Dolly Parton in Tears: Returns to Dollywood Theme Park After Sudden Closure

Comments for Dolly Parton in Tears: Returns to Dollywood Theme Park After Sudden Closure

A person in a colorful outfit stands smiling with arms outstretched in front of a building adorned with a large pink butterfly and script reading 'Dolly Parton.' A sign in a red circle reads 'Dollywood Theme Park is closed due to the shutdown. Please visit Dollywood.com for more information.'

Credit: Inside the Magic

47 Comments

  1. Donetta Tease Tease

    Hi Dolly. I am a big fan of yours. I grew up with your songs but I am in my 60s now and I would love to visit Dollywood.but I’m just not rich enough. You see I’m on ssi and we just don’t make that much to live on are self but you are still my best singer in the world
    Love you’re
    Number one fan.
    Donetta Tease

  2. betty mccann

    HEY been a long time since I talked to you I love Dollywood took my boys there when they were little we stayed the hotel across the street hopefully I can get back there this year I have COPD. so it’s kinda hard to get around love you Dolly

    1. Yes…we’d LOVE to visit DOLLYWOOD…
      (206) 755-7544
      711 31st Avenue South
      Seattle, Washington
      98144
      FINGERS CROSSED!¡..XOXOXOXO

      1. Robyn

        Wow, don’t think I’d put my phone # or address out for the public to see.

        1. Jeanne gtte

          I say the same thing. No address or phone number. I DONT even E-mail that info.

  3. Cheryl gillis

    Hi, yes my son is getting married in October and we are staying in Pigeon forge so I definitely hope to stop in at Dollywood 🎉

  4. Barbara Borra

    We live in Virginia and are both disabled; yet we bought season passes. We LOVE Dollywood and have already been there 4 times this year. We love Dolly and love coming to the different festivals!! We are soooo excited to see the Dolly Experience!!

    1. I used to love Dollywood and went almost every year till she opened the water park and found out it was a extra fee. I stopped going it is just to much money for a every day working person to afford . It would be nice if it was made where a normal person with a family all ready struggling could go. You would think she would understand that but I guess she has out grown her roots.

      1. Anita Crankshaw

        That’s not very nice to say. Just saying

  5. Jaimie hall

    I saw Dolly on Friday! It was incredible, she is such an inspiration!

    1. Pam

      Hi Dolly I grew up with your songs I love your songs and movies we been saving money to bring are grandkids to the park there I really hope we can do this before you close we live 2 hours away from there

  6. Richard

    Loved the article just need clarify one mistake. The way it was put Dolly has retired but showed up to the park to open the new attractions. Dolly has ONLY retired from full blown touring. But will still perform showed here and there. Just not a full blown tour.

  7. Debbie Buck

    Dollywood is such an awesome magical place.The best theme park ever.I visited years ago and hope to visit again and bring my grandsons.They receive the wonderful books provided by Dolly.Thank you Dolly

  8. Linda R.Holt

    My husband and I are wanting to visit Dollywood ,because I love ❤️ and Adore Dolly.Any suggestions on first time visitors.?we are from Texas Any discounts available? Thank you

  9. BILL

    Hey Dolly. I live in Jackson, TN. Always loved yor music and acting abilities. My daughter Dana is a retired Police Officer from Knoxville. She worked for you awhile after retirement. I know she loved the new life and the people. She got hurt, but not at DW. I hope some day she will get to where she can come back. In my time in the USAF, I worked with one of your cousins, Jimmy L. We stay in touch but haven’t seen him in awhile. Stay healthy and continue on!!

  10. Sheila Burk

    Before my divorce and ny son’s birth, I was at the Opryland but most was closed and would love to visit with him to see your place and he is in a special needs school because he has delayed development, ADHD, and Asperger so would also like to join your reading 📚 group and have some sent to The Melvin G Millett Center in Saginaw MI

  11. Ms.Julez

    Prayers and best wishes for Carl Dean, and for Dolly.❤️

  12. Sandy Weinstein

    This is the first I have heard about her husband. I am so sorry. She is an amazing human being. We need more people like Dolly in the world today. I hope that she can enjoy more time with her husband and create more long lasting memories with Carl. She is an inspiration to all.

  13. Keleta

    The Best Theme Park, HANDS DOWN!!!! Growing up I wanted to be the first black Dolly Parton. Many attractions and activities for the whole family.
    WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!

  14. Dolly, why don’t you cut your prices and advertise Dollywood as an affordable place to bring your family. See,s like a no brainer. You’re closing it anyway & you came from poor roots! Could your mom & dad have taken you and your siblings to Dollywood! NO

    1. Heather Chapoton

      i agree with the cost cutting and affordability factor. Most americans cant afford a vacation anymore let alone a trip, gas and lodging. I also didnt know of her husband being ill so my prayers are with you! Love, Heather

    2. Martisha

      I’ve heard it’s not worth the money you pay to get in there….I’m agree with so many of the comments above if you’re not rich you can’t go…guess coming from a poor background and then into millions does Change a person…you won’t catch me at vDW it’s cheaper to go to lake Winnie in GA than drive for hrs and spends hundreds to line her pockets that don’t need lining….but hey this is my opinion..

    3. Connie

      Wow! Just can’t shut up! Good grief

  15. I absolutely love Dolly and have been a big fan for years.
    We used to live in Sevierville at the top of Moon Hollow and her brother Denver lived at the bottom. I was a season pass holder and went all the time! Thank you Dolly for all you do for the people of Sevier County Prayers going out for Dean and you.

    1. Dcable

      Went by their once so expensive we left no way paying that price to get in inflation now bad as the 70s

  16. Why is DOLLYWOOD
    CLOSEING?????????

  17. Edie

    I love you Dolly I love your singing and everything about you. I would have loved to have come down there to Dollywood but I’m a senior with low income and I can’t afford the park or anything around at the hotels. Why is it so expensive? You were poor once you’re still a lot of people that are poor and can’t afford to come there. Keep singing I enjoy it.

  18. Tony

    I won’t go because of changing the Dixie stampede name. Of anyone loving and trying to keep their southern roots I thought it would be her!

  19. I saw Dolly in 1962 or 63 at a YMCA in San Diego. She is so smart. Although I didn’t remember her name. I remembered the hair

  20. Daphne

    Hey Dolly congrats!! I can’t blame you for wanting to spend time with your husband 🥰 life is to short mind suffered a severe stroke 1-13-23 and lost the use of his whole left side. I quit my job to take care of him but it’s worth it you will never have regrets we manage but it’s hard at times may the good Lord bless you and him both.

  21. Pat S

    Hi Dolly would love to go check that out & take my father also he 93 had 2 heart attacks but still with it

  22. Lin

    It closed the other day because of the bad storms, but I have not seen anything about the park closing. Her new area just opened.

  23. God bless you and your family. You are such an inspiration.

  24. Joan

    Hi Dolly,
    Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. Many people have been touched by your willingness to reach out to neighbors and strangers in need.
    What a wonderful example of charity you have exhibited toward others.
    Yes, take all the time you need to be with family.

  25. Kyurra

    For everyone saying it’s not cheap it’s also not THAT expensive especially compared to Disney who seems to be trying to convince people Dollywood is closing (threatened much?). It’s something for the whole family not just those that ride rides. Dollywood of NOT closing, she is NOT fully retiring (just from full tours as someone Else Said) and she also doesn’t fully own Dollywood anymore so while I’m sure she could beat some sense into the company to lower the prices she’s not the main head honcho anymore and that’s when things started going up there.

  26. Mary

    We went and we are not rich!! Wasn’t anyone expensive than anywhere else. I’m not going back because I had 2 people working at the park roll their eyes at me and said Yankee’s when I was trying to find the correct change. It made me mad!

    1. I’m a Yankee and it wouldn’t bother me ,I would laugh but most Yankees need a safe space from everyone and everything, go figure.

    2. Phillip

      Those employees should be taken aside by a supervisor, given a written commendation, and offered a pay raise. As a native of Pigeon Forge, I can’t count the number of times that Yankees have made unprovoked rude, insulting, & offensive comments to me or my coworkers. As such, I understand why one would be upset to be called a Yankee. But personally, though, if I were one of those employees, I would turn down the pay raise — it’s an honor to stick up for my people, and I certainly don’t need any compensation.

  27. Annmarie

    Hi Dolly, we enjoyed our 2 day visit. Very impressed park very clean food great.

  28. Bruce

    I don’t know Dolly except for her stories and fantastic singing of songs…But I think it’s sad to see people here write bad things and act like she owes them something. I’m sure Dolly’s done a lot for people over the years… Your a Brite star Dolly and keep that star shining girl. I’m sure Dollyland would be very interesting and fun… Thanks Dolly

  29. Alan

    Why do people think Dolly owns Dollywood..its owned by
    Herschend family entertainment….

  30. Jacqueline Denise Hart

    Miss Dolly I have appreciated and related to your glam-tough Godly spirit since I was a child. I’m so very sorry to hear about your husband. It took my dad a year ago(heart breaking) and now dementia has its grips on my darling husband of 32 years. I know God never makes it easy but I’m praying he just doesn’t make it to hard. You and Carl are in our prayers. Thank you so much for being such a great role model to me all these years. You really are very special. God Bless you Darlin. We never made it to Dollywood. But I sure did hear nice things. And to think I’m in Louisville Kentucky now and isn’t it just like me to get this close and miss the darn mark. Keep your chin up and know that none of us is ever gone ,one of us just gets there first. Much love to ya Dolly. Keep smiling.

  31. Lannie Brown

    Hi Dolly!
    I was surprised by my sister in law .She had made plans a couple weeks before.
    We both had no idea that you had a new part of Dollywood opening that day. We were able to see you in the parade .
    I was acting like a fool lol
    My sister in law was Cracking up. .she said I was ridiculous lol.
    I never in my life thought I would get to see you. Was an just amazing surprise..I’m also your a country girl
    Pikeville ky. Mom and dad and myself were always to you and singing along
    Your just beautiful.
    Take care Dolly!!
    Love ya….

  32. Grover Lynn

    Had.time.of.my.life.love.dolly.shez.my.idol.in.country.muso

  33. Nancy

    Wishing you happiness in the next chapter of your amazing life! Your kindness is felt world wide! Keep smiling that beautiful smile! Wishing Carl a full recovery! ✨️ Don’t ever stop singing! You are a shining example for every woman! ✨️💖

  34. Lisa mc millan

    Thank you for the every month for my kids and now my grandkids it’s a great thing you do prayers for you and your husband

  35. Mark

    Just to be clear: Dolly Parton does not own Dollywood. Herschind Family Entertainment owns Dollywood but they cannot do anything there without Dollys approval!

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