News: Dollywood’s Splash Country Opens for the 2008 Season on May 17

Posted at 2:33 PM EDT (1833 GMT)

May. 14th, 2008 -- PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.-- Dollywood’s Splash Country opens for the 2008 season on May 17, welcoming guests to the 35-acre water park’s new $1 million SwiftWater Run ride.  

A tubing bowl ride, SwiftWater Run offers double- or single-passenger tubes that take riders through a 54-inch diameter tunnel that propels them into a large bowl feature. After multiple revolutions, passengers then encounter a corkscrew before navigating a downward chute that plunges into the landing pool.

“SwiftWater Run is a first of its kind for Dollywood’s Splash Country, and it certainly gives folks a taste of the many incredible water adventures that are so popular here in the Smoky Mountains,” said Vice President and General Manager Gene Scherrer.

SwiftWater Run is located amid the water slide complex that includes Mountain Scream and Mountain Twist.

Upcoming events at Dollywood’s Splash Country include the park’s sixth annual Lazy River Float-a-Thon on May 31 at 10 a.m.  Admission is free for those who raise a minimum of $35 in donations.  Participants raise money for the not-for-profit Ronald McDonald House for each lap completed on the Lazy River.  Entry forms are available at www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com.   Water Safety Day, free with paid admission, is scheduled for June 11, featuring rescue simulations by staff lifeguards, CPR and pool/spa safety information, and the essential items for a home water safety kit.  For more information, call (865) 541-8262.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is located adjacent to Dollywood theme park.  Situated in a wooded mountain setting, Dollywood’s Splash Country also features the white water rafting adventure ride Big Bear Plunge™, the Downbound Float Trip lazy river, two interactive children’s play areas and 25 additional water adventure slides.  In 2007, Dollywood’s Splash Country was recognized for the third time by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s top water parks.  In 2001, Dollywood’s Splash Country was named the World Waterpark Association’s Best New Water Park in America.  The park operates May 17 through Sept. 14.   For more information, visit http://www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com.