5 Dollywood Attractions That No Longer Exist

Dollywood has changed a lot through the years, and while every new attraction brings something exciting, longtime visitors still miss some of the rides that helped create their favorite family memories. 😢

Here are 5 Dollywood attractions that no longer exist:

1. Mountain Slidewinder

This unique water ride was unlike anything else in the park. Guests climbed into a small boat and raced down one of two long, twisting water chutes built into the wooded mountainside. It was fast, bumpy, wet and unforgettable! Mountain Slidewinder became a favorite for many families who visited Dollywood year after year, and people still talk about that long walk up the hill before the wild ride back down.

2. Thunder Express

Before Tennessee Tornado took over that area of the park, guests could ride Thunder Express, a runaway mine-train-style roller coaster surrounded by trees and mountain scenery. The ride twisted and turned over wooden supports and through the wooded hillside. It may not have been the biggest coaster Dollywood has ever had, but many visitors remember it as one of their first roller-coaster experiences at the park.

3. Flooded Mine

Flooded Mine was a dark boat ride filled with old-fashioned prison and mining scenes. Riders floated through a mine where prisoners were trying to escape as water poured, sprayed and splashed throughout the attraction. The unusual characters, dim lighting and humorous scenes made it especially memorable. It was part ride, part storytelling experience and part classic Dollywood history.

4. Timber Tower

Timber Tower looked like a giant wooden pencil standing high above the park. Riders sat in a large circular row around the tower as it lifted, spun and tilted dramatically toward the ground. It was one of Dollywood’s most unusual attractions, and it certainly caught your attention when you walked through the area. Although it did not remain in the park for very long, people who rode it definitely remember the experience!

5. River Battle

River Battle was a water ride where getting soaked was practically guaranteed. Guests rode in circular raft-style boats equipped with water cannons and sprayed targets, other boats and people standing around the attraction. The people watching from outside could spray the riders too, so nobody was safe! On a hot summer day, it was one of the most entertaining places in the park.

Dollywood continues to grow, but these former attractions are still part of the park’s story—and part of countless Smoky Mountain vacation memories.

Which one do you remember riding? Which former Dollywood attraction do you miss the most? And what should be included in Part 2?

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