Polar Express 4-D Joins Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival

Pigeon Forge, TN -- Dollywood announced The Polar Express 4-D Experience will be added to the theme park's Imagination Cinema as part of the park's 19th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival starting November 8th and continuing through January 3, 2009.

Dollywood's 19th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival begins on November 8, 2008 and continues through January 3, 2009.

"This Christmas, I'm inviting families to take a spectacular holiday journey where dreams become real, and everybody knows I dream bigger than just about anybody else," Dolly Parton said. "On The Polar Express 4-D Experience, all you have to do is believe, and I sure do!"

This holiday season... What if there is a place beyond your imagination and to get there all you have to do is BELIEVE!

Dollywood guests are invited to come journey to the North Pole where dreams become real and all of their senses come alive in this magical 4-D Experience. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on an epic journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

The Polar Express 4-D Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, and includes 3-D and 4-D effects that will make you believe.

SimEx-Iwerks is the worldwide exclusive distributor of The Polar Express 4-D Experience.

"The Polar Express is by far the finest magical cinematic experience of our lifetime," Mark Cornell, SimEx-Iwerks Vice President, Attraction Development said. "This iconic film is further brought to life with the perfected use of our own 4-D Special FX technology, and makes for an unforgettable multi-sensory adventure, leaving all who see with hair-raising goose-bumps!"

Polar Express 4-D uses effects like a state-of-the-art 3-D digital projection system that allows images to virtually leap off the screen. Furthering the experience are added 4-D effects like snow and the smell of hot choocolate.

In addition to a winter wonderland of more than four-million holiday lights, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas festival includes a lineup of award-winning entertainment. Dollywood's Babes in Toyland, highlighted by the march of the 21 toy soldiers and a spectacular surprise finale, won the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Honorable Mention for 2007 Best Overall Production.

Rounding out the Christmastime entertainment lineup are Christmas in the Smokies, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, An Appalachian Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, The Victorian Melodies, O' Holy Night, Carol of the Trees plus the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade. All shows are included with park admission.

Families can also explore Santa's Workshop, a magnificent 500-square-foot home away from home featuring larger-than-life-sized toys including "Jumbo the Elephant," which measures nine-feet-tall; a seven-foot-tall sailboat; a five-foot-tall tricycle; an eight-foot-tall dollhouse; a six-foot-tall View·Master that displays a variety of holiday images and more.

For more information on Dollywood and the Smokey Mountain Christmas festival, visit dollywood.com.