Another Enormous Anakeesta Expansion Planned

While it’s interesting that Anakeesta describes themselves as a theme park, you’re really going to understand why with their newest expansion. Of course they already evoke those thoughts if you’ve visited the extraordinary experience up on Anakeesta Mountain. But the plans for their upcoming expansion will only serve to cement the somewhat ambitious moniker usually reserved for places like Dollywood, Cedar Point, and Disney World. It’s no fantasy Anakeesta is well on its way to legitimizing identifying itself as one with what’s around the corner.

The cost will be an additional $34 million, which is significant considering it will be the largest project since their grand opening five years ago. Obviously, that’s a huge investment, but seeing what they’ve done since 2017, I feel excited about what it will be used toward.

There are four major additions as part of the project, happening in phases over the next few years: Astra Lumina, Birdventure, Hellbender Mountain Coaster, and a European-themed village. If the latter is anything like The Village in downtown Gatlinburg, then I will be beyond thrilled to see the completed vision. It also figures to have more retail shops, which is one criticism I have of the current Anakeesta, which only has 3 stand-alone shops—all of them in the same area near the entrance. I’ve only ridden one mountain coaster and enjoyed it, but there’s other uses I find for my money in Gatlinburg, in all honesty, but I know many will find it a thrilling must-do. Birdventure will be another place of enjoyment for the kids, and almost certainly the adults. Large birdhouse buildings and adventure areas will highlight this brand new themed village. Overall it sounds like a ton of unadulterated fun. I don’t think any of it will dilute the experience for guests like myself and many others.

I am a current yearly pass-holder along with my wife and son, so this definitely means I’m not unbiased, but I’m also not afraid to make a critique when warranted. It will be closely monitored by us to see how admission prices will be affected, since we all can see the inevitability of what will result from such a large endeavor. I will be happy to pay for a slight increase in admission as long as the attraction continues to magnify the magic that convinced us to pay for our passes last spring. It’s unknown whether we will make it back before they expire, but when they do lapse, it’s hard to imagine we won’t renew, since they pay for themselves after only two visits—and we’ve made many more than that.

Are you as excited as we are at seeing the new additions come to life in the next few years? Or are you not impressed and have negative thoughts about it. Obviously the former would apply to us, but I’m willing to hear your reasoning for any contrast in opinion.

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