For Dollywood guests there’s more in store in ’24, including a busy operating calendar that brings even more fun to the Great Smoky Mountains. In addition to being able to enjoy the largest number of days ever during a season at Dollywood, guests also will be welcomed by the brand-new Dolly Parton Experience beginning in May 2024.
With so many more days in 2024, guests should definitely consider a season pass to the park named as the world’s best during the 2023 Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards. Dollywood opens to season passholders on Friday, March 8, the earliest the park has opened in its history. The park’s 39th season offers 280 operating days, 23 more than in 2023. The park opens at 10 a.m. every operating day through the Harvest Festival, while the fun begins at 11 a.m. each day during Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Several new projects are set to delight guests during the 2024 season. In May, the Dolly Parton Experience is slated to open with a number of interactive elements to make guests feel as if they were alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world. The entire Adventures in Imagination area transforms to create the Dolly Parton Experience. Housed in multiple buildings, the multi-faceted experience includes exhibits which span her iconic career, a look at the inspiration for and results of her biggest dreams, the importance of her family, and even a curated exhibit that highlights Dolly’s signature style through the years. The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests more Dolly than ever, as it is three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum.
Lightning strikes twice next spring when Lightning Rod debuts with a new, high-speed chain lift that will provide guests with a more consistent and efficient ride experience. Lightning Rod closes for the season on Oct. 30 to allow crews the opportunity to add the new lift. Despite the removal of the launch system, once the coaster trains reach the first drop, the ride experience remains identical to the current format revered by coaster enthusiasts around the world.
Operating teams are working hard to maximize festival operating windows during 2024, with many featuring extended dates compared to 2023. The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival. After rave reviews from guests in 2023, park officials opted for a return of the event, adding new entertainment elements every Dolly fan will love. Guests can experience an updated version of the well-loved Paradise Road; a new show called Trio to celebrate the album of the same name which featured Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt; as well as an interactive singalong show that features some of Dolly’s biggest hits. The I Will Always Love You Music Festival takes place March 9-April 14, kicking off the season with a festive event commemorating the art of songwriting and the stories behind the songs.
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19-June 9) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests as they make their way through more than half-a-million 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 Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-August 11) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every night. Another favorite, the "Gazillion Bubble Show,” returns to mesmerize guests in DP’s Celebrity Theater.
A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9- Oct. 28) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans, and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.
The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 5)—concludes the park’s 2024 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
The excitement doesn’t stop at Dollywood, however, as the company’s resort properties also gear up for a big 2024. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort opens this month, making 2024 its first full season of operation. Additionally, a significant reinvestment into Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa allows a number of fresh touches and enhancements which will allow the award-winning property to maintain its position as one of the top theme park resorts in the world.
With so much more in ’24, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all of the fun! Three season pass levels—Diamond, Gold and Silver—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2019 or 2020. Guests who have a 2023 season pass are eligible to renew their pass for the 2024 season now through Oct. 29 with exclusive pricing and benefits. On Oct. 30, season passes go on sale to the general public.
Dollywood Diamond Season Passes provide a premium experience for guests. In addition to admission all season long, Diamond passholders receive Saturday Early Ride Time, four Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, free general parking, the largest discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging, an all-season unlimited refill mug per pass, as well as discounts on TimeSaver passes, VIP tours and preferred parking. In addition, Diamond Season Passes provide the passholder season access to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
The Gold Pass represents a tremendous value for guests thanks to Saturday Early Ride Time for the passholder, two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, free general parking, a one-day unlimited refill mug per pass, as well as discounts on dining, merchandise, and lodging. Both Diamond and Gold passholders also receive access to special “Golden Events,” exclusive events and activities just for them. Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.
Gold and Diamond passholders also can take advantage of another great perk, daily “Golden Hours.” During the first hour of every operating day, Gold and Diamond Season Passes operate just like TimeSaver passes, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions including Big Bear Mountain, winner of the Golden Ticket Award for Best Family Coaster.
Silver Season Passes also are available and include two Bring-a-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-a-Friend Free tickets. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2024 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is opening its doors to guests a few days early. Sneak preview days now begin Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, ahead of the official grand opening on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. The spectacular HeartSong Lodge & Resort marks the second world-class resort created by Dollywood Parks & Resorts and Dolly Parton.
To celebrate the lodge’s first weeks of operation, Dollywood Parks & Resorts is offering guests the opportunity to book the Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort Sneak Preview Package. This offer includes one one-day admission to Dollywood and one Harvest Tasting Pass when guests book their stays for Oct. 12-Oct. 30 at HeartSong Lodge & Resort. This special offer is available now by visiting Dollywood.com/heartsong or calling 1-800-Dollywood.
The exquisite details that create HeartSong Lodge & Resort’s unique atmosphere are no longer renderings but reality. The resort’s remarkable four-story fireplace and stunning four-story lantern-inspired windows are in place to welcome guests into the grand atrium as they arrive. Inside the guest rooms, no small detail is left untouched. The Smokies come to life in each room with imaginative murals while the color pallets showcase the rich natural beauty of the resort’s picturesque surroundings.
For one-of-a-kind getaways, the five-story resort features themed suites and loft rooms tucked into the dormers. Many of the rooms include balconies, which provide sweeping views of the vast resort property. This Smoky Mountain lodge features epic indoor and outdoor pools that provide guests a refreshing escape in all seasons, and a picture-perfect outdoor cove with family gathering spaces. These gathering places include a large communal fire feature, a wood-burning fire pit where guests can enjoy complimentary marshmallow roasting each evening, a space for stories from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, two event lawns, several areas for live entertainment and more.
With 26,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, the property can accommodate gatherings for several hundred guests. From the two-story HeartSong Event Center to spacious outdoor meeting spaces and event lawn, the resort offers numerous options to provide a unique and inspiring setting for groups.
More information regarding Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort can be found by visiting Dollywood.com/heartsong or calling 1-800-Dollywood, option 3.
As summer slips away, the days get shorter and the air gets crisper, giving us the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf and welcome the fresh energy that comes with fall. As a true lover of all things autumn, Dolly shares what makes this one of her most favorite times of the year.
“Fall has always had a special place in my heart,” Dolly shared. “It’s like the world is putting on a show with all those colorful leaves. It’s a time when everything’s changing…and that reminds all of us that a little bit of change can be beautiful.”
This fall, Dolly is not only enjoying the beauty of the season, but she’s been busy making new music and reaching new milestones, imparting an air of excitement into the autumn months that lie ahead.
This year, Dollywood took top honors at the Golden Ticket Awards by claiming the award for Best Park, following several years’ worth of recognition of Dollywood’s top status within the theme park industry. Dolly Parton was also personally recognized with the prestigious Industry Legends Golden Ticket Award. Dollywood received finalist placement in ten total categories and achieved a record-breaking five Golden Ticket Awards, securing its place as the world’s most-honored theme park.
Dollywood welcomes guests to celebrate the splendor of autumn during their annual Harvest Festival, happening September 20 – October 30. The popular event, which includes the family-friendly Great Pumpkin LumiNights, features all of the fun, flavorful food and award-winning entertainment that make this a must-see experience for your family this fall!
Take the reins this fall and experience an unforgettable autumn adventure at Dolly Parton’s Stampede! With locations in both Branson, MO and Pigeon Forge, TN, there’s no better place to celebrate the fall season. Enjoy thrilling horse riding stunts, stunning musical productions, breathtaking aerial performances, and a delicious four-course feast when you visit this family-friendly, world-class dinner attraction.
For an unforgettable autumn adventure, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show is the place to be this fall. This popular dinner attraction has locations in Pigeon Forge, TN and Myrtle Beach, SC, taking guests on an epic pirate journey featuring high seas escapades and romance, complemented with a hearty four- course pirate feast.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library enters the fall season with over 200 Million Reasons to Celebrate, having now gifted over 218 million books to children across the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. With the significant achievement of full statewide coverage in Kansas and Washington and the rollout of new statewide programs in Alabama and Indiana, they’re expanding access to free books, inspiring children everywhere to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
Dolly’s latest single and music video from her upcoming Rockstar album is now available. A stirring rendition of the ‘90s hit, “What’s Up?” features the song’s writer and lead singer, Linda Perry. In this song about the at-times, overwhelming pressures of the world around us and the need for release, Dolly’s angelic and hopeful voice ushers in a sense of promise for a better tomorrow.
PRE-ORDER THE "ROCKSTAR" ALBUM – AVAILABLE NOV 17
Dolly was joined by fellow musical titans Paul McCartney (vocals/piano), Ringo Starr (drums), Peter Frampton (guitar) and Mick Fleetwood (additional percussion) to create an iconic rendition of the classic Beatles hit, “Let It Be,” for her upcoming Rockstar album.
Dolly collaborated with NBCUniversal on the video for her new song “We Are The Champions/We Will Rock You,” which will be used to promote NBCUniversal’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris that begin in summer 2024. A huge fan of the Olympics and Team USA, Dolly aligned with NBCU to produce an Olympic-themed video that celebrates the athletes and gets people excited about next year’s Games in Paris.
For the first time, Dolly’s taking to Pinterest to give Pinners an insider’s look into her story, style and inspiration, from past to present. Like her beloved “Coat of Many Colors,” a lifetime of moments are weaved together, across a colorway of boards, Pin-by-Pin, to showcase “Dollycore” like never before on her Official Pinterest Profile.
Autumn invites us to embrace its soothing sounds, from the gentle rustle of leaves to the rhythmic patter of rain. Take a moment to step outside and allow these simple melodies to serenade your soul. Within the serenity of these moments, you’ll discover the profound beauty of fall.
I can hear the wind go whistling through the treetops
I hear raindrops falling softly to the ground
In the distance I can hear the roar of thunder
Seems there’s sounds of nature all around
Sounds of nature fill the air with music
How I love and cherish every sound
I often kneel in prayer to thank the Master
For the sounds of nature all around
Love,
With the evening air of the Smokies developing a refreshingly crisp coolness, the time is perfect for Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 20- Oct. 30). A longstanding tradition for many, the Harvest Festival greets guests with an amazing autumn atmosphere, thanks to stunning park décor and the surrounding beauty of the mountainsides draped in vibrant fall colors.
“I wrote a song several years ago called ‘God’s Coloring Book,’” Dolly said, “and there’s no doubt that the Smokies—especially in the fall—display so many of those beautiful pages for everyone to admire. The mountains transform and just become so alive with all the different colors that you want to be outside enjoying the power and beauty of nature. I’m so glad we’re able to share that with all of the guests who come visit Dollywood during this special time of year.
"I truly believe Dollywood is the most beautiful theme park in the whole world because it’s built right here in the middle of God’s Coloring Book”
During the day, guests can experience immersive live music, rich harvest-themed culinary creations, and picture-perfect photo ops with more than 12,000 pumpkins throughout the park. By night, the pumpkins come to life thanks to Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. A family-favorite since its inception, the event grows again this year with a “bee-utiful” new display located in Craftsman’s Valley. Guests will be buzzing for the new display located near Hug-a-Bee Honey, the interactive honey bee exhibit which debuted during this season’s Flower & Food Festival.
The bees are not the only ones creating something sweet during the Harvest Festival. Guests are greeted by the comforting smells of sweet pumpkin treats and warm apple cider created by the park’s award-winning culinary team. Delicious fall favorites include a pulled pork sandwich with pumpkin spice BBQ sauce, three bean pumpkin chili, salted maple potato tornado, toasted pumpkin sausage and ricotta flatbread, and spiced pumpkin bisque with toasted pepitas.
A deep-seated tradition in the Great Smoky Mountains, live music is at the heart and soul of fall at Dollywood with Southern gospel, bluegrass and country artists found performing throughout the park. Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Jeannie Seely, Emily Ann Roberts, Dailey and Vincent, Triumphant Quartet, Hannah Dasher and The Isaacs are just a few of the performers set to take the stage at Dollywood.
Performances take place on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the park, allowing the beautiful sounds to echo through the surrounding hillsides and create a highly-engaging entertainment offering. More than 1700 individual performances take place during the festival. A complete schedule can be found on Dollywood.com.
Also new this year, guests will find thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Harvest Sky serves as a striking photo backdrop as soon as people step into the park. Hoot Owl Hollow—which debuted last season—returns this year, while other displays have been refreshed or relocated within new areas of the park, extending the footprint of Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
Several other guest favorites return to the Harvest Festival, including the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each—which come from growers across the East Coast. The combined weight of all the colossal pumpkins totals more than 19,200 lbs.! Visiting artisans and makers display their handmade wares at locations throughout Dollywood, with many demonstrating the talented skills and techniques used to create their one-of-a-kind treasures.
The Harvest Festival fun also is celebrated at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa with themed activities and harvest décor planned throughout the resort’s property.
Guests can enjoy live entertainment in the resort’s atrium every Tuesday and Thursday night including performances by Maggie & Owen, Lonesome Roses, Tommy Cox and more. Daily roaming performers also can be found throughout the resort.
The resort’s culinary team is cooking up seasonal dining experiences. In The Lounge, guests can feast upon delicious Harvest-themed food and beverage options with a special Harvest Festival Menu. In The Spa at DreamMore Resort, guests can relax with special treatments infused with honey, pumpkin and vanilla that are reminiscent of harvest in the Smoky Mountains.
With so many opportunities for creating vibrant new family traditions, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a must-see experience this season.
Dollywood is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. each day of operation (Sept. 20- Oct. 30) during the Harvest Festival. The park is closed on Tuesdays throughout the festival. For more information and the park operating calendar, visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
Photo Feature – Brothers Pete (Left) and Jack Herschend and Dolly Parton stand on stage after the trio were named 2023 Golden Ticket Legends during the annual Golden Ticket Awards ceremony on Sept. 9. The Herschends’ partnership with Parton led to the creation of Dollywood theme park, which opened on May 3, 1986.
Dollywood guests were surprised as Dolly Parton arrived onstage during the 25th annual Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today, held at Dollywood’s Showstreet Palace Theater on Saturday, September 9. Not only did Dolly receive her own award during the event, her namesake park earned a record five Golden Ticket Awards.
“We’re so proud to have the Golden Ticket Awards here at Dollywood this year,” Dolly said. “This award ceremony is so very special and I think Dollywood is special too, so I think it’s great we were able to host the event here. We don’t do what we do to earn awards, but we’re not going to turn them down either,” she added with a laugh. “Seriously though, our teams work hard to make sure our guests enjoy their time at Dollywood, and these awards honoring what they do sure make me happy because they are getting the recognition they deserve.
“I think the Smoky Mountains are one of the most beautiful places in the whole world, so I hope more people will come visit Dollywood and the Smokies to see what makes this one of those places that I believe you can’t match anywhere else!”
Dolly Parton and Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton pose for photos after winning the Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park during the annual Golden Ticket Awards ceremony held at Dollywood on Sept. 9, 2023.
Dolly Parton and Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton pose for photos after winning the Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park during the annual Golden Ticket Awards ceremony held at Dollywood on Sept. 9, 2023.
Dolly, along with her business partners Jack and Peter Herschend, were honored with the Industry Legends Golden Ticket Award. It was the unique partnership between Dolly and Herschend Family Entertainment that created Dollywood from the former Silver Dollar City Tennessee theme park in the mid-1980s. The park opened as Dollywood on May 3, 1986, and doubled its attendance in its first season of operation.
Dollywood received finalist placement in ten total categories and won more Golden Ticket awards than any other park in the world. The awards ceremony takes place at a different theme park each year, with Dollywood last hosting in 2012.
Dollywood took top honors at the Golden Ticket Awards by claiming the award for Best Park, an award held the last eight years by Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. The impressive designation follows several years’ worth of recognition of Dollywood’s top status within the theme park industry. The Best Park award is significant because it continues to reinforce what Dollywood guests have been saying for some time; that the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park is considered one of the top family vacation destinations in the country and, perhaps now, the world.
Dollywood continued its clean sweep of the Best Guest Experience category, which was first created in 2019. This marks the fourth-consecutive Best Guest Experience award for Dollywood. Golden Tickets were not awarded in 2020. The Best Guest Experience award combines several attributes—including friendliness, cleanliness and value—into the judging criteria for the award. Dollywood is the only park to ever win the award, a nod to its friendly and welcoming hosts, as well as its clean appearance and overall atmosphere.
Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove also earned its fourth consecutive award for Best Kids’ Area. The park first won this award in 2019 after that season’s opening of the expansive new area. Wildwood Grove cemented its status for the award this year thanks to the addition of the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster which opened this May. The new ride—manufactured by Vekoma—is nearly 4,000 ft. long and the longest roller coaster at Dollywood. With three launches, on-board audio, plenty of air time and a number of thrilling moments, it has quickly become considered one of the best new coasters in the world.
With its new-found fame among Dollywood guests, Big Bear Mountain appropriately earned the newly-created Golden Ticket Award for Best Family Coaster. Guests who have experienced the new ride have applauded its unique attributes, impressive ride length and immersive theming. In voting for the category, Big Bear Mountain was essentially a shoo-in for the inaugural award.
One of the park’s stalwart events, Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, earned its 15th consecutive win for Best Christmas Event. Dollywood remains undefeated in the Christmas category due to the effort of the park’s hard-working hosts who plan for the iconic event year-round. Dollywood’s Christmas festival is so prevalent that it has been showcased in several movies, including Hallmark’s Christmas at Dollywood and last year’s Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas which is now nominated for two Emmy awards.
Due in large part to its idyllic location in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood earned the runner-up position for Most Beautiful Park, while the park’s creative and talented culinary team took home a second-place finish for Best Food thanks to their varied and extensive menus of high-quality items. The park also finished third in the Best New Coaster category for Big Bear Mountain, and Dollywood’s thrilling Thunderhead remained ranked in the Best Wooden Roller Coaster category, finishing as the fourth best wooden coaster in the world. Big Bear Mountain earned a fifth-place finish in the award for Best New Attraction Installation.
Eugene Naughton, President of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, says the record number of awards, including the nod for Best Park in the world, truly shows why Dollywood has become the rising star of the theme park industry.
“I first have to thank Amusement Today and our staff for the effort that went into hosting this year’s Golden Ticket Awards here at Dollywood,” Naughton said. “These awards are helpful for us to understand where we rank in comparison to our peers because those with voting rights represent some of the most knowledgeable and experienced professionals and enthusiasts within the industry."
“We have spent a lot of effort the last several years focused on our guest and host experience. We want everyone who comes through our turnstiles to have an experience which provides them with happy memories for years to come. We’ve also been very thoughtful with the attractions, entertainment offerings and culinary creations we provide to our guests every single day. I’m very happy to see the results of our hard work recognized by the Golden Ticket voters. But you know what all this means? We have to go back to work coming up with new ideas and innovations to continue pushing us forward. It is an exciting time in this industry and I want to see us remain at the forefront.”
Tim Baldwin, Communications Coordinator for Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, explained why Dollywood continues to rack up more wins than any other park in the world.
“It is a stellar year for Dollywood — its best performance yet,” Baldwin said. “As a finalist in nine categories and taking a record five Golden Tickets, the park has accomplished something notably amazing. For them to unseat the long-time winner for Best Park has to be exciting for everyone involved there. Like its predecessor, Dollywood slowly climbed the ranks over the last ten years and has finally nudged itself up from the second-place position. The expansion of Wildwood Grove with the addition of Big Bear Mountain has paid off. The park knows its audience, and it continues to make forward-thinking decisions that guests love.”
“Each time I enter the park, I am immersed in a sense of welcome,” added Baldwin. “The food, the music, the rides, the atmosphere — there is a heart to it. You can tell it starts at the top. Just as Dolly likes to treat people with kindness and love, Dollywood exudes a sense of happiness. It makes you want to come back. This is why Dollywood has grown exponentially from a regional destination to a national one — and beyond.”
Calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today, the industry’s leading trade publication, the Golden Ticket Awards are the results of a detailed survey sent to a database of hundreds of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans, industry journalists and ride manufacturers around the world in balanced geographical regions. Voters are asked to rate the “best” in a number of categories such as best parks, roller coasters, water rides, food and more. The pool of eligible voters changes every year to ensure the same votes are not cast each season.
The Golden Ticket Awards are the most sought-after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. The awards have become the subject of much discussion by park aficionados the world over and have garnered mentions in such notable media outlets as USA Today and the Chicago Tribune, and by the late radio newsman Paul Harvey. The awards also were the topic of a one-hour Travel Channel documentary.
With two great festivals ahead this year, there’s plenty of fun still to have during Dollywood’s 2023 operating season. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health takes place Sept. 20- Oct. 30, while Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana—now the 15-time winner of Best Christmas Event—is slated for Nov. 4- Jan. 6.
For more information about Dollywood, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood App.
