Exciting adventures, stellar entertainment and endless family fun top the “What’s New” list at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country in 2006.
A mighty “tim-berrr” echoes from Dollywood’s Thunderhead Gap as the area welcomes the new $6.5 million Timber Tower. The first and only ride of its kind in North America, Timber Tower will stand 65 feet tall upon a base that measures 26 feet in diameter. The exciting 2.5-minute ride experience features dual rotation both from the tower and the ride vehicle. Situated in the middle of a 5,100-square-foot pond, Timber Tower takes passengers high into the air where the ride vehicle rotates nine times per minute as it makes its way to the top of the tower. Once there, the tower begins a side-to-side swinging motion, allowing the ride vehicle to topple multiple times in various directions at a 60-degree angle, appearing to splash riders into the water below.
Along with Timber Tower comes a variety of lumber camp-themed activities for the entire family including interactive, rustic children’s attractions and play areas especially for guests 48” and under. Included is a 30-foot-tall tower attraction with twin-seated, kid-powered cars where the passengers control the ride experience by drawing a rope, lifting the car an amazing 25 feet. During the car’s climb, the rider can secure the rope and enjoy the area’s mountain scenery or release the rope to provide a kid-friendly “free-fall.” Hungry Thunderhead Gap guests can visit Lumbercamp, a new themed, 150-person capacity restaurant.
Back by popular demand, the world-renowned Moscow Circus returns to headline Festival of Nations™ (April 1-May 7), bringing spectacular artistry, unbelievable acrobatic feats and hilarious antics. For summer’s KidsFestsm (June 16-Aug. 6), grand illusionist and animal conservationist Dirk Arthur presents Cats & Magic at DP’s Celebrity Theatre. With an all-star cast of five exotic animals, including panthers, leopards and Bengal tigers, Arthur amazes audiences as he magically makes the unthinkable appear on the stage.
Dollywood presents two new shows for the 2006 season. Dreamland Drive-In spotlights the nostalgic music of the ‘50s and ‘60s at the park’s Pines Theatre. Audiences will watch as a 15-year romance is told through a series of Saturday afternoons at the local drive-in diner. With the help of a 12-member cast and a fully-orchestrated musical score, the story unfolds with a musical backdrop of some of the best-loved and most memorable songs of the ‘50s and ‘60s when this show opens on May 13.
The 2006 holiday season welcomes Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland, Dollywood’s most elaborate stage production ever, filled with special moments to delight every member of the family. Dollywood’s own musical adaptation of this timeless Christmas classic is overflowing with the season’s best-loved holiday music along with dazzling special effects. Showstoppers include the dramatic march of the wooden soldiers as Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland ushers in the Christmas season at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 4-Dec. 30).
Next door at Dollywood’s Splash Country, thrills are on the rise with the addition of Fire Tower Falls, two 70-foot-tall twin free-fall speed slides, which will become the park’s tallest and fastest slides. The launch pad for Fire Tower Falls will be situated on the Mountain Waves wave pool deck. Each of the slides’ 280-foot tracks will propel riders through the tree tops on a journey that ends adjacent to the neighboring Bear Mountain Fire Tower™. The high-speed slide requires a 140-foot water-filled lane which catches riders, bringing the fast-action experience to an end with a major splash. A walkway between Bear Mountain Fire Tower and Mountain Waves will connect the two areas, providing guests with convenient access to the new attraction.
For those who long for more relaxing accommodations, Dollywood’s Splash Country adds four new Riverside Retreats, just in time for the 2006 season. Each Riverside Retreat offers the comfort and convenience of 200 square feet of shaded space and an additional 100-square-foot sun deck. Satellite television (select programming), ceiling fans, a dining table with six chairs, two lounge chairs and secure storage are included as well. Food service, including entrees’ and bottled drinks, is available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. through private phones in each unit. Linens, food, beverage and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission not included with rental fee. Reservations are recommended and may be made as early as January 2006 by calling 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
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