Big Bear Mountain (roller coaster)
Big Bear Mountain is a steel roller coaster located at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Manufactured by Vekoma, the roller coaster is the longest in the park at a length of 3,990 feet (1,220 m). The roller coaster is themed on finding a bear named Big Bear.
| 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 | US$25 million |
| Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood at RCDB | |
| 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) |
| Duration | 1:40 |
| 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 |
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.