit too similar to jarring Arrow coasters like Demon and Ninja.
Tennessee Tornado benefits from its setting tucked away in the scenic trees and hills. I can’t say the same for the carnival games near its entrance, which feel out of place at Dollywood. The atmosphere and intense ride make me wonder if I should move it up at least a spot or two on this list. Even so, the short ride and brutal inversions make this steel coaster less enticing for repeat rides. It’s a testament to the depth of Dollywood’s lineup that Tennessee Tornado is this low. It’s still worth a ride, especially if you’re more into frenetic coasters.
7. Dragonflier
Type: Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster
Opened: May 2019
Top Speed: 47 miles per hour
Height: 63.3 feet
Inversions: 0
The centerpiece of the initial Wildwood Grove expansion in May 2019, Dragonflier is the perfect starter inverted coaster. This Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster has its moments but rides so smoothly that you don’t exit with a headache. This was my first time riding the modern variation of this type from Vekoma. I typically don’t love coasters like this because they mess with my equilibrium. Batman at Six Flags St. Louis is a perfect example where I’ve noticed feeling icky after each ride. That wasn’t the case here at all.
I love the way that you hug the ground on Dragonflier. The first drop is solid for a family coaster, but it’s the speed (up to 46.6 miles per hour!) that makes this more thrilling than you expect. It’s a short ride at only about a minute, and that’s one primary reason it’s not ranked higher. Even so, don’t forget about this surprising coaster on your next Dollywood visit.
6. Blazing Fury
Type: Indoor Dark Ride/Steel Coaster
Opened: June 1978
Top Speed: 22 miles per hour
Height: 22 feet
Inversions: 0
This was my hardest coaster to rank; Blazing Fury basically needs its own category! It’s mostly a dark ride but ends with three drops. It’s an indoor coaster with thrills, and it can be a little rough. But it’s not the dips that make this coaster so cool. If you’ve ridden Fire in the Hole (especially the original) at Silver Dollar City, this is its sibling. We follow a similar formula, but everything feels different. We don’t look for Red Flanders’ Pants and instead worry about a policeman’s back near a burning building.
What stands out to me is how frightening some of the figures are on Blazing Fury. I wasn’t surprised to learn that some of them were purchased from a haunted house in Gatlinburg. One of the reasons we rode this coaster a second time was to check out all the creepy “zombies”. I really can’t get enough of this ride, which was Dollywood’s only coaster until 1989. It received some updates last year, and this gives me hope that Blazing Fury will remain for a long time. Just be careful; the repetitive theme song will remain in your head for hours after waiting in the queue. You’ve been warned!
5. FireChaser Express
Type: Gerstlauer Family Launch Coaster
Opened: March 2014
Top Speed: 34.5 miles per hour
Height: 78.0 feet
Inversions: 0
Dollywood has a great collection of family coasters that go well beyond what you’d expect. FireChaser Express is a perfect example because there’s so much happening; it’s not surprising that the line nearly hit two hours during our Spring Break visit. Herschend loves rides about volunteer firefighters, and this is one of the better ones. We begin with a zippy launch of 0 to 16 miles per hour in 1.1 seconds that gives some excitement before we even reach the lift hill. It also builds our anticipation as we watch other riders zoom out of the station on their “fire truck” each time.
The highlight takes us into Crazy Charlie’s Gasoline and Fireworks Emporium, which is a well-themed area with fun effects. When you see “Big Bertha” pointed at you, it can’t be good news. I’m not a huge fan of backwards sections on rides like Expedition Everest, as they tend to mess with me, but this one is pretty mild. It’s not a shock if you’ve been paying attention while waiting in the queue. Even so, the mix of launches and small thrills lifts Firechaser Express beyond the typical family coaster. It’s starting to show its age and feels rough in a few spots, but this is still a blast for most guests.
4. Wild Eagle
Type: B&M Wing Coaster
Opened: March 2012
Top Speed: 61.0 miles per hour
Height: 135 feet
Inversions: 4
I love B&M coasters, especially those constructed before the strange rattle appeared in recent years. I’d never ridden one of their Wing Coaster models until this trip to Dollywood, and it did not disappoint. Wild Eagle was the first of that type in the U.S. when it opened 14 years ago. What makes this coaster click is how smooth everything is while you glide through the four inversions. That’s essential with the seats perched on the outside; you’ve potentially exposed to a jarring ride if there’s any roughness.
Wild Eagle also thrives because of its location among the trees. It feels different from the atmosphere of X-Flight at Great America above concrete and metal. I enjoy that each row of the coaster includes an eagle in the middle. It’s these small touches that help Wild Eagle place so highly for me on this list. We’re now up to five Wing Coasters in the U.S., but this one will be hard to beat. The 135-foot opening drop is my second favorite at Dollywood, and it’s all pure fun throughout this ride.
3. Big Bear Mountain
Type: Vekoma Family Launch Coaster
Opened: May 2023
Top Speed: 48.0 miles per hour
Height: 66.0 feet
Inversions: 0
We’ve reached the most popular ride at Dollywood, at least in terms of wait time. Seeing the long line of guests waiting to sprint to Wildwood Grove before opening was a surprise. After experiencing Big Bear Mountain, I totally get it. There’s something for everyone in a long ride with nearly 4,000 feet of track. This is another winner from Vekoma, who have become masters at injecting just the right amount of thrill into a family coaster. You launch quickly from the station and then experience two more LIM launches within the ride.
I really wish that Herschend had invested a bit more so that we could see the bear at the end. It would be similar to the Yeti at Expedition Everest, but it would actually work! The roar in the final dip is a nice touch, but even a mostly static figure could top it off perfectly. Even so, there’s so much to like with Dollywood’s newest coaster. You always feel like you’re getting airtime, and there’s almost no straight track. Big Bear Mountain nearly reached #2 on my list, and I wouldn’t argue if it was your top choice. It sets the standard for what a family coaster can be, especially at a regional park.
2. Thunderhead
Type: GCI Wooden Coaster
Opened: April 2004
Top Speed: 53.7 miles per hour
Height: 100.4 feet
Inversions: 0
One of my favorite all-time coasters is Mystic Timbers at Kings Island, and the main reason is that it feels completely out of control. Once you crest the lift hill, you’re off to the races and don’t stop for a breath until you reach the shed. This relentless pace is a key part of Thunderhead, which was also manufactured by GCI. The nearly constant airtime pummels you into submission, but there’s little actual pain. This isn’t The Boss, thankfully. Also, I refuse to say “the Thunderhead” despite the announcements in the queue. It reminds me a bit too much of people saying “the World Showcase” at Epcot.
Thunderhead is more than 20 years old but has more in common with modern coasters from Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) than what you might expect. It also includes a station flyby only eight feet above the station. The stats are pretty typical with a 100-foot drop and 53.7 miles per hour max speed. There’s nothing basic about Thunderhead, however. It sprints through its course and leaves you breathless. It’s a premier wooden coaster that deserves to be considered one of the greats.
1. Lightning Rod
Type: RMC Topper Track/iBox Hybrid Coaster
Opened: June 2016
Top Speed: 73.0 miles per hour
Height: 165.0 feet
Inversions: 0
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Lightning Rod; there was no guarantee it would top my Dollywood list. I’ve adored the other RMCs that I’ve experienced, but there have been a lot of challenges for this coaster. It originally included a launch, a first for a wooden coaster. After years of inconsistent operation, this opening was transformed into a more typical chain lift. RMC also replaced much of the wood with steel I-Box Track, so it’s a much different ride. Even with all those changes, I still loved Lighting Rod! Picking it for the top spot was easy.
Similar to Thunderhead, I love the way that Lightning Rod never lets up once it gets rolling. The short dip also leads perfectly into the big first drop of 165 feet, and there’s so much more after that point. My favorite moment is a rapid snap to the left that takes you by surprise because it’s so quick. Everything is smooth and never feels like you’re being thrown too harshly, which is sometimes the case with RMC’s Outlaw Run.
Lightning Rod closes with its highlight, a quad down of four quick drops with each seeming more out of control than the one before it. I love the way the coaster uses its landscape; you’re basically going over a hill several times before returning to the station. It also feels removed from the rest of the park because the track leaves the area you can easily see in the park. Despite all its changes, Lightning Rod is a must-ride for your Dollywood trip. Do not skip it!
An Exciting Future
Dollywood has such a diverse collection of coasters, and the park’s ride lineup will only get better with the addition of NightFlight Expedition later this year. Developed with Mack Rides, this innovative attraction will include whitewater rafting, a “flight” over the Smokies, and a roller coaster portion. The more than $50 million investment is huge for a park like Dollywood, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.
What do you think of my Dollywood coaster rankings? Leave your top choices in the comments section!
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