Over the past several weeks, the Making More Magic expansion has reached some of its most visible milestones yet. Phase 1 work on the Crystal Express gondola, a reimagined Firefly Village, and an expanded Treetop Skywalk is moving quickly. Alongside these updates, we’re also finalizing musical compositions and show designs for our new Firefly Experience.
As we finish our work for the month, review the top five Making More Magic milestones we reached this March:
What Progress Did Anakeesta Make in March?
If you’d like to know more about the progress we’ve made on our Making More Magic expansion, check out the top four milestones we’ve reached this month:
Table of Contents
1. The Crystal Express Haul Rope Is Installed, and Cabins Are Going Up
The Crystal Express has hit a major milestone: the haul rope has been installed and tensioned. With the rope in place, we’ve moved into cabin work, with the first cabin set at each terminal as we work through setting guidage.
The new gondola’s cabins also arrived last week, and we hung most of them over the past weekend!
After the load test, we’ll keep the gondola running while we finish up construction in the surrounding areas. Some flatwork, including paving, walkways, and finishing surfaces, can’t be completed until gondola construction is done. The load test clears the way for that final push.
2. Firefly Village Renovations Are Wrapping Up, and New Additions Are Taking Shape
Renovation work on the existing Firefly Village buildings is nearing completion, and the new color palette is already making an impression. The goal has always been to make Firefly Village feel like a fairy tale, and the fresh exterior work is bringing that vision to life.
A large crane is currently on site setting the steel for a new gondola maintenance building. Once it moves out of the village, we’ll begin rebuilding the landscaping and hardscaping throughout the area.
When guests return, they’ll find several new features woven throughout the village. For example, these new features include a new and improved fire pit, a covered bridge perfect for photos, two new covered seating areas, the Bear Paw Shaped Observation Deck, and a new Photo and Information Booth. New guest restrooms inside the Gondola Maintenance Building are on the way as well, with an opening planned for later this summer.
3. The Treetop Skywalk Is Coming Together
Our team is stringing the last two bridges and building the first section of the new boardwalk. Glass handrail installation is underway as well, a finishing detail that will open up sweeping views of the Smokies from the canopy.
4. The Firefly Experience Is Moving Into Its Final Creative Phase
The Firefly Experience is getting closer to reality. We’re working with our production partner to finalize the music compositions and show design, and the results are shaping up into something worth the wait.
Fixture installation will begin soon. The production team is scheduled on-site in late May for full integration and programming. During their on-site visit, the lighting sequences, music, and storytelling will all come together into the immersive experience we’ve been building toward.
Stay Tuned for More Anakeesta Renovation Updates
With cabins going up and finish work underway across the mountain, the pace is only picking up from here. We’re looking forward to sharing what comes next as we move toward opening.
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