Fun in the Smokies! When do Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge attractions open for 2024 season?

Party with pirates, coast down a mountain side, splash in the wilderness and dance with Dolly Parton; you can do it all in the Smokies. You can even grab a wrecking ball and knock down a few walls if you wanted to!

Dollywood is set to launch its longest season ever and several other Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg attractions are opening soon for the 2024 season. Anakeesta, Wilderness at the Smokies and the new construction-themed park, Dig’n Zone, all have new adventures to explore. And Crayola and Nerf will be adding even more action later this year.

Check out these attractions and experiences opening in the Smokies in the coming weeks.

Pirates Voyage

  • The sixth season of Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show begins Feb. 9.

  • Join famous pirate Blackbeard and Calico Jack as they lead the Crimson and Sapphire crews in a battle on land, deck, water and high above full-sized pirate ships in an indoor lagoon! Be amazed by mermaids, tropical birds and all of the exciting action.

  • The four-course meal includes creamy vegetable soup, cracklin’ pan-fried chicken, swashbucklin' sugar-cured ham, herb-basted potato and apple pie. Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free meals are available upon request. Please mention at the time of reservation.

  • Tickets are $69.99+. More information is available at piratesvoyage.com/pigeon-forge.

Dolly Parton's Stampede

  • Dolly Parton’s Stampede opens for its 37th season Feb. 9.

  • The show features thrilling horse-riding stunts, aerial acrobatics, special effects, singing, dancing and music.

  • The four-course meal incudes soup, rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked barbecue pork loin, herb-basted potato and apple turnover and dessert. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

  • Tickets are $69.99+. Check dpstampede.com/pigeon-forge for more information.

Dig’n Zone

  • Following a delay in 2023, Dig’n Zone, a new construction-themed park for kids and adults, opens March 1 in Sevierville.

  • The 27-acre park has more than 25 attractions where families can ride, drive and operate various construction equipment like forklifts on a go-kart track, excavators with modified buckets to swing around, electric SUVs and tractors.

  • And if you're feeling destructive, get ahold of a wrecking ball and knock over as many things as you can before time runs out!

  • Tickets are $55+. Tickets and more information are available at dignzone.com.

Anakeesta

  • The mountaintop theme park in Gatlinburg returns to a full schedule March 8 and is adding two new features to its popular Astra Lumina night walk experience.

  • The Nebular Waves installation "invites visitors to observe what happens when stars dream as they discover ethereal and undulating waves of light that washes over them," a press release from the park said. A new light show has been added to the Astral Genisis installation.

  • Anakeesta opened the new Stone Village area in November. It features Hellbender, a double-rail mountain coaster, and BirdVenture, an interactive area with larger-than-life bird houses, giant slides and more.

  • General admission is $22.99+. Tickets and more information available at anakeesta.com.

Dollywood

  • Dollywood opens March 9 for its 39th season, but season passholders will get a special preview day March 8.

  • The 2024 season will be the park's longest, running for 280 days. That's 23 more days than the 2023 season.

  • Along with rides, festivals and food, guests can enjoy the new “Dolly Parton Experience” this spring. The immersive, multimedia expansion will "make guests feel as if they were alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world," according to the park.

  • The experience will be throughout multiple buildings with exhibits that span her iconic career, highlight the importance of her family and show off her signature styles over the decades.

  • Dollywood tickets are $92+. More information can be found at dollywood.com

Wilderness at the Smokies

The Wilderness at the Smokies hotel and waterpark is seen in Sevierville, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. The property recently completed a $40 million expansion of the grounds adding 40,000 square feet, the colorful Kaleidoscope Kavern indoor lazy river, and the soon-to-open rooftop pool, Lookout Lagoon.
The Wilderness at the Smokies hotel and waterpark is seen in Sevierville, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. The property recently completed a $40 million expansion of the grounds adding 40,000 square feet, the colorful Kaleidoscope Kavern indoor lazy river, and the soon-to-open rooftop pool, Lookout Lagoon.
  • The Wild WaterDome indoor water park in Sevierville completed a $40 million expansion and renovation in December, adding Ridge Runner, a three-story water coaster and the Kaleidoscope Kavern Lazy River.

  • The Lookout Lagoon rooftop pool is expected to open in March. It will feature Peak Rooftop Bar and Eatery, have a glass edge, three rooftop cabanas and an entertainment stage.

  • Cabins also are being added to the water park and resort. This lodging expansion will include six three-story treehouse cabins, eight five-bedroom entertainment cabins and 14 four-bedroom cabins.

  • Check wildernessatthesmokies.com for day passes and booking options.

Attractions coming soon to Pigeon Forge

Crayola Experience

You definitely don’t have to color inside the lines at the Crayola Experience, which is slated to open in Pigeon Forge this fall.

Immerse yourself in a world of “vibrant creativity and self-expression” and “unleash the magic of color” at the 30,000-square-foot entertainment facility.

Guest will be able to enjoy over 20 interactive activities such as creating personalized crayons and designing melted wax masterpieces. There also will be a food and beverage area and a retail store offering the world's largest selection of Crayola products.

Nerf Action Xperience

Also coming this fall, right beside the Crayola Experience, is the Nerf Action Xperience. Kids and adults can have fun in blaster battle zones, sports challenges and an obstacle course. The 29,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center will have a food and beverage area and a retail store.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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Dollywood, which opened the Big Bear Mountain roller coast last spring, will reopen for this 2024 season on March 9.
Dollywood, which opened the Big Bear Mountain roller coast last spring, will reopen for this 2024 season on March 9.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: When do Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge attractions open for spring 2024?