Beloved theme park ranked No. 1 in the US — besting even Disney and Universal fun spots: ‘Above-and-beyond reviews'
Tripadvisor has named the top amusement park in the U.S. — and it's not in Disney or Universal.
In its 2025 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards this week, Dollywood was named No. 1 in the Amusement & Water Parks category.
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The Appalachian-themed park co-founded by the legend Dolly Parton bested Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Universal Studios this year.
5 Dollywood was named No. 1 in the Amusement & Water Parks category.
Jacob Biba for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Dollywood is located in the Great Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and features rides, an adjoining water park and a museum showcasing Parton's costumes and memorabilia.
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This isn't the first time Parton's amusement park, which opened to the public in 1986, has landed in the No. 1 spot — according to Knoxville News Sentinel, Dollywood has earned the top spot three times in four years.
It's also been named one of the top 25 amusement parks in the world at No. 11 — and it's the only park in North America to make the top 15 on the international list.
5 Dolly Parton at Dollywood in 1993.'This award is humbling,' Dollywood President Eugene Naughton said in a statement to the outlet, 'because it is derived from real reviews left by our actual guests describing their time here at our parks and resorts.'
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Dollywood was also named America's favorite theme park for the third year in a row this past May by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.
Disney World's Magic Kingdom came in second place, and Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania ranked No. 3.
The ranking by Tripadvisor is based on 'above-and-beyond reviews and opinions' from the site's community over 12 months, the website said, adding that out of the 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve the milestone.
5 The Chasing Rainbows theater at Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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5 The Dollywood Express steam locomotive carries guests throughout Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
'We've earned a number of honors this year from national organizations, and it is all due to the hard work of our hosts who ensure our guests feel welcome and cared for while they are here,' Naughton continued.
5 Park guests ride the Smoky Mountain River Rampage at Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
'We feel – and these awards continue to show – the Dollywood Parks and Resorts experience truly is best in class.'
'We don't provide the best guest experience in the country to try to win these awards. We do it because it is the right thing to do,' he added when speaking to the Daily Mail.
Tripadvisor's top 15 amusement & water parks in the United States
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