Big Bear Mountain (roller coaster)
Big Bear Mountain is a launching steel roller coaster located at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States. Manufactured by Vekoma, the roller coaster opened on May 12, 2023, and is the longest in the park featuring a length of 3,990 feet (1,220 m).
| Big Bear Mountain | |
|---|---|
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| Dollywood | |
| Location | Dollywood |
| Park section | Wildwood Grove |
| Coordinates | 35.7987°N 83.5300°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 12, 2023 |
| Cost | $25 million |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Vekoma |
| Lift/launch system | Linear motor launch |
| Height | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Length | 3,990 ft (1,220 m) |
| Speed | 48 mph (77 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Height restriction | 39 in (99 cm) |
| Trains | 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train. |
| Website | Official website |
| Big Bear Mountain at RCDB | |
History
On August 5, 2022, Dolly Parton and Dollywood officially announced the US$25 million roller coaster named Big Bear Mountain for the Wildwood Grove section of the theme park with a planned opening of spring 2023.[1][2] Track for the attraction arrived the following month in September,[3] and trains for the attraction were officially unveiled at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo on November 15, 2022.[4]
Characteristics
Track
The steel track for Big Bear Mountain encompasses 6 acres (2.4 ha) of land,[5] with the track length totaling 3,990 feet (1,220 m), the longest in Dollywood, and the height of the roller coaster is 66 feet (20 m).[6] The color of the track is orange with green supports.[3]
Theme
The theme for the ride is based on the legend of a black bear named Big Bear roaming Wildwood Grove that has never been seen. An explorer is tasked to finding Big Bear and brings riders along in an SUV.[4]
References
- Raucoules, Gregory; Gallant, Kristen (August 5, 2022). "New Dollywood roller coaster coming in 2023 to be park's largest". WATE-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- "Big Bear Mountain Roller Coaster set to open at Dollywood in Spring 2023". The Greenville News. August 9, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- Stevenson, John (September 29, 2022). "Big Bear Mountain Construction Update - Track Arrives at Dollywood". Coaster101. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- Veness, Susan and Simon (November 15, 2022). "Dollywood's Big Bear Mountain ride vehicle has been revealed". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- "Dollywood Announces Six-Acre "Big Bear Mountain" Expansion". That Park Place. August 5, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- Niles, Robert (August 5, 2022). "Big Bear Mountain Coming to Dollywood in 2023". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved November 20, 2022.