Hellbender mountain coaster — Attraction in Gatlinburg

We visited on a Wednesday morning in early November 2024.

There is a weight limit and they follow it strictly. I saw someone get turned away at the Rail Runner. The Hellbender is one of two mountain coasters at Anakeesta. This is by far the more tame one. There was no line when we arrived and we walked straight on. There are free lockers at the bottom before you get onto the ride.

My youngest (9 yr old) was too scared to try the Rail Running on his own but after riding the Hellbender tandem first with mom, he wanted to go back and do the Rail Runner solo. My kids went the whole way without hitting the breaks at all and while i refused to do that on the rail runner, I did do it on the Hellbender and it was much less sketch because it has that 2nd rail. At the end there is long lift hill that just takes you back up. Just relax as it's pulling you back up the hill.

They are equipped with cameras that record your ride. The ride attendant said sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I was not able to get my video to pull up even thought my video worked on the Rail Runner. We did not purchase any videos.

Overall it was a great experience and if it didn't cost so much, I'd gladly do it again. We bought the double ticket to try both coasters. If I had to pick one I think the rail runner is a much more exhilarating experience even though the Hellbender had more features during the ride. I would suggest anyone who is unsure to try the Hellbender first.

All the Hellbender merch was currently marked down in the store right after you exit the ride so we picked up a...

Awful. Not easy to find in the park, nor is it well located. Not accessible at all and line took forever. Weighed before rising, very rushed by staff who were mostly standing around. Locker idea is stupid. Putting everything on you in a locker is a great idea, if the code to it is not on the outside where anyone can walk off with your stuff as it's very unmonitored....

This ride is amazing. I will warn anyone that is disabled or has a wheelchair. This ride is not for you too bad. They don’t have elevators there but other than that the cars are way bigger than they are on the rail rider right down the hill. the ride is a lot...