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The Moonshine Mountain Coaster is one of the most popular mountain coaster rides in the Gatlinburg area and holds the title of the fastest mountain coaster.
A gravity-powered mountain coaster that operates all year round, this is a fantastic activity for the whole family to enjoy!
So if you’re interested in finding out more about the Moonshine Mountain Coaster in Gatlinburg then you have come to the right place!
This guide features everything you need to know about riding the Moonshine Mountain Coaster, including insider tips and advice, so keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- Moonshine Mountain Coaster
- How Long is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
- How Fast is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
- What is a Mountain Coaster?
- Video
- Reviews
- Cost
- Operating Hours
- Rider Requirements
- Location and How To Get There
Moonshine Mountain Coaster
Originally known as the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, the first in Gatlinburg, this coaster was sold in September 2021.
The new owners decided to rebrand and upgrade – the coaster is now known as the Moonshine Mountain Coaster.
How Long Is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
Reaching a speed of up to 30mp/h (48km/h), the Moonshine Mountain Coaster is 3,280 feet (1,000m) in length and offers riders an exhilarating ride with multiple 360-degree loops, twists and turns as it winds its way down the mountain.
Total ride time (including the cable-pulled ascent) is approximately 4-5 minutes.
The entire experience is made up of two parts.
Riders depart the loading station and are taken to the top of the mountain via a cable-pulled ascent.
During this time you are able to enjoy the beautiful scenery while watching your fellow riders race down the mountain.
As soon as you reach the top, the cart is released from the cable system and then the fun starts.
It is worth noting that this mountain coaster operates day and night and all year round. Each season provides a completely unique ride experience.
Operating hours can be found below.
How Fast is the Moonshine Mountain Coaster?
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster can reach a maximum speed of 30 mp/h (48 km/h).
As a safety feature, this mountain coaster has an automatic braking system that prevents the carts from going over the maximum speed.
In addition, this mountain coaster is fitted with a manual brake that lets riders control the speed of their descent.
If 30 mp/h (48 km/h) is too fast for you, you can slow the ride down to a speed that feels more comfortable.
The brake levers are located on either side of the cart. You pull them back to engage the brakes.
It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it and before you know it you’ll be cruising down the mountain.
What is a Mountain Coaster?
If you’re unfamiliar with mountain coasters (also known as alpine coasters), check out the post we wrote.
Mountain or alpine coasters are gravity-powered roller coasters that use the natural contours of a mountain to provide riders with a thrilling downhill ride experience.
Mountain coasters are a great activity that the whole family can enjoy. However, given the nature of this ride, there are some age and height restrictions that apply.
In addition, mountain coasters are equipped with a manual brake, enabling riders to adjust their descent speed.
This unique feature allows riders to have greater control of their experience.
If things get a bit too fast for your liking you can apply the brake, if you’re more of the daredevil type then you can leave the brake untouched for maximum speed.
And finally, no prior experience or training is necessary. You can just jump in and enjoy the ride.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster Video
One of the great things about mountain coasters is that a lot of people have filmed their experiences.
These videos give you an opportunity to “experience” the ride before you go on it.
The video below gives you a first-person view of what you can expect from start to finish on the Moonshine Mountain Coaster.
One thing to be aware of though is that point-of-view videos can be a bit misleading.
The wide-angled lens makes the drops shallower and the ride seems way slower than it is in real life.
They provide a good idea of what the ride looks like but only real-world experience tells you how they feel. So get out there and try it for yourself.
These rides really are the perfect combination of an adrenaline rush and nature. If you happen to be in the area then this is an activity to add to your “to-do list”.
We mentioned above that you’re also able to ride this mountain coaster at night.
Led lights have been placed along the track making this an incredible experience.
Being surrounded by darkness certainly makes you feel like you are travelling a lot faster than 30mp/h (48km/h).
Check out the video below to see what the mountain coaster is like at night.
If you’re just interested in the downhill experience then skip ahead to 3:35 in the video.
Moonshine Mountain Coaster Reviews
Everyone in our group really enjoyed this, and since it’s the only thing to do at this location the line is not terrible. Being able to control your speed individually makes it fun for scaredy cats and spped demons.
The staff were all very friendly and the views were gorgeous. Reasonably priced and even better when buying multiple ride.
Google Review
This was a blast!! Prices were reasonable. The ride attendant was phenomenal and told you what you needed to know and made you feel safe.
The line moved quickly and efficiently. You get going pretty darn fast and its awesome. Don’t worry though you won’t come off the track or out of your coaster car even though you feel like you will.
My only regret is we didn’t do it more than once. Just hold it pinned and enjoy the ride! We will definitely be back.
Google Review
How Much Does the Moonshine Mountain Coaster Cost?
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster offers a number of different ticket options for you to take advantage of.
At the time of writing, the cost to ride the Moonshine Mountain Coaster was as follows:
| Rider | Price (1 Ride) | Price (2 Rides) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (13+ years) | $17 | $25 |
| Youth (8-12 years) | $13 | $21 |
| Kid (3-7 years) | $5 | $10 |
- Discounts are offered to local residents (Knox County, Sevier County, Jefferson County, Blount County). Tickets must be purchased with ID and proof of address.
- Discounts are offered to service members (Military, Police, Fire, EMS). Tickets must be purchased with ID or proof of employment. The discount applies to individuals and one guest or individual an immediate family (spouse and children)
- Tickets can be purchased online in advance – please click on the link to the website below.
We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance to secure your spot.
The team at the Moonshine Mountain Coaster also offer special rates for groups (minimum of 20 people).
You can find more information on their website here.
Operating Hours
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster is open 7 days a week from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm.
Operating hours are subject to change depending on the season and weather conditions. You can always find the most up-to-date operating hours on the mountain coaster website.
Rider Requirements
The key height and age restrictions for the Moonshine Mountain Coaster are listed below:
- Children must be at least 3 years old and 38″ (96cm) tall.
- The minimum age for single riders is 9 years or older and the rider must be at least 56″ (142cm) tall.
- Children under 9 must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older.
- If there are two people riding together, the minimum height for the passenger is 38″ (96cm) and the person driving the cart must be at least 56″ (142cm) and 16 years or older.
- The maximum weight per cart is 375 lbs (170kg) in dry conditions and 330 lbs (150kg) in wet conditions.
- The ride is not safe for pregnant women.
Location and How To Get There
The Moonshine Mountain Coaster is located at 306 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.
Map: To get to the Moonshine Mountain Coaster take a look at the map below.
Phone: 865-430-5577
Website: To access the Moonshine Mountain Coaster website click here.
Before You Go
When it comes to mountain and alpine coasters, Tennessee has some of the best on offer in the USA.
With a total of nine mountain and alpine coasters (and there seems to be a new one added every few years) on offer, you really are spoilt for choice.
So if you live in the area or are planning a visit then make sure you check out our guide to Tennessee’s Alpine and Mountain Coasters.
