Lengthy earlier than Dollywood opened its gates in Pigeon Forge on Could 3, 1986, Dolly Parton had designs on constructing a theme park within the Nice Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the place she grew up.
A 2023 USA Right now article quoted the award-winning singer-songwriter as saying that when she would go to the county truthful as a baby, she thought to herself, “If I make it large, if I get wealthy like I used to be dreaming I’d, that I would like to do one thing particular, to come back again residence and construct a park of my very own.”
In a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters, simply 4 years earlier than the park opened, Parton shared that she dreamed of constructing “Smoky Mountain fairyland,” akin to Disneyland in East Tennessee, “one of the vital great locations on the planet.”
Anybody who has adopted Parton’s illustrious profession won’t be stunned that she made her dream of making a spot “the place the tradition and folks of the Smoky Mountains can be celebrated and loved by everybody” a actuality.
Now in its fortieth season, Dollywood has grown and adjusted an excellent deal since opening its gates, however one factor stays the identical — Dollywood nonetheless is and can at all times be a vacation spot the place households can have enjoyable and make recollections amid the pure great thing about the Smokies.
Here is a have a look at the park’s historical past and a peek at what’s in retailer for Dollywood’s future.
Earlier than Parton lent her moniker to the park, it operated below totally different names and possession because the early Nineteen Sixties. In 1986, the Herschend household (who additionally personal and function Silver Greenback Metropolis) offered a stake to Parton, upgraded a number of park parts and renamed it Dollywood.
Parton grew up just a few miles from the park, and the partnership allowed her to satisfy her dream of bringing guests to the gorgeous Smoky Mountains whereas supporting her local people. Parton nonetheless co-owns the park with the Herschends.
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A number of of Dollywood’s opening-day sights are nonetheless in operation, together with the Dollywood Specific steam practice, Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain House (a reproduction of the two-room cabin the place Parton grew up), Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, the Again Porch Theater and the Robert F. Thomas Chapel (named for the physician who delivered Parton), the place guests can attend a weekly Sunday service.
Just like the Dollywood Specific practice, the park continued choosing up steam within the Nineteen Nineties.
Associated: The ten finest rides at Dollywood for the entire household
Throughout this time, the park constructed a number of main expansions: the 7-acre Showstreet space close to the park entrance, the Nation Truthful space with traditional rides and carnival video games like those that impressed Parton to open her theme park, and an space impressed by Parton’s hometown of Sevierville referred to as Jukebox Junction.
In 2001, Dollywood opened its water park, Dollywood’s Splash Nation. The water park is celebrating its twenty fifth anniversary season this yr.
A few of Dollywood’s hottest curler coasters opened within the 2000s and 2010s.
In 2007, Dollywood opened a curler coaster that turned my physique and my understanding of physics the other way up. If you happen to’ve ever ridden it, you realize I’m speaking about Thriller Mine. This metal coaster has some gravity-defying maneuvers, together with a 95-degree, 85-foot vertical drop, that left me speechless.
Throughout this time, the park additionally opened Thunderhead, a picket coaster; Wild Eagle, the primary wing coaster within the U.S.; and Lightning Rod, one other picket coaster with a prime velocity of 73 miles per hour.
In 2015, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa opened its doorways. DreamMore was the park’s first on-site lodge, with a design that completely encapsulates Parton’s stardom and Southern attraction. This resort was joined by the once-in-a-lifetime alternative to remain in Parton’s former tour bus in 2022 and the opening of Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge & Resort in 2023.
Associated: 11 finest resorts close to Dollywood
Additionally in 2023, TPG was readily available for the grand opening of Dollywood’s latest and longest curler coaster, Large Bear Mountain. Parton herself made an look (on the planet’s most lovable bear costume) to sing a track she wrote for the grand opening.
Final yr, the park opened The Dolly Parton Expertise, an interactive museum with displays overlaying Parton’s profession. Guests will journey by way of Parton’s profession, costumes, household and extra.
The park has greater than doubled in dimension since opening in 1986 and hit document attendance numbers final yr. There are additionally rumblings that the park will broaden once more in 2026. There aren’t many particulars but, however Dollywood revealed at this season’s grand opening media occasion that it will likely be a “revolutionary new expertise in contrast to something anyplace else on the planet.”
Parton did way more than lend her title to Dollywood. From the native artisans demonstrating their experience and promoting their wares contained in the park to the nods to her childhood and star-studded profession, Parton’s life and legacy are constructed into the DNA of this beloved park.
“On opening day in 1986, I used to be simply hoping that individuals would actually need to come go to a theme park with my title on it. And regardless that I at all times attempt to dream large, I will admit I used to be a bit of bit nervous that first morning,” Parton shared in the course of the fortieth season opening occasion. “However folks did come out to assist us that first day, and I am so proud to see that Dollywood has continued to develop by way of the years to grow to be a spot of enjoyable and togetherness for everybody who has come to go to,” she added.
Parton could have been shocked by Dollywood’s early success, however anybody who has visited this gem of a theme park is not in any respect stunned that it has grow to be one of many nation’s premier household journey locations.
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