Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains, is a theme park jointly owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and Dolly Parton's company. With almost 3 million annual visitors, it is Tennessee's most popular ticketed tourist attraction. Dollywood is known for its thrilling rides, entertaining shows, and celebration of Dolly Parton's music and Smoky Mountain heritage. The park has received numerous international awards for its quality and entertainment value.
1961: Rebel Railroad Opens
The Robbins brothers opened Rebel Railroad, a small tourist attraction featuring a steam train, general store, blacksmith shop, and saloon. The train ride was themed around the Civil War Centennial, with visitors experiencing "attacks" by Union soldiers, train robbers, and Native Americans, while Confederates defended the train.
May 24, 1964: Goldrush Junction Announcement
The park's name changed from Rebel Railroad to Goldrush Junction, switching to a Wild West theme. The announcement was made in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
1970: Art Modell Purchases Goldrush Junction
Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, bought Goldrush Junction, retaining the railroad and adding an outdoor theater and the Robert F. Thomas Chapel.
1975: Name Change to Goldrush
The park was renamed Goldrush.
1976: Herschends Purchase Goldrush
Jack and Pete Herschend, owners of Silver Dollar City, acquired Goldrush. The park continued to operate as Goldrush for the remainder of the season.
1977: Silver Dollar City Tennessee and Locomotive Additions
The Herschends renamed Goldrush to Silver Dollar City Tennessee, linking it to their original park in Branson. They invested in upgrades and added two new steam locomotives (#70 and #71) and parts from engine #72 from the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to the train ride.
May 3, 1986: Dollywood Officially Opens, New Attractions Debut, and Attendance Doubles
Silver Dollar City Tennessee reopens as Dollywood, featuring the new Rivertown Junction area with Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Back Porch Theater, Aunt Granny's Dixie Fixins' Restaurant, and a replica of Dolly's childhood home. A museum showcasing Dolly Parton's life and career was added. The park's attendance doubled to over a million visitors in its first season as Dollywood.
1986: Dolly Parton Invests and Park Becomes Dollywood
Dolly Parton became a co-owner of Silver Dollar City Tennessee. The park was renamed Dollywood.
1986: Dollywood Doubles in Size and Becomes Largest Employer
Between 1986 and 2010, Dollywood doubled in size to 150 acres, becoming the largest employer in the community with approximately 4,000 employees.
1987: Daydream Ridge Opens and Engine #70 Restored
The Daydream Ridge area opened, featuring the Mountain Slidewinder water toboggan, Mountain Dan's Burger House, Sweet Dreams Candy Shop, The Rainbow Factory blown glass shop, and Critter Creek Playground. Steam locomotive #70 was restored to working order.
1988: Celebrity Theater, New Rides, and Dollywood Foundation
The 1,739-seat Celebrity Theater was built, hosting the "Showcase of Stars" concert series. Five new children's rides were added to Fun Country, including a Zamperla Balloon Race. The Dollywood Foundation was established to support Sevier County children with books and school supplies.
1989: Thunder Express Coaster and End of Music Festival
The steel mine train coaster Thunder Express was relocated from Six Flags Over Mid-America to Dollywood. The National Mountain Music Festival, a vestige of the Silver Dollar City era, ended after this season.
1990: Dentzel Carousel, Gaslight Theater, and Christmas Festival
A 1924 Dentzel Carousel was relocated from Rocky Springs Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to the park, replacing the Silver Dollar Saloon. The 600-seat Gaslight Theater opened near the carousel. The Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival was introduced, extending the park's season into December.
1991: Eagle Mountain Sanctuary and Theaters Open
Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, an outdoor aviary, opened alongside the Wings of America Theater, which housed the Birds of Prey show, and the 300-seat Valley Theater.
1992: Showstreet Area Debuts and Attendance Exceeds 2 Million
The Showstreet area opened, featuring the Showstreet Palace Theater, The Butterfly Emporium, The Backstage Restaurant, The Spotlight Bakery, Friendship Gardens, and a working radio station, WDLY-FM. The park's main entrance relocated from Rivertown Junction to Showstreet. The Barnwood Theater was converted into the Imagination Station, a children's interactive play area. Dollywood's annual attendance surpassed 2 million visitors for the first time.
1993: The Country Fair Replaces Fun Country with New Rides
The Fun Country area was revamped and rebranded as The Country Fair, with three new rides: The Wonder Wheel, Twist and Shout, and Tennessee Twister. The Balloon Race ride was moved to Daydream Ridge. The Sunset Musicfest, a summer music festival, was introduced.
1994: Gaslight Theater Becomes Heartsong Theater
The Gaslight Theater was renamed Heartsong Theater, named after a multimedia musical about Dolly Parton's life.
1995: Jukebox Junction Opens and Sunset Musicfest Ends
The Jukebox Junction area, with a 1950s "Main Street" theme, debuted, featuring Rockin' Roadway miniature car ride, The Pines Theater, Red's Diner, and Cas Walker's Music Store. The Sunset Musicfest was discontinued.
1996: Dollywood Boulevard Opens
The Dollywood Boulevard area is added to the park, featuring the Thunder Road turbo-simulator ride, Silver Screen Café, and Centerstage gift shop.
1997: Daredevil Falls Opens
Daredevil Falls, a new shoot-the-chutes flume ride, opens in the area previously occupied by the Flooded Mine ride. It is billed as "The Highest and Fastest Waterfall Ride in America" with its 62 ft (19 m) drop.
1997: "U Pick Nick" Children's Show Debuts
The "U Pick Nick" children's show, focused on themes from the Nickelodeon television network, premieres in Celebrity Theater.
1999: Tennessee Tornado Opens
The Tennessee Tornado, a steel looping coaster, opens in the area formerly occupied by Thunder Express.
2000: Daydream Ridge Transformed into Dreamland Forest
The Daydream Ridge area is renovated and becomes Dreamland Forest, a children's mountain-themed interactive play area.
April 2001: Dolly's Splash Country Opens
Dolly's Splash Country, a new 25-acre water park, opens adjacent to Dollywood's parking lot.
April 2001: Festival of Nations Premieres
The Festival of Nations international music festival is held for the first time.
2002: Adventures in Imagination Opens
Dollywood Boulevard is renovated and becomes Adventures in Imagination. Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure, a new simulator film, replaces Thunder Road. A new Dolly museum called Chasing Rainbows opens in the building formerly occupied by DJ Platters.
2003: KidsFest Premieres
KidsFest, a summer children's festival, is held for the first time.
2004: Thunderhead Gap Opens
The Thunderhead Gap area of the park opens with the Thunderhead wooden roller coaster.
2005: Country Fair Renovations
The Country Fair Falls log flume is demolished and many of the Country Fair rides are removed to make way for new rides including Dizzy Disk, Amazing Flying Elephants, Lemon Twist, Shooting Star, Sky Rider, VeggieTales Sideshow Spin (children's roller coaster), Waltzing Swinger, Piggy Parade, Busy Bees, and Lucky Ducky.
2006: Timber Tower and Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival Debut
The Timber Tower ride, along with Lil' Loggers Landing, Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek Boat Float, and Lumberjack Lifts, opens in a new area adjacent to Thunderhead. The Barbeque & Bluegrass festival also premieres.
2007: Mystery Mine Opens
Mystery Mine, a Gerstlauer Eurofighter coaster with two vertical lift hills and dark ride elements, opens to the public. The $17 million ride is themed to an abandoned mine shaft.
2008: River Battle Opens
River Battle, an interactive water raft ride, opens in Wilderness Pass, a new section of the park connecting the Timber Canyon and Craftsman's Valley areas.
2009: "Imaginé" by Le Grand Cirque and "Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke" Debut
Dollywood presents two new shows: "Imaginé" by Le Grand Cirque, headlining the park's Festival of Nations, and "Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke", which featured music written by Dolly Parton and told the story of the last family living in the Smoky Mountains at the time it became a national park.
2009: "Thunder Road" Becomes Journey to the Center of the Earth: 4-D Adventure
Following a brief renaming to "White Lightning", "Thunder Road" is changed to a new attraction called Journey to the Center of the Earth: 4-D Adventure, based on the 2008 film.
November 16, 2010: Dollywood Wins Liseberg Applause Award
Dollywood received the Liseberg Applause Award, a prestigious industry recognition for amusement parks. Dolly Parton accepted the award at the IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010 in Orlando.
2010: Dolly Parton Shares Plans for Dollywood Expansion
Parton discussed plans for the future of Dollywood, including new attractions and the possibility of opening more Dollywood parks across the country.
2010: Dolly Parton Reveals Motivation for Dollywood
Dolly Parton explained that her motivation for investing in the park was to contribute to her home region's economic development and job creation.
2010: Adventure Mountain Opens
The Adventure Mountain attraction opens in the Wilderness Pass area at a cost of $5 million. It includes three distinct adventure courses, Geyser Gorge, Black Bear Cliff, and Rocky Top, that ranged from easy to expert with 100 different rope features, swinging beams, suspension bridges, flying islands, and floating stairs. Adventure trails ranged from a few inches above the ground to more than 26 feet (7.9 m) in the air. The area also includes a scaled-down play area called Camp Teachittoomee for younger children.
2011: Owens Farm Opens
Owens Farm, a new area featuring the $5.5 million giant swing called Barnstormer, replaced Dreamland Forest. It included a play area for younger guests.
March 24, 2012: Wild Eagle Opens
Wild Eagle, the first Bolliger & Mabillard Wing Coaster in the United States, opened to the public. It was the biggest investment in Dollywood history.
August 21, 2013: DreamMore Resort Announced
Dolly Parton announced Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa.
2013: Dollywood Focuses on Families
Dollywood dedicated the year to encouraging families to spend time together with new shows like Cirque Shanghai, Mystic India, and One World Party as part of the Festival of Nations. They also replaced KidsFest with Great American Summer, extended park hours, added a nightly fireworks show, and a new Christmas show based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
2014: FireChaser Express and New Slogan
Dollywood opened FireChaser Express, a dual-launch family coaster, in place of Adventure Mountain. The park's slogan was also changed to "Love Every Moment."
July 27, 2015: DreamMore Resort Opens
Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa opened to the public.
2015: DreamMore Resort Opens
Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa opened adjacent to Dollywood's Splash Country.
June 13, 2016: Lightning Rod Opens
Lightning Rod, the world's first launched wooden coaster and fastest wooden coaster, opened to the public.
October 2017: Construction Begins on Wildwood Grove
Dollywood began work on Wildwood Grove, a $37 million, 5-acre expansion that added eleven new attractions to the park.
2017: Dollywood Wins Multiple Golden Ticket Awards
Dollywood received Golden Ticket awards from Amusement Today for Friendliest Park, Best Christmas Event, Best Food, and Best Show.
2017: Drop Line and Whistle Punk Chaser Debut
Drop Line, a 200-foot freefall ride, replaced Timber Tower, and Whistle Punk Chaser, a junior roller coaster, opened.
2018: Plaza at Wilderness Pass and Entertainment Investments
Dollywood transformed the former River Battle site into the Plaza at Wilderness Pass, an open space for relaxation and seasonal events, as part of the park's largest entertainment investment in its history.
2018: Dollywood and DreamMore Resort Win USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Dollywood was ranked sixth Best Amusement Park in the U.S. in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. DreamMore Resort and Spa was ranked first in the Best Amusement Park Hotel category, and Aunt Granny's Restaurant was ranked first in the Best Amusement Park Restaurant category.
2018: Dollywood Wins Golden Ticket Awards and High Ranking
Dollywood won the Golden Ticket award for Best Food for the fourth time in seven years, as well as awards for Best Shows, Friendliest Park, and Best Christmas Event. It was ranked the third best park in the world.
2018: Dollywood Wins Best Christmas Event
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event.
May 10, 2019: Wildwood Grove Opens
Wildwood Grove, a $37 million, 5-acre expansion, opened to the public, featuring eleven new attractions.
October 2019: Dollywood Files Plans for New Resort
Dollywood filed plans for a new resort adjacent to Splash Country and DreamMore Resort, featuring a 310-room hotel, a 325-seat restaurant, and a conference space. The plans indicate the resort will create 100 jobs.
October 2019: Flower & Food Festival Announced
Dollywood announced a new festival, Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival, featuring large topiaries, photo opportunities, and food.
2019: Lightning Rod Named "Wooden Roller Coaster of the Decade"
Coaster101.com named Dollywood's Lightning Rod rollercoaster "Wooden Roller Coaster of the Decade".
2019: Wildwood Grove Opens at Dollywood
Wildwood Grove, a new area in Dollywood, opened featuring attractions like Dragonflier, The Mad Mockingbird, The Wildwood Tree, and Till & Harvest Food Hall.
2019: Dollywood Wins Golden Ticket Awards for 2018
Dollywood won Golden Ticket awards for Best Kids' Area, Best Guest Experience, and Best Christmas Event of 2018.
2019: SkyZip Closes
Dollywood closed the SkyZip attraction after taking over operations from Skyline Eco-Adventures.
June 2020: Flower & Food Festival Postponed
Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2021: Dollywood Announces $500 Million Expansion
Dollywood announced plans for a $500 million expansion, including details about the HeartSong Lodge & Resort, featuring 302 rooms, suites, a 4-story atrium with a fireplace, and shopping and culinary experiences.
June 2021: Flower & Food Festival Opens
The Flower & Food Festival, originally planned for 2020, opened after a year-long delay.
2021: Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Wins 13th Consecutive Golden Ticket Award
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event for the 13th consecutive year.
August 5, 2022: Dollywood Announces New Rollercoaster: Big Bear Mountain
Dollywood announced the construction of a new rollercoaster named Big Bear Mountain, the longest in the park's history.
2022: Dollywood Undergoes Offseason Renovations
Dollywood underwent several renovations, including the removal of the Silver Dollar Mine tunnel, renovation of the parking complex for better efficiency, renovation of Iron Horse Pizza for greater capacity, a makeover of The Emporium, and removal of two buildings for wider walkways.
2022: Tripadvisor Names Dollywood Number One Theme Park in the U.S.
Tripadvisor ranked Dollywood as the number one theme park in the United States.
May 12, 2023: Big Bear Mountain Rollercoaster Opens
Dollywood's new rollercoaster, Big Bear Mountain, officially opened to the public.
2023: Big Bear Mountain Added to Wildwood Grove
Big Bear Mountain, a launching steel family roller coaster, was added to Dollywood's Wildwood Grove area.
2023: HeartSong Lodge & Resort Scheduled to Open
Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort is scheduled to open, along with campgrounds, three additional resorts, and a "record-breaking" attraction for the theme park.