Credit: Inside the MagicWith an Arctic blast currently hitting the Deep South, theme parks are suffering – including Dollywood.
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is more than just a theme park—it’s a celebration of Appalachian culture and the vision of its iconic namesake, Dolly Parton. Spanning 160 acres in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, this beloved destination blends thrilling attractions, rich traditions, and heartfelt storytelling.
What sets Dollywood apart from its competitors (Disney and Universal included) is its seamless fusion of entertainment and heritage.
While the park is home to world-class roller coasters, such as Lightning Rod (which debuted its new-and-improved system in March after a history of unreliability) and Wild Eagle, the first wing coaster in the U.S., it also offers a slower pace, with craftspeople demonstrating traditional skills like blacksmithing and glassblowing, and a seemingly endless of supply of local cuisine (the Cinnamon Bread alone makes Dollywood worth the trip).
True to its name, Dollywood also features plenty of Dolly-inspired attractions. Earlier this year, it debuted its new Dolly Parton Experience – replacing the Chasing Rainbows museum – where guests can walk through Dolly’s life and career and explore a curated selection of her signature fits throughout the years.
Dollywood’s Bumpy Ride in 2024
The beloved theme park has seen a series of sudden closures in the past year. In the summer, a water mains leak and flash flooding both shuttered Dollywood on two separate occasions. Hurricane Helene also interfered with Dollywood’s operations in September.
Dollywood has seen a surge in visitors this past week, with Thanksgiving crowds arriving for the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. Guests reported extremely long lines for rides and heavy congestion in the parking lots, with one noting, “It’s taking an hour just to get to the parking lot. It’s not a good week to visit.”
This week’s comparative calm was short-lived. A sudden Arctic blast hit the park, creating more disruptions for visitors.
Yesterday (December 3), Dollywood was forced to shorten its operating hours as temperatures hit a low of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dollywood will close at 7 p.m. (Tuesday, Dec. 3) due to current weather conditions.
Dollywood will close at 7 p.m. (Tuesday, Dec. 3) due to current weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/7DnL1aSjeI
— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) December 3, 2024
The park was originally slated to close at 9 p.m.
For now, there’s no update on whether the ongoing cold front will affect today’s operations. At the time of writing, it’s just 14 degrees in Pigeon Forge. By the time the park is scheduled to open (11 a.m.), it’s predicted to hit 43 degrees, with a real feel temperature of just 34 degrees.
Cold Weather Hits Florida’s Theme Parks
Florida is also experiencing a cold blast, and the state’s water parks—such as Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Universal Volcano Bay, and SeaWorld’s Aquatica—are all temporarily shuttered due to low temperatures.
Last year saw Blizzard Beach – which operates on an on-off schedule with Disney’s other water park, Typhoon Lagoon – spend a significant chunk of its operating season closed. While its closure date is yet to be announced, it’s thought that the park will likely close again for refurbishment in March, with Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon stepping up to take its place for the spring and summer.
Are you visiting a theme park this week?