Christmas came early for Dolly in 2013 as she filmed part of the Lifetime movie "A Country Christmas Story" at Dollywood. The movie highlights the story of a young bi-racial girl following in her father’s footsteps to become a musician as she participates in a singing contest held at Dollywood. Dolly wrote some of the songs featured in the movie and said,
“It’s a sweet original movie, and I like just being able to play my music, be part of whatever I’m doing. I did write some of the music for this little show. And I enjoy getting to act a little bit. It’s just fun. I do different stuff.”
The story reunites a family--Grace, her grandmother Sarah (Mary Kay Place), her estranged musician father Danny (Brian McNight) and her mother Jenny (Megyn Price)--through music and showcases some of the musical history of African-American contributions to country music. Dolly plays herself as the emcee and host of the singing contest at Dollywood. She also wrote two original songs-- "Fiddlin' Around" and "Miss You, Miss Me" --which are performed in the movie.
Dolly recorded "Miss You, Miss Me" on her 42nd studio album, "Blue Smoke."
Dolly made history in Dollywood's 2013 Smoky Mountain Christmas festival when she appeared in "Dollywood's A Christmas Carol" as a hologram.
She stars in the ground-breaking show as the Ghost of Christmas Past, with a flair only Dolly can bring to the stage, thanks to a cutting-edge hologram technology. Dolly was excited about the opportunity but joked,
“I’m not sure this world can handle two Dolly Partons, but I’m excited folks will be able to see ‘the other Dolly’ reminding families that it’s not what you have but who you have, just like ole Scrooge figures out in the end.”
Dolly announced a 10-year $300 million investment plan at her Dollywood theme park which includes the addition of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, located just a stone’s throw from her Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark. She explained that,
“I’ve always been a big dreamer, just like I’ve always wanted to do more for my home here in these beautiful Smoky Mountains… This is where I nurtured my heart’s dreams, and I want to share more of them. My plans for the next 10 years are to expand my Dollywood properties to offer more opportunities to play together and grow closer while folks make their best memories. It’s truly the culmination of this country girl’s wildest dreams.”
The 307-room resort is inspired by Dolly’s Smoky Mountains upbringing, including expansive front porches, farmhouse-style restaurant, rocking chairs, storytelling spots, and fire pits for roasting marshmallows. The resort is located near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country’s most visited.
On Aug. 21, 2013, Dolly announced Dollywood's 2014 addition would be FireChaser Express, the nation’s first dual-launch, forward and backward, family coaster.
“FireChaser Express celebrates our heroes—firefighters—and it reminds the rest of us that we can all be heroes if we’ll just step up and help others, whether it’s in a small way or a big way,”
Dolly said.
With a height requirement of 39 inches, FireChaser Express can be enjoyed by adults and children together, all while honoring firefighters who keep us safe every day.
Dollywood - and the idea of a resort - is a dream Dolly shared with Barbara Walters before the opening of her Dollywood theme park. On Aug. 21, 2013, Dolly announced the biggest expansion in Dollywood history—and the culmination of a personal dream of hers, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Dolly adds her personal touch to the details of the 307-room resort, including making it a place where families can relax together. The resort features several different room types including Dolly’s Dream Suite, her personal suite where guests can stay while she is away. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort also features a farmhouse-style restaurant, spa/salon, indoor and outdoor pools, storytelling spots and more.
