Gatlinburg’s Anakeesta planning $100M expansion, including new lift system

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WVLT) - Anakeesta, one of Gatlinburg’s most popular mountain-top attractions, is planning a $100 million expansion. It’ll include updates to the lift system that brings visitors to the top of the mountain and attractions on the mountaintop.

The park plans to expand over the course of the next five years, calling the initiative Making More Magic. It’ll mark the biggest update in Anakeesta’s history.

“Making More Magic is not just about growth, it’s about purpose,” said Bryce Bentz, the president of Anakeesta, in a statement. “As we’ve grown, so has our responsibility to innovate while honoring the spirit of the Smokies. We’re not just imagining the park of tomorrow; we’re building it for generations of families who will feel wonder, delight, and connection at every turn.”

A new lift system

The brand-new lift will include plenty of changes, including the addition of 56 glass-bottomed cabins.

Since 2017, the existing Anakeesta chair lift has brought visitors to the park’s entrance. The brand-new lift will include plenty of changes, including the addition of 56 glass-bottomed cabins. They’ll replace the existing chairs most guests use to enter Anakeesta.

The new cabins will be able to ferry up to six people over a four-minute journey. Construction is expected to start this month and finish in January— Anakeesta said the park would close on Jan. 5 for finishing touches. The park plans to welcome guests back in early March via its shuttle service, then open the new lift later in the spring.

Firefly village updates

A newly-updated Firefly Village will include pathways featuring water features and a brand-new overlook offering views of Gatlinburg.

A newly-updated Firefly Village will include pathways featuring water features and a brand-new overlook offering views of Gatlinburg. That project is also expected to open in the spring of 2026.

Treetop Skywalk expanding

The skywalk will be getting new towers, expanded bridges and more canopy pathways.

Treetop Skywalk, Anakeesta’s treehouse boardwalk, will also be expanding. The skywalk will be getting new towers, expanded bridges and more canopy pathways.

It’s expected to open in the spring as well.

The Firefly Experience

Through new lighting technology, the park’s goal is to bring the yearly event to Gatlinburg year-round, starting next fall.

Anakeesta’s upcoming Firefly Experience is set to mimic the synchronized firefly displays East Tennessee is known for. Through new lighting technology, the park’s goal is to bring the yearly event to Gatlinburg year-round, starting next fall.

Looking ahead

Anakeesta said even more updates are coming, with phase two beginning in 2027.