Dolly takes aim with new ride

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Never mind the sunny skies.

Dolly Parton showed up in a raincoat, ready to show off a new Dollywood ride called "River Battle."

"I’m excited about the new season here," the singer said at her theme park’s recent grand opening. "'River Battle’ will get you wet."

Indeed. You’ll get your feet soaked – and more - as you board one of this new amusement’s boats, then pump a giant squirt gun at other boats and the people on observation decks.

"This is a great ride," Parton said. "It’s certainly not a noisy, rowdy ride, is it? Unless they turn on the water guns ..."

WHEW!

‘MIGHT FALL APART’

Now, here’s what $5 million can do: Nine rafts, each with room for eight passengers, follow a 500-foot channel.

As the rafts navigate the waters, the "River Battle" begins.

Passengers, each armed with a soaker gun, take aim at each other and the more than 100 targets along the way – including large-scale "talking animals" like beavers, skunks, otters and bears.

Watch out!

Some of the targets shoot back. Others display a variety of special effects, creating surprises at every turn and ensuring that no two rides are ever exactly the same.

A mid-morning, a line of riders walked away with soaked clothes. Behind them stood a long line of people, waiting to test the waters.

Yet Parton, star of stage and screen, was not among that crowd.

"I just as soon not get wet, because I might fall apart," Parton said, laughing. "I’ve got too much to lose, like my hair and my eyelashes and everything else."

‘SQUIRTING WATER’

River Battle stands along a new passageway at Dollywood – a recently-built walk that now connects the park’s Craftsman’s Valley to its Timber Canyon – and saves pedestrians a walk of about 1.5 miles, said park spokesman Denise Kirkwood.

Along the way, the River Battle mirrors Parton’s childhood memories, growing up at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains as one of several siblings.

"We were usually squirting water through our teeth at each other - or throwing it in buckets," Parton said.

"But, actually, we always try to theme our rides around things that I do remember as a child. And, of course, we used to swim in the old swimming hole," Parton added. "We’d jump out of trees into the water. We’d swing on the ropes and all that."

‘NOT TOO DANGEROUS’

This water ride differs from the fast-paced roller coasters that have been built at the theme park in recent years.

"It’s not too dangerous but fun," Parton said. "But, I think the children are going to really enjoy this - with this particular ride."

All of Dollywood’s rides – to the 62-year-old Parton – are like children. "This one was fun for me, because it was easy and slow," the entertainer said. "I can’t honestly say that I have a favorite ride. They’re all like your kids. You like them all for different reasons."

jtennis@bristolnews.com (276) 791-0704

ABOUT RIVER BATTLE

Length: 500 foot channel

Passenger Car Capacity: Nine eight-foot passenger rafts

Cost: $5 million

YOU SHOULD KNOW

What: Dollywood

Where: Use I-40 Exit 407. 1020 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Direction signs are posted.

Phone: (865) 428-9488 or (800) 365-5996

Web: www.dollywood.com

FOR MORE

Hear and see video of Dolly Parton at Dollywood at www.tricities.com