Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood
is an amusement theme park filled with attractions and activities the
whole family will enjoy. As Tennessee’s no. 1 attraction, this 130-acre
adventure is filled with thrilling rides, spectacular entertainment
shows, heritage crafts and much more. Resting at the foot of the Smoky
Mountains, Dollywood is the perfect place for a family weekend
expedition.
History
Dollywood takes its name from its owner, Dolly Parton, an iconic American entertainer. The theme park is also owned by the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, which owns and operates several other theme parks and entertainment venues. Originally opened as “Rebel Railroad” in the 1960’s as a small tourist attraction, the park would eventually be bought by Jack and Pete Herschend. Dolly Parton would later become co-owner of the park, and the name would be changed to Dollywood. One of the unique aspects of Dollywood is that it follows a theme that reflects the region it is located in, featuring music, arts and crafts of the Smoky Mountain area.Attractions
The park is divided into 10 unique areas, each with its own specific theme:- Showstreet: This area of the park can be considered the guest services hub. It is also home to Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theatre, and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
- Jukebox Junction: At Jukebox Junction, guests will get a taste of some of the historical eras and culture of east Tennessee. Attractions like Cas Walker’s store and The Pines Theatre were inspired by actual businesses that existed in Tennessee.
- The Village: The Village is home to the Dollywood Express, a steam train that runs a 2.5 mile loop that goes all the way up to the top of the mountain on Dollywood’s northern border.
- The Country Fair: At The Country Fair, guests can ride The Wonder Wheel, which is a take on the classic Ferris Wheel that provides the best aerial views of the theme park.
- Craftsmen’s Valley: Craftsmen’s Valley features a multitude of rides and attractions, like live craft demonstrations, an eagle habitat and the Tennessee Tornado rollercoaster.
- Wilderness Pass: Guests will really get a chance to experience the outdoors in the Wilderness Pass section of Dollywood. Take a ride down a zipline at the SkyZip attraction, or navigate through 100 obstacles at the Adventure Mountain adventure course.
- Timber Canyon: The Thunderhead rollercoaster in Timber Canyon is one of Dollywood’s most popular attractions. It is suggested that you visit this attraction first to avoid the long lines later in the day.
- Rivertown Junction: If you’re looking to get a little wet during your visit at Dollywood, make sure you ride the Smoky Mountain River Rampage at Rivertown Junction. This is a whitewater rafting ride you’re sure to remember.
- Owen’s Farm: Owen’s Farm is a farm-themed section of Dollywood, where guests can ride The Barnstormer, which is a barn and plane themed swing attraction.
- Adventures in Imagination: Adventures in Imagination feature some great indoor attractions like the Chasing Rainbows Museum and Imagination Cinema, where guests can take a break and cool off in air-conditioned rooms.
Dollywood Festivals
Along with the regular rides, shows and other attractions, Dollywood is also popular for its four annual festivals:- Festival of Nations (Spring): The Festival of Nations features entertainment, music, dance food and art from around the world. Experience the Zambian Vocal Group, the Los Pampas Gauchos Argentinian show or the Zebra Stelzentheater of Germany show.
- Kidsfest (Summer): Summer vacation from school is the perfect time to attend Kidsfest, the largest children’s festival in the south. There are popular shows and activities for kids and parents to enjoy.
- National Gospel and Harvest Celebration (Fall): Starting in the month of October, this festival features master-craftsmen demonstrations, autumn cuisine and the Southern Gospel Artists.
- Smoky Mountain Christmas (Winter): Experience a winter wonderland in the Smoky Mountains during the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at Dollywood. During November through December, the park will feature special shows, foods, decorations and other attractions to fill guests with that holiday cheer.
Admission
Here are the general admission prices as of late 2011:- Regular Admission (Ages 12 to 59): $57.25
- Child Admission (Ages 4 to 11): $46.00
- Senior Admission (Ages 60+): $53.90
- Military Discount: Guests with a valid military ID can receive up to a 30 percent discount on admission.