If reenacting scenes from the movie Titanic sounds like a fun way to entertain groups—walking down the ship’s grand staircase, sitting in a life raft or touching an iceberg—plan on heading to Pigeon Forge in 2010. Crews are busy at work creating what will undoubtedly be one of the most popular tourist attractions (and meeting destinations) in Tennessee.
Slated to open in spring 2010, the $25 million Titanic Pigeon Forge (www.titanicpigeonforge.com) will stand tall as a replica of one of the most well-known ships in history. Although firmly on land, the attraction will give the illusion of sitting in water and sport three decks where visitors can walk about. Upon entering the ship, each person will receive a boarding pass with the name of a Titanic passenger or crew member from the ill-fated 1912 maiden voyage. Titanic staff will be dressed in period costumes, and visitors will be able to walk the grand staircase, check out a first-class suite and a third-class cabin, and even send an SOS call from the Marconi Wireless Room.
This is the second Titanic attraction—the first opened in Branson, Mo., in 2006—but according to Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, it will be even more impressive than the first.
"It is going to be a first-class attraction," he says. "This one will be 10,000 square feet bigger than the one in Branson. We are so excited."
In addition to walking the staircase, visitors will have the opportunity to explore 30,000 square feet of museum space, with 20 galleries showcasing Titanic artifacts. On the boat’s third deck will be 3,800 square feet dedicated to meetings, cocktail parties and private group functions.
"They will do a lot of special functions there," Downey says. "I know our visitors will enjoy it immensely."
