Look past the parking lot on McCarter Hollow Road, just across the street from Dollywood's Middle Creek entrance, and you won't see much. There's a reason for that: Dolly's Splash Country is planted in a hollow with trees and landscaping surrounding it.

"We want to give you a real Smoky Mountain experience," Owen said. " ... We want to make this a real discovery experience."

From the top of the highest platform at the water park, all you can see is trees. Visually, the water park evokes images of being away from it all, though it is a stone's throw from Dollywood and a nice walk away from the heart of Pigeon Forge.

In its own little world, Dolly's Splash Country is bracing for curious visitors to discover it. Conservative figures indicate 350,000 guests will pass through its turnstiles during the first season, which ends Monday, Sept. 3. Owen said he foresees many more than that will show up during the three-and-a-half months it will be in business this season.

Season ticket sales have "far exceeded" expectations, he said.

Once you get into the water park, this is what you'll find: The Butterfly: On the steepest drop in the park, riders do a body plunge down 55-foot-long slides into the wings of a butterfly-shaped pool. Their final destination after the "shotgun" slide is about three feet of water. "It's our straightest zoom into a pool," Owen said.

Raging River Rapids: This family rafting adventure seats up to five people for a group soaking on the 700-foot ride.

Mountain Waves: The water park's centerpiece is 25,000 square feet of crystal blue water in a wave pool. The attraction ranges from 1 foot of water to 6 feet. Waters are high and strong, and cresting and can be seen in eight different formations. This will be where most of the park guests can be found on any average day.

Downbound Float Trip: Perhaps the kindest and gentlest ride of the park, this 1,500-foot manmade river is handicap accessible and lets you get drenched under a 200-foot-tall waterfall. The river itself is 2 feet deep and allows for leisurely glides around most of the park's grounds.

Wild River Falls: This ride features four slides and gives two options on how to reach the bottom -- either in the light of day or through the darkness of tunnels.

Mountain Screams: "It's our most aggressive slide," said Owen. In one mad dash, riders can either whoosh down corkscrew tunnels or through quadruple drop slides.

Along with the slides and wave pool, Dolly's Splash Country has a section for visitors under 42 inches tall. The smaller pool is decorated with bright colors and has a wave pool with about a foot-and-a-half of water. Giant butterfly wings shade guests who want to step back and watch children at play.