Wilderness at the Smokies waterpark expansion opens december 19th 2023.

Waterpark Expansion Complete – Come See It Starting December 19!

Are you ready to take your waterpark adventures to a whole new level?

We are beyond thrilled to announce the $40 million expansion/renovation of our Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark is finished and the entire waterpark will be open for guests to explore starting December 19.

We seriously can’t wait for thrill-seeking guests to try Ridge Runner, our new three-story water coaster. It features three steep stomachs “flip-flopping” drops, uphill adrenaline-boosting blasts and high speeds. Plus, it is the world’s first slide with Reverse AquaLucent, meaning it has some cool colorful, spellbinding patterns and special effects.

According to Pete Tennis, our Managing Director, “This coaster is beyond amazing! It starts with a heart-pounding 22-foot drop at 29 mph before propelling the riders up into a right hairpin turn inside the first Reverse AquaLucent section. A second drop follows into an open flume, followed by an uphill blast into a sharp left turn inside another Reverse AquaLucent tube with different patterns. For thrill’s sake, the coaster repeats a third time into a final set of patterns inside another Reverse AquaLucent tube. To round out the sensations, riders loop through a dark tube before finishing in an open flume.”

The waterpark expansion also includes the addition of Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River. However, it isn’t your traditional lazy river. It features an immersive tunnel where the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains surrounds your senses as you float down the river surrounded by kaleidoscope lighting and captivating sounds. It was designed by the creative geniuses at Moment Factory who also dreamt up the Enchanted Night Walk at Anakeesta. We’ll be dedicating another blog post just to this fantastic attraction. Stay tuned!

In addition to these two new attractions, the resort completely renovated the Snapping Turtle Indoor/Outdoor Play Lagoon area to include a new indoor/outdoor hot spa that offers the same seating as the old Magnolia Grove hot spa and a 1,055 square foot activity pool complete with a three-sided basketball feature in the outside area to “hoop it up” with friends.

If that’s not enough, there are now 500 more seats in the waterpark, six additional cabanas on the mezzanine level of the waterpark and three additional cabanas on the main level.

Coming March 2024
For those of you excited about the waterpark’s new Lookout Lagoon rooftop pool with a glass edge, you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer. We’re anticipating it to be completed by mid-March 2024. The area will also be home to the Peak Rooftop Bar and Eatery, three rooftop cabanas and an entertainment stage area. It will be the perfect place to enjoy the sunset and take in the mountain fresh air.