Wild Eagle is a steel Wing Coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard at the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is the first of its kind in the United States and opened to the media on March 23, 2012 before opening to the public on March 24, 2012. The roller coaster reaches a height of 210 ft and reaches speeds of 61 mph. In September 2012, the ride was voted as the best new ride of 2012 in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.
History
Speculation of Wild Eagle began in March 2011 when plans to discuss Dollywood's 2012 attraction were submitted to the Pigeon Forge Planning Commission.[1] On March 24, 2011, those plans were approved and though city officials could not tell exactly what the plans were, some believed it looked to be a roller coaster.[2] By early June, blue Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster track pieces had already arrived at Dollywood.[3] On September 4, 2011, Wild Eagle was officially announced to the public as the first wing coaster to open in the United States.