Articles from Dollywood

On a warm summer day back in 2015, Dolly Parton realized a dream that had been 30 years in the making. Since she welcomed the first guests to her eponymous theme park, Dollywood, in May 1986, Dolly had also hoped to create a hotel where those guests could extend their families’ vacation time together. On July 27, 2015, the doors of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa opened to the public … and the 300-room resort has been going strong ever since. So strong, in fact, that a second hotel, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, opened two years ago, confirming that Dollywood is a destination of its own within the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.

One of Dolly Parton’s greatest dreams—the little theme park named Dollywood that opened in her home county in 1986—has now become one of the world’s leading family destinations and is set to celebrate its 40th season in 2025. Dollywood Parks & Resorts looks a lot different than it did when it opened on May 3, 1986, but the mission at its heart remains the same—to create a welcoming environment where families can enjoy making memories together.

Dolly Parton, along with officials from Dollywood Parks & Resorts, The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Pirates Voyage and Walmart, announced significant donations to flood relief during a special event Friday afternoon at Walmart #678 in Newport, Tennessee. The location has helped the local community by offering meals, as well as showers and laundry facilities to those affected by the unprecedented flooding from Hurricane Helene.

Dolly and Dollywood officials opened The Dolly Parton Experience—the park’s eagerly anticipated new attraction—to great fanfare this morning during a special event for invited media and VIPs. Thousands of Dollywood guests eager to see inside also were able to enjoy the multi-faceted experience, which is comprised of multiple buildings at the award-winning Smoky Mountain theme park.

Dolly Parton and Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton welcomed guests and media to great fanfare during the opening ceremonies for the 39th season at Dollywood, her world-renowned Smoky Mountain theme park. Dolly shared an update on her busy winter, a look ahead to Dollywood’s 2024 season, and introduced some of the new entertainment guests can see during the year—including a “duet” with Naughton during a preview of the new “Sing-a-long with Dolly” show.

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort celebrated its official grand opening Friday with a visit from Dolly Parton. The lodge marks the second world-class resort created by Dollywood Parks & Resorts and Dolly, further expanding the premier family destination located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain, the largest single attraction investment in the park’s history, opened Friday to the general public with much fanfare, a nod to the Great Smoky Mountains, and of course, a visit from Dolly Parton.

During today’s annual Season Passholder and Media Preview Day, Dolly Parton unveiled several pieces of information that Dollywood fans have been longing to hear for quite some time.

With several new lighting displays across its 160 acres, Dollywood theme park—the 14-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event—now boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights as part of the popular Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 5- Jan 1, 2023).

NAPA AUTO PARTS will serve as the official automotive parts, maintenance and repair partner of Dollywood, one of the nation’s premier family vacation destinations. NAPA also will sponsor the Dollywood parking lot vehicle assistance program, a concierge service to help guests who may experience minor automotive misfortunes during their time at the Pigeon Forge park.

For a third year, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 22 – June 5) blossoms against a Smoky Mountain backdrop to deliver brilliant floral hues to guests. During this year’s installment of the festival, guests can appreciate the vibrant beauty of more than a million blooms, explore the fresh flavors of spring with an immersive tasting pass and delight in unique entertainment offerings.

November has only just begun, but on Saturday at Dollywood, park visitors will think it looks a lot like Christmas. The holidays are in full swing at the Pigeon Forge park where guests can experience America’s best Christmas tradition, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana beginning Saturday, Nov. 6 and running through Jan. 2, 2022.