If you’re looking for a destination in America to spend your holidays at, you know we got you covered. And other than that, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, one of the top theme parks in the world, is home to exhilarating rides, amazing food, and top-notch entertainment. Theme park Dollywood is co-owned by Dolly Parton, an entertainer, and Herschend Family Entertainment.
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, the park also features stunning mountain range views. It is close to the gateway in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the section of the Knoxville metropolitan area.
The main appeal there is the enormous 150-acre Dollywood theme park, which also includes the 5-acre Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction and the twin water park Dollywood’s Splash Country resort and spa.
Filled to the brim with the rich history and artistic talent of the Smokies, from live performers of Appalachian, country, southern gospel, and classic rock ‘n’ roll to skilled craftsmen demonstrating glassblowing and blacksmithing, the largest ticketed tourist destination in Tennessee, Dollywood welcomes over 3 million visitors annually from mid-March to the Christmas holidays.
History of the Park, Where It All Began
Beginning in 1961, the park was established by the Robbins brothers of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, as a modest tourist spot. The steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and bar were all part of the “Rebel Railroad” complex.
As the owner of the Cleveland Browns football team, Art Modell purchased Rebel Railroad in 1970 and changed its name to “Goldrush Junction.” A log flume ride, an outdoor theatre, and Robert F. Thomas Church were also added to the park, which kept the railroad.
Goldrush Junction was purchased by Jack and Pete Herschend in 1976, and for the 1976 season, it was renamed “Goldrush.” They gave it a new name in 1977 and made it a sister park to their Branson, Missouri-based Silver Dollar City by renaming it “Silver Dollar City Tennessee.”
In order to upgrade the park after buying it, the Herschends invested about $1 million, and they continued to make upgrades over time. Two new steam locomotives from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, numbers 70 and 71, were also added to the train ride in 1977.
Dolly Parton, who is local to that area, acquired a stake in Silver Dollar City in 1986. As a result of the agreement, the park reopened as “Dollywood” for the 1986 season.
In a 2010 interview, Parton stated that she got involved in the company because she “always believed that if I made it big or was successful at what I had started out to do, that I wanted to come back to my local area and build something spectacular, something that would be a source of mass recruitment for this region.”
What Makes Dollywood Fun?
In addition to providing unparalleled entertainment and delectable food, and over 50 thrilling rides all year long, Dollywood also hosts five of the biggest festivals in the South. The Festival of Nations features cultural performances by artists from all over the world and typically runs from mid-March to mid-April.
Festival of Nations is a unique multi-cultural event that showcases the traditional music, dancing, cuisine, and artwork of several countries.
Enjoy Dollywood’s Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival in the spring from late April to mid-May. This bluegrass music and barbecue festival are called Barbecue & Bluegrass, presented by Bush Brothers and Company.
The Flower and Food Festival, which was initially intended to run from mid-May to early June, will begin in 2021 (originally 2020). Night of Many Colors, a nightly musical fireworks display, the 3D Light and Drone Show, Night Experience, performances and rides at night, and new shows like DRUMLine Live! and iLuminate are all part of Summer Celebration (previously Great American Summer).
Southern Gospel music, skilled artisans, and Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which give enjoyable performances and delectable dishes that showcase the shifting of the seasons, are all featured at the Humana-sponsored Harvest Festival.
With seven holiday concerts, 5 million Christmas lights, Glacier Ridge (where part of the park is frozen over), and a nightly procession, Smoky Mountain Christmas, presented by Humana, has won Golden Ticket’s Best Christmas Event award around 13 times.
Where is Dollywood located?
The incredible amusement park experience is located around 35 miles southeast of Knoxville, 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, USA.
Dollywood Ticket Pricings
Currently, the park has been closed due to winter weather at Pigeon Forge, but don’t fret, as it will reopen on 26th Dec., and there will be an adequate amount of time till it comes to a showdown for this year.
Stay warm and safe, everyone! pic.twitter.com/JEFIZf6b01
— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) December 22, 2022
Tickets and passes for the 2022 season are available on their site for all three amusement and the sister parks, and you can book them from their site itself.
A ticket for the theme park ranges from $89-119 for one adult for 1-3 days (s), respectively. The passes for the 2023 season range from $154-$319 for every adult entry.
