In the past two weeks since our last construction project update, Making More Magic has kept gaining momentum across the mountain. As part of Anakeesta’s $100 million expansion, Phase 1 continues to focus on the Crystal Express gondola, a refreshed Firefly Village, and upgrades to the Treetop Skywalk.
As we wrap up February, take a moment to check out the main milestones we reached over the last couple of weeks.
What Progress Did Anakeesta Make in the Last Two Weeks of February?
From Crystal Express tower completion to entry upgrades at the Parkway, here are our biggest Making More Magic milestones from Feb. 17 through Feb. 28:
1. Completed All Crystal Express Towers and Pulled the Communications Line
One of the biggest milestones in this update window is that we’ve completed all Crystal Express towers. With the towers in place, the lift corridor is looking more complete by the day, and the project is ready for the next major steps that bring the whole gondola system together.
We also pulled the communications line from the bottom terminal to the top terminal.
2. Moved the Return Terminal Toward Completion and Began Wiring
Down at the base of the mountain, the return terminal is near completion. After less than two months of steady progress, the structure is now in a place where the finishing work can keep moving forward in a more focused way.
We’ve also begun wiring the terminal. Wiring is a behind-the-scenes milestone, but it’s essential for ensuring the Crystal Express runs reliably when we begin welcoming guests.
3. Erected the Drive Terminal at the Top of the Mountain
At the top of the mountain, we erected the drive terminal. This portion of the build moved faster in part because we weren’t building the structure inside an existing building, which gave our team more flexibility for staging and installation.
We were also able to do more pre-assembly off-site to support a smoother install at the top. To help us, we used a massive crane in the village to set and position major components.
4. Upgraded the Parkway Queue to Streamline Entry
At our Parkway entry, we’re wrapping up installation of new tents, along with several upgrades designed to streamline the entry process. This work focuses on flow and ease, so more guests can move through arrival steps efficiently and spend more time enjoying their day on the mountain.
Here are a few of the additions we’ve made:
- We’re adding four self-serve ticketing kiosks to help reduce ticketing lines and support a faster start to your visit.
- Additional scanners are being installed to keep entry moving smoothly during peak arrival windows.
- Our photo-capture capacity has doubled, helping keep the front-of-house experience running efficiently.
- A new security system has been added to support guest safety and day-to-day operations.
5. Expanded Firefly Village Space and Continued Building and Experience Updates
In Firefly Village, we’ve completed our retaining wall and backfilled the new area. This work adds much more square footage to the entry experience, helping accommodate increased guest flow as the expansion continues to take shape.
We’re also continuing to work on the village buildings. Some buildings now have a fresh coat of paint and fun new trim, and more exterior updates are planned as temperatures rise and painting conditions improve.
Alongside the physical village progress, our team has been working with Moment Factory (the creators of Astra Lumina) to finalize lighting and audio equipment selections and layouts for the new Firefly Experience. We’ve also been collaborating with composers to finalize audio tracks, building the creative foundation for an immersive experience that will bring Firefly Village to life in a whole new way.
Looking Ahead to Our Next Update
As we move into early March, several exciting milestones are on deck:
- Crystal Express cabins and the haul rope should arrive by our next update, marking a big step toward full system installation.
- We’ll continue wiring and finishing work at the terminals, building momentum behind the scenes as the structures near completion.
- Exterior progress in Firefly Village will keep moving forward as weather conditions support more paint and finish work.
Stay Tuned for More Anakeesta Renovation Updates
We’re excited to keep sharing the progress as Making More Magic continues to take shape across the mountain. To stay up to date on our expansion project and special announcements, please sign up for our newsletter.
We’re also offering a limited-time 15-month annual pass, available now through June 1, 2026.
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