Dolly Parton’s theme park continues to rack up accolades from Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards. This year Dollywood earned three "best of" awards and placed in the top-five in seven additional categories. Dolly said,
“Every time they announce the Golden Tickets results, I am so proud to hear how much folks love and respect Dollywood. This is our 30th anniversary season, and if you would have told me all those years ago that we would win all these awards, I’m not sure even I could have dreamed it! I truly am thankful for all of the guests who have continued to support us and for all the new folks who visit us each year! I also am grateful for the dedicated team at my Dollywood Company for providing our guests a memorable experience when they come see us.”
The Golden Ticket Awards are the most sought-after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. Pete Owens, Public Relations Director for the Dollywood Company, said,
"As a park, it is always gratifying to be honored by your peers and experts. We are particularly proud of the designation as friendliest park. That goes to what Dollywood is also about and why we encourage our guests to love every moment with their families."
Dollywood’s three Golden Ticket Awards include:
Dollywood also ranked in seven additional categories:
The 2015 awards ceremony was held on Sept. 12, at Luna Park in New York City. 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 experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world in balanced geographical regions. Voters are asked to rate the “best” in 25 categories such as best parks, roller coasters, water rides, shows, kids’ area, landscaping and Christmas events.
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Dollywood was recognized in 2010 at the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions with the Applause Award in recognition of a park whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with its foresight, originality and sound business development.
After providing families with more than a decade of Smoky Mountain water adventure, Dollywood’s Splash Country is diving into its 15th anniversary season.
The award-winning water adventure park now adds a new accolade to its list of achievements this year as Aquatics International named Dollywood’s Splash Country as its 2014 Best of Aquatics: Theming. This award is another of many, as the park has previously been recognized as America’s Must-See Water Park by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions and one of America’s best water parks by The Travel Channel. Also famous for its record-breaking water slides and attractions, Dollywood’s Splash Country has grown over its 15-year residency in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, to become the home of family favorites such as; Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, RiverRush, along with the state’s tallest twin speed slides, Fire Tower Falls. Dolly said,
“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we opened Dollywood’s Splash Country. So many of the attractions we’ve added through the years are imagined and built with me and my family’s Smoky Mountain childhood in mind; I’m so happy to have shared those same adventures with families.”
Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark opened for a summer of thrills and chills as Dolly kicked off a second year of excitement for RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster. RiverRush combines all the powerful climbs, plunging drops, thrilling twists, and tight turns of a traditional land coaster with the park’s calling card—water—for a family experience like none other!
Dolly asked if families were ready to crush the rush before launching RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, for the first time on May 10, 2013, at her Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark. Dolly said,
“Growing up, playing in the creeks and streams here in the Smoky Mountains, I could only dream of something like a water coaster. But look at us now... not only does Dollywood’s Splash Country have Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, we’re making water run uphill in it!”
Dolly hosted media representatives from across the country to launch the 2013 season at the waterpark.
Prior to the opening of Dollywood’s Splash Country’s RiverRush, Tennessee’s first and only water coaster, Dolly appeared as grand marshal of the 2013 Dolly Homecoming Parade on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Standing atop the RiverRush float on a lifeguard stand, Dolly waved to thousands of people lining the streets during this annual event which serves as a welcome home to everyone’s favorite local girl.
