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    Mystery Mine

    4.3 (21 reviews)

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    Auto animatronic eagle
    Arlene M.

    If Dollywood had its own version of Space Mountain this ride comes very close to it. In fact when you get here when the park opens there usually isn't any wait. However, most of the crowds congregate to Big Bear Mountain nearby (reviewed separately) which means by the time you get back to this ride there is a bit of a wait. Having a timesaver pass cuts the wait time. Part dark ride and part outdoor there are two 90 degree vertical accents on this ride and you never know what to expect. Unlike most coasters this one starts off with a drop which adds to the fun. Pyrotechnic elements such as fire are near the end of the ride and seem to bar your way. This ride can be vicious. I few times with all the curves and twists my ears got tossed from side to side. Still it doesn't take away the fun of it. The ride looks innocent enough but if you are a coaster fan then this is definitely a not to be missed attraction at Dollywood.

    Ariel W.

    Mystery Mine is a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter steel roller coaster that opened in 2007. Built at a cost of 17.5 million dollars, it was most expensive ride in Dollywood's history until Wild Eagle was built in 2012. It is located in the Timber Canyon portion of the park near Thunderhead rollercoaster. Mystery Mine is both an inside (dark) and outdoor coaster. The theme is a haunted mine from the 19th century which fits in perfectly with the park and the history of the Smoky Mountains. As you go through the que you see old articles condemning the mine shaft. Two flights of stairs takes you to the boarding area. Once you board your mine car you are launched quickly out into a small drop and hairpin curves. The car is then taken to a complete stop before you are lifted straight up a vertical wall of track at a 90-degree angle as you are on your back. This takes you to the outside portion of the coaster where at the top you descend a small hill before a larger drop. Some of the unique features of the coaster are its 95-degree, beyond-vertical 85 foot drop inside the ride building, two inversions, and a top speed of 43 mph. During the 2020/2021 off-season of the park, the layout of the outdoor section following the first lift hill was changed which resulted in a shorter layout of the ride by a few feet. As a coaster fan I really loved this ride. My friend hadn't been on a coaster in years and I talked her into it. I was hoping she wouldn't be mad at me but I didn't need to worry, she loved it. We ended up riding it several times along with all of the other coasters in Dollywood. It is not as intense as Wild Eagle which I think is the premier coaster in the park so make sure you definitely do that one. I think this was my second favorite coaster. The theming at Dollywood is definitely at a level equal to Disney or Universal. Mystery Mine is just one of the reasons I loved my visit to this theme park.

    The finale of this WONDERFUL Gerstlauer coaster. Pictured: an inclined heartline roll & dive loop
    Eric S.

    FOSSIL FUELED FRENZY This Gerstlauer custom roller coaster is packed with more surprises than an exploding coalmine. Of all of the attractions at Dollywood, this is the one that intrigued me most. I'd seen photos of the ride's finale, as well as a few exterior shots of the building......but as this coaster is situated mostly in darkness, it was all, well.....a big ol' mystery! When I visited with Nichole C on 3/28/18, the park hadn't yet got Mystery Mine up and running until after noon. This presented a problem, since I expected a long wait. Fortunately, guest throughput is 1000 riders/hour despite the cars themselves only seating 2 rows of 4 across. After half an hour, we arrived at the platform and the anticipation peaked. Everything was themed around a dilapidated coalmine that'd been sealed off for decades. The swinging lamps inside and rickety looking façade really helped to drive the point home. Bravo! We didn't get lucky with the front row (drat!) so I had to deal with an obstructed view in the 8-person mine cart. The shoulder restraints weren't uncomfortable and the station crew dispatched those little trains in a hurry, so props to them for expediency. Mystery Mine starts off great, with a sharp 10ft drop RIGHT out of the station. A series of odd, meandering turns in the dark really enhance the mood on your way to the first of two vertical chain lifts. If you've never experienced a slow chain lift hill at a 90° angle, you're in for a trip. This takes you outside the building for the ride's 2nd act, where another steep drop leads to a "horseshoe" fan turn and an upward helix before a block brake section. A quick dip and downward helix rushes the mine cart back into the building for the 3rd and final act. Earlier, a scene with a canary showed the bird happily chirping in its cage. At this point it's dead on the floor of the mine, indicating a serious gas leak (which coincidentally happens to me after eating a beef & bean burrito, but I digress). Another vertical chain lift -- this one at 85ft -- brings the mine cart towards the crest in a very dramatic fashion. A screen flashes above you as lightning and a simulated storm begins to brew. Just as you're brought over the top, flame jets erupt and the holding brake releases! The final drop is taken at a 95° angle, which is slightly beyond vertical. It's here where the car bursts into sunlight at 44mph and enters a truly awesome maneuver: an inclined heartline roll followed by a dive loop that subjects you to MAJOR hangtime. No bullsh*t, you're suspended upside down for a solid 1-2 seconds. One cycle lasts an astounding 2-1/2 minutes, making it one of the longest rides (in terms of duration) at the park. ______________ FINAL VERDICT: This is a shining example of why Dollywood is one of the greatest **theme** parks in the world. They're committed to selling every bit of the ride, both inside and out. I honestly thought I was on a roller coaster at one of the Disney or Universal properties. Though it's rather intense and boasts a maximum force of 4.5G's, Mystery Mine should NOT to be missed on your visit. It's wicked good! Eric S's Dollywood coaster ranking = 3rd out of 7!

    Dollywood
    Ted W.

    Went here in vacation and definitely had a blast would recommend to anyone!!! We bought season passes and are planning on going back very soon. The park itself is huge and there is plenty of things to do.

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    SOOO MUCH FUN! You get to be by fire and they have there own theme song It's SOOOI MICH FUN

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    Review Highlights - Mystery Mine

    5 million dollars, it was most expensive ride in Dollywood's history until Wild Eagle was built in 2012.

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