Wow, what a year it’s going to be in the Smokies with all the new attractions coming online soon. Here a just a few of the new attractions coming to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in 2019 (Part 1).
Blake Shelton’s Ole Red in Gatlinburg
Probably the most talked about attraction is Blake Shelton’s Ole Red in Gatlinburg. Ole Red is a lifestyle and entertainment brand inspired by Blake Shelton’s clever, irreverent third-chart hit, “Ol’ Red.” Ole Red Gatlinburg is a $9 million, a multi-level 16,000-square-foot entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, exterior terrace, performance space, dance floor and retail area. The venue will open March 11-17 with a week-long grand opening celebration. Guests are invited to get in on the “Spring Blake” fun as Ole Red Gatlinburg hosts multiple events throughout the week, including a grand opening concert with Blake Shelton. More information can be found here…https://olered.com/gatlinburg/
Dollywood Wildwood Grove
The expansion, the largest in the park’s 33 year history, will be called “Wildwood Grove.” It is set to open in 2019. The new park is designed to bring families together in a whimsical, magical setting. Guests to the park will walk through a massive hollow trunk of a fallen tree known as “The Wildwood Tree.” Once there, guests can visit six new rides, including:
The Dragonflier– A suspended roller coaster lets guests soar with a dragonfly as it dips and darts along the gushing geysers and lush landscape of Wildwood Grove.
Black Bear Trail– Hop on the back of friendly “bears” for a trek through their natural habitat.
Sycamore Swing– Guests aboard this “leaf boat” swing back and forth just like a leaf falling from a giant sycamore tree.
Treetop Tower– This family tower gives guests a sky-high view of Wildwood Grove as they soar nearly 40 feet in the air. Riders, seated inside giant acorns, spin around the top of a tall oak tree before gently drifting back to the grove floor.
The Mad Mockingbird– Tennessee’s state bird–the mockingbird–gives visitors a lift as it flies in a high speed circle around a tall tree. Riders control their ride experience by moving a sail as the birds rush above the ground.
Frogs and Fireflies–Frogs hop up and down as they chase each other around the lily pad trying to catch the flickering fireflies fluttering from the tall reeds and grasses. Adventurous guests can hop aboard for this riveting race.
More information can be found here… https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/Rides/Wildwood-Grove
The Gatlinburg SkyBridge- The Most Spectacular Experience in The Smokies
The SkyBridge will be the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and the most spectacular and awe-inspiring experience in the Smokies.
From the top of the Gatlinburg SkyLift, the SkyBridge quite literally crosses the sky as it stretches 680 feet across a deep valley. Guests will be able to walk across at their own pace, taking in the views and enjoying the spectacular setting before walking back when they’re ready. With a height of 140 feet at its midpoint, the SkyBridge is an absolutely spectacular but easily attainable experience you’ll remember for a lifetime – especially as you cross the glass-floor panels in the middle of the span. If there’s one photo you’ll want to share with family and friends after your trip to Gatlinburg, it will be of the SkyBridge. The grand opening of the SkyBridge is coming in spring 2019.
August Moon Indoor Drive-In
One of the most anticipated new attractions coming to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in 2019 is the August Moon Drive-In. Building on the success of movie experiences that offer more than the status quo, the August Moon Drive-In is conceived as a mini indoor theme park that transports people in space and time to a quintessentially American experience – where that perfect summer night at sunset, where crickets chirp in the distance and the audience breathes in the scent of fresh meadow air, can be repeated with absolute consistency within what is effectively a giant movie set. In addition to being a re-invention of the movie-going experience, the August Moon experience allows audiences time to explore, play, and dine, in addition to watching the movie.
THE EXPERIENCE
AUGUST MOON will feature 40 classic cars within which patrons can dine and watch first-run movies and cherished blockbusters from years past. Featuring food and beverage service with an artisanal approach to classic American favorites – the best burger and fries you’ve ever had and full bar service from multiple bar areas and private event spaces.
AN INCREDIBLE SCENE
50 full size trees, a half-acre of grass and gravel pathways, a starry sky and a tracking moon overhead, fire flies and an immersive sound design (crickets and a summer breeze), a 360-degree lighted backdrop that creates the effect of a beautiful sunset before each showing all combine to form a total “reality” that TRANSPORTS audiences in time and space.
LUXURY SEATING
Beyond an amazing car collection, August Moon features luxury seating. These options include couches in private booths, tree swings and wide-aisle stadium seats offering additional premium ways to experience August Moon.
The Jacks Are Back: Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud
The New Lumberjack Feud, scheduled to open in early May at Walden’s Landing, Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud will be the first permanent outdoor lumberjack show venue in the state of Tennessee. There is not a bad seat in the house at this all new, 350-person outdoor venue. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud will feature padded stadium seating under a covered, climate-controlled grandstand designed for the guests’ comfort, rain or shine.
Fun for The Whole Family
The high energy show will feature lumberjacks from all over the nation competing in events such as the underhand chop, standing block chop, springboard chop, speed climbing, log rolling, boom run, ax throw, hot saw event, cross cut and more. Heckling, booing and cheering are encouraged; but be warned, too much smack talk and you may end up on the stage competing against the professionals!
Lumberjack Show + Adventure
In addition to the performance, guests will also have the chance to compete in their own lumberjack competition with simulated elements from the show such as speed climb, log roll, springboard chop, and more. The area will also include an extreme zipline roller coaster, an 80-foot jump tower, an exciting aerial kid’s playground, and a multi-level lumberjack-themed adventure park. Audience members will also be able to participate in an exciting, interactive experience during the show, with a special intermission just for kids.
Walden’s Landing is home to the new Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Feud. Located in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Walden’s Landing also houses Tennessee’s own Calhoun’s, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Forge Cinemas, No Way Jose Cantina and many unique local shops.
More to come
These are just a few of the new attractions coming to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in 2019. Over the next few weeks we’ll be highlighting more of the new attractions coming to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in 2019 in parts 2 and part 3. We will also be focusing on the the new dining establishments coming to the area….stay tuned!!
Are you planning a visit to the Smokies and are wondering how to fit it all in? Check out our sample itineraries: https://wordpress.com/post/dancingbearfoot.blog/53
If this is your fist time coming to the Smokies and renting a cabin check out out blog post in what to look for when renting a log cabin.
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more about our cabin or other great things to see while visiting the Smoky Mountains please visit us at Dancing Bearfoot.com.
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