As part of a $100M expansion project, Anakeesta plans to open ‘The Crystal Express’ this Friday. Ride time from the top of the mountain will go from 20 minutes to about four minutes in total.
(GATLINBURG, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – A project Anakeesta has had in the works for a while, to improve your experience as you head to the top of the mountain, is set to open this week.
The new lift system to get guests to the top of Anakeesta will open to the public on May 22, 2026. During a media preview, The Smokies live was among the first to ride the system with takes about four minutes from the Parkway in Gatlinburg to the top of the mountain.
“I’m super excited. We’ve been working on The Crystal Express for years and it’s a game changer for Anakeesta. We’re super excited about it,” said Bob Bentz, Founding Partner of Anakeesta. “We’ve had lines in the past, this lift will carry three times the number of guests and it’s a much more exciting, better experience.”
You will now get a 360-degree view of the Smoky Mountains on your ride to the top of the mountain. Up to five of your friends and family can take the ride with you.
“These are all glass cabins and a glass floor. They’re the only all-glass cabins in the world for a gondola system and we’re super excited to have them here in Gatlinburg,” Bentz said.
Anakeesta said they’re planning to make ‘more magic’ for the guests who visit the park. The park plans the $100 M expansion to continue for the next five years.
Along with The Crystal Express for 2026, you can also four other projects with an expanded Firefly Village.
READ ON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE THREE OTHER PROJECTS COMING TO ANAKEESTA IN 2026
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