Big Bear Mountain Review Dollywood New for 2023 Vekoma Family Multi-Launch Coaster in Wildwood Grove

Get an in depth look at Dollywood's latest and greatest attraction- which also happens to be their longest and most expensive yet! Located in the back of their kids section, Wildwood Grove, this triple launch coaster spreads throughout the entire land, featuring several swooping turns and quick transitions.
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Production, Filming, & Editing: Taylor Bybee and Sarah Anderson
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[@hillsareflat2314]

I know many people won't see this, but if you have the chance, do a night ride. The audio and lights add to everything making the ride so much better!

[@lumist]

Absolutely!! It takes the experience up a notch!

[@danpro4519]

As coaster enthusiast with kids, this kind of ride fills me with joy! Dollywood is top tier if you have kids AND love roller coasters.

[@Tcoasters24]

I really hope this ride helps Vekoma with their sales in the US, together with circuit breaker ofcourse. Cuz we need more new gen Vekoma!!!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Yes

[@ValleyThrills]

And Rookie Racer

[@LemThurdy420]

#thingsyouwouldnthavesaid10yearsago

[@bradstark2151]

@@LemThurdy420haha. Venoma’s old track was awful. But now it is so smooth and fun

[@williammoore27]

From New York City to Dollywood, Tennessee!🗽🐻🗽🐻🗽🐻

[@lumist]

Great review! Last year's Coaster Con was my first visit to Dollywood, and BBM was the first coaster I rode at the park. I didn't have many expectations for it, and I was totally blown away by how much fun it was to ride. I might even dare to say it was my fave coaster there, lol. (That being said, Thunderhead is a GCI masterpiece, and the rest of the coaster collection is fantastic as well). Vekoma has made unbelievable progress, and I'm hoping that my home park (Canada's Wonderland) will invest in a launched Vekoma someday!

[@pattydinero6292]

EXCELLENT VIBE in your delivery..........excellent. You are a GOOD PERSON I can tell! Subscribed!

[@davidnevolo4402]

Sounds awesome. Family coasters sre not exclusively “bad.” Take sea world san diego for example; their mack family launch coaster, manta, has CRAZY moments of airtime, lots of s bends and bunny hills, and its exhilarating. Really enjoyed it, more memorably than emporer, their b and m dive. This ride looks very enjoyable.

[@kellster2193]

I just rode it on Friday. And even though it is a family coaster. It is my new favorite roller coaster in the park. Yes, I agree they need to add a bear statue or animatronic somewhere. But, it is a coaster that is always going to be in my top 10. Thankfully, I only live 3 hours away from Dollywood. So I give huge props. Amazing new ride.

[@5213SNOOPY]

Got to ride it last week. Loved it. It was so smooth.

[@reillywalker195]

Some low and creeping shrubs around the ride's upper section could help improve its landscaping without a big risk of branches falling onto its track.

[@hargibson18]

This is what Cedar Point should build next, replace Cedar Creek Mine Ride with an updated vision of what that could be. Theme it as well as they've themed stuff like Jungle X-pedition at King's Dominion or Ghost Town at Knott's, and voila you have another solid family ride and a much better use of that plot of land. Maybe you can go for a combo lift hill and launch layout, one of each.

[@TheFortnitePacifist]

There is a slow-mo of my mom and I in the front row in this video at 1:43!

[@CoasterStudios]

Love it!!

[@maxhagenauer24]

I was thinking this would be the 2nd or 3rd best coaster at the park, but it isn't as intense as I thought by what you said but that's why it's so good for a family coaster.

[@coolboss999]

You have such a great narration voice lol. Have you ever thought of voice acting?

[@LillieWhisnant]

I did this ride yesterday for my birthday and it was so fun but also I got nauseous from all of the like twists. So I do not reccomend this coaster if you get nauseous really easily

[@powa5911]

3:33 what is that bear?

[@alex33952]

My home park six flags New England would really benefit from this. It would need to be smaller due to space but would add a launch and great family option for the top two here. No way Six flags spends 25 million at a mid tier park

[@matthewl5434]

Random question but do you plan on making a review of Juvelen? Would love to hear your thoughts about it

[@CoasterStudios]

At some point, that is the plan! It’s just not as high priority as other reviews at the moment

[@williamblevins3242]

Hey, I have twice I’ve surprise

[@devdevthrills]

Bare stats 😂

[@Marty_NZ]

lol I'm sure those bear edits were Sarah's work.

[@alantrotter2077]

Marty not sure you noticed the score of 9 which is higher than the 8.5 Kondaa received. 🤔

[@Marty_NZ]

@@alantrotter2077 oh I noticed it. It's a 9/10 for a family ride I suspect. If on same scale as Kondaa's then it's probably a 3/10 and Ride to Happiness a 7/10.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

It’s a shame a bear statue doesn’t exist

[@jonathang7735]

Too much money for a family ride

[@deanmiller6177]

The coaster sucks.they should have put in a RMC hybrid racing coaster..freaking waste of money.

[@mrjiggawatt]

People say this coaster is for kids but I think it has appeal to older people who can’t handle all the extreme elements in modern coasters.

[@MattMcIrvin]

There is going to be a time when I can't deal with the intense ones any more. I'm not as up for punishment as I used to be and I can already see it coming. Rode Dragon Khan a few weeks ago and I had to sit down for a really long time after that.

[@blueberrymuffin_s]

This would also be great for people like me who are scared of roller coasters and have motion sickness issues. I have to build up to the bigger coasters and these types of coasters will help me get accompanied to the feelings you get from coasters.

[@gemmachaos]

What I like is that a family friendly ride doesn't have to be a small ride or a standard issue Vekoma roller skater or Mack powered coaster anymore. Family coasters can be big, proud, featuring rides, too. Same goes for the new Zambezi Zinger. We need more of that mindset in Europe. All too often do new family rides in Europe end up small, standard issue coasters.

[@m.hoffman2889]

a family coaster in Europe usually means a Vekoma family boomerang, a Zierer tivoli, a Mack powered or a Mack wild mouse. But here and there you find better ones with custom layouts and being also fun for a bigger audience, take for example Pegase Express at Parc Asterix, Arthur at Europapark, Gsengte Sau at Tripsdrill or Studio Tour at Movie Park

[@MrPatrickbuit]

Yeah but that's also because the budget for this project was massive. 25 million is the kind of money you'd spend on a park headliner. Taron was 28 million, but that admittedly was almost 10 years ago so it'd be closer to 40 million now.

[@gemmachaos]

@@MrPatrickbuit My complaint was very much a home-park-biased one, as the Efteling filled their family coaster niche with a boring Mack powered coaster. And that is not a low budget park!

[@zacg_]

I really hope that the trees grow in throughout Wildwood Grove. Obviously, calling it a grove makes everyone expect a forested location. But even putting that aside, so much of Dollywood is situated surrounded by trees and it really seems like that would make the area seem so magical. I think of some park areas, especially at your home parks of KD and BGW, or down at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where you are surrounded by the trees and foliage and it makes the experience really great.

[@spaceoorulu8663]

Hoping Dollywood eventually landscapes that first half of the ride. I imagine that would make night rides on it absolutely incredible

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

Knowing Dollywood, they likely will in the future. They have great landscapers.

[@lyndonsmith7772]

My first thought on seeing this was Hagrid's minus the theming and spike/drop track. Similar experience? Also as much as I want DW to get a giga (or an RMC that will bloody well be open when I'm at the park) I think think this is an absolutely perfect addition. Well played, Dollywood!

[@MattMcIrvin]

There was a time, back in the 1970s or so, when most big theme parks concentrated on family rides, with maybe one or two big thrill coasters. Given the clientele, it made sense, but there was a kind of arms race that eventually happened, and milder coasters ended up consigned to small kiddie areas. I think it's great that somebody is concentrating on this, because aside from kids, there are a lot of adults who are just not into intense rides. I like hearing about anything I might be able to share with my non-enthusiast family.

[@staringcorgi6475]

Invadr was installed in 2010s not a big thrill coaster

[@mattcollins3591]

It’s AHHHMAZING. And also the smoothest coaster I’ve EVER ridden. Such a great ride

[@richey0995]

Would be a 10 if it had a shed at the end with Big Bear in it, big missed opportunity 😔

[@ishitmypantsinacarwheniwas7]

mystic timbers moment

[@loopingthrills645]

I've luckily rode this and I'm from the UK so I ride alot of European coasters and I found this to be my favourite family coaster (obviously if theming probs hagrid or wickerman) but this layout is great feels like a family blitz

[@MattMcCoasters]

My boy is 3.5 and he's 39 inches already and we are going to enjoy it together.

[@gothrockfairy]

Just rode this today with my family. Fantastic ride. It’s just plain fun. I think it will appeal to everytype of park guest.

[@chris_allupinya5613]

5:12... the ride operator Definitely farted

[@bosslevelbros7182]

Next video can you do darkoaster

[@tobypalmer6663]

Ya know, maybe the Big Bear was the friends we made along the way

[@Hadsiscoolll]

Haha I was at Dollywood 6 hours ago 😂 I got there at 10am and stayed till 6pm Edit: I tried this ride and it is SOOOOO much fun!!! It makes you quite dizzy tho

[@alantrotter2077]

From my perspective it looks like a great addition to Dollywood and I look forward to riding it at some point over the next few weeks. But I can see Marty having an issue with this getting a "9" and Kondaa only getting an "8.5".....

[@Marty_NZ]

One day we'll get the Kondaa apology video.

[@mitchellries256]

If this park didn't have Lightning Rod, this would easily be my favorite ride in the park.

[@SunsetWingman]

The reason you don't have a favorite element is because there are no elements. Nothing taller, faster, more inverted, or in any way different from the rest of the ride. It's literally and endless repetition of left bank, right bank, repeat, close to the ground. That said it's pretty good but hilariously homogeneous

[@davefroman4700]

The reason they cut down the trees around the two woodies is because they ARE woodies. They probably could not get insurance. Forest fires are a thing even in the smokey mountains.

[@simonuhrick7674]

Wait, stop! Enhance! My God.... it's Big Bear! 1:02

[@guillaumecourchesne8684]

The added bear was just the best.

[@CoasterStudios]

thank you -sarah

[@spentron1]

This seems like the launched mine train concept I've been tossing about, except kind of goes past it, especially in budget (seems like Golden Horse or the like could sell a bunch to smaller parks). Also lacks the level of integration into the setting or real airtime by the very end I had in mind.

[@ItsDannyRobbins]

The park advertised this ride as having "22 butterfly moments", meaning very gentle airtime. Taylor is right to say this ride is meant to be an introduction to the sensation of airtime for little kids.

[@spentron1]

@@ItsDannyRobbins I figured, although someone else said there was a small amount of actual airtime, descriptions vary though. Sounds like a lot of "misses" haha. At any rate, multi-launches means it's more possible to fine tune such a ride, and to work up to the real excitement without interruption.

[@ProdbyKing.]

I think it would be cool if Dollywood added a big coaster called big bear

[@liamcollinson5695]

I wish they was rides like this when i was a kid my first coaster was 150ft tall with 2 vertical loops and a sidewinder it terrified me and it was a while before i had the courage to ride another coaster so rides like this are needed

[@Hogwarts86]

I work there and went into the ride with low expectations! It is now one of my favorite rides in the park!

[@First-Drop-Studios]

I am really intrigued by this coaster. I love how everything feels like one element. It looks like a great step up to the thrill rides at Dollywood. I really like the terrain usage and the theming looks ok. When those planted trees grow in it will probably feel like a more complete experience.

[@Gijsinator]

7:52 I don't think anyone has been succesful in marathoning lightning rod

[@themagic_cookie2260]

What do you think of Luna at Liseberg?

[@mattdaaamon]

They cut down the trees because of the threat of forrwst fires.

[@supt5992]

How does this compare to Hagrid’s?

[@denisecassel8174]

Wildcats revenge has started to test

[@autumbauer2750]

I love big bear mountain

[@ajtopia]

Hagrids but orange

[@michaelmascolo3161]

Bring a barf bag at the end

[@ParkVisions]

Great Review it amazing to hear your thoughts!! Big Bear Mountain looks like a great fit for families, and plus love the storyline. The atmosphere looks amazing also Dollywood did great with this one can’t wait to get a ride on it sometime soon.

[@AufdemLaufenden777]

on the same level as taron?

[@mrknowhere6457]

Bombora on steroids

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

I may be going to Dollywood end of June so I hope to ride it. Looks like a Awsome ride. I saw a lot of it when I was there for Christmas

[@davidpalomeque4689]

What is the thrill level of this vs Manta at SeaWorld San Diego or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?

[@samhurd6103]

Pipeline review?

[@ericwilson5203]

Is it better than thunder mountain? I like that Dollywood is becoming a viable alternative to magic kingdom… less crowds and quality rides with 39 or 40 inch height requirement

[@rct3isepic]

Can we normalize onboard audio outside of Universal and Disney please?

[@TheNo.1nerd-lookin-noob]

This roller coaster is just plain enjoyable it’s so smooth has mid launches and some pretty good fun elements

[@MatecaCorp]

So it’s a coaster themed to trying to find a bear in the woods, located in an area of the park called Wildwood Grove, but there aren’t any trees or even landscaping along the majority of the ride

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

Hopefully after whenever Texas opens their Tilt Coaster we get more in chain parks

[@Harrys.Truman-fanpage]

They should have bear statue Looks like a fun coaster that will be better than Dragon Flier! My only complaints are how there aren’t trees or grass in some areas and I don’t like the music, it just feels as if it doesn’t know the theme it’s going for.

[@SignalProcessingWithPaul]

I think this ride just does everything right. Not too forceful for kids, but still enough fun for enthusiasts. Awesome length, fun elements, and butter smooth. Lightning Rod was my favorite ride in the park but I'm really glad they added this. Would love to see more of these around, and I think Disney could use this type of ride too.

[@lightningboat]

Tron and Cosmic Rewind seem to give similar rides

[@Fryinpansvols]

I saw your photo shopped bears early on in the video and knew you were going to talk about not seeing the bear. 😂

[@kurtmatteson9965]

Well put my friend well put. Really sweet modern take on a family coaster

[@eastside7666]

I'm waiting on the pipeline COASTER

[@blockin9556]

pretty fun ride, didn't even mention how smooth it is if you care about that.

[@persianking44]

@2:25 Ha I see what y'all did there!

[@wendyfowler1311]

Definitely going to try this out 🎉❤😊

[@jasonwilliams1497]

Big Bare Mountain

[@stephenboshears4832]

Given the first half I completely agree

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

Looks really fast

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

The best part of the experience is still the music in that reveal trailer.

[@CoasterStudios]

The music works very well!

[@me-myself-i787]

There's really no excuse for Big Bear Mountain's theming to be so lackluster when PhantasiaLand, a tiny independent park, built Taron, which is a similar if slightly more thrilling ride with vastly superior theming.

[@bamiiiiiiiii5162]

I hope you mean raik because taron isnt close to this ride its way more intense

[@Harrys.Truman-fanpage]

They have less land to pay for and I think after a few years when things have grown in things will look a lot better. Plus Dollywood has room to expand when Phantasialand doesn’t

[@samplautz5586]

Wow, was not expecting that to be 25 million dollars. That’s b and m prices right there, and that’s usually for the hypers and largest coasters, aside from gigas which cost around 30 million

[@mattdaaamon]

4000 feet of track and multiple launches is big time coaster no matter the layout.

[@KingofthePinball]

Long track + steel prices that have gone trough the roof + Vekoma is not building cheap rides anymore, quality costs money

[@itsKegger]

Seems like it'd be more like a 7-8 out of 10 based on what you said, but I havent riden it. It just doesn't seem like it'd be as fun as Hagrids for example but it could still be a great ride

[@CoasterStudios]

It’s not as good as Hagrids- but that’s also punchier, has a higher height requirement, and has the budget of Universal Parks. That’s a clear 10/10 haha.

[@alantrotter2077]

@@CoasterStudios Not sure Hagrid's is a clear 10/10 if you aren't a Harry Potter fan. Coaster stops and starts so the pacing and flow isn't the best in terms of a coaster experience. Plus the bike is a much better experience than the side car. In some ways I think Hagrid's is geared to be a little more thrilling than this one but I will be able to tell more after I ride Big Bear shortly.

[@inlinechris]

@@alantrotter2077 you can’t just ignore the spectacular set pieces and theming just because you’re not a Harry Potter fan lol

[@alantrotter2077]

@@inlinechris If it doesn't mean anything to you then yes they are great pieces, but please go back and look what I said. The coaster's pacing is off as is stops and goes, and if you aren't a Harry Potter fan and sitting in the side car, this is not a 10/10 ride.

[@j-tundifanclub6565]

When’s the pipeline one coming out?

[@ItsDannyRobbins]

Already open

[@emilyskelton5484]

I’m a coaster enthusiast that has been on some of the most insane coasters in the country and this ride was so much fun for me! I really loved the smooth, quick feeling it had. Family coasters can be a little boring for me but this was not one of them. Plus, my kid loved it too.

[@TNpyro-nk8ky]

i live in knoxville and personally dollywood needs mofre thrill. More looping coasters! only 3 that have inversions and 6 that dont. We need an B&M invert like great bear or Raptor here. big bear is in my opinion a wasted investment. very low forces and not too fast tbh. id rather drive 4 hours and spend less money at six flags. its not that great of a park tbh. i like thrill and there is no thrill. the best coaster in the park is mysterymine and they ruined it by taking out the sharp overbanked turn in the first half. very disapointing park now.