Dollywood's Splash Country will be welcoming guests for the 2010 season with new turn-free, touch-free entrance gates.

The magnetic retractable gates aim to improve guest accessibility, streamline the park's front entrance operations and integrate seamlessly with its OmniTicket Network Ticketing system.

Splash Country will receive six new MPR-112 (Magnetic Pedestrian Retractable) gates this year, with more planned for its sister park, Dollywood Theme Park, in 2011.

The new turnstiles have earned the nickname 'batwings', due to the telescoping, retractable wings that open and close smoothly for each guest.

The turnstiles offer improved accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers and ECVs. Each gate is gearless to reduce upkeep and maintenance.

Three of the new turnstiles will be configured for standard access, while the other three will be spaced wide enough to accommodate guests in wheelchairs and with strollers. All gates are customcoloured to integrate with the park's main entrance theme.

A light beam across each gate prevents the retractable wings from inadvertently closing on a person or other obstruction.

Each gate operates automatically without being touched, so operators do not need to worry about spreading germs in high-traffic areas like the main entrance.