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[NightFlight Expedition]

NightFlight Expedition - Opening 2026
"Expanding on Dollywood's Wildwood Grove, NightFlight Expedition is a groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride with Cora and Jasper Oakley leading you on an extraordinary journey to discover the mystery of the legendary Secret Lake.

Embarking on a daring journey aboard remarkable vehicles, adventurers will experience four thrilling experiences in a first-of-its-kind attraction as they fly through the Smokies, conquer raging rapids, climb mountain peaks and glide across a shimmering lake. Follow the roots and light the way!"

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/rides/nightflight-expedition/

This is a Mack Rocking Boat ride.

The clearing between American Plunge and Wildfire continues.
I'll try and get better pictures in daylight soon.

A new trademark was filed back in May for something called "Stars, Lights, & Christmas Nights" I'd assume it's for the new Plaza area...

I saw that awhile back. It is registered decorative magnets, drink ware, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, hats, etc, Ornaments, snow globes, AND Conducting of parades for entertainment purposes.

The parade part is what I found the most interesting. I'm not sure how long Herschend has the Rudolph license.

It has now been confirmed that 2025 will be the final year for the Rudolph parade. Could we be getting an all new Stars, Lights, and Christmas Nights parade in 2026?

Here are the designs that they shared. Yes, it looks like all of the current vehicles are getting wrapped. It will be done in phases.

The trams aren't going anywhere. This sponsorship just getting them all new designs and helps keep parking free.

Also, this isn't the first sponsorship... O'Reilly is replacing Napa as the transportation sponsor.

Don't all the water rides close every year at Labor Day? Or is subjective to the weather now?

Typically, they are open weather permitting through Harvest festival and are closed for An Old Time Christmas. Tom & Huck typically has closing date in the middle of Harvest Festival.

American Plunge closing this early is out of the ordinary and is unique to this season.

As today (Sept6), it would appear the American Plunge is closed for a while, maybe the rest of the season. Crews are wasting no time hammering out the old Float Trip portion that serves as a bypass between the lift and the old station. I would be surprised if a new bypass would be able to be built in the remaining weeks (unless a temporary dropbox and pump is set up.)

It's page lists it as closing on 9/1 and it's no longer listed on the attractions page (it's normal for rides to be removed from that page when they close for the season)

A new trademark was filed back in May for something called "Stars, Lights, & Christmas Nights" I'd assume it's for the new Plaza area...

I saw that awhile back. It is registered decorative magnets, drink ware, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, hats, etc, Ornaments, snow globes, AND Conducting of parades for entertainment purposes.

The parade part is what I found the most interesting. I'm not sure how long Herschend has the Rudolph license.

I'm also guessing we'll see interior details of the resort and maybe some additional information about it.
I know interior renderings have been shown at a few speaking engagements, but they haven't been shared very publicly yet.

Maybe we will get some info on September 27.

https://www.silverdollarcity.com/fanfest/

^ Maybe water elements will be included in the new ride: Buzzsaw Falls 2.0 ? 

looks like Dollywood might be putting in a Mack water ride would love to see something similar. Only downside is water rides are not open all season

Not if you put it inside.

We were there today and it didn't look like anything else had been done other than some additional rock work on the backside of the waterfall – which is turned off now.

Herschend has started selling off some of the properties that were part of the purchase.

https://attractionsmagazine.com/herschend-lucky-strike-ragin-waters-wet-n-wild-castle-park-acquisition-2025/

I'm wondering about attendance and if that could be why it now appears to be for 2027.

The calendar was adjusted last week:
Adjusted Hours on These Fridays:
The park will have slightly earlier closing times on:
• Sept 12, 19, 26
• Oct 3
• Nov 21
• Dec 5, 12

Date Changes:
The park will now be closed on Sept 8, Oct 22, Nov 25, and Dec 17.

Google maps has been updated with a new photo since the clearing started.

Where is the supposed footer? I thought I saw one while riding PowderKeg, but then the next time I looked, it was just gravel.

Looks like that satilite imagery is from 4/21, which puts it before the rumored footers were put in

Correct... I wasn't meaning that you could see them in the photo. But if this photo was taken after they were placed, what general area would they be in?