World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, vendors and prizes offered at Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Safety Day

Join Dollywood’s Splash Country and LeConte Medical Center for Water Safety Day 2021! Last summer, tens of thousands of children in the Sevier County community missed the opportunity to participate in formal swimming lessons, creating an urgent need for water safety education in 2021.

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4, and it’s the second leading cause of injury-related death of children 14 and younger. Participation in swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88 percent! Dollywood’s Splash Country is committed to helping bridge the gap to prevent drowning.

This year, swim instructors and community leaders will come together Thursday, June 17, to provide a free 30-minute lesson in the morning and offer education throughout the day. Area partners LeConte Medical Center, The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, WVLT Local 8 News and WIVK 107.7 join Splash Country to host the event.

“Dollywood’s Splash Country is committed to doing our part to educate and raise awareness about water safety,” explained Jason Boothe, Vice President of Park Operations. “In fact, we’re offering a $25 ticket and giveaways to incentivize people to join us for the swim lesson at 10 a.m. Research shows that swimming lessons save lives, so we’re inviting the community to join us as we host the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.”

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) is a one-day event that happens at pools and water parks around the world. Dollywood’s Splash Country is one of the participating venues, and to build out the event with a greater scope of water awareness, the Smokies’ most-trusted water park created Water Safety Day.

“LeConte Medical Center is honored to be a part of raising community awareness around water safety,” said LeConte Medical Center President and CAO Gaye Jolly. “This event is extremely important to the safety of our community and goes a long way to ensure everyone can enjoy swimming and other water activities. We are blessed to have great partners like the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation and Dollywood’s Splash County for Water Safety Day.”

This year, Dollywood’s Splash Country is partnering with SafeSplash Swim School for the swim lesson. The lesson begins at 10 a.m. at Mountain Waves wave pool. Vendor booths are open from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Vendors and Prizes

Guests who visit the vendor booths receive a Splash Pass, allowing them to receive a prize at each booth. Once the participants have visited all vendors, they may turn their pass in for the chance to win two season passes to Dollywood’s Splash Country!

Event Registration

To take advantage of the $25 ticket offer, guests can visit Dollywood.com/watersafety. Water Safety Day and WLSL registration begins Thursday, June 17, at 9 a.m. at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The park opens to guests at 9:30 a.m. To receive a free gift, guests should arrive early to register before the swim lesson begins at 10 a.m. Dollywood’s Splash Country admission is required to participate in Water Safety Day and may be purchased on-site or online at Dollywood.com.

New Menus, Live Entertainment and Park Upgrades Highlight Water Park's 21st Season

As the summer heat arrives in the Smoky Mountains, the region’s friendliest and most-trusted water park opens for its 21st season. Dollywood’s Splash Country offers its guests a resort-style getaway—with a splash of new menu and entertainment offerings. Opening day is Saturday, May 15.

Water Park Dining Pass

On the heels of a successful first year, the Water Park Dining Pass is back for season passholders in 2021. For a one-time price of $40, passholders may select a meal and a snack every time they visit the water park this season. They also have the option to upgrade a Basic Water Park Dining Pass to a Deluxe Pass which allows unlimited free drink refills (valid at both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country throughout the 2021 season) for $60. Vice President of Park Operations Jason Boothe said,

“Because season passholders have unlimited visitation, the value of our Water Park Dining Pass is hard to pass up. Our culinary team is excited to offer even more options for water park guests to enjoy this year including items like Nashville hot chicken sliders, walking tacos and an exclusive dining location for those with a Dining Pass. We received rave reviews about the Dining Pass last season and we know it’s only going to gain popularity as the program grows.”

Live Entertainment

Throughout Dollywood’s Splash Country’s two-decade history, water park guests have been treated to an immersive experience embodied through the Dollywood brand. Visitors know to expect more than pools and slides. Beyond a family environment full of theming, guests often enjoy live entertainment at the wave pool (Too Hot Tuesdays, May 25 – Aug. 17 and Splash Bash LIVE, Saturdays, July 3 – Aug. 21). Families should also mark their calendars for Water Safety Day (June 17) when guests are invited to participate in a day of activities and giveaways in an effort to raise awareness about safety in the water.

Impressive Park Upgrades

Thanks to being nestled into a mountain hollow, mature trees grow throughout the property. Unlike other water parks, natural shade and landscaping set Dollywood’s Splash Country apart. Here, guests find established native plants and flowers as they walk from slide to slide. The atmosphere is an attraction of its own. During the off-season, the landscaping team worked to make it even more impressive in 2021.

“From upgrades to bathroom floors to new water pumps at some of our most-popular attractions, we did a lot of work at Dollywood’s Splash Country this off-season,” Boothe explained. “Guests may not even notice some of the improvements, but that’s because our visitors have high expectations, and we prioritize the guest experience because it has become synonymous with the reputation we’ve built over the last two decades.”

Plan Your Trip

Dollywood’s Splash Country opens the weekend of May 15-16. Daily operation begins Friday, May 21 and continues through Aug. 8. After that, the park shifts operations to Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends through Aug. 22. Splash Country opens for two final weekends Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 4-5 with the last day being Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 6). Capacity is limited. Season passholders are encouraged to make reservations to guarantee entry.

For more information about Dollywood’s Splash Country or any of The Dollywood Company properties, please visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.

 

Splash into a cool summer job this season at Dollywood’s Splash Country Hiring Event with on-the-spot interviews plus water park fun!

With summer quickly approaching, Dollywood’s Splash Country is looking for friendly faces to join the team with a special stay-and-play hiring event. Anyone looking for a fun and exhilarating place to work is invited to swap their traditional suit and tie for their favorite swimsuit on Thursday, May 13, from 3-7 p.m.

A Perfect Pairing: Hiring Event and Water Park Fun 

During the event, interested applicants should be prepared to interview on-the-spot for positions including culinary service, lifeguards, park operations and more. After the interview, applicants are encouraged to enjoy the slides and pools that make Dollywood’s Splash Country the most trusted water park in the Smokies. Applicants also will enjoy delicious food items and receive a complimentary one-day admission ticket for a future visit.

A Splashin’ Fun Place to Work and Great Benefits  

The Dollywood Company 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. Numerous development opportunities also are available to help employees develop leadership skills.

Voted one of the best outdoor water parks as part of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice awards, Dollywood’s Splash Country’s fun, friendly and engaging environment makes it an excellent place for anyone who desires to be part of helping water park guests create lifelong memories. 

More About the Dollywood Company 

A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park, the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade, winner of more than 35 Golden Ticket Awards and recipient of 26 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). 

The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which celebrated record attendance in 2017. Dollywood was named a top three US theme park by USA Today in 2014 and 2017. Dollywood is open nine months a year (late March through early January) and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. 

Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. 

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which received the 2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. 

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary. 

Dollywoods's Splash Country Offers Best-Value Deals In Celebration Of Milestone Year

Dollywood’s Splash Country celebrates its 20th year of making cool memories for guests with new ticket offers, live entertainment and the friendliest atmosphere in the region.

In appreciation for two decades of being the Smokies’ most-trusted water park, Dollywood’s Splash Country extends some of the best offers in park history, including an online ticket for $29.95 plus tax for Sunday through Thursday visits. Another great offer, for the first time ever, all full-price tickets purchased include lunch with admission.

“No matter what 2020 looks like, we are delighted to be open to celebrate our 20th season,” said Janet Dawson, General Manager of Dollywood’s Splash Country. "We wanted to say thank you to our community through some of the best-value ticket deals we can offer. And while we know budget is a big part of vacation planning, the reason our water park has been so successful is because of the emotional connections our hosts make with our guests year after year. You’re not going to find better people who love their jobs and love their guests like our folks. That’s consistently what we hear, and we’re very proud to be known for our heart.”

Dollywood's Splash Country Through The Years

Throughout the 20 years of Dollywood’s Splash Country, water park guests have been treated to an immersive experience embodied through the Dollywood brand. The secret behind Splash Country’s staying power is the culture. Hosts pride themselves on offering the friendliest, most-trusted water attraction in the Smokies. Beyond fun host and guest interaction, Dollywood’s water park offers a family environment full of theming, live entertainment at the wave pool (Too Hot Tuesdays in July) and natural shade, thanks to mature trees sprinkled throughout the property which is built into a mountain hollow.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is open daily through Aug. 9. Then, water park guests may visit Aug. 11, 13, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 and Sept. 5-7. While masks are required for entry and when guests are not able to social distance from other parties, they are not required on attractions. Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting capacity, water park guests must make a reservation by visiting Dollywood.com/Reservations.

Book now with this special offer at Dollywood.com

Dollywood announces reopening dates for both parks and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa

After much careful preparation, Dollywood Parks and Resorts start reopening beginning with Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa on June 10. Dollywood Theme Park and Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park open June 15 and 16 for season pass guests only. Both parks open to the general public on June 17.

“We are excited to get open and to welcome families back to the Great Smoky Mountains. Brighter Days are here!” Dolly Parton said. “We have been blessed to work with some incredible experts at Covenant Health and with the State of Tennessee as we have navigated this extraordinary situation. Their advice and teamwork have provided untold help to make sure we are doing the right thing.”

All operations will adhere to the Tennessee Pledge and state operational restrictions.

“As Dolly said, we are now ready to reopen and get back to the business of ‘Making Memories Worth Repeating’ for our loyal and passionate guests to both our parks and resort,” Craig Ross, Dollywood President said. “The team has faced this challenge head on and they have made numerous operational changes we believe will help with the safety of our guests and hosts as we continue to deal with the coronavirus. Safety is—and always will be—one of our highest priorities.”

Social distancing guidelines will limit the capacity of the parks on a daily basis. As a result, season passholders will be required to reserve the date and time they wish to visit and general admission guests will purchase a date-based ticket to ensure all have a safer, socially-distanced experience. Reservations can be made at Dollywood.com/reservations and on the Dollywood mobile app where a how-to video will demonstrate the process.

Additionally, prior to entering the facilities, hosts and visitors must have a touchless temperature screening and wear a mask. Children under three are not required to wear a mask at any time. Guests will not be required to wear a mask while eating. Masks are not required on all waterpark attractions at Dollywood’s Splash Country or on select coasters and water attractions at Dollywood due to the dynamics of the attractions. Additional information about masks and a video detailing the safety and operational changes at the park are available for review at Dollywood.com/playsafe and on the mobile app.

Dollywood will continue monitoring any changes in the CDC or state guidelines as operations begin and will make the appropriate adjustments to the guest experience.

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