Dollywood announces $20 million Wild Eagle wing coaster for 2012

September 4, 2011, 7:35 PM · Dollywood announced today its new $20 million ride for 2012 - Wild Eagle, a Bolliger & Mabillard wing coaster that will launch from the park's Wilderness Peak section, the highest point in the park.

Wild Eagle
Concept art of Wild Eagle, courtesy Dollywood

Experiencing the freedom of flight, the new coaster’s innovative floorless design positions riders seated four abreast in a forward-facing position, with two riders actually seated on the “wings” along either side of the coaster’s track with nothing but air above and below them.

“Wild Eagle celebrates not only the majestic bald eagle but also my beautiful Smoky Mountains which folks will get a bird’s eye view of as they soar high above Dollywood," Dolly Parton said at the announcement. "I’m just thrilled that Dollywood’s Wild Eagle is the only place in the entire country where folks can get their feathers ruffled on a coaster like this!”

Here's the teaser video:

Dollywood's announcing this as the country's first wing coaster, though it might not hold that honor for long. Six Flags last week announced its own wing coaster, to debut at Six Flags Great America next spring.

Dollywood's also running a contest to promote the coaster's announcement. Text WILD EAGLE to 87654 before 1 am ET Monday morning for a chance to win lifetime season passes for you and up to seven other people living at your address, plus a chance to meet Dolly Parton and get to be the first riders of Wild Eagle when it opens in March.

More: Check out the list of what's coming to theme parks around the world in 2012 and beyond on our What's Under Construction at Top Theme Parks page.

Replies (9)

September 4, 2011 at 8:03 PM · WOW! Looks like this will be a great coaster!

If Dollywood wasn't on the map already they definitely will be now!!

September 4, 2011 at 8:06 PM · Didn't Hersheypark also announce a similar ride, Skyrush, although I believe they have 2 inner floored seats & a floorless wing seat on either side.
September 4, 2011 at 8:17 PM · Just one more reason to make sure Dollywood is on my list of parks to visit in 2012.

On the flip side, I sure wish Dollywood's big sister park, Silver Dollar City, would get a little bit of coaster love as well... =(

September 4, 2011 at 8:29 PM · Still waiting for the WDW news Disney promised.
September 4, 2011 at 9:17 PM · I'm kind of dissappointed that it does not seem to make more use of the mountain terrain.... it seems like by having a giant lift hill and all that it may not be so much of a terrain hugging ride.... and I thought that was something Dollywood could offer than hardly any other park can. I thought maybe if it was a launch coaster it could make more use of the mountain side. Based on what I've seen, I'm actually more interested in the one Six Flags is opening..... mainly due to the cool threading the eye of the needle trick it does.
September 5, 2011 at 12:37 AM · In terms of being a terrain coaster, I do not think the concept art does it justice. I am a season pass holder there and have seen some of the suppports go up. The ones I have seen do go much higher than the trees.

I would like to see a 3d rendering of the coaster with the terrain released.

September 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM · ^I don't think it can get much closer to the terrain probably because of restrictions.

Still,
I am looking forward to seeing this ride come to a reality. I hope they make an animated POV soon.

September 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM · Yea, the current promo video does not give you much to go on. It's definately just a teaser.
September 7, 2011 at 9:30 AM · Dollywood is already a fantastic park and this will just take it over the edge.

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