Lazy summer days are better in the Smoky Mountains, and Dollywood’s Splash Country is ready to host families for another season of fun in the sun. The region’s friendliest and most-trusted water park opens for its 22nd season on Saturday, May 14. Nestled adjacent to Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country offers a resort-style getaway. This summer, guests can expect park upgrades, including a new zero-depth entry play space, more entertainment and new dining opportunities.
In response to two needs—more options for accessible play spaces and spaces targeted to young families—Dollywood’s Splash Country reopens its Little Creek Falls area as a zero-depth entry play space filled with themed elements such as flowers, leaves, cattails and pop jets. Previously, the attraction had 18 inches of standing water. Now that it’s been reimagined, this area is more welcoming to wheelchair users, those with sensory processing disorders and toddlers. Jason Booth, Vice President of Park Operations, said,
“At both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, we are on a mission to create opportunities for families of all abilities and in all seasons of life to enjoy. We reimagined Little Creek Falls, but that’s not all that has kept our crews busy: we resurfaced and repainted 17 of our slides, put down new plaster in The Cascades, fixed concrete throughout the park, trimmed trees and planted new flowers and shrubs among other projects. Families expect a top-tier experience when they visit our destination, and that’s what we always want to deliver.”
Throughout Dollywood’s Splash Country’s two-decade history, water park guests have been treated to more than pools and slides. Beyond a family environment full of immersive theming, guests often enjoy live entertainment at the wave pool. This season, in addition to Too Hot Tuesdays, (May 24, June 7-28 and July 12-Aug. 2) and Splash Bash LIVE (Saturdays, June 18-Aug. 6), there’s a new DJ-featured music event planned for Thursdays. Families should also mark their calendars for Water Safety Day (June 23) when guests are invited to participate in a day of activities and giveaways in an effort to raise awareness about safety in and around the water.
Building on the solid foundation of the Dollywood brand, Dollywood’s Splash Country guests can look forward to fun touches to atmosphere elements and menu options during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 18- Aug. 7). The immersive experience at Dollywood’s water park is rich and intentional. Highly themed around the beauty of the mountains, Splash Country offers a getaway that includes mature and established trees, natural shade and festival fun.
“As at Dollywood, we are always seeking to improve our guests’ experience," Booth said. "We simplified the entry process with our new walk-through security screening that doesn’t require guests to remove items from their pockets. And because guests asked for more dining locations, we decided to offer Big River Pavilion as an option for all guests this season. This new venue will be a spot to sit in guaranteed shade to enjoy some tasty barbecue. In fact, our culinary team has created a few other new menu items including the debut of the Oakley Bros.’ Food Wagon (a mac and cheese food truck) by the wave pool. These upgrades along with additional rides included in our TimeSaver H2O pass program ensure that we’re always listening and responding to guest feedback.”
This is the best time for guests to secure great value out of Dollywood’s Splash Country as a Summer Splash Pass is available for a limited time. Now through May 29, visitors may purchase a water park-only season pass for $109, plus tax. This pass is available on the payment plan and includes unlimited visitation to Dollywood’s Splash Country for the 2022 season, a Bring-A-Friend ticket (blackout dates apply) and a meal voucher. For full offer and validity details, please visit www.dollywood.com/splashpass.
Dollywood’s Splash Country opens the weekend of May 14-15. Daily operation begins Friday, May 20 and continues through August 7. After that, the park shifts operations to Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends through August 21. Splash Country opens for two final weekends August 27-28 and September 3-4, with the last day being Labor Day (Monday, September 5). For more information about Dollywood’s Splash Country or any of The Dollywood Company properties, please visit www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
With 2022 only a few weeks away, Dollywood is gearing up for the new season, which begins on Saturday, March 12. Entertainers who are ready to find their place in the spotlight should start planning for auditions now.
Members of Dollywood’s entertainment team are looking to cast singers, dancers who sing, improvisational actors, costumed characters and musicians who sing. Performers must be at least 18 years old. Available roles for the 2022 season include full-time positions, as well as seasonal—both summer and Christmas opportunities.
Auditions will take place at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on Saturday, January 15 and Saturday, January 22, as well as at the Marriott in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday, February 19. Auditions are by appointment only and must be scheduled by calling (865) 429-9752. Appointments will only be taken Wednesday, January 5–Friday, January 7 between 9 AM and 4 PM. Appointments will be accepted until all slots are full. Walk-ins will not be accepted, and only auditionees are allowed to enter. Callbacks will occur on the same day as the audition.
Singers, improvisational actors and costumed characters should prepare a verse and chorus of two songs in their preferred style and should bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. For improvisational actors and costumed characters, one selection should be comedic in nature. A piano accompanist will be provided, or auditionees may accompany themselves on guitar or any other handheld instrument. All auditionees should bring a resume and headshot. Some auditionees may be called back for an additional movement or vocal audition.
Additional details and audition requirements can be found at Dollywood.com/jobs/auditions. Any additional questions may be directed to auditions@dollywood.com.
Even with plenty of fun still to go during Dollywood’s 2021 season, thanks to the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, Dollywood plans for an even bigger 2022. Plans include larger festival offerings, the return of two guest-favorite experiences and a new season pass structure that allows guests more options as they plan for next year. The park opens to the general public for the 2022 season on Saturday, March 12.
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health, happening April 22 - June 5, grows larger with several new iconic Mosaiculture displays that increase the overall footprint of this colorful springtime event. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests as they make their way through hundreds of thousands of blooms during this stunning festival. In addition, Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities with a menu full of delicacies that highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.
Dollywood’s innovative Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show was one of this season’s most memorable highlights to date, and in 2022 the show expands with even more drones taking to the skies above the Smoky Mountains. In collaboration with Intel Drone Light Shows, Sweet Summer Nights combines the advanced technology of hundreds of sophisticated drones with a traditional fireworks extravaganza. It’s the perfect way for families to celebrate their unforgettable day at Dollywood. Sweet Summer Nights, which also includes a nightly dance party, takes place each evening during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, June 18 - August 7.
The Gazillion Bubbles Show, one of the most requested shows at DollywoodExciting , also marks its return during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. Back for the first time since 2017, the Gazillion Bubbles Show promises to leave every child and child at heart with smiles on their faces, thanks to “gazillions” of bubbles and guest interactions that make up every performance.
A family tradition for many families, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana returns September 23 - October 29, celebrating the beauty of fall in the Smokies with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented artists and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that create the picture-perfect photo op for families to enjoy. New in 2022, guests will have a hoot in Craftsman’s Valley as it transforms into Hoot Owl Hollow, thanks to a number of owl-themed displays both in the park and suspended in the trees above.
The 13-time winner of Best Theme Park Christmas event, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana concludes the park’s 2022 season. Beginning November 5, 2022, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through January 1, 2023 and features festive holiday shows, five million beautiful lights and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
With so many new things to experience in 2022, it is the perfect time for a Dollywood season pass. To accommodate the ever-evolving needs of Dollywood guests, a new season pass structure—Silver, Gold and Diamond—has been created to allow more options to tailor the overall guest experience.
The Dollywood Silver Season Pass starts at $139 and offers unlimited visits, two Bring-a-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. For just $55 more, guests can opt for the Dollywood Gold Season Pass. The Gold Pass, which is priced $30 less than a 2021 Gold Season Pass, represents a tremendous value for guests thanks to unlimited visits, Saturday Early Ride Time for the passholder, four Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, and discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging. In addition, the Gold Pass provides free parking, a one-day unlimited refill mug per pass, various other discounts and access to special “Golden Events,” exclusive events just for Gold and Diamond passholders. Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.
The new Diamond Season Pass provides a premium experience for guests. Diamond passholders receive six Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, larger discounts, an all-season unlimited refill mug per pass and a free one-time preferred parking admission per pass. Diamond passholders also receive many of the other perks assigned to both Gold and Silver passes. In addition, Diamond Season Passes provide the passholder unlimited access to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Gold and Diamond Pass Holders can also take advantage of another exciting new perk created for the 2022 season, Dollywood’s new daily “Golden Hours.” During the first hour of each operating day, Gold and Diamond Season Passes will operate just like TimeSaver passes, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions. Passes for 2022 are on sale now.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2022 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app. Dollywood’s 2021 season concludes with Smoky Mountain Christmas, which begins Saturday (Nov. 6).
