Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg

Donnell George _{on Google}

Apr 8th, 2024

Had a great time at Anakeesta.

Leslie Lawson _{on Google}

Apr 7th, 2024

Beautiful season in fall

KM _{on Google}

Apr 10th, 2024

I still suffer flashbacks of my experience. I cant believe this cash-grabbing death trap is still in business. Where do I start?
The one hour line to get on the chair lift was just the beginning of the horror movie that myself, my husband, and my four small children starred in. Nowhere in this line was signage present relating that the chair lift is dangerous for kids, which is truly unfathomable. The hair-raising epiphany we got ourselves into was only evident once we got into the chair lift that would take us on the most terrifying ride of our lives.
Dangling miles over asphalt parking lots, helplessly yelling at our 8, 9 year old sons ahead of us to not move, wiggle, breathe, or even touch the non-locking safety bar present on the chair - with our 3 year old and 5 year old between us in an ironclad death grip so they didnt wiggle like you know ALL kids do and perhaps submarine under the bar - I quickly realized the extent of my mistake and the true danger of our predicament.
Even worse, I realized wed have to go back down
Well. We made it to the top and it was crowded, hot in the blazing sun, but there were some cute playgrounds and nice views.
When we decided to confront our fears and return down the mountains we realized the 2-3 gondolas options had 30 people in line (im assuming also post-chair lift traumatized patrons) and it would be an hour wait to escape this mountain purgatory of dark nightmares. The jeep bus we were told only carries about 40 people at a time and they only had two running lol.
Our only viable option was to head back down on the chair lift. Oh I forgot to mention the chair lift will stop about 8 times as you ride, causing you to lurch and swing forward and back. Every single parent I saw going up the mountain as we came down had the same look of hellacious reckoning on their faces and a death grip on their children and strollers.
Summary: Anakeesta is an example of maximum amount of profits for the least amount of safety in a state that is hands-off as can be at enforcing safety regulations. I have read multiple stories of people stranded at the top with no emergency evacuation plans in the event of fires. Uh. As well as stories of the chair lift breaking down and people being forced to wait hours (threatened that they would be arrested if they attempted to walk down) for the two 40 passenger jeeps to take people down. Meanwhile, AS THEY STILL DROVE PEOPLE UP FROM THE BOTTOM.
Id rather take a submersible steered by a PlayStation controller to the sea floor than go back to this place. And if I had one of those houses or businesses directly below the lift Id be selling asap before a victimized chair rider came careening through my rooftop.
Please, if you have children under the age of 10 DO NOT GO. Spare yourself the nightmare. Its not worth it for the mediocre experience. Go hiking. Go volunteer at the local animal shelter. Go literally do anything else. Youve been warned.

Corey Whitworth _{on Google}

Apr 8th, 2024

Well worth the wait in line to head to the top. We purchased 10p Astra Lumina tix and decided to go up mid afternoon. It felt less busy and crowded compared to the lines we saw in the early morning. The ski lift can be a bit unnerving for some, so the benefit of being able to take a truck to the top was great. Plenty of food options throughout the complex as well as souvenir shops. I appreciate that each store had different park merchandise and shirts. We were a bit disappointed that not all of the bird themed play area was open. All of the slides were closed off at the time. The Astra Lumina was the highlight and being the last group to go through made it more enjoyable, I feel, because there wasn't as many people on the trail which made for more calm and serene viewing of each installation. Simply amazed by the whole art exhibit and feel like it was definitely worth the cost as it made it a once in a lifetime experience for us and our kids.