NEWS: Anakeesta announces $100 million expansion plan

[jedimaster1227]

Anakeesta has announced a $100 million investment plan spanning five years that will double the footprint of the Gatlinburg adventure park. Most immediately, the park's chairlift will be replaced with a scenic lift, the Firefly Village will be reimagined, the Treetop Skywalk expanded and a new evening Firefly Experience will be added to the park. Starting in 2027, the park will add new thrill rides and dining options to the park's lineup.

https://anakeesta.com/blog/anakeestas-expansion-plans-for-2026-and-2027/

Anakeesta’s Expansion Plans for 2026 and 2027

Anakeesta is excited to announce Making More Magic—a $100-million investment we’ll be making in our park over the next five years. This expansion is the largest in the adventure park’s history, and guests can start experiencing some of our first major changes in early 2026.

If you’re interested in visiting the park soon or want to know more about our plans for the park, check out our overview of Anakeesta’s planned expansions for 2026 and what these expansions will mean for visitors.

5 Changes Coming to Anakeesta During Our $100 Million Expansion

Throughout the five-year project, Anakeesta will double its footprint, adding new themed villages, dining and retail experiences, and thrilling attractions. In 2026, the first of these expansions will be implemented, with a new scenic lift, a reimagining of Firefly Village, an expanded Treetop Skywalk, and an enchanting nighttime firefly light show experience. 

Find out more about Anakeesta’s plans for expansion in 2026 and 2027 below:

1. Next Generation Scenic Lift (Spring 2026)

Since it opened in 2017, our original Chondola has done a wonderful job carrying millions of guests to Anakeesta. However, with more guests than ever visiting Anakeesta in 2025, we decided it was time to provide an even better riding experience.

Our brand-new lift will feature 56 cabins with glass bottoms and large wraparound windows, giving riders 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains on the ride up to the park. During the four-minute ride, you can expect to see downtown Gatlinburg’s skyline, lush Smoky Mountain forests, and native wildlife. 

Each cabin has seating for six guests to make it easy for families and large groups to stay together. Before the new lift opens in early May, you can take the Ridge Rambler, a large adventure truck, from the base of the park to Black Bear Village in just a few minutes. 

2. Firefly Village Reimagined (Spring 2026)

Alongside upgrading our lifts, we’ll be reimagining Firefly Village to create an even more beautiful, whimsical environment that inspires connection. We expect the upgrades to be completed by Spring of 2026.

Some of our top additions will include thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, winding pathways, and flowing water features. We’re also building a brand-new overlook that will give our guests another location to take in breathtaking mountain views of Gatlinburg.

3. Treetop Skywalk Elevated (Spring 2026)

Already the longest tree-based skywalk in North America, we’ll be elevating our Treetop Skywalk experience in the Spring of 2026. 

When you visit our reimagined Treetop Skywalk, you can expect to find expanded bridges, winding canopy pathways, and soaring towers. With a variety of new vantage points to view the forest, it’ll be easier than ever to immerse yourself in nature and connect with what makes the Smoky Mountains so special.

4. Firefly Experience (Fall 2026)

For around two weeks every year, the Great Smoky Mountains light up with fireflies synchronizing their flash patterns. In our expansion, we wanted to bring this experience to our visitors year-round, paying homage to the fireflies our Firefly Village is named after.

Our new Firefly Experience will include state-of-the-art lighting features that mimics the fireflies’ synchronous glow. Year-round, you can marvel at a dance of light that combines storytelling, nature’s beauty, and unforgettable light displays.

5. Phase 2: Thrills and Flavors on the Mountain (Begins in 2027)

After all of our Phase 1 expansions are completed in 2026, we’ll be ready to move on to Phase 2 of our Making More Magic expansion. During Phase 2, we’ll be performing even more comprehensive upgrades to the park, solidifying Anakeesta as a must-see experience in Gatlinburg.

Some highlights from Phase 2 include new dining options and thrilling rides. These changes will give thrill-seekers more rides to enjoy while also making it easy for families to take it easy when they want to move at a slower pace!

What to Know About Visiting During Construction

While our park will be closed starting January 5, 2026, it will reopen shortly after, in March of 2026.  After we reopen in March, the Ridge Rambler will take visitors up to the park until the new lift opens in May. Otherwise, the logistics of visiting Anakeesta won’t change much during the ongoing expansion.

What Visitors Should Know About Anakeesta’s Upcoming Expansion

Have questions about Anakeesta’s Making More Magic expansion? Check out our answers to potential questions you might have about it:

When Will Anakeesta Be Closed for Construction?

Anakeesta will be closed from January 5, 2026, to early March 2026.

When Does Construction Start on the New Lift?

Construction on our new scenic lift starts in November 2025, with the expectation that it will be completed by Spring 2026. Though site prep for the new lift starts in November, the park will remain open through January 4 before closing for construction starting on the fifth.

How Will Guests Get to the Park Before the New Lift Opens?

Before the new lift opens, our Ridge Rambler will drive visitors from the base of the park to Black Bear Village.

When Will the New Lift Be Ready for Riders?

We expect the new lift to debut in the Spring of 2026.

What Is Different About the New Scenic Lift?

The new scenic lifts offer more cabins (56 in total), more seating (six guests per cabin), and faster speeds (you’ll reach the top in four minutes!). The glass floors and expansive windows will give riders even better views than they could receive on the original Chondola.

What’s Changing in Firefly Village?

In 2026, Firefly Village will add whimsical pathways, water features, a new overlook, and many places to linger as part of a reimagining of the classic village.

What’s New on the Treetop Skywalk?

We’ll be adding new bridges, towers, and canopy pathways to Treetop Skywalk to give visitors more immersive viewpoints.

What Is the Firefly Experience?

The Firefly Experience is an immersive, year-round lighting experience inspired by synchronous fireflies that will be located on our Treetop Skywalk.

What Arrives in Phase 2?

Starting in 2027, we’ll be upgrading the park with new thrill rides, dining experiences, and additional attractions.

Stay Tuned for More Updates on Anakeesta’s Expansions

As Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s number one attraction, Anakeesta is proud to grow our park and continue to help our visitors experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. With mountain coasters, scenic dining spots, retail options, Astra Lumina, adventure zones, and many new planned expansions, we’re confident you’ll love your time at our park. Whether you’re visiting with your family, friends, your partner, or another group, you can find something your crew will love!

Learn more about our upcoming expansion today. If you’d like to stay tuned to our expansion project and any special events, please sign up for our newsletter!

[Chiselphane]

Aw I like the chair lifts

[jedimaster1227]

Anakeesta has shared the newest look at its upcoming expansion by releasing more details and concept art for the Crystal Express, the new gondola system which will bring guests up to the mountaintop.

https://anakeesta.com/expansion/crystal-express/

An Elevated Journey to the Top of Anakeesta

Our newest gondola delivers a smoother, faster, and more scenic ride, designed to get you to the mountaintop in comfort while offering breathtaking Smoky Mountain views along the way.

Introducing the Crystal Express

A One-of-a-Kind Perspective of the Smokies

The Crystal Express offers a ride unlike anything else in the Smoky Mountains. Each panoramic cabin features glass floors and expansive windows that surround you with views in every direction, creating the feeling of floating above the ground.

As you glide above the forest and rise high above downtown Gatlinburg, the mountain unfolds beneath your feet and around the cabin. It is a rare opportunity to experience the Smokies from a completely new perspective, where the journey itself becomes as memorable as everything waiting at the top.

Elevated, In Every Way

The Crystal Express reimagines how you arrive at the mountaintop, delivering a smoother ride, shorter waits, and breathtaking Smoky Mountain views along the way.

56 Panoramic Cabins

Luxurious gondola cabins with glass floors and walls, offering uninterrupted 360° views of the Smoky Mountains.

~4 Minute Ride

A smooth, scenic ascent from downtown Gatlinburg to the mountaintop.

3x Current Capacity

Designed to move more guests efficiently, reducing wait times and getting you to the top faster.

• WHAT IS THE CRYSTAL EXPRESS?
  • The Crystal Express is Anakeesta’s new high-speed gondola that takes guests from downtown Gatlinburg to the mountaintop. It is designed to offer a faster, smoother, and more scenic ride as part of Anakeesta’s next phase of growth.
• WHERE DOES THE CRYSTAL EXPRESS DEPART FROM?
  • The Crystal Express departs from Anakeesta’s existing Parkway location in downtown Gatlinburg, making it a convenient starting point for your visit.
• HOW LONG IS THE RIDE?
  • The ride to the summit takes approximately four minutes, giving guests a quick and scenic ascent up the mountain.
• WHAT MAKES THE CRYSTAL EXPRESS DIFFERENT FROM THE PREVIOUS LIFT?
  • The Crystal Express features next-generation gondola technology, panoramic cabins with glass floors and walls, and three times the capacity of the current lift. This means a smoother ride, shorter waits, and a more immersive experience.
• ARE THE CABINS ENCLOSED?
  • Yes, the Crystal Express cabins are fully enclosed and designed for comfort in all seasons.
• IS THE CRYSTAL EXPRESS FAMILY-FRIENDLY?
  • Yes, the gondola is designed with easy on and off loading, allowing families to roll strollers directly into the cabins for a seamless experience.
• IS THE CRYSTAL EXPRESS INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION?
  • Yes, the Crystal Express is included with Anakeesta admission.