Dollywood is an icon of the South. Located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the theme park is a southern staple, ordained with the people and places of the old south and crowned by the charm of country queen Dolly Parton herself. After opening in the early twentieth century as a simple coal fired railroad attraction, the park went through many transformations, including as Silver Dollar City Tennessee, before being graced with Dolly Parton’s brand in the 1980s.
With Dolly’s arrival came renewed interest in the regional park, with attendance increasing by 75% in the first year of the Dollywood name. As a result of the heightened popularity, the park has continually received expansion attention from executives. In 2019, over 50 years of development have led to a charming family park weaving and bobbing through the hills and valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains.
I had the privilege to trek to Dollywood this spring with the Penn State Theme Park Engineering Group (TPEG) and it was obvious to us that its designers took great care in crafting an authentic Tennessee experience in a safe, thrilling environment. Most people think of Walt Disney Imagineering or Universal Creative when discussing detailed and careful theming in ride and park design. However, Dollywood is a testament to the fact that a group of independent, creative-minded individuals can come together to create fully immersive guest experiences without the backing of a media conglomerate. When you step into the gates of Dollywood, you truly feel transported to Tennessee. From the 1950s themed Jukebox Junction with its thrillingly fast Lightning Rod coaster to the woodland themed Timber Canyon with its mind-bending Mystery Mine, the park is a delight from open to close. It is amazing that after all these years, it is still a secret to most families outside of the south. I sure can’t wait to go back!
sounds like a horrible experience… I hope that it gets shut down