Key Takeaways
- Any party of 20 or more qualifies for group rates, regardless of group type.
- Anakeesta’s à la carte model lets groups pay only for the experiences they actually want.
- All purchases must be completed at least one week before your visit to lock in the discounted rate.
- General admission alone covers several hours of activities, with add-ons available to further customize the day.
- Private event packages are available, but availability is limited, and inquiries must come in at least three months out.
Planning a group trip to the Smoky Mountains comes with a lot of moving parts. If Anakeesta is on your itinerary, you’ll be glad to know we offer dedicated group rates for parties of 20 or more, with a flexible booking model designed to fit a range of group types and budgets. Here’s everything you need to know before reaching out.
Who Qualifies for Group Rates?
Our group rates are available to any party of 20 or more guests. We serve a wide range of group types, including school groups, church groups, families, bachelorette and bachelor parties, and tour and travel bus groups.
We also offer new free bus parking in a gated lot to make arrivals more manageable for larger traveling parties. When you plan to park a bus at Anakeesta, you’ll need to make a timed reservation during the booking process.
How Does the Booking Process Work?
We take an à la carte approach to group bookings. General admission is required for everyone in the group, but beyond that, you choose which add-ons to include based on your group’s interests and your budget. You’re not locked into a predetermined package, which gives group organizers real flexibility when working with different headcounts and price points.
To lock in the discounted rate, all purchases must be completed at least one week before your visit. Discounts may not be available for same-day, next-day, or week-of bookings, so early planning matters.
When you’re ready to move forward, email [email protected] and include the quantities of each add-on you’d like to purchase. If your organization qualifies for tax-exempt status, include your exemption form with your initial inquiry.
A couple of important notes on taxes: tax-exempt status waives the 9.75% sales tax, but all groups remain responsible for the 2% amusement tax. For non-exempt groups, the combined tax rate is 11.75%. Group purchases follow the same refund policy as our standard ticket purchases.
What's Included in General Admission?
We suggest planning for approximately four hours to take in everything included with general admission. Your group will have access to our 14-bridge TreeTop SkyWalk, the VistaTower with 360-degree views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains, and four playgrounds and adventure courses built for all ages.
Our botanical garden is also part of the general admission experience, along with three live entertainment stages featuring family-friendly performances throughout the day.
Scattered throughout the park are rocking chairs positioned for unobstructed mountain views, giving guests a chance to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Before heading back down the mountain, your group can also browse a collection of shops featuring a variety of souvenirs and keepsakes.
What Add-Ons Can Groups Choose?
We offer several add-ons that can be included in any combination, depending on what your group is most excited about. These add-ons include:
- Dueling Ziplines: Each zip line tour runs approximately two hours from check-in through the final descent. Tour groups can include up to 28 participants, and we offer four tour times per day. Age, height, and weight restrictions apply and are listed on our website. Every participant needs to complete a liability waiver before arriving, and we provide a shareable link that organizers can send directly to participants in advance.
- Mountain Coaster Pass: The coaster pass gives each rider two trips. They can ride the same coaster twice or take each of our two mountain coasters once. Named and designed after the largest salamander in North America, Hellbender debuted in August 2023 following our park expansion, and Rail Runner is recognized as the only single-rail mountain coaster in North America. Height and weight requirements vary slightly between the two and are listed on our coaster page.
- Astra Lumina Night Walk: Astra Lumina is our award-winning outdoor night walk along a closed one-mile loop. The full experience takes about an hour, with guests stopping at multiple points along the trail to take in light and sound installations that each run between three and ten minutes.
- Eatery Card: Accepted at all restaurants and food stalls throughout the park, our Eatery Card is loaded with $20 in value and purchased at $17. It’s a straightforward way to build food into the group experience at a slight discount.
- Souvenir Mug: Our souvenir mug comes with free unlimited fountain drink refills for the entire day and includes a carrying handle for convenience.
What About Private Events?
For groups planning a more formal occasion, we offer private event packages for wedding receptions and corporate events. Two options are available: one for groups up to 25 and another for parties of 50 to 250. Both include buffet and bar package options, and events take place on select dates.
A 25% deposit is required to hold your date. Because availability is limited, groups must inquire at least three months before the planned event date to guarantee a spot.
Some of the most popular types of private events we host include:
- Employee appreciation events
- Corporate events
- Company retreats
- Banquet award dinners
- Wedding receptions
- Church events
Plan Your Group Visit to Anakeesta
From school field trips and bachelorette weekends to company outings and family reunions, our group rates are built to accommodate a wide range of events without locking you into a one-size-fits-all experience. General admission covers hours of activities, and our à la carte add-ons let you customize the day around what your group actually wants to do.
Book your group trip today. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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