Today Dollywood unveiled the details for their 2026 attraction, NightFlight Expedition! Below is the press release information and some pics from a backstage tour at the park today. We'll add more details as we receive them.

​Get excited! 

​PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Wednesday, September 17, 2025) - Eager Dollywood guests no longer have to wonder what's taking shape inside the sprawling new building in Wildwood Grove, as officials today announced NightFlight Expedition, a more than $50 million attraction coming to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park in 2026. It is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts.

NightFlight Expedition, the first attraction experience of its kind in the world, combines four unique features into one groundbreaking thrill ride sure to delight guests of all ages. Created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and esteemed manufacturer Mack Rides, the custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle interacts with vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, as well as special lighting effects, to immerse guests in an extraordinary Smoky Mountain adventure. Mack Rides recently won the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation thanks to the ride system utilized in NightFlight Expedition.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton and Herschend President and CEO Andrew Wexler made the announcement on Wednesday morning at DP's Celebrity Theater. Park namesake Dolly Parton-who had a last-minute conflict and was unable to attend the announcement-sent her best wishes and shared her excitement via video.

As the world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition takes Dollywood guests on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation's most-visited national park. During the 5 1/2-minute experience, guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat.

"I'm just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we're able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition," Dolly said about the attraction. "I have no doubt it's going to be a huge part of Dollywood's next 40 years. We're always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we're doing in the park, and they've definitely been able to do it with this ride.

"A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is. Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life! Obviously, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the synchronous lightning bugs, but I also love to just sit and listen to the owls calling or the frogs croaking, and I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky. It's pure mountain magic."

The industry's Best Theme Park Christmas event-Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2026) —concludes the park's 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

For more information about Dollywood events, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app. For more information about NightFlight Expedition, please visit Dollywood.com/NightFlightExpedition.

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Carlsbad, CA (July 15, 2025) – Get ready for lift off! LEGOLAND® California Resort – operated by Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in branded entertainment destinations – is charting a course for an out-of-this-world adventure with a brand-new, space-themed land set to launch in early 2026. 
 
This new land invites families to blast off into an imaginative LEGO® galaxy packed with adventure including an immersive, groundbreaking indoor roller coaster. The new coaster promises to be the most technologically advanced attraction the Resort has ever created, brought to life by Merlin Magic Making’s global team of designers and engineers, in close collaboration with the LEGO Group.

"This isn't just about a new innovative coaster; it's about creating an entire universe for our guests to explore, where the boundless creativity of LEGO meets the wonders of space,” said Senior Project Manager of Merlin Magic Making, Flora Liu. “We’ve designed it so that families can explore space together in a way that only LEGO can make happen!"

Prepare to journey to a brick-built galaxy where passengers from past, present and future worlds travel together into LEGO space. The new land will feature:

• The Ultimate Indoor Coaster Experience: Brace yourselves for a thrilling, family-friendly roller coaster that will send you soaring through an uncharted galaxy, blasting off from the LEGOLAND SPACEPORT 886 launchpad, named in homage to one of the original LEGO® Space Buggy sets, #886. This will be the first new roller coaster to land at LEGOLAND California in over two decades, promising an unforgettable mission for all! 
• Two More Cosmic Rides: The adventure continues with two additional themed rides, offering even more ways to explore the wonders of space.
• Junior Astronaut Training Zone: Little ones can get their space legs in a dedicated toddler play area, perfect for imaginative cosmic escapades.
• Galactic Grub and Gear: Refuel your crew with out-of-this-world food and beverages, then browse the themed retail shop for space-faring souvenirs to commemorate your mission.

Entry to the new land will be included with general park admission and all Annual Passes. This makes now the perfect time to secure an Annual Pass, allowing families to experience the returned Nike and LEGO® Play Arena before it closes its doors on August 10, enjoy the Summer Block Party with the spectacular return of the LEGO World Parade, celebrate at seasonal events like the Halloween Brick-or-Treat Monster Party and Holidays at LEGOLAND, PLUS, be among the first to explore this incredible new land when it opens in early 2026! 

The land is currently under construction across from the newly opened Driving Schools attraction in Fun Town. More details about this stellar expansion, including specific ride names and grand opening, will be shared as the 2026 launch approaches.

The first-of-its-kind new indoor roller coaster will be unveiled at both LEGOLAND California Resort and LEGOLAND Florida Resort next year marking the biggest ever single in-park investment in the Resorts’ histories, spending more than $90 million on these two new areas. The experience will combine the creative world of LEGO building with an exhilarating ride and storyline that only LEGOLAND Resorts can deliver for families with children ages 2 to 12.  

For more information about LEGOLAND California, visit our website or follow us on Facebook.  To book a Vacation Package at LEGOLAND Hotel, visit our Vacation Packages page. Guests can also purchase single-day tickets or annual passes with or without a hotel stay.  
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About LEGOLAND® California Resort
LEGOLAND® California Resort includes LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® aquarium, LEGOLAND® Water Park, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel. All are geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At LEGOLAND® California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including our newest land, Dino Valley that features three rides, an interactive build and play area and new costume characters.   The family theme park also includes LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race and The LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD based on the blockbuster films The LEGO ® Movie™ and The LEGO® Movie™ 2: The Second Part. Discover the world’s first LEGO version of San Diego in Miniland USA with a realistic 30-foot beach, streets lined with 120 palm trees, and 55 San Diego landmarks, including The Rady Shell, Petco Park and Coronado Bridge. LEGOLAND® Water Park features more than seven slides, sandy beaches and the unique Build-A-Raft River plus Pirate Reef and LEGO® Legends of CHIMA Water Park comprising 10 acres of water fun! The nation’s first LEGOLAND® Hotel features 250 rooms, all themed either as pirate, adventure, LEGO® DUPLO, LEGO® Friends and LEGO® NINJAGO™! North America’s first LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel features 250 rooms, fully themed as Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess and Magic Wizard. LEGOLAND California is a Certified Autism Center, credited by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).
 
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-center gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
 
See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

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Winter Haven, FL & Carlsbad, CA (March 25, 2025) – Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, is excited to reveal a new indoor roller coaster that’s truly out of this world coming to LEGOLAND® Florida and LEGOLAND® California Resorts!

This first-of-its-kind new ride will launch at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and LEGOLAND® California Resort in 2026. Merlin is making the biggest ever single in-park investment in the Resorts’ histories, spending approximately $90 mil on these two new attractions, promising an experience that combines the creative world of LEGO® building with an exhilarating ride and storyline that only LEGOLAND Parks can deliver for families with children ages 2 to 12.

"As we prepare to unveil this exciting new attraction designed, co-created and imagined by the amazing creative team at the LEGO® Group and the unmatched talent of our Merlin Magic Makers, we hope the mystery and anticipation adds to awesome thrills to come," said CEO of Merlin Entertainments Fiona Eastwood. "These new coasters are unparalleled for LEGOLAND Resorts, promising to elevate two of our premier LEGOLAND Resorts to new heights, utilizing the latest technology and embracing the LEGO DNA, as only we can do."

"While the details remain under wraps, one thing is clear," said LEGOLAND Florida Resort President Franceen Gonzales. “This new ride will take our guests on an unprecedented adventure, setting a new standard for fun and imagination. While you wait, we’re opening our new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium on May 23, 2025. These exciting attractions will give families a whole new reason to visit again and again.”

"This isn’t just a ride, it’ll be an exploration unlike any other,” said LEGOLAND California Resort President Kurt Stocks. “As the first rollercoaster to be built in 20 years at LEGOLAND California, we’re sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible.”

Exclusive hints and sneak peeks about the new attraction, including why it’s groundbreaking and the Resorts’ first-of-its-kind, will be shared on both Florida and California’s social media channels and websites leading up to the opening of the attractions. Guests eager to be the first to get the latest updates can sign up at www.LEGOLAND.com.
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About LEGOLAND®California Resort
LEGOLAND® California Resort includes LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® aquarium, LEGOLAND® Water Park, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel. All are geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At LEGOLAND® California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including our newest land, Dino Valley that features three rides, an interactive build and play area and new costume characters.  The family theme park also includes LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race and The LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD based on the blockbuster films The LEGO ® Movie™ and The LEGO® Movie™ 2: The Second Part. Discover the world’s first LEGO version of San Diego in Miniland USA with a realistic 30-foot beach, streets lined with 120 palm trees, and 55 San Diego landmarks, including The Rady Shell, Petco Park and Coronado Bridge. LEGOLAND® Water Park features more than seven slides, sandy beaches and the unique Build-A-Raft River plus Pirate Reef and LEGO® Legends of CHIMA Water Park comprising 10 acres of water fun! The nation’s first LEGOLAND® Hotel features 250 rooms, all themed either as pirate, adventure, LEGO® DUPLO, LEGO® Friends and LEGO® NINJAGO™! North America’s first LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel features 250 rooms, fully themed as Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess and Magic Wizard. LEGOLAND California is a Certified Autism Center, credited by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com  or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346). 
 
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-center gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
 
See www.merlinentertainments.biz  for more information.

About LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is the ultimate vacation destination for families with kids. Located 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, the Resort features an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, live shows and themed attractions inspired by popular LEGO® brands and characters, including the new LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race, where families can construct their own LEGO Ferrari models and race them on specially designed tracks. The seasonably heated Water Park is open year-round, with more than a dozen family water slides, and three uniquely themed on-site accommodations. Just 130 kid-steps away from the theme park’s front gate, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel bring the theme park fun into the hotel with nightly entertainment, resort pools, and guest rooms with separate adult and child sleeping areas, and in-room treasure hunts. Just across the street, LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat features beach-themed bungalows in village-style layout centered around outdoor play areas and unforgettable Florida lake views. Guests can explore the wonders of the deep sea when SEA LIFE Florida makes its debut at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in spring 2025.
 
See www.LEGOLAND.com/Florida for more information and follow @LEGOLANDFlorida on social media.

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