WHAT'S NEW IN PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE, FOR 2007 – Christmas-themed hotel, mysterious roller coaster and Zorb top the list
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (February 2007) –A hotel where it's Christmas every day of the year, a mysterious $17.5 million roller coaster and a new-to-North-America attraction called Zorb top the list of what's new in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for 2007.
The list continues with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a magical theater and
the first full year of operation for an attraction that describes itself as
"an amusement park for the mind."
By early summer, Pigeon Forge will be the first North American site for
Zorb, a peculiar attraction invented in New Zealand, the nation that gave us
jetboats and bungee jumping. Zorb is somewhat calmer than jetboats or
bungee jumping but just as exciting–and many say much funnier.
Imagine a translucent plastic sphere 11 feet in diameter with an inner
compartment six feet in diameter. Then imagine yourself inside the smaller
sphere and careening down a hillside. You can add water and two other
people. That's Zorb. If you're lacking in imagination, see it on the Web at
www.zorb.com
"The ‘Zorbonauts' who chose Pigeon Forge for Zorb Smoky Mountains have a
huge sense of humor. They describe Zorb as proof that ‘New Zealand leads
the world in stupid things to do while you're not thinking about work,'"
said Kay Powell, assistant director of the Pigeon Forge Department of
Tourism. "We agree."
More thrills are in store at Dollywood, which will add the Mystery Mine, a
$17.5 million steel roller coaster, to its ride collection. It is the
largest capital investment in the park's history. The coaster, whose theme
is an abandoned coal mine, features eight-passenger mine cars that plunge
riders into the mine's dark recesses while zooming along an 1,811-foot
track.
The Mystery Mine will be the companion to the Thunderhead, twice named the
No. 1 wooden coaster in the world by Amusement Today magazine.
Another Dollywood expansion for 2007 is The Cascades, a $2.8 million project
at Dollywood's Splash Country waterpark. The Cascades includes a
7,500-square-foot beach-entry pool, four slides and other interactive
elements. Splash Country also will add eight Waterside Retreats,
cabana-style rental units with amenities such as cable television and
poolside food and beverage service.
New on the lodging scene is the Inn at Christmas Place, where the décor is
Christmas to the max. It will open in June. The 145-room inn, which will
have meeting and conference space for up to 300 people, will reflect the
picturesque mountain-village architecture of the European Alps. It is
directly across the Parkway from its namesake, the Incredible Christmas
Place, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year as one of Pigeon
Forge's favorite retail destinations.
Magic and illusions will be the order of the day starting in mid-March when
the Magic Beyond Belief Theater opens with Terry Evanswood as resident
magician. The 400-seat venue, formerly the Old Smoky Hoedown Theater, is
being renovated with new lights, a new sound system and two large video
screens to display the production's sleight-of-hand tricks, illusions and
other magic.
Scheduled for an August opening is Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, a
full-service, 10,500-square-foot Harley-Davidson dealership. It will be
part of the Phase 2 project at Walden's Landing, a popular Pigeon Forge
shopping and dining development.
New dining opportunities are plentiful. The list, by opening date, includes
• Little Tokyo, a Japanese restaurant in Teaster Crossing, scheduled
to open in March;
• Sonic Drive-In, located on the Parkway, opening by Memorial Day
• Starbucks, in Teaster Commons at the corner of the Parkway and
Christmas Tree Lane, opening by Memorial Day;
• Texas Roadhouse and McAlister's Gourmet Deli, both to open in July
on the Parkway;
• Chili's, opening in late 2007 or early 2008 at Teaster Commons.
Three major additions to the Pigeon Forge scene will have their first full
year of operation in 2007. They are "The Miracle," a multi-million dollar
production in a 1,700-seat theater that chronicles the life of Jesus;
Helicopter Whirl'd Adventures, an $8 million attraction devoted to wingless
aviation; and WonderWorks, a $9 million attraction that combines science
with entertainment and calls itself "an amusement park for the mind."
Information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is available by visiting
www.mypigeonforge.com or by calling 800-251-9100. The 2007 Pigeon Forge
Travel Planner contains the Pigeon Forge Value Card that offers discounts on
entertainment, lodging, dining, attractions and shopping.
Pictured – the Zorb!
February 22, 2007
Posted in: United States South