Dollywood - the Tennessee, US theme park part-owned by entertainer Dolly Parton - is to unveil its US$20m (£12.5m, EUR14.2m) Wild Eagle steel wing coaster in March 2012.

The new experience's floorless design will see riders seated four abreast in a forward-facing position, with two located on the "wings" either side of the ride's track. Wild Eagle will start from the Wilderness Pass area and soar 21 storeys in height along the 3,127ft (953m) track, with the rollercoaster accommodating 28 people at any one time.

Dollywood's development team is working with Switzerland-based Bolliger and Mabillard to create the experience, which includes a 135ft (41m) drop and a "zero-G" roll. Parton - who owns Dollywood alongside the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation - said the installation marked the next phase of the theme park's development.

"After the honour of the 2010 Applause Award, we knew that all eyes were on us at Dollywood to see what we'd do next," she said. "Wild Eagle celebrates not only the majestic bald eagle but also my beautiful Smoky Mountains which folks will get a bird's eye view of as they soar high above Dollywood."