Latest news with #Dollywood
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Dolly Parton's Two Dollywood Resorts In Pigeon Forge Will Surprise You
American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton poses for a portrait at Dollywood. Getty Images Dolly Parton is a lovable celebrity if ever there was one. She has used the power of her fame to give back in big ways, and one way she gives back to the small Tennessee community where she grew up is her mega-successful Dollywood theme park. Located in the heart of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains where the superstar grew up, Dollywood welcomes millions of visitors each year. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa is an upscale spot to stay that's also family-friendly. Dollywood Parton has expanded the fun for fans with two lodge-style resorts near Dollywood. Both Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort helped fulfill Parton's dream of expanding the Dollywood experience for guests beyond the beloved theme park. While there are a lot of similarities between the two resorts, which were opened eight years apart, some amenities and luxuries are only available at each hotel. Here's what you need to know to decide which Dollywood resort to choose for your next Pigeon Forge vacation. PIGEON FORGE, TN - OCTOBER 18: The entrance to Dollywood is viewed on October 18, 2016 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this tourist resort community is home to Dollywood and other entertainment and roadside attractions. (Photo by) Getty Images Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa is the more upscale choice of the two Dollywood resorts. Dollywood For the past decade, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa has been providing special experiences for guests in the Great Smoky Mountains. It first opened to much fanfare on July 27, 2015. It has an endearing butterfly theme, and you'll find Dolly's special touches throughout the resort. That's includes an album corridor where even hardcore fans may be surprised at how many albums Dolly has released. Her album covers are numerous and beautifully displayed in this corridor that also features a large portrait of Parton singing. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa has an album corridor with Dolly's many album covers. Dollywood Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa has a luxurious, full-service spa and other amenities that make it feel like a real vacation for visitors of all ages. It was designed to feel like a home away from home, with porches where you can relax in a rocking chair, and the grand living room has a fireplace and games like checkers for guests to enjoy playing together. The spa at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa is a haven for adults who need rest and relaxation as part of their vacation. Dollywood There are 299 guestrooms and suites at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa. There's a grand lobby with two indoor fireplaces. The 20-acre resort has live entertainment, a grand pool complex, and an onsite restaurant. There's also an outdoor pool with fire pit areas for guests to enjoy the outdoors in cool and warm weather. A wide range of accommodations are available at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa. Dollywood And did you ever wish you knew what it was really like to be a touring superstar? In 2022, the resort added Dolly's Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience. You can book an overnight stay in the tour bus that Parton used from 2008 to 2022. And it's all for a good cause! The net proceeds from every stay in Dolly's tour bus are donated to the Dollywood Foundation. Dolly Suite 1986 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans. Dollywood If you're visiting during the holidays and love extravagant décor, you'll want to stay at the DreamMore Resort and Spa. It goes all out for the holidays. From the awe-inspiring gigantic Christmas tree in the lobby to the set-up for the perfect holiday card family photo, this resort is extra special during the holidays. Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge and Resort embraces its Smoky Mountains surroundings. Dollywood With a modern lodge feel and homey atmosphere, Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort shows off the nature and hospitality that welcome visitors to Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. According to CNN, Parton described the resort's aesthetic as 'high-fashion rustic'. Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort has communal spaces for guests to enjoy time together. Dollywood It's quite grand, too. When you walk in the lobby, your eyes are drawn to the four-story stone fireplace with a depiction of a young Dolly with trees and butterflies. There's also a portrait of an adult Dolly in the lobby on the opposite side of the lobby. Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort is a special place that inspires some guests to return year after year. Dollywood This resort has a dragonfly theme and is named after Dolly Parton's 1994 song 'Heartsong' When the resort opened in 2023, she was there to perform the song and make jokes that were typical of her self-deprecating sense of humor. Dolly fans will certainly love this resort. You'll find her touches in all the resort's common spaces and accommodations. Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort has 302 guestrooms and suites. Many have balconies in keeping with the resort's design to help bring guests outside to savor the beauty of the Smokies. What Dollywood's Resorts Have In Common Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort are neighboring resorts. They are both located in Pigeon Forge. They're only a few minutes from Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, and they're close to the many tourist attractions in Gatlinburg, too. Camp DW is a fun summer program at both resorts, too. It is a way for parents and kids to enjoy some special experiences together such as arts and crafts, pool parties during the warmer months, storytelling, and themed activities to enjoy inside and in the great outdoors. Guests of both Dollywood resorts receive complimentary trolley service to Dollywood parks. Daily parking at both resorts is complimentary, too. You'll find hydration stations where you can refill your water bottles at both Dollywood resorts. Then there are the extra perks that guests with valid Dollywood admission receive. They get one complimentary TimeSaver per day that lets guests enjoy give expedited entries to the theme park's attractions. Each guest with admission to Dollywood's Splash Country also get a complimentary Splash Country Timesaver H2O Pass that lets them enjoy two expedited entries to attractions at the water park. Other advantages for theme park attendees include early access to the park one hour before it opens to most guests, and they get complimentary preferred parking. Also, have you ever bought something at a theme park, then regretted having to carry it around all day? Well, that problem is solved for guests of Dollywood resorts. If you make any purchase over $25 in the parks, they will deliver your purchases directly to your guest room free of charge. ADA and hearing accessible rooms are available at both resorts. (When booking, be sure to specify your needs so they can confirm availability.) Lastly, don't expect Dolly Parton to choose between the resorts and other Dollywood expansions. She told Travel + Leisure, "It's all near and dear to me — it's like having kids — you have some [that are] prettier than others, but you love them all and you think they're all pretty, right? I love everything about the park, so it's hard for me to pick out one particular thing."
New York Times
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
In Nashville, a Homecoming for Dolly Parton and Her Musical
They came from across the country and drove in from the rest of Tennessee on Friday, braving the steamy heat of Nashville after a summer storm in sparkling boots, sequined jackets and butterfly accessories. There was even a blonde wig or two, piled high. It was fitting for the first public performance of the musical biography of the woman Tennessee proudly claims as one of its own: Dolly Parton. 'She wanted her people to see it,' said Kim Mynatt, 61, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., the first in line with her husband at least two hours before the curtain rose at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Friday. 'That's one of the things I love about her.' Nashville, of course, has its own Broadway: the downtown strip of honky-tonks and performance venues that has cultivated generations of musical talent. Yet it is an unusual place for a theater production, already aiming for a 2026 opening on Broadway in New York, to hold its world premiere. Unless, of course, that show is the story of Dolly Parton. 'Dolly's what got me here,' said Mynatt, who wore a 1989 Dollywood seasonal shirt — one of at least 30 Parton-themed shirts she owns — and one of Parton's official pink butterfly statement necklaces. 'The woman has never disappointed.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thrills and chills: See the water rides at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge
If you're looking for a fun way to escape the heat this summer, you might want to try rushing down Fire Tower Falls, taking the Big Bear Plunge or splashing in the water at the Mountain Waves wave pool. All these water activities and more are at Dollywood's Splash Country. The award-winning water park is celebrating its 25th season, which also features live music bashes and new food items. Splash Country has slides, rides, pools and splash pads for all ages. Downbound Float Trip lazy river and a variety of canopies and waterside retreats are available, too, if you want to leave the thrill water rides to the more adventurous folks. Daily operation for the summer continues through Aug. 10. And then weekend operation begins through Sept. 21, the final day of the water park's season. Water park hours are 10 a.m-7 p.m. through Aug. 3. Hours then shift to 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 4 through Sept. 21. Splash Country tickets start at $54.95 for one-day admission. A meal and drink can be included in the ticket price for an additional $5, and a meal, drink and snack can be included for an additional $10. Multiday passes and Dollywood/Splash Country combo deals are available, too. Tickets can be purchased at Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: See the water rides at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge
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Travel + Leisure
07-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Time to Hit the Road
There's something about summer that just feels like the perfect time to hit the open road—and in a country like the U.S., there's truly something for every kind of traveler. You could take a smooth jaunt along California's stunning coastal highways or zip through the red rock canyons of Utah. Or, you could take a sonically inspired journey through the heart of America's musical soul and spend a few days exploring Tennessee, with stops in Graceland, Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains. If you're seeking something a bit more international, there are plenty of prime routes in Mexico to consider as well. Whatever kind of adventure you're after, Travel + Leisure has the inspiration to spark your next trip.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
5 Cheap Cities To Live In To Feel Like You're Always on Vacation
Living a vacation lifestyle can feel out of reach for your budget, especially if it involves constantly traveling to a new destination. But what if you lived in a vacation spot or at least nearby? You could create a round-the-clock vacation dream. Check Out: Read Next: Explore some affordable cities that put vacation living within reach. Beach lovers looking for a spot to permanently vacation might find exactly what they are looking for in Myrtle Beach. The beachside town offers easy access to the ocean and a slew of fun activities to try, including antique shopping and mini golf. The cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 9.6% lower than the national average. On average, homes are worth $324,570 in this beachside haven, which is significantly lower than the national average of $367,969. Explore More: For anyone seeking a full-time mountain retreat with easy access to services, Knoxville could be the right spot. Not only is Knoxville's cost of living lower than the national average, but its location also makes it easy to enjoy the mountainous region. Knoxville residents will find themselves just an hour away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which has seemingly endless outdoor adventures available. Additionally, Pigeon Forge, complete with Dollywood, is under an hour from Knoxville. Home values in Knoxville are an average of $368,490, putting them on par with the national average. New Orleans is a bustling city filled with music and culture. For anyone considering a move, you might be surprised to learn that this mecca of southern charm has a cost of living only 1.6% higher than the national average. If moving from a more expensive city, New Orleans might feel more affordable. Within New Orleans, you'll find an endless selection of top-notch restaurants to try and a lively music scene to keep the vacation vibes going constantly. On average, home values in New Orleans are $245,364, which is over $100,000 below the national average, possibly putting homeownership in reach for you. The cost of living in Tampa is slightly above the national average. While you could potentially live in Tampa for less, close proximity to the beach might give you the feeling of a permanent vacation. Plus, those who love theme parks will need to drive only around an hour and a half or take the train into Orlando to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and the city's other major attractions. In terms of a home purchase, the average home value in Tampa is $379,156, which is around $10,000 higher than the national average. For those who want to spend more time visiting theme parks, Altamonte Springs offers an attractive option. It's less than an hour's drive to Walt Disney World or Universal Studios. If you want to take a trip out to the Florida coast, Cape Canaveral is approximately an hour away. But the Orlando suburb boasts a below-average cost of living for a family of four. If entering the housing market, expect the average home price to fall at $308,761, which is around $60,000 less than the national average. Vacation living might be within reach if you are willing to make a move. Before jumping into a particular place, consider giving it a test run to confirm you like what it has to offer. Editor's note: All cost-of-living figures were sourced from BestPlaces, and all home values were sourced from Zillow. More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on 5 Cheap Cities To Live In To Feel Like You're Always on Vacation
