Back in 2019 I was only able to squeeze two mountain coasters into our plans in addition to our Dollywood trip with those being Rocky Top Mountain Coaster and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. I left several others on the table, but in the years since, a few more have been built in the region. One of those is the Lost Mine Mountain Coaster, which has only been open since late 2023.
When looking into all of our mountain coaster options for this trip I kept seeing rave reviews about Lost Mine. People were saying it is one of the best in the region. I also heard from a few people who had visited Pigeon Forge in recent months that it was such a fun ride and a must do if we were headed down.
So, did it live up to the hype? It sure did! Beyond, actually.
Themed from Start to Finish
I mentioned back in my Rocky Top Mountain Coaster trip report, “Rocky Top Mountain Coaster – Monsters All Over the Mountain” that Rocky Top had roadside appeal with the signage, station building, and at night, an amazing light package. Well, I was in for some roadside appeal when we approached the Lost Mine Mountain Coaster & Mini-Golf. The building was so heavily themed that it looked like it was pulled straight out of Dollywood a few miles away. Little did I know, this was just the beginning when it came to the theming.
Upon entering the building we walked down a long, narrow hallway that looked like we were walking through a mine. I took some pictures in the hallway too, which you can find in the gallery below. I was amazed at how much effort was put into this ride before you even made it into the station. And as for that station… wow! That mine theme became even more details here, complete with a birdcage. If you know, you know.
Lost Mine Mountain Coaster
Once in the station, it was time to board the ride that we heard so many good things about. Heck, I was already impressed and I wasn’t even out on the track yet. So far, this mountain coaster was living up to the hype.
Making that turn out of the station I was immediately impressed with the theming located all around the first of several lift hills on this coaster. This ride is more like Rocky Top in that is has several start/stop moments throughout its course. For this ride, however, it didn’t bother me one bit. Sure, I love being able to buzz down the mountains from top to bottom, but there was just so much to look at on this ride that I had a blast (pun intended with the mining theme) taking it all in. Plus the ride had plenty of moments where I could still let loose.
Throughout this entire ride, more and more theming was everywhere I looked. Even in the moments where you disengaged from the lifts to pick up some speed there was always something on either side or off in the distance drawing my eye. Whether it was grave stones, abandoned sheds, mines, huge rocks, or even bears, I couldn’t stop taking it in. You’ll see what I’m talking about when I post my POV from this ride on the site’s YouTube channel. I’m watching it now to refresh my mind on all that theming and I can just go on and on and on. They really went all out in this regard.
This mountain coaster is also one of the longer rides out there and although it doesn’t look like it is located in as heavy as a wooded area as many of the area’s other mountain coasters, once it goes over the first ridge, you’re out among the trees. You can’t really see that from the parking lot and I was worried that this ride might look a little barren, if you will. That was not at all the case.
Final Ride Counts
Lost Mine Mountain Coaster (1)
If You Can Only Do One...
Here is my moment of truth. If you’re in the Pigeon Forge area with limited time or can only afford to do one mountain coaster in the region, this is my pick. I honestly love them all, so this is no knock on the others. I just think this one will be the most memorable of the bunch. If you’re a sucker for theming and a good ride, you can’t go wrong here. I’m pretty sure this was also Sam’s and Jen’s favorite as well.
When I go back to Pigeon Forge in the future this will be a must stop. I want to experience the ride at night to see what kind of lights they have out on the track and in the theming. There’s just so much of it that I doubt that they’ll keep it dark. I want to see it at night. I’d also be up for riding it again during the day and maybe getting in a round of mini-golf. The mini-golf course looked fun and also well-themed, but we didn’t have time for it this trip. Hopefully next time!
Lost Mine Mountain Coaster Photo Gallery - October 21, 2024
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Lost Mine Mountain Coaster
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Lost Mine Mountain Coaster
Jen
Captain
New Credit(s): Lost Mine Mountain Coaster
