Dollywood’s Splash Country Opened RiverRush, Tennessee’s First, Only Water Coaster on May 11

Water defies gravity and runs uphill thanks to cutting-edge hydromagnetic technology.

Tennessee's first and only water coaster, RiverRush, is open at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The $6 million project is the largest single investment in Dollywood's water park. (Photo: Business Wire)

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.--()--Pushing the envelope with exhilarating new rides is nothing new for The Dollywood Company. Dollywood’s Splash Country debuted Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, RiverRush, on Saturday, May 11. The string of history-making coasters continues in 2013.

Highlighted by the $6 million RiverRush addition, Dollywood’s Splash Country’s 2013 season stands as the most-anticipated since the waterpark’s 2001 opening. Dollywood’s Splash Country operates daily May 25 through Aug. 18, with additional operating days through Labor Day weekend. The season concludes on Monday, Sept. 2.

“There’s a lot of fun in store at my Dollywood’s Splash Country in 2013,” Dolly Parton said. “Growing up, playing in the creeks and streams here in the Smoky Mountains, I could only dream of something like a water coaster. But look at us now . . . not only does Dollywood’s Splash Country have Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, we’re making water run uphill in it!”

Thanks to cutting-edge hydromagnetic technology and linear induction motors, RiverRush defies logic. After riding a four-person boat 237 feet in the air, guests race down an initial 25-foot, 45-degree drop. From there, moving water propels riders up hills, through thrilling twists and tunnels, hair-raising hairpin turns, rapids and three more scream-inducing drops along the 1,176-foot track. RiverRush spans nearly an acre in the valley next to the waterpark’s popular Bear Mountain Fire Tower.

Named America’s Must-See Waterpark in 2009 by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions and one of America’s best waterparks by The Travel Channel, Dollywood’s Splash Country features Fire Tower Falls, the state’s tallest twin speed slides, two interactive children’s play areas, a 25,000-square-foot wave pool, a 1,500-foot lazy river, and more than 25 speed slides and white water rafting adventure rides throughout the 35-acre park located adjacent to Dollywood theme park.

In preparation for the highly anticipated ride, Dollywood’s Splash Country introduces Time Saver, a convenient line reservation system. Time Saver reserves a spot in select ride lines, freeing guests to experience other attractions. The waterproof wristwatch device indicates when it is time to return to the scheduled ride. An additional fee, Time Saver starts at $20 per person, plus tax, with a $30 per person, plus tax option with expedited service. Five Time Saver kiosks located throughout the waterpark provide scanners for scheduling. Time Saver can be used on The Butterfly, Fire Tower Falls, Mountain Scream, Mountain Twist, Raging River Rapids, RiverRush, Slick Rock Racer and SwiftWater Run.

For more information, please visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.

For B-roll, photography and more information. Check the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room.aspx.

Contacts

The Dollywood Company
Pete Owens, 865-428-9486 or 865-755-7972
Sr. Public Relations Manager
powens@dollywood.com
or
Trish McGee, 865-428-9601 or 865-654-6242
Public Relations Manager
tmcgee@dollywood.com
or
Wes Ramey, 865-428-9484 or 865-640-3805
Publicist
wramey@dollywood.com

Release Summary

RiverRush - Tennessee's first and only water coaster - is open at Dollywood's Splash Country.

Contacts

The Dollywood Company
Pete Owens, 865-428-9486 or 865-755-7972
Sr. Public Relations Manager
powens@dollywood.com
or
Trish McGee, 865-428-9601 or 865-654-6242
Public Relations Manager
tmcgee@dollywood.com
or
Wes Ramey, 865-428-9484 or 865-640-3805
Publicist
wramey@dollywood.com