Credit: Inside the MagicDollywood has issued an update on the beloved theme park after it closed for the second time in a month.
Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the site of Dollywood hasn’t always been associated with the iconic country singer. Instead, it took on its Dolly Parton-inspired moniker in 1986, when it also shifted its focus to honoring Appalachia and Dolly Parton’s local roots.
Nearly 40 years later, this continues to be the park’s theme. Thrill-seekers can enjoy exhilarating roller coasters such as Lightning Rod (which recently underwent a makeover after years of struggling with its launch) and Wild Eagle, families can enjoy gentler rides and attractions inspired by the rich culture of the Smoky Mountains, and Dolly Parton herself.
That includes Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home (a replica of Parton’s two-bedroom childhood home in Locust Ridge) and The Dolly Parton Experience (a multi-building museum dedicated to Parton’s life and work). While she may not be the CEO or owner of Dollywood, we’d argue that Parton’s position is even more important: Dreamer-in-Chief.
“I always wanted to have a theme park ever since I started dreaming about being in the business,” Parton previously explained to Travel + Leisure in regards to her role at Dollywood.
“I thought, if I make it, if I’m successful at what I do, I’d love to have a theme park like this in my home to provide jobs for people in the area, but also just to have something wonderful for the home folk. So, when we brainstormed, we thought the Smoky Mountains and theme of my life would be better. That was just a given that it would be about my life, my story, and how we grew with that.”
Considering the near-universal love and respect Parton commands, it should come as no surprise that Dollywood is beloved by both country music fans and the theme park community. It frequently outperforms Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in customer rankings and has been widely praised for its quality of customer service.
In July, the park was praised for its handling of an abrupt closure due to a water main leak. Customers with tickets were issued full refunds or the option to return on another day.
Earlier this week, the park underwent another sudden water-related closure. On July 28, the theme park experienced sudden extreme rainfall. As per Thrillist, Dollywood received nearly five inches of rain in the space of one hour.
Some parts of the Dollywood were flooded on Sunday as storms continue to impact much of East Tennessee.
Video: JeMiale McKinney
Some parts of the Dollywood were flooded on Sunday as storms continue to impact much of East Tennessee. MORE: https://t.co/3iWGBgGCe1
Video: JeMiale McKinney pic.twitter.com/coy1Ma0vCf
— WATE 6 On Your Side (@6News) July 28, 2024
This caused flash flooding throughout the park, which was caught on camera in some mildly alarming videos. Guests waded through waist-high water to reach their partially submerged cars in the parking lot, with one minor injury reported.
Images are surfacing of some insane flooding at Dollywood today!
Hopefully everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/AnbSt8vE17— Park Fanatic (@ParkFanatic) July 29, 2024
“I still love Dollywood… but we barely escaped today,” wrote one X (formerly known as Twitter) user. “Hope everyone gets out alright.”
Fortunately, the park was back in operation the next day, thanks to the hard work of Dollywood employees. While some attractions, stores, and restaurants (Mountain Laurel Home, Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Spring Celebration Buffet, Valley Forge Blacksmith, and Blazing Fury) remained closed the next day, all except Mountain Laurel Home have since reopened.
“It is safe to say we are back to full operation thanks to the hard work of our teams to clean the park overnight Sunday,” a Dollywood spokesperson told Thrillist.
While we’re happy to see that Dollywood turned things around so quickly, there may be more weather-related trouble on the way for the park in the coming days. Not only is rain forecast for the area today, but more downpours are predicted to hit Pigeon Forge on August 9 and August 10.
“As always, we monitor forecasts and weather conditions and use those to guide decision-making,” Dollywood spokesperson Wes Ramey told Knox News when questioned on the upcoming forecast.
What’s your favorite thing about Dollywood?