Spring 2007 - Dollywood's New Mystery Mine Roller Coaster Ride Opens

"What if there is no light at the end of the tunnel???" That's the catch phrase for the newest addition to Dollywood's Timber Canyon area - the Mystery Mine!

The largest capital investment in Dollywood history, Mystery Mine is a one-acre expansion of the park's Timber Canyon area. Continuing the area's lumber camp theme, Mystery Mine is set in an abandoned coal mine where eight-passenger mine carts immediately plunge riders into darkness before continuing along a 1,811-foot track through the ruins of an early 1900's mine.

During the two and half minute journey, riders encounter a beyond vertical 95-degree, 85-foot drop in addition to three inversions, a headline roll, rollover loop and an immelmann. The ride finishes with several high-speed twists as the mine cars maneuver their way through a series of uncertain encounters. Mystery Mine, also known as a Euro-Fighter coaster, is the first ride of its kind to be built in the United States. (click here for animation)

Dollywood noted that state-of-the-art special effects will add to the overall ride experience. The entire attraction will last about two-and-half minutes.

"I'm so proud of Dollywood and all we've accomplished through the years," Dolly Parton said. "Maybe I'm most proud of Dollywood being named one of the top three theme parks in the entire world. That's why I thought it was important to build a world-class roller coaster like Mystery Mine "it's got a world of surprises in store for folks."

Dollywood has invested a lot in new attractions over the past several years. Last year, the theme park introduced the new $6.5 million Timber Tower thrill ride. In 2005, Dollywood spent $5 million for a 3.5-acre expansion of the park's Country Fair area and added ten new family rides. In 2004, the park built the $7 million award-winning wooden coaster, Thunderhead.

Additional Mystery Mine coverage is available from:

• The Mountain Press - click here.
• Coaster World News - streaming video report on opening weekend here.
• The Tennessean offered a piece - click here.
• The Knoxville News-Sentinel provides an article here and a video interviewing riders here.
• Knoxville TV station WATE gives its take on the happenings here.