After a year of closures and restrictions, the Dollywood Parks and Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is open, and with its booming summer season, Dolly Parton has announced plans for a major expansion of its Dollywood Resort and theme park over the next decade.
With a proposed $ 500 million expansion, visitors to Dollywood Parks and Resort can expect a new 302-room Dollywood HeartSong Resort to open in 2023, positioned next to the existing Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa. However, visitors won’t have to wait until then to enjoy the new and existing experiences at Dollywood.
Dolly Parton’s dreams
In the 1980s, the country music star told Barbara Walters in an interview that she wanted to set up a Smoky Mountains theme park in her hometown to provide jobs for locals and boost the local economy. Pigeon Forge area, which was depressed. at the time.
She partnered with the owners of the existing Silver Dollar City theme park and established Dollywood in October 1985. “We opened on May 3, 1986 and a lot has changed since then. It’s amazing to see the growth here in Dollywood and in the Great Smoky Mountains as a region, ”said Wes Ramey, public relations manager for Dollywood. “Of course having Dolly as the owner and our chief dreamer really helps us get our message across internationally. We continue to invest in this product, and 40% of what we make is reinvested in the product. .
This investment, Ramey said, will lead to expansions such as the new HeartSong Lodge and Resort, as well as an additional focus on unique things like food and the entertainment program. “These are two key pillars of who we are, and we will continue to invest in all of these areas over the next 10 years. We changed our focus from being just a small regional park to a more national destination, ”said Ramey.
Dollywood Theme Park
Visitors to the Dollywood theme park will have a new experience, Dollywood summer celebration. This new experience runs through July 31 with extended nighttime hours and Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights Experience, a multisensory drone experience that brings the night sky above the park to life with visuals and stories.
According to Dollywood, the resort receives more than 3 million visitors per year, making the Pigeon Forge campus the most visited paid attraction in Tennessee.
“I’ve always dreamed of accomplishing two things with Dollywood. I wanted to give work to the people who live here and I wanted to give visitors another reason to come and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, ”Dolly Parton said in a statement. “We celebrated our 35th season last year so I think it’s fair to say we’ve been able to do it. “
Seeing her dream grow was one of the joys of Parton’s life, she said. “In 1986, I remember looking out the window of my tour bus hoping someone would come. It’s like when you’re a kid and you’re having a party for the first time and you’re afraid no one will show up, ”Parton said. “There is so much that we do at Dollywood because what I love is that it’s family oriented, even with our resort. Moms, dads and kids have their own fun little things to do.
Some popular attractions include the Dollywood Express, a 110-ton coal-fired steam engine that offers visitors a 25-minute ride through Dollywood. The festivals are also endless at the theme park. For example, spring Flower and Food Festival delights guests with over half a million flowers and a stunning visual upon arrival as hundreds of colorful umbrellas hang above to create a dazzling umbrella sky. One of the most popular festivals is the Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas with over 5 million Christmas lights, festive shows and Christmas-themed food.
Entertainment and culture
Appalachian music and culture also comes to life in Dollywood this year. Roger White, one of the entertainment executives at Dollywood, said the resort is looking across the Southeastern United States for talent. “We see thousands of people every year and we try to attract the best possible talent. We’re looking for people who can sing, people who can perform, people who can really connect with our audience. That’s what we’re looking for in our shows here at Dollywood, ”White said.
The famous Dollywood dinner shows are just a few of the entertainment options, which also include Wings of America Birds of Prey show and The playhouse of the imagination. This effort paid off. Dollywood has won the Golden Ticket Awards for the best shows from any theme park in the world 11 years in a row, and after that 11th award, the awards program retired.
Shopping is also a big part of the experience at Dollywood, said Sandy Doherty, head of merchandise and games at Dollywood. “We have a number of locations that offer great t-shirts, gifts and souvenirs, but we also have stores that carry items such as home furnishings, personalized fireplace tools and valuable merchandise. exclusive, ”she said. “For traditional handmade crafts, we have master craftsmen who demonstrate their art.”
Dive into Dollywood Splash Country
Across from Dollywood is Dollywood Splash Country, a full-service water park nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. “It’s not a concrete jungle. In fact, I always tell first-time visitors to explore every corner of this park because there are some easy-to-miss attractions like the Waterfalls because they are behind trees, ”said Amber Davis of Dollywood Splash Country.
With 32 slides and 16 attractions, Dollywood Splash Country offers fun for all ages and levels of daring.
For younger swimmers, families will love the interactive elements of Little Creek Falls or spend a lazy day by the pool. “You’re going to enjoy floating down the Lazy River Downbound Float Trip or getting a thrill on the Mountain Wave or the more extreme Firetower Falls,” Davis said. “Maybe you are looking for a water coaster. River Rush is the attraction for you. The park also offers upscale dining options as well as private and spacious waterfront retreats or canopies.
New HeartSong Lodge & Resort
According to the Dollywood website, the HeartSong Lodge & Resort will feature 5 floors of guest rooms including themed suites and lofts, and a 4-story central atrium with a large central fireplace.
The lodge will also offer a range of dining and shopping experiences. “It’s a rustic but refined atmosphere and enhanced with design touches true to Dolly,” the website adds. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort offers shared experiences that bring friends and family together while inviting them to explore the true majesty of the Smokies just beyond the resort, ”boasted the promotional video provided by Dollywood.
But if you dream of a trip to The Smokies before 2023, don’t worry. the Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa and the Dollywood cabins, a luxurious mountainside retreat, offers a variety of accommodations and amenities. Dollywood cabins are designed for everything from couples’ getaways to family reunions. Guests are treated to a view of the beloved Dolly Mountains, and some cabins even overlook the Dollywood Theme Park.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offers an abundance of thrills for young and old:
