Credit: DollywoodOn April 19, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain, Tennessee, theme park, Dollywood, announced the closure of several guest areas and modifications to entertainment offerings due to overnight storm damage. Here’s what Pigeon Forge visitors need to know.
Dollywood Announces Theme Park Area Closure
According to an official Instagram story from Dollywood, a tree near the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary was uprooted overnight, causing damage to the building and surrounding park areas. For the safety of guests, employees, and the eagles living in the building, the surrounding theme park areas are closed.
The American Eagle Foundation has stepped in to remove the eagles and house them until their aviary at Dollywood is secure. All Wings of America shows featuring the park’s rescued eagles have been canceled for Sunday, April 19. It’s unclear if performances will resume when the park opens on Monday, April 20.
The official press release from the Piegon Forge vacation destination reads:
“Due to storms overnight, a tree near Eagle Mountain Sanctuary was uprooted, causing the aviary to be compromised. Staff from the American Eagle Foundation will remove the eagles from the aviary and will house them at their facilities until the netting can be repaired.
The area of the park near the aviary will be closed, and all Wings of America shows for today (Sunday, April 19) have been canceled as necessary work is completed.”
Dollywood did not share an estimated timeline for the repairs or when the affected park areas will reopen. No attractions or experiences other than Wings of America have been affected by the storm damage.
What’s Going on at Dollywood Right Now?
Even with the closure of the area near the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary and the canceled Wings of America performances, there’s a lot to do at Dollywood this spring. On April 18, the Smoky Mountain theme park officially kicked off its annual Flower & Food Festival, which runs through June 7.
Guests can try limited-time food and beverage offerings with a Tasting Pass, which includes up to five “select culinary offerings.” The festival also includes floral, landscaping, and other decorative displays throughout the park, including the iconic Umbrella Sky:
Spring has officially bloomed at Dollywood 💮 🌳 🦋 Experience the Flower & Food Festival now through June 7!
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Sometime this spring, Dolly Parton’s Pigeon Forge vacation destination will debut NightFlight Expedition, a brand-new ride in the Wildwood Grove area of the park. The first-of-its-kind attraction will blend four attraction experiences into one, allowing guests to soar through the sky, sail on a whitewater river raft, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a shimmering lake by boat.
The park touts NightFlight Expedition as the “world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.” An exact opening date has not been announced.
Has inclement weather ever impacted your visit to Dollywood or another theme park? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments!