Anakeesta theme park in Gatlinburg adding new mountainside coaster and slides
Hop in a cart and race down the mountain to win the Greenbrier Grand Prix at Anakeesta. Along the Hellbender roller coaster course, you might anger some beavers, see a few black bears, barely escape the talons of an eagle and survive a dangerous whirlpool.
The $34 million Anakeesta expansion – which will add the Hellbender coaster and a bird-themed interactive adventure – is on track to open later this year. The additions will be in the new European-styled Stone Village, and are part of the theme park's largest expansion since it opened almost six years ago.
“The promise of Anakeesta is to create a unique, authentic and memorable outdoor family experience (and) that's really what Stone Village is all about,” Bob Bentz, founder of Anakeesta, said during a preview of the expansion on April 20.
"I think when you experience BirdVenture and Hellbender, as well as the whole village area, it certainly meets that criteria, and is also very immersive,” he added.
The BirdVenture and Hellbender attractions utilize the topography of the mountain to create the adventure of getting a bird's-eye view of the Smokies and feeling the rush of racing down the mountain. The overall expansion will bring Anakeesta to a total of 83 acres, nearly a 20% increase to its current 70 acres.
The first major expansion attraction, Astra Lumina, opened in October. Other phases will continue to open throughout 2024. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2025, but might be extended as new ideas or created and implemented.
“We always want to raise the bar. We want to do the highest quality of development that we can possibly do.” Bentz said.
Hellbender roller coaster, giant birdhouses coming soon
The interactive BirdVenture attraction – which is a playground for adults and kids – will feature three large birdhouses, four levels, a dozen adventure zones and seven giant slides winding more than 50 feet down the mountainside. It's expected to open this summer around the July 4 holiday.
The unique series of slide paths is the first of its kind in the United States, according to Anakeesta. Each birdhouse will honor a type of bird that is native to the Smokies: Owlbert Einstein (owl), Harmony Blues (bluebird) and Chisel the woodpecker.
Bentz is especially excited for the BirdVenture to open because he was heavily involved in the creative and design process, along with his wife, Anakeesta co-founder Karen Bentz, and son, Anakeesta President Bryce Bentz.
“We just put our heart and soul into creating it,” Bob Bentz told Knox News. “We're not adding your classic attraction elements. We're trying to create everything very unique to Anakeesta, and I think BirdVenture falls into that category.”
Named after the salamander species native to the Great Smoky Mountains, the double-rail Hellbender coaster will travel a steep mountain incline, sway through tunnels, slither through twists and turns and offer 360-degree views of the Smokies. Anakeesta is looking at a fall opening for the roller coaster as other projects are completed to enhance the experience.
What else to expect from the expansion
The $34 million Anakeesta expansion was announced last year. It is expected to be completed in 2025 with new additions and attractions being rolled out in phases throughout 2024.
“Phase two is going to continue to the east (of the property). It's gonna run on the mountain here and is gonna be bigger than what we're actually doing (currently),” Bob Bentz noted. “So, we're super excited about that. It's probably a couple of years out, but we're designing and working on those ideas”
The European-styled village adorned with aged copper, stone and wood includes the French-inspired Mimi’s Bakery, a themed restaurant and brewery, an event center, an entertainment stage with indoor and outdoor seating and a retail area.
What’s available now?
The first phase of the expansion introduced guests to Astra Lumina, an immersive celestial experience that brings the stars into a Smoky Mountain Forest. In the attraction created by Canadian entertainment studio Moment Factory, visitors embark on a journey of cosmic lights, visions and sounds through several stellar zones.
A new interactive mountain waterfall and cave system surrounded by walking trails and gardens also were added during the first expansion phase. The waterfalls and caves are intended to replicate the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and give visitors an authentic experience.
A mountaintop Gatlinburg adventure for the family
Anakeesta opened in 2017 and has already become a popular Gatlinburg attraction. With views of the Smokies, it includes rides, a mountain coaster, ziplines, a treetop skywalk, a challenge course and gardens. Even before the adventure starts, guests take can take chair lifts, gondolas or trucks to the mountaintop from the ticket station along Gatlinburg's Parkway.
General admission tickets are $22.99-$34.99, and free for children 3 years old and younger. The Astra Lumina experience is a $15.99 add-on.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Anakeesta in Gatlinburg adds new coaster and immersive attraction
