Tag: Pigeon Forge

Titanic Museum Attraction to host first annual Titanic Authors’ Week April 1-7 in Pigeon Forge

Posted by Erin Freeman – April 1, 2013

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – For the first time, 10 celebrated authors of Titanic historical books and novels will make their public appearances together on Monday, April 1 through Sunday, April 7 from 10am – 5pm at the Titanic Museum Attraction’s First annual Titanic Authors’ Week in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., announces Titanic Museum Attraction’s co-owner, Mary Kellogg-Joslyn.

There have been hundreds of Titanic books written about the legendary ship – books written from every possible perspective. Now, all Titanic fans and followers will have the opportunity to meet and interact with authors of many of these remarkable books during this unprecedented, six day book signing event.

This, free book signing fair will be held outside in the parking lot of the museum attraction. Each author will have his or her own tented reception area where visitors can engage him or her in their favorite subject – Titanic. Photos with the authors can be taken during book signings. Titanic books purchased at the fair, will entitle the buyer to discounted admittance to the Titanic Museum Attraction, where this year, they’ll Discover the Children of Titanic, an amazing new gallery dedicated entirely to Titanic’s smallest heroes.

“We know that Titanic books are the biggest selling items in our gift shop. Grown-ups and children alike are drawn to them. Perhaps, because the written word can stir emotion and imagination unlike anything else,” says Kellogg-Joslyn. “Each book, in its own way, is a chronicle of faith, heroism, sacrifice and survival. They line the shelves of libraries and private homes around the world, and we’re proud to be one of the largest repositories of Titanic books, anywhere. So, bookmark the date, Monday, April 1 through Sunday, April 7, and plan to join us. I hope you do.”

Additional information about Authors’ Week and other special events at the Titanic Museum Attraction can be found online at www.titanicattraction.com. Tickets are not required for the book signing fair, but are needed for tours of the attraction. The Titanic Museum Attraction opens daily at 9 a.m. in Pigeon Forge. Reservations for museum tours are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

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Media Contact:
Erin Freeman, Ackermann PR
Phone: (865) 584-0550
efreeman@ackermannpr.com

WonderWorks unveils new Wonders of Magic show featuring Pigeon Forge’s longest-running headline performer

Posted by Erin Freeman – March 21, 2013

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – In a nostalgic trip to yesteryear, the “Enchanted Flower Garden” blooms once again in a spectacular display of color and life. This particular illusion, not seen on an American stage since the 1940s, is part of WonderWorks’ new Wonders of Magic show headlined by internationally-recognized magician, Terry Evanswood.  Performing at WonderWorks since 2010, Evanswood will leave the whole family spellbound during this spectacular all new show featuring world-famous illusions, thrills, suspense and more!

Designed to take audiences to the edge of reality and beyond, the all new show has opened with daily performances in its 250-seat Imagination Theatre and also features a death-defying escape that would make Harry Houdini proud.  Always interactive, Evanswood invites audience members to manacle him in locks and chains leaving him only 30-seconds to escape a 36-inch, whirling, solid steel, buzz saw descending to its final impact.  Will he escape?

Celebrating 17 years of providing awe and wonderment to the millions of people he’s entertained, Evanswood is the longest-running headline performer in Pigeon Forge, a widely popular, must-see tourist destination in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and within a one-day drive of most major cities in the eastern United States.  Complimented by a talented cast, Evanswood is one of the most outstanding performers in the industry and is one of a very select group of artists to ever earn a “Merlin,” a highly sought-after award given only to the most elite magicians.  Other notables to receive the Merlin include David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy.

Designed for audiences of all ages, Wonders of Magic features never before seen illusions, from the intimacy of award winning sleight-of-hand illusions, to mind-boggling grand illusions and beyond.  Additionally, audience members witness a tribute of Titanic proportions as a woman defies gravity as she floats off a water fountain ten feet above the stage.  And, highlighting the uniqueness of the Smoky Mountains, Evanswood recreates on stage one of the area’s most famous events – the dance of the summer fireflies.  Every summer only in the Smokies, thousands of fireflies light, in unison, and illuminate the darkened foothills of East Tennessee – a phenomenon unexplainable by science.  Evanswood highlights this natural dance of light event, in a way only he can create, and an illusion only seen during Wonders of Magic.

Plus during the show, Evanswood teaches the entire Wonders of Magic audience a trick guaranteed to amaze their friends and family for years to come.  At every performance, Evanswood selects children to not only participate on stage, but also to learn a little magic themselves.  Additionally, Evanswood shares a heartfelt message in every show about hope, love and the reminder of the real “Wonders” of the magical world we all share together.

But, wait as there’s more!  Evanswood invites guests to take a journey down memory lane through the “Hall of Magic” at WonderWorks.  In this free museum showcasing magic’s history, guests have the opportunity to meet the great magicians of the past.  Evanswood serves as the audio tour guide in this all new shrine to magic as visitors are able to see artifacts, costumes, props, autographs and personal memorabilia from a wide collection of magicians including Blackstone, Thurston and the great Harry Houdini.

One of the most affordable shows guests can experience in the Smokies at only $14.99 plus tax per person, Wonders of Magic is located inside WonderWorks, an indoor attraction uniquely housed in an upside-down building – a must-see for visitors to East Tennessee and locals alike.  The building appears to have been ripped from its foundation and set back down on its roof.

WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind,” combining education and entertainment in more than 100 hands-on exhibits that will spark the imagination and stimulate the mind. Visitors to the attraction will enjoy a variety of NEW experiences including the Virtual Army Experience that allows guests (ages 13 and above) to sit in a Humvee and test their skills on a virtual battlefield!  Also new this year, visitors can explore an oversized version of a Lite-Brite and become a human lightening rod by touching 100,000 volts of electricity inside the Tesla Coil exhibit.  Plus, visitors can be blown away by 65-mile per hour hurricane-force winds, maneuver the controls of a NASA spacecraft to land a shuttle, lay on a bed of 3,500 nails, pilot a fighter jet, design and ride a 360-degree virtual roller coaster, climb a 50-foot tall ropes challenge course, compete in a game of lazer tag and much more!

In 2012, WonderWorks added the Wonders of Flight tethered balloon ride allowing guests to the Smoky Mountains the ability to view the world-renowned tourist destination in a completely new way – from up to 400-feet in the air.  One of only two attractions of its kind in the Southeast and different from any other East Tennessee attraction, guests board an open air gondola beneath the giant blue and green helium-filled, completely tethered, 72-foot diameter balloon, and experience the sensation of being on a flying balcony while seeing an unmatched, 360-degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains and beyond.

WonderWorks is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight and also operates in Orlando, Fla., Panama City, Fla., Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Syracuse, N.Y.  To learn more about WonderWorks, visit www.wonderworksonline.com or call (865) 868-1800.

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Media Contact:
Erin Freeman, Ackermann PR
Phone: (865) 584-0550
efreeman@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies ‘Races’ Into Its 5th Year With New Slide

Posted by Erin Freeman – January 16, 2013

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – On your mark! Get set! Go! Wilderness at the Smokies is adding the adrenaline-pumping spirit of competition to its outdoor waterslide collection this spring with the debut of the Cyclone Racer, a four-lane high-speed waterslide that turns guests into hydro-powered drag racers. Starting on a racing tower 50 feet above the ground guests will race each other down the spiral course in mere seconds.

“The Cyclone Racer will give our guests something different to enjoy at Lake Wilderness, and will certainly get the competitive juices flowing between family members and friends,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “It will be a fantastic complement to all of our outdoor water attractions, especially the newly added Wild Vortex.”

The debut of the Cyclone Racer continues the Sevierville resort’s tradition of debuting a significant expansion of new features each year. Sharing a platform with the popular Wild Vortex, the Cyclone Racer will feature 1200 feet of combined waterslide lanes. Each lane combines a mixture of open flume racing and enclosed tunnels using aqualucent striping to provide strobes of color to the experience. A water flow of 1200 gallons per minute fuels the high-speed racing experience.

“We have created a strong track record of continued growth and expansion since day one and we’ll continue to look for new and unique opportunities each year to enhance our guests’ experience,” added Cruz.

Alongside Cyclone Racer, the Wild Vortex, which opened last summer, is a 66-foot tall AquaLoopTM, the Southeast’s only near-vertical translucent looping waterslide.  This is has been an extremely popular addition to the resort, with guests getting an adrenaline rush like no other.  Riders of the Wild Vortex enter a capsule at the top of the ride, stand vertically over a trap door and then once the door is released, they accelerate into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 Gs in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, the Adventure Forest entertainment park, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Ryan Willis is spokesperson for the resort.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Titanic Museum Attraction brings artworks made of ice to Pigeon Forge

Posted by Erin Freeman – January 7, 2013

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – The Titanic Museum Attraction’s outdoor visitor area becomes an art museum made of ice on Saturday, January 19, 2013, when the world’s best ice artists gather in Pigeon Forge for an annual ice carving competition. Thousands of spectators gather to watch this free outdoor event as professional and amateur ice carvers race the clock to create stunning, unique works of art made completely from ice.

The Titanic Museum Attraction will host the free event in its parking area from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The popular competition attracted approximately 5,000 spectators last year and visitors are encouraged to arrive early this year to secure the best views for watching the competitors in action.

“The Titanic Museum Attraction works each year with the National Ice Carving Association to host this exciting one-day event,” said John Joslyn, co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction and co-leader of the first private expedition to Titanic’s Atlantic resting place.

“Starting with 250-pound blocks of ice, these artists have a limited amount of time to create carvings that would surpass the expectations of passengers attending gala events in Titanic’s first class dining room,” continued Joslyn.

As the artists work on their projects, children and adults can view sculptures in progress, talk to the artists and learn the secrets of championship ice carving from the most accomplished ice artists in the world. Children especially enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists and watch the magical artworks evolve before their eyes.

Professionals and amateur artists are competing for prize monies ranging from $500 to $2,000 in the competition. The official National Ice Carving Association judging panel will announce the competition winners and award prizes at 3 p.m.

“People enjoy the big moment when the winners are revealed,” Joslyn said. “It’s especially fun to cheer on a favorite artist and artwork you were able to interact with during the process of creation.”

The icy artworks are only temporary by nature, so this one-day only event is even more special as families look for exciting and unique entertainment options during a Smoky Mountain winter.

Additional information about the 2013 Ice Carving Competition and other special events at the Titanic Museum Attraction can be found online at www.titanicattraction.com. Tickets are not required for the ice carving event, but are needed for tours of the attraction. The Titanic Museum Attraction opens daily at 9 a.m. in Pigeon Forge. Reservations for museum tours are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

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Titanic Museum Attraction: Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Since its opening in 2006, Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 5 million “passengers” aboard the museum. Titanic Pigeon Forge opened in 2010 and has already welcomed 2 million visitors. For additional information about the museums, visit www.titanicattraction.com or call 800-381-7670.

Media: For high resolution digital images, museum and exhibit tours, interviews and additional information, contact Shane Rhyne at (865) 584-0550 or srhyne@ackermannpr.com.

Titanic Museum Attraction wraps up centennial year with fireworks

Posted by Erin Freeman – October 11, 2012

Fireworks at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, TennesseePigeon Forge, Tenn. – A year of paying tribute to the 2,208 souls aboard Titanic comes to a dramatic and energetic conclusion this Thanksgiving at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The night sky will be filled with a major fireworks show on November 22, 2012, to celebrate the lives and legacies of the ship’s passengers, crew and rescuers. It will be the largest fireworks event on the Smoky Mountain Parkway since the Titanic Museum Attraction’s grand opening in 2010.

“We wanted to end the Titanic Centennial year on a note of celebration and hope,” said John Joslyn, expedition leader of the first private exploration dive to Titanic and co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction. “We knew a fireworks show such as the one that helped open the museum in 2010 was the perfect way to provide a celebration in honor of the passengers and crew rivaling anything they could have hoped for if they had arrived safely in New York a century ago.”

The Thanksgiving fireworks provide an opportunity to reflect on the sense of hope and wonder each passenger and crew member must have felt as they climbed aboard Titanic. It also provides an opportunity to look forward to that same sense of hope and wonder found in the Christmas and holiday season. The annual tradition of a magical snowfall from the ship’s bow will be renewed on Thanksgiving weekend and continue every Saturday in December. Father Christmas, dressed in a style most familiar to the children aboard Titanic in 1912, will also be visiting the Pigeon Forge museum on those magical snow days to greet the museum’s guests.

This year’s holiday exhibit also includes a collection of antique dolls from the Civil War to the early 1900s. The vintageFather Christmas visits the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee dolls represent Christmas memories that would have been familiar to passengers of any age aboard Titanic.

Visitors to the Titanic Museum Attraction will also be able to view thousands of holiday lights, Edwardian-period decorations, costumed merry-markers, and a magical Gift Shoppe brimming with original, one-of-a-kind gifts.

“Every day, but especially at Christmas, we remember and honor the men, women and particularly the children who sailed on the Titanic. At this special time, our guests truly experience what it was like onboard the ship in 1912, and how it might have looked on a Christmas voyage almost 100 years ago,” says Joslyn.

The winter events continue at Titanic Museum Attraction into January with the return of the attraction’s annual national ice carving competition on Saturday, January 19, 2013. The competition, held under the auspices of the National Ice Carving Association, is an exciting one-day event attracting world-class professional and amateur carvers competing before a crowd of wonder-struck children and adults alike.

Information about these and other winter events at Titanic Museum Attraction can be found online at www.titanicattraction.com. The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, opens daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are strongly suggested since many days sell out entirely. Passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicattraction.com or by phone at (800) 381-7670.

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Titanic Museum Attraction: Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Since its opening in 2006, Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 5 million “passengers” aboard the museum. Titanic Pigeon Forge opened in 2010 and has already welcomed 2 million visitors. For additional information about the museums, visit www.titanicattraction.com or call 800-381-7670.

Media: For high resolution digital images, museum and exhibit tours, interviews and additional information, contact Shane Rhyne at (865) 584-0550 or srhyne@ackermannpr.com.

WonderWorks Pigeon Forge’s newest iconic attraction, Wonders of Flight, opens to the public

Posted by Erin Freeman – September 24, 2012

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – After being delayed due to a national helium shortage, WonderWorks’ Pigeon Forge’s newest iconic attraction, Wonders of Flight, opened to the public on Friday, Sept. 21.

Guests to the Great Smoky Mountains are now able to view the area in a completely new way – from up to 400 feet in the air – all while letting their imaginations soar to exciting heights with Wonders of Flight.

Different from any other Pigeon Forge attraction, guests board a gondola beneath the giant blue and green helium-filled balloon located on a landing platform situated behind WonderWorks. The 72-foot diameter balloon holds up to 30 guests in the gondola at one time.

One of only two attractions of its kind in the Southeast, the Wonders of Flight balloon (the Aero30NG) was manufactured in France by Aerophile, the world leader in tethered gas balloons. The Southeast’s other tethered balloon is located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., while others are featured in some of the world’s biggest amusement parks including China’s Oct East Amusement Park and France’s Disneyland or in world-famous cities such as Berlin, Istanbul and Paris.

According to Jérôme Giacomoni, Aerophile President, the open air gondola allows guests to experience the sensation of being on a flying balcony. “The ascents, by day or night, provide guests with an unmatched, 360-degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains,” said Giacomoni. “In one single gaze, the entire breathtaking view can be seen from exceptional heights including a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves.”

Giacomoni explains that the Wonders of Flight balloon is environmentally friendly and totally silent thanks to its permanently inflated helium envelope and a hydro-electric winch. “The system consumes no more energy than an elevator and is completely noiseless,” says Giacomoni.

According to Ed Shaffer, general manager of WonderWorks, Wonders of Flight provides guests with a unique and affordable experience at a rate of $15.99 (plus tax) for adults and $9.99 (plus tax) for children ages 12 and under. Children 36-inches and under are admitted for free.

The 10 minute flight experience is offered daily, with daytime and evening hours, weather permitting.

Additionally, Wonders of Flight is an ideal attraction for groups, weddings and adventurers of all ages. “Especially those couples looking for an intimate and truly one-of-a-kind wedding should consider Wonders of Flight as it creates a romantic, storybook setting overlooking the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains,” said Shaffer.

For more information, visit www.wondersofflight.com or call (865) 868-1800.

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The WonderWorks attraction is an “amusement park for the mind,” combining education and entertainment in more than 100 hands-on exhibits that will spark the imagination and stimulate the mind. Visitors to the attraction will enjoy a variety of experiences including being blown away by 65 mile per hour hurricane-force winds, maneuvering the controls of a NASA spacecraft to land the shuttle, lying on a bed of 3,500 nails, piloting a fighter jet, designing and riding a 360-degree virtual roller coaster, climbing a 50 foot tall ropes challenge course, competing in a game of lazer tag and much more.

To learn more about WonderWorks, visit www.wonderworksonline.com or call (865) 868-1800.

Media Contact:
Erin Freeman, Ackermann PR
Phone: (865) 584-0550
efreeman@ackermannpr.com

Wonders of Flight to open to the public on Sept. 21

Posted by Erin Freeman – September 10, 2012

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – After being delayed due to a national helium shortage, officials with WonderWorks announced today that helium has been acquired and Wonders of Flight, its newest iconic attraction, is scheduled to open to the public on Friday, Sept. 21.

The Wonders of Flight balloon is scheduled to be inflated on either Thursday, Sept. 13 or Friday, Sept. 14, weather permitting, in preparation of the grand opening.

Attraction details:

Guests to the Great Smoky Mountains will be able to view the area in a completely new way – from up to 400 feet in the air – all while letting their imaginations soar to exciting heights with Wonders of Flight.

Different from any other Pigeon Forge attraction, guests will board a gondola beneath the giant blue and green helium-filled balloon located on a landing platform situated behind WonderWorks. The 72-foot diameter balloon will hold up to 30 guests in the gondola at one time.

One of only two attractions of its kind in the Southeast, the Wonders of Flight balloon (the Aero30NG) was manufactured in France by Aerophile, the world leader in tethered gas balloons. The Southeast’s other tethered balloon is located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., while others are featured in some of the world’s biggest amusement parks including China’s Oct East Amusement Park and France’s Disneyland or in world-famous cities such as Berlin, Istanbul and Paris.

According to Jérôme Giacomoni, Aerophile President, the open air gondola will allow guests to experience the sensation of being on a flying balcony. “The ascents, by day or night, provide guests with an unmatched, 360-degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains,” said Giacomoni. “In one single gaze, the entire breathtaking view can be seen from exceptional heights including a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves.”

Giacomoni explains that the Wonders of Flight balloon is environmentally friendly and totally silent thanks to its permanently inflated helium envelope and a hydro-electric winch. “The system consumes no more energy than an elevator and is completely noiseless,” says Giacomoni.

According to Ed Shaffer, general manager of WonderWorks, Wonders of Flight will provide guests with a unique and affordable experience at a special opening rate of $15.99 (plus tax) for adults and $9.99 (plus tax) for children ages 12 and under. Children 36-inches and under will be admitted for free. The 10 minute flight experience is offered daily, with daytime and evening hours, weather permitting. Additionally, Wonders of Flight is an ideal attraction for groups, weddings and adventurers of all ages. “Especially those couples looking for an intimate and truly one-of-a-kind wedding should consider Wonders of Flight as it creates a romantic, storybook setting overlooking the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains,” said Shaffer.

For more information, visit www.wondersofflight.com or call (865) 868-1800.

The WonderWorks attraction is an “amusement park for the mind,” combining education and entertainment in more than 100 hands-on exhibits that will spark the imagination and stimulate the mind. Visitors to the attraction will enjoy a variety of experiences including being blown away by 65 mile per hour hurricane-force winds, maneuvering the controls of a NASA spacecraft to land the shuttle, lying on a bed of 3,500 nails, piloting a fighter jet, designing and riding a 360-degree virtual roller coaster, climbing a 50 foot tall ropes challenge course, competing in a game of lazer tag and much more.

To learn more about WonderWorks and the new Wonders of Flight attraction, visit www.wonderworksonline.com or call (865) 868-1800.

WonderWorks is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight and also operates in Orlando, Fla., Panama City, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

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Media Contact:
Erin Freeman, Ackermann PR
Phone: (865) 584-0550
efreeman@ackermannpr.com

WonderWorks soars with Wonders of Flight, a giant tethered balloon experience opening July 2012

Posted by Erin Freeman – May 31, 2012

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Guests to the Great Smoky Mountains will be able to view the area in a completely new way – from up to 400 feet in the air – all while letting their imaginations soar to exciting heights with WonderWorks’ newest iconic attraction, Wonders of Flight, scheduled to open July 2012.

Different from any other Pigeon Forge attraction, guests will board a gondola beneath the giant blue and green helium-filled balloon located on a landing platform situated behind WonderWorks. The 72-foot diameter balloon will hold up to 30 guests in the gondola at one time.

One of only two attractions of its kind in the Southeast, the Wonders of Flight balloon (the Aero30NG) was manufactured in France by Aerophile, the world leader in tethered gas balloons. The Southeast’s other tethered balloon is located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., while others are featured in some of the world’s biggest amusement parks including China’s Ocean Park and Oct East Amusement Park and France’s Disneyland.

According to Jérôme Giacomoni, Aerophile President, the open air gondola will allow guests to experience the sensation of being on a flying balcony. “The ascents, by day or night, provide guests with an unmatched, 360-degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains,” said Giacomoni. “In one single gaze, the entire breathtaking view can be seen from exceptional heights.”

Giacomoni explains that the Wonders of Flight balloon is environmentally friendly and totally silent thanks to its permanently inflated helium envelope and a hydro-electric winch. “The system consumes no more energy than an elevator and is completely noiseless,” says Giacomoni.

According to Ed Shaffer, general manager of WonderWorks, Wonders of Flight will provide guests with a unique and affordable experience at a special opening rate of $14.99 (plus tax) for adults and $9.99 (plus tax) for children. Children 36-inches and under will be admitted for free. The 10 minute flight experience is offered daily, with daytime and evening hours, weather permitting. Additionally, Wonders of Flight is an ideal attraction for groups, weddings and adventurers of all ages. “Especially those couples looking for an intimate and truly one-of-a-kind wedding should consider Wonders of Flight as it creates a romantic, storybook setting overlooking the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains,” said Shaffer.

For more information, visit www.WondersofFlight.com or call (865) 868-1800.

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The WonderWorks attraction is an “amusement park for the mind,” combining education and entertainment in more than 100 hands-on exhibits that will spark the imagination and stimulate the mind. Visitors to the attraction will enjoy a variety of experiences including being blown away by 65 mile per hour hurricane-force winds, maneuvering the controls of a NASA spacecraft to land the shuttle, lying on a bed of 3,500 nails, piloting a fighter jet, designing and riding a 360-degree virtual roller coaster, climbing a 50 foot tall ropes challenge course, competing in a game of lazer tag and much more.

To learn more about WonderWorks and the new Wonders of Flight attraction, visit www.WonderWorksonline.com or call (865) 868-1800.

WonderWorks is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight and also operates in Orlando, Fla., Panama City, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Media Contact:
Erin Freeman, Ackermann PR
Phone: (865) 584-0550
efreeman@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies to add near-vertical looping waterslide

Posted by Erin Freeman – April 19, 2012

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – A trap door….a 39-foot vertical free fall drop….speeds of up to 40 mph…an adrenaline rush like no other – this is what guests at the Southeast’s largest indoor and outdoor waterpark resort will have the opportunity to experience as Wilderness at the Smokies announces yet another exciting expansion project. Wilderness at the Smokies Resort will soon be home to the Wild Vortex, a 66-foot tall AquaLoopTM, the Southeast’s only near-vertical translucent looping waterslide.  The Wild Vortex is scheduled to open June 1, 2012.

Riders of the Wild Vortex will enter the capsule at the top of the ride, standing vertically over a trap door.  Once the

Rendering of Wild Vortex waterslide

An artist's rendering of the design of the Wild Vortex waterslide

trap door is released, the rider accelerates into a 39-foot vertical free fall drop generating maximum g-force (2.5 Gs in less than two seconds) before reaching the inclined loop element.  The entire ride is over within seven seconds.  The Wild Vortex at Wilderness at the Smokies will be the first AquaLoop located in the Southeast and one of only a handful in the U.S.

“Not only will this new attraction significantly change the skyline of our resort, but it will undoubtedly provide our guests with one of the most adrenaline-packed experiences of their lives,” said Steve Cruz, General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “And thanks to the translucent tube, we expect both riders and spectators to be left breathless following the 7-second thrill ride.”

Since the grand opening in the summer of 2008, the resort has experienced a tremendous amount of growth.  The opening of the Wild Vortex will mark the sixth significant expansion project in the resort’s short history, including the most recent opening of the Adventure Forest family entertainment park in March 2012.  With this continued expansion, Wilderness at the Smokies Resort becomes the second largest tourism investor in Sevier County (second only to Dollywood).

“We have been fortunate to experience a great deal of success since our grand opening nearly four years ago and that is truly a testament to the strong tourism market here in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the hard work of our dedicated staff,” said Cruz.  “We look forward to introducing new attractions to our guests in the future and continuing to be the only local attraction where families are able to get everything they are looking for in one place.”

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  With a 36-hole championship golf course, two outdoor waterparks, an indoor waterpark with a wave pool and the Southeast’s only Surf Rider, hot tubs, and countless waterslides and attractions, Wilderness at the Smokies has something for all age groups.  It is adjacent to a 200,000 square-foot conference, convention and event center known for hosting the areas largest conferences, athletic events and trade shows.

The resort is owned by Patrick Helland, Pete Helland, Jr., Tim Lucke and Tom Lucke (who also own Wilderness Territory Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin).  Steve Cruz is the General Manager of Wilderness at the Smokies and Rick Laney is spokesperson for the resort.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

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Digital images of Wilderness at the Smokies are available to all media.  Contact Ryan Willis at (865) 584-0550 for more information.

Titanic Museum Attraction bridges generations in centennial tribute event

Posted by Erin Freeman – April 5, 2012

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. and BRANSON, Mo. – The last of Titanic’s original survivors are gone, but the desire to connect with the tragedy’s heroes and victims 100 years later is as strong as ever. The Titanic Museum Attraction is bridging the gap between centuries through the only formal U.S. ceremonies and tribute to the ship, its passengers and crew. The tribute program will be staged on Saturday, April 14, at the Titanic Museum Attractions in Missouri and Tennessee under the watchful eyes of children and grandchildren of those aboard the ship 100 years ago, providing a living connection one of the 20th centuries most captivating stories. The program will begin at noon (Central) at Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri, and 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) at Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

“A Night to Remember: An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic” is a professionally-staged production including the inspiring voices of choirs, the haunting sounds of bagpipes, and comforting words of tribute in honor of the 2,208 people aboard the ship a century ago.

“We wanted the ceremonies to be respectful of the memory of those who were aboard, regardless of their fate,” said John Joslyn, co-owner of the Titanic Museum Attraction and co-leader of the first private expedition to visit the ship’s final resting place on the ocean floor. “We are honored by the many descendants of the ship’s crew and passengers who have chosen to attend our ceremony.”

While many living descendants of Titanic are most commonly found among the great-grandchildren of the ship’s passengers and crew, grandchildren are becoming a rare breed. Rarer still is a living child of the descendants, but Branson will host one of the few remaining children of the ship’s original passengers and crew when Pearl Leemhuis takes her seat at the museum’s ceremonies. Pearl’s mother, Bertha Lehmann was a 17-year-old passenger leaving Switzerland to join her family in Iowa.

Among the descendants attending the tribute in Pigeon Forge will be the grandson of Charles Lightoller, the most senior Titanic crew member to survive the disaster. Timothy Lightoller and his wife are making the trip from their native Scotland to be a part of the tribute.

One of the ship’s most famous passengers, Margaret Brown—known to many as “the unsinkable Molly Brown”—will be represented in Pigeon Forge by her granddaughter, Helen Benziger. Descendants of Isidor and Ida Straus will also be present to pay respects to their ancestors who perished aboard the ship. Isidor Straus was the co-owner with his brother of Macy’s Department Store in New York.

The tribute ceremonies will include performances by choirs, musicians and children as well as a parade of flags, poetry readings, and the lighting of an eternal flame in remembrance of the people aboard Titanic.

Tickets to “A Night to Remember: An Original Musical Tribute to Titanic” are available through the Titanic Museum Attractions in Missouri and Tennessee. Visitors may purchase tickets by phone at (800) 381-7670. In addition to museum admission and the musical production, ticket holders will receive limited edition memorials dedicated to the ship’s history, including a DVD containing video tributes of the personal stories of selected passengers and crew.

The Titanic Museum Attractions – the home base for the U.S. RMS Titanic 100 Year Anniversary Commemoration

The Titanic Museum Attractions are located in Branson, Missouri, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Together, the two museums represent the largest permanent monuments in the world dedicated to the memory of Titanic. The museums, immediately recognizable for their ship-shape design, are home to hundreds of artifacts from the ship and its survivors. “Passengers” experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded by artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the ship’s history and fate.

Since its opening in 2006, Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 5 million “passengers” aboard the museum. Titanic Pigeon Forge opened in 2010 and has already welcomed 2 million visitors. For additional information about the museums, visit www.titanicattraction.com

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Editors:  For more information, for high-res museum photos, or to schedule interviews or visits to the museums, please contact Rick Laney or Shane Rhyne at (865) 584-0550.