Credit: Inside the MagicTwo big pieces of Dollywood news have dropped this week, with the biggest focusing on ticket prices.
Famously located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood isn’t your average theme park. Spanning 160 acres in the Smoky Mountains, it brings Dolly Parton’s vision of celebrating Appalachian culture to life, blending Southern hospitality with blockbuster attractions.
Guests flock to ride Lightning Rod, Wild Eagle, and Thunderhead, while family favorites like Mystery Mine and FireChaser Express balance the thrills. Other than rides, the park offers an abundance of Southern staples such as fried chicken, barbecue, and, most importantly, the park’s famous cinnamon bread. Seasonal festivals and local crafts add to the park’s unique draw.
That formula is clearly working. Dollywood just broke into the top 20 most-visited parks in North America for the first time. The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) ranked it 18th for 2024, sitting just below Canada’s Wonderland and ahead of Six Flags Great America and Hersheypark.
$5 Tickets Introduced For Dollywood
At the same time, Dollywood has made headlines for a shocking price cut. For a limited time, admission will drop to just $5 — a fraction of its usual ticket cost.
The deal comes through Sevier County Days, running November 1 through November 9. Residents and employees with valid county ID or proof of employment can access the park, with proceeds donated to Sevier County nonprofits.
“Dollywood is such a special place because of the community in which we are located,” said Carol Agee, Dollywood Community Affairs and Philanthropy Manager. She noted that the people of Sevier County create the park’s signature warmth and deserve support, especially during the holiday season.
Agee added that nonprofits see rising demand as Christmas approaches. Sevier County Days helps meet those needs, while offering families a chance to enjoy Dollywood at a dramatically reduced price.
The $5 entry is exclusive to county residents, but it reflects the park’s ongoing commitment to its roots. Dollywood continues to balance ambitious growth with support for the Smoky Mountain community.
And that growth is about to accelerate.
In spring 2026, Dollywood will debut NightFlight Expedition, a $50 million family hybrid ride that blends indoor coaster thrills with a whitewater river adventure. The high-concept attraction marks one of the park’s boldest projects yet.
Dollywood VP Pete Owens has teased that the attraction will “continue to tell the Wildwood Grove story” and “celebrate nighttime in the Smokies.”
Dolly Parton – whose health issues made concerned headlines earlier this month – has also shared her excitement for the attraction, noting, “A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is,” Dolly Parton said. “Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life. It’s pure mountain magic.”
Mystery Mine is also set to close at the end of Dollywood’s Harvest Festival for a refurbishment. The roller coaster – which first opened in 2007 with a 95-degree drop, two inversions, and a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour (which has since been reduced to 43 miles) – will reopen in 2026.
Do you plan on visiting Dollywood by the end of the year?