PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guests planning a trip to Dollywood now can take a sneak peek at what to expect before they arrive thanks to Google’s Street View technology. With Street View, people around the world now may take a virtual stroll through Dollywood to see the park’s award-winning attractions and beautiful scenery.
Using the popular Street View technology, Google officials visited the park late last year to gather images and data. From Showstreet to Wilderness Pass, Google cameras traversed Dollywood capturing photos to use in Google Street View. To aid in the process, officials collected the imagery during a day when the park was closed.
“We’re excited to be included in Google’s Street View program,” said Craig Ross, President of The Dollywood Company. “Our guests now have the opportunity to tour both of our beautiful parks and see Dollywood’s world-famous attractions before they arrive. We hope it serves as an aid to assist them as they plan their visit.”
To create Dollywood’s Street View, Google officials use an advanced piece of equipment called the Trekker. The Trekker is similar to the camera system on top of Google Street View cars, but the mobility of the Trekker allows it to reach locations inaccessible by other modes of transportation.
The Trekker is a wearable camera system which creates an immersive digital experience. It is worn like a large hiking backpack and is carried through the documented location. It features 15 individual cameras, as well as sophisticated GPS software. The images from each camera are aligned and overlapping pixels are removed, seams are blended, and exposure and color are blended to create the image.
Other popular destinations highlighted by Google Street View include the Eiffel Tower, Mt. Everest, the Grand Canyon, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Seattle Space Needle.
Dollywood’s Google Street View can be accessed by visiting the following links: Dollywood Street View, Dollywood’s Splash Country Street View.
About The Dollywood Company: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country and Dollywood Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; the reigning five-time Golden Ticket Award winner; and recipient of 21 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). Open nine months a year (late March through early January), Dollywood offers rides and attractions, shows, and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s most beautiful waterparks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Dollywood Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room.aspx.
