Big Bear Mountain now open at Dollywood
Dollywood has long been a mainstay of Smoky Mountain vacations, and guests now have one more big, furry reason to visit the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park — Dollywood's newest coaster, Big Bear Mountain.
As the Smoky Mountain-themed coaster’s backstory goes, there is evidence of a “Big Bear” on the loose in the park, but he has never been spotted. Big Bear Mountain invites guests to venture into the forest and finally find the elusive bear as they tear through the Tennesee mountainside.
Dolly Parton herself was on hand for the grand opening and shared more about the inspiration behind the family-friendly coaster.
"You know, I grew up not far from here and there's been a legend all my life about the 'Big Bear,'" Parton said. "It was kind of our version of Bigfoot. We had this big bear that everyone was always trying to catch and he would just terrorize everybody."
From the legend of that elusive bear, Big Bear Mountain was born.
The $25 million coaster stretches 3,990 feet along the perimeter of Wildwood Grove, the park's newest area. The $37 million, 6-acre expansion is the largest in Dollywood history and opened to the public on May 10, 2019. An additional expansion will be revealed this fall when the 302-room HeartSong Lodge & Resort starts welcoming guests.
At over three-quarter miles long, Big Bear Mountain is the largest single attraction investment for the park and the longest coaster ever built at Dollywood. It's also the first Dollywood attraction to feature onboard audio, which means that the growling Big Bear always sounds like he is right on your heels.
On each “expedition” through Big Bear Mountain, riders experience three separate launches; wind through multiple twists, turns and airtime hills; and travel through several tunnels, including a pass behind a cascading waterfall.
Parton is quick to admit she won't be hopping on Big Bear Mountain anytime soon.
"I think I'd lose my hair," she laughed. "I'd lose my nerve before I even got on."
Regardless of her own feelings about coasters, she loves that the ride was designed to be family-friendly.
"Kids are gonna love it, but I think all of us are kids at heart, so parents are gonna love it, too," she said at the grand opening. "It gives you a good excuse to be a kid again, so to speak."
Big Bear Mountain has a 39-inch minimum height requirement, zero inversions and a top speed of 48 mph, making it accessible both to families and to guests who may be intimidated by some of Dollywood's taller and faster coasters.
Related: 11 regional theme parks that are closer to home but just as fun as the big names
Big Bear Mountain is one of a whopping nine roller coasters at Dollywood, and it falls squarely in the middle of the park as far as intensity and scare factor.
The park has more than 20 kid-friendly rides and attractions. At the other end of the spectrum, the Lightning Rod coaster hits a top speed of 73 mph and Wild Eagle climbs to 210 feet before soaring back down the hill.
Like Goldilocks and her bowl of porridge, Big Bear Mountain is just right for all Dollywood visitors and a must-do on your next Dollywood vacation.
And if you're yearning for more Dolly Parton, check out the video below for a special visit our hotel reporter Tanner Saunders got to have in the Dolly universe.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.