The sun is shining, the days are longer, and summer is officially in full swing! As a true lover of all things summer, Dolly embraces the joy, warmth and freedom that this time of year brings.
“Summer is when everything comes alive,” Dolly says. “It’s a time to let loose, have fun and create unforgettable memories.”
This summer, Dolly is not only enjoying the simple pleasures of the season, she’s been busy making headlines with her latest projects and achievements, giving everyone even more reason to celebrate alongside her as she continues to soar to new heights.
Dolly joined forces with some of Rock music’s most legendary artists, along with today’s biggest stars, for her first-ever Rock album, Rockstar. Inspired by her 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly teamed up with an all-star roster of musicians for the 30-song collection, which includes 9 original tracks and 21 iconic rock anthems. Releasing November 17, 2023, Rockstar is now available for pre-order and will also be available as a 4 LP set, 2 CD set, digital download and for streaming on all digital service platforms.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library opens a new chapter this summer as they celebrate a huge milestone in early childhood literacy, surpassing 200 million books gifted globally since 1995, thanks to over 2,800 local affiliates around the world who are dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children. With the rollout of new statewide programs in California and Montana, they’re expanding access to free books, inspiring children everywhere to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More!
Stampede into summer fun at the world’s most visited dinner attraction, Dolly Parton’s Stampede. With locations in Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN, get ready for friendly competition, thrilling horse riding stunts, phenomenal musical productions and more — not to mention a delicious four-course feast!
Are you ready to spend your summer on a swashbuckling adventure? Visit Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Myrtle Beach, SC, or Pigeon Forge, TN. Both locations take guests on an epic pirate journey featuring high seas escapades and romance, complemented with a hearty four- course pirate feast.
Experience the ultimate summer adventure at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 17 – Aug. 6). With thrilling rides, captivating shows and the new Big Bear Mountain attraction, this summer will be unforgettable. Enjoy the mesmerizing “Sweet Summer Nights” with dazzling drones and fireworks, interactive water shows, bubble-filled fun, live entertainment and delicious seasonal treats. With extended park hours, guests can make memories until 9:30 p.m. and stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa for a complete summer getaway.
Nestled adjacent to Dollywood theme park, there is no better way to spend the hotter, longer days than at Dollywood’s Splash Country. East Tennessee’s friendliest water park is now open for its 23rd season until September 10, with more shade, more food and more opportunities to make a splash all summer long.
Bookings have begun for Dollywood’s newest resort property, the much-anticipated HeartSong Lodge & Resort, where guests can start making reservations for stays this fall. The earliest available stay date is November 3, 2023. Created with the same award-winning service and attention to detail made famous at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, HeartSong Lodge & Resort adds to the welcoming hospitality offerings guests have come to expect when visiting Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
Dolly keeps making waves with her upcoming Rockstar album, releasing on November 17. Witness Dolly’s rock star dominance as “Bygones” (ft. Rob Halford) with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5 becomes her 2nd consecutive #1 self-penned rock song on the Classic Rock Songs chart, following the smash hit “World On Fire,” as seen in her electrifying performance at the ACM Awards! Plus, don’t miss “Magic Man (Carl Version)” (ft. Ann Wilson) with special guest Howard Leese. Get ready for rock and roll magic!
In a thrilling new collaboration, Dolly joins forces with fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Slash and talented Chris Janson in their latest song, “21 Forever.” The soaring track is now available to stream, from Chris Jansen’s album The Outlaw Side of Me.
As we savor the sun-kissed days and embrace the carefree spirit of summer, let’s celebrate the happy moments, big and small, that make this season so wonderful.
Sittin’ on the front porch on a summer afternoon
In a straightback chair on two legs, leaned against the wall
Watch the kids a playin’ with June bugs on a string
And chase the glowin’ fireflies when evening shadows fall
In my Tennessee mountain home
Life is as peaceful as a baby’s sigh
In my Tennessee mountain home
Crickets sing in the fields near by
Love,
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 hiring events in full swing and great opportunities available for the 2022 season, another national publication has named Dollywood Parks & Resorts as one of America’s Best Employers. Forbes has placed Dollywood on its list of America’s Best Midsize Employers for the second year in a row. The recognition comes on the heels of Dollywood’s recent inclusion on the Top Workplaces 2022 list.
With a caring culture and ample benefits, as well as additional company growth and unparalleled opportunities on the horizon, Dollywood employees, also known as hosts, understand firsthand why the company has received so much positive attention as an employer.
“I can’t describe how honored we are for the awards we have earned recently. Being recognized regionally is amazing, but to be named to multiple national lists truly is humbling for us,” said Tim Berry, Vice President of Human Resources and a 37-year employee himself. “We really are a large family and—for many of our hosts—that is what sets us apart. We are constantly working to improve as an employer by finding new benefits and opportunities that make our working family stronger.”
“This season we are introducing a new program which provides free lunch to employees during every working shift,” Berry continued. “Last year, we announced an initiative to help our hosts find childcare through our partners at WeeCare and help subsidize a portion of those costs. Herschend Entertainment, our operating partners, announced a new program entitled GROW U. on Tuesday, which will pay tuition across 100 diploma, degree and certificate programs as part of the Guild Education Learning Marketplace. Our success starts with our hosts, so we work hard to make them feel cared for and appreciated every day. We know if they feel that way they will pass that same feeling on to our guests.”
Dollywood was represented well among the 500 companies on Forbes’ list of the best midsize employers. The list includes companies across 25 industry sectors, with only 12 companies on the list in the “Travel & Leisure” category, of which Dollywood was included. Among those companies, Dollywood ranked number 141 on the list and was the only theme park on the midsize list.
Among the companies in the Travel & Leisure sector on the list are World Travel Holdings (93), Drury Hotels (106), Potawatomi Hotel & Casino (213) and Choice Hotels (344). Among the Top 50 companies across all industry sectors on the list are Vera Bradley (1), FICO (2), Penguin Random House (4), Caltech (7), Briggs & Stratton (11), Atmos Energy (18), DocuSign (23), Johnsonville (25), Build-A-Bear Workshop (28), L.L. Bean (35), ESPN (40) and Scholastic (41).
According to Statista, the firm that administers the best employers survey on behalf of Forbes, an independent survey was taken by nearly 60,000 Americans who work for companies with more than 1,000 workers. In total 1,000 employers were recognized across the 25 sectors. The 1,000 companies are divided into 500 large (more than 5,000 U.S. employees) and 500 midsize (1,000 to 5,000 employees) employers. The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from respondents in an anonymous survey who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employer to friends and family. Their evaluations also included other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively.
Pointing to Dollywood host job satisfaction, the Pigeon Forge park has long been voted as the friendliest theme park in the world. Dollywood is also the only park to win the Golden Ticket Award for Best Guest Experience, which factors friendliness of employees into its criteria. The prestigious Golden Ticket Awards are given annually by industry publication Amusement Today. This recognition is the gold standard for theme parks worldwide.
Positions are available at each of The Dollywood Company’s properties and are posted at Dollywoodjobs.com. An upcoming hiring event is slated for Sevier County High School on Saturday, February 26, happening from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Most event attendees are hired on the spot with a position for the 2022 season at either Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country or Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Positions are available for the entire length of the 2022 operating season, as well as shorter peak season openings, which are perfect for applicants looking for a fun summer position or for those looking to earn a little extra money during the Christmas holidays. Applicants must be 14 years of age or older.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts hosts receive a variety of unique benefits, including access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, along with complimentary Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Hosts are provided free meals for every working shift and also take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to a large number of regional attractions, theaters and experiences. Dollywood also pays a portion of childcare costs for hosts whose children are cared for at a WeeCare-affiliated provider. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision, is available for qualified full-time employees.
Additionally, through Dollywood’s operating partner Herschend Enterprises’ GROW U. program, all hosts are eligible for 100 fully-funded diploma, degree and certificate programs across 30 learning partners within Guild Education’s Learning Marketplace. Herschend’s GROW U. utilizes Guild’s Marketplace to offer classes in high-demand fields such as business administration, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. The company will also provide partial funding for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design.
In addition to the long list of employee benefits, there are numerous development opportunities available to help employees grow leadership skills, including an apprenticeship program in conjunction with Walters State Community College.
For more information about working at Dollywood Parks & Resorts, please visit dollywoodjobs.com.
Officials with Dollywood Parks & Resorts announced today that the company will cover 100% of tuition, fees and books for any employee who chooses to pursue further education.
The significant investment in employee education will be made possible by Herschend’s GROW U., a new program piloted by Herschend Enterprises, Dolly Parton’s operating partner in Dollywood. The program makes it exponentially easier for employees, known at Dollywood as hosts, to pursue their personal and professional dreams through education. The program officially launches February 24 for all seasonal, part-time and full-time employees at Dollywood Parks & Resorts. Hosts can enroll in the program on their first day of employment. Eugene Naughton, President of The Dollywood Company, said,
“Our goal at Dollywood Parks and Resorts is to provide the best possible experience for both our guests and our hosts. We know when our hosts are happy and feel cared for that they are going to pass that along to our guests. The creation of the program allows another avenue for us to care for our hosts.
“One of The Dollywood Foundation’s key tenets is to ‘learn more,’” Naughton continued. “This program is created with that very tenet in mind. We want our hosts to develop themselves through advanced learning to fulfill the foundation’s other tenets: care more, dream more and be more. When our hosts strive to grow themselves, it makes our business and our community a truly better place. We care about our hosts’ development and we want their future to grow because of love—not loans.”
Herschend’s GROW U. offers eligible seasonal, part-time and full-time hosts more than 100 fully-funded (100% free) diploma, degree and certificate programs across 30 learning partners, including programs in high-demand fields, such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. The company will also provide partial funding, up to $5,250 per year, for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design.
“Herschend’s GROW U. is not only a significant and transformational investment in our employee’s growth, but also our love culture in action,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend Enterprises. “Herschend is rooted in love – it’s evident at every Herschend property, every day – in the way we treat and support each other, how we Create Memories Worth Repeating for guests, and most importantly, how we care for our employees.”
Guild Education, the nation’s leading education and upskilling platform, powers the program. Guild was selected because of their strong reputation for connecting employers and high-value learning providers to create opportunities for America’s workforce. Dollywood Parks & Resorts hosts will have access to Guild’s proprietary Learning Marketplace to select from more than 30 learning providers and utilize resources like professional coaches to support their educational journey.
For anyone looking to take advantage of the opportunity, as well as the other unparalleled benefits Herschend and The Dollywood Company provides, positions are available at each of the company’s properties and are posted at Dollywoodjobs.com. Upcoming hiring events are slated for Seymour Heights Christian Church (Saturday, February 19) and Sevier County High School (Saturday, February 26). Both hiring events take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Most event attendees are hired on the spot, with a position for the 2022 season at either Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country or Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts hosts receive a variety of unique benefits, including access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, along with complimentary Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Hosts are provided free meals for every working shift and also take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to a large number of regional attractions, theaters and experiences. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision, is available for qualified full-time employees.
Dollywood also pays a portion of childcare costs for hosts whose children are cared for at a WeeCare-affiliated provider. Additionally, numerous development opportunities are available to help employees develop leadership skills, including an apprenticeship program in conjunction with Walters State Community College.
For more information about working at Dollywood Parks & Resorts, please visit dollywoodjobs.com.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts is gearing up for an exciting 2022 season by hosting a number of hiring events over the coming weeks. Competitive wages, several exciting new perks—including free lunch for all employees—and more add to the reasons why The Dollywood Company is the perfect fit for anyone seeking employment, regardless of their career aspirations, due to the varied positions available.
From part-time positions for students to full-time careers with ample chances for advancement, and everything in between, working at Dollywood may very well become a lifetime home for those looking for something that provides a fun and exciting work environment. Positions are available at each of the company’s properties, with most event attendees being hired on the spot in a position for the 2022 season at either Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country or Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Available positions are posted at Dollywoodjobs.com, with more being posted as the season nears. The first major hiring event of 2022 takes place Saturday, January 29, at Sevier County High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional hiring events take place at Jefferson County High School (Saturday, February 5), Seymour Heights Christian Church (Saturday, February 19) and Sevier County High School (Saturday, February 26). All hiring events take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to attend the earliest hiring event possible for the largest selection of available opportunities.
Positions are available for the entire length of the 2022 operating season, as well as for shorter peak season openings, which are perfect for applicants looking for a fun summer position or for those looking to earn a little extra money during the Christmas holidays. Applicants must be 14 years of age or older.
Positions are available on several teams, including Dollywood’s award-winning culinary and merchandise teams and the park operations team, which includes ticketing, transportation, house and grounds and more. Among the openings at Dollywood’s Splash Country are house and grounds, lifeguards and culinary services positions. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa also has a number of openings available, including food and beverage, front desk, bell/valet and housekeeping positions.
Interested applicants may view opportunities, as well as job descriptions and basic requirements for each position, at dollywoodjobs.com. Applicants can indicate their interest in a position by following the online instructions to complete the application process. Technical support will be available on-site at the hiring events to assist applicants.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts plans to host a number of hiring events throughout the season to give potential employees an opportunity to attend at the time that best suits their individual needs. Additionally, new job opportunities are posted throughout the year at dollywoodjobs.com.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts employees receive a variety of unique benefits, including access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, along with complimentary Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Employees also take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to a large number of regional attractions, theaters and experiences. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision is available for qualified full-time employees. Dollywood also pays a portion of childcare costs for hosts whose children are cared for at a WeeCare-affiliated provider. Numerous development opportunities are also available to help employees develop leadership skills, including an apprenticeship program in conjunction with Walters State Community College. New this season, employees can enjoy a free lunch every working day.
In 2021, Forbes named The Dollywood Company as one of the best employers in the country, according to a ranking on their website. Dollywood was represented well among the 500 companies on Forbes’ list of the best midsize employers. The list includes companies across 25 industry sectors, with only 20 companies on the list in the “Travel & Leisure” category, of which Dollywood was included. Among those companies, Dollywood ranked sixth and was the only theme park on the midsize list.
For more information about available positions, please visit dollywoodjobs.com.
