After being named the number one Amusement Park Hotel in the country by USA Today readers in the publication’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards in July, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa continues to rack up accolades this summer. The resort has now earned a runner-up finish for the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Family Resort in the United States.
DreamMore ranked second only to the Woodloch Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania. While other theme park resorts were included among the 20 properties on which readers could vote, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort was the only theme park resort that finished in the Top 10.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which celebrated its sixth anniversary on July 27, has quickly become a sought-after resort destination, prompting The Dollywood Company to announce a 10-year, $500 million investment strategy that includes additional resort properties. The first resort planned as part of the strategy is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which is slated to open in 2023.
“Our guests tell us all the time that they consider Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa a world-class resort,” said Brian Angello, Director of Hospitality Marketing for Dollywood Resorts. “Awards like these continue to reinforce what we are hearing from guests, and we’re honored they hold us in that regard. We work hard to ensure they enjoy their time spent with us and that they treasure the memories they make here. With Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort opening in a couple of years, we are poised to continue making Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains one of the nation’s premier family vacation destinations.”
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains and next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests with a full-service, comfortable, home-away-from-home experience that only Dolly Parton could create. Inspired by Parton’s childhood in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, a love for music and storytelling and a desire to create a place for families to grow and play, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa brings Dolly’s vision for a premiere family destination to life.
For more information about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, as well as special offers available at the Smoky Mountain resort destination, visit Dollywood.com/resort.
Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights, the reigning winner for Best Theme Park Halloween Event in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards, has an opportunity to retain its title as the industry’s best. The region’s premier family-friendly harvesttime event has quickly become a favorite for guests since it was added to Dollywood’s Harvest Festival in 2017.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, presented by Humana, provides all-day fall fun for the entire family, with the Great Pumpkin LumiNights serving as a glowing end to the evening. Dollywood stays open until 9 p.m. every night during the festival, which runs September 24 through October 30, allowing families more time to enjoy various exhibits throughout the park.
Families will bask in the glow of thousands of intricately-carved pumpkins as they discover whimsical displays all throughout Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass and upper Craftsman’s Valley. Beyond the impressive displays, guests can find a number of exciting activities and create thrilling memories together.
Musical artists from multiple genres provide hundreds of performances throughout the festival, and visiting artisans showcase their array of talents for guests to enjoy. Special harvest-themed menu items from Dollywood’s award-winning culinary team are also a delight. There is no doubt that each day is a picture-perfect opportunity for families to experience the joys of the Smoky Mountain harvest.
The USA Today contest, which is now live, runs through Monday, August 30 at 11:59 a.m. A page with a link to the voting page can be found at dollywood.com/vote. Anyone is eligible to vote and may do so once per day, per device. Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, which include a combination of editors from USA Today, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors and more. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is also in the running for the USA Today 10Best Award for Best Family Resort.
For more information about Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights and the Harvest Festival, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood App.
In early July, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa was named the #1 Amusement Park Hotel in the country by USA Today readers in the publication’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. Dollywood’s family-favorite resort now has the opportunity to go two-for-two, as it has been nominated for the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Family Resort.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which celebrates its sixth anniversary later this month, has quickly become a sought-after resort destination, prompting The Dollywood Company to announce a 10-year, $500 million investment strategy that includes additional resort properties. The first resort planned as part of the strategy is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which is slated to open in 2023.
Voting is now open and runs through Monday, Aug. 16 at 11:59 a.m. A page with a link to the voting page can be found at dollywood.com/vote. Anyone is eligible to vote and may do so once per day, per device. Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, which includes a combination of editors from USA Today, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors and more.
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests with a full-service, comfortable, home-away-from-home experience that only Dolly Parton could create. Inspired by Dolly’s childhood in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, a love for music and storytelling and a desire to create a place for families to grow and play, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa brings Dolly’s vision for a premier family destination to life.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa has several unique areas and experiences for families to spend quality time together. Families gather to play checkers by the fireplace in one of the resort’s grand living rooms, enjoy a glass of sweet tea in a rocking chair on one of the many porches or swap stories on one of the beautiful garden benches. The resort’s lavish 20-acre property includes premier amenities and perks to help guests create their own special moments and memories.
Full-service dining, indoor and outdoor pool complexes, and exclusive park privileges—like complimentary transportation to Dollywood theme park and complimentary TimeSaver passes for Dollywood rides and shows—make the property a must-visit experience. Additionally, there are a variety of on-site activities at the resort for families. Through fun-filled activities, including arts and crafts, storytelling and summertime pool parties, Camp DW is designed to inspire children’s imaginations. At night, families gather around the fireplace for a bedtime story with a book selected from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Guests can even roast complimentary marshmallows to make s’mores each night around the fire pit.
During its history, DreamMore Resort has earned several awards, including being named the #1 Amusement Park Hotel in 2018 by USA Today, one of Southern Living’s “Best Places to Stay in the South” and one of Travel + Leisure’s “25 Resorts in the US that are Perfect for Families.”
A panel of experts and USA Today 10Best editors selected Dollywood Parks & Resort properties and attractions in six categories for award competitions that took place in June. Results included:
Best Amusement Park Hotel - Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa (#1)
Best Amusement Park Restaurant - Aunt Granny’s Restaurant (#1)
Best Amusement Park Entertainment - Dreamland Drive-In (#3)
Best Amusement Park - Dollywood (#5)
Best Outdoor Water Park - Dollywood’s Splash Country (#5)
Best Amusement Park Roller Coaster - Lightning Rod (#5)
Best Amusement Park Hotel - Dollywood Cabins (#7)
For more information about Dollywood’s 2021 season, operating calendars and more, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood App.
BMI's "Million-Air" certificates recognize songs that have reached over one million broadcast performances, and Dolly Parton has seven songs with over 22 million cumulative performances. Additionally, USA TODAY included Dolly Parton in their Women of the Century, a list of 100 women who've "made a substantial impact on our country or our lives over the past 100 years."
In a special presentation via Zoom, Mike O’Neill, BMI’s President and CEO, along with Billboard Magazine, awarded Dolly Parton certificates for seven of her iconic hits. “I Will Always Love You” logged a staggering 10 million performances to date, ranking it in the top 30 of BMI’s most-performed songs of all time. Also included were “Nine to Five" (5 million performances), “Jolene” 2 million), and “Two Doors Down” (2 million). “Seeker,” “Yellow Roses,” and “Coat of Many Colors” all received certificates for the 1 million mark. On the BMI website, O'Neill said,
“Dolly’s career is extraordinary. She is, of course, an incredible performer, actor, philanthropist and businessperson, but for us, it all starts with her songwriting. She tells stories in her songs like no one else can, transcending genres and connecting with her millions of fans. Dolly’s lyrics and music, authenticity, strength, and humor are all extraordinary gifts she has shared with the world.”
BMI Presents Dolly Parton With 7 “Million-Air” Certificates
USA TODAY is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment by assembling a list of 100 women who've "made a substantial impact on our country or our lives over the past 100 years." Dolly Parton is among these influential, trailblazing American women. Dolly told USA TODAY,
"But you can't dream at someone else's expense. You've got to get out there, make those dreams come true. You've got to be the one to sacrifice what you need, to lean on who all will help you. You've got to get out there and put legs on them, wings on them, feet on them, hands on them, fingers. You've got to get out there and work it."
USA TODAY article about Dolly Parton by Nicole Carroll
Photo Credit: JB Rowland
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, one of the world’s premier theme park events, has been nominated as part of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for Best Theme Park Holiday Event. The contest, which now is live, runs through Monday, Dec. 2.
Smoky Mountain Christmas already has won the 2019 Golden Ticket Award from Amusement Today for Best Theme Park Christmas Event in the world, an award the festival has earned for 12 consecutive years. In fact, Dollywood is the only park in the world to ever win the award.
During Smoky Mountain Christmas, the park boasts an impressive count of more than five million brilliant lights, heartwarming Christmas entertainment, delicious holiday meals and the fun of Dollywood at Christmas. Glacier Ridge presented by Goo Goo Cluster® opened last season, providing guests a completely new way to experience the Smokies at Christmas. Thanks to the opening of Wildwood Grove earlier this year, there is, even more, to explore in this dazzling area.
Fans of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas can vote now through Monday, Dec. 2 by visiting USA Today 10Best. Voters are encouraged to vote each day from each of their devices. Competition is fierce, so Dollywood fans should vote early and often to show their support! Dollywood recently won the USA Today 10Best award for Best Theme Park Halloween Event thanks to the overwhelming votes of park supporters.
From the cheer and joy of Dollywood’s Parade of Many Colors to traditional holiday shows like It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas in the Smokies, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas fosters family memory making for guests. For those who wander through the spectacular scenery, it is easy to understand why it has become a family tradition for so many. Guests can experience the fun enchantment of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends straight from the children’s holiday classic or sit down together for a fabulous Christmas feast at many of Dollywood’s award-winning dining locations. Most of Dollywood’s signature rides and attractions also operate in this merry environment, with rides racing along just above the millions of twinkling lights.
For more information about Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, please visit Dollywood.com, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or download the Dollywood App.
