Dolly Parton’s vision for a theme park in her childhood region of the Great Smoky Mountains became a reality when Dollywood opened its doors in 1986. The park, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrated its 40th season, marking a legacy that intertwines with Parton’s life and career. Her dream was to build a “Smoky Mountain fairyland,” similar to Disneyland, but with a focus on celebrating the culture and people of the Smoky Mountains.
Dollywood has evolved significantly since its inception under different names and ownership in the early 1960s. The Herschend family, also owners of Silver Dollar City, sold a stake to Parton, leading to the park’s rebranding. This partnership provided Parton the opportunity to bring visitors to the Smoky Mountains and support her local community.
Several attractions from Dollywood’s opening day still operate, including the Dollywood Express steam train and Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home. The park expanded notably during the 1990s and 2000s with new areas like Showstreet and the Country Fair, as well as popular roller coasters such as Thunderhead and Wild Eagle. Dollywood’s Splash Country water park also opened in 2001, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.
In more recent years, Dollywood expanded further with the launch of the DreamMore Resort and Spa in 2015, and the HeartSong Lodge & Resort in 2023. The park also debuted Big Bear Mountain, its longest roller coaster, and The Dolly Parton Experience, a museum highlighting Parton’s illustrious career.
Parton remarked on the park’s continuous growth and success: “On opening day in 1986, I was just hoping that people would really want to come visit a theme park with my name on it. And even though I always try to dream big, I’ll admit I was a little bit nervous that first morning.” Today, Dollywood remains a prominent family travel destination and continues to plan future expansions set for 2026, promising a “revolutionary new experience.”
