PIGEON FORGE - 2002--Following up a record-breaking first season and award-winning second season, Dolly's Splash Country has announced plans for a major park expansion in 2003. Raintree Hollow, which will be located between existing Raging River Rapids and Mountain Scream slides, is an entirely new area that will feature a large interactive water attraction for small children and a multi-slide complex. As the name indicates, the $1.5 million, two-acre area will take advantage of the park's naturally wooded landscape and thick vegetation, and will be themed with misting trees, groups of shaded benches and lounge chairs, and a giant waterwheel at its entrance.

"We've had two really good seasons at the waterpark and I'm very proud of that," says park owner Dolly Parton. "Folks have had such a great time and families have had so much fun enjoying all the Smoky Mountain water adventures at Splash Country that we knew it was time to give them more to shout about. Both of our parks are all about fun and family, and Raintree Hollow will just add to that."

Soaker Springs, geared for children of all ages, is a one-of-a-kind kid-powered attraction that promises to be saturated with fun, full of bubblers, buckets, and brightly colored blasters.

Mountain Twist is a three-slide complex that will sit atop Raintree Hollow. Rated as "aggressive" but not quite "high thrill," Mountain Twist is a single-person mat slide with numerous twists and turns, a 42-foot drop and an average grade of 12.5% matching the park's Smoky Mountain terrain. As with Dolly's Splash Country's other rides, Mountain Twist was designed by ProSlide Technology, Inc.

"I'm really excited about this expansion for 2003," says Gene Scherrer, Director of Operations for Dolly's Splash Country. "Kids and their parents are going to love all the buttons to push, wheels to turn, and ropes to pull in Soaker Springs, and Mountain Twist is just right for our visitors who are a little more adventurous but not quite ready for a ride as aggressive as our Mountain Scream. I believe the new attractions combined with the natural beauty of the landscape will make the entire Raintree Hollow area extremely popular with all of our guests."

Dolly's Splash Country is located near Dollywood on McCarter Hollow Road and will open for the 2003 season on Saturday, May 17.