Latest news with #EugeneNaughton
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Disney and Universal dethroned as top theme parks by little-known rival
In a big win for a small-town Tennessee treasure, Dollywood has been crowned the best amusement park in the US for the second year in a row. TripAdvisor's annual list, based on thousands of traveler reviews, ranks Dollywood above giants like Disney's Magic Kingdom and Universal's Islands of Adventure. '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,' said Dollywood president Eugene Naughton. 'This award from TripAdvisor is humbling though, because it is derived from reviews left by our actual guests describing their time here at our parks and resorts.' Disney's Magic Kingdom came in second once again, with Hollywood Studios landing in fourth. But despite Disney's enormous crowds — the Orlando parks draw up to 58 million guests a year, compared to Dollywood's 3 million — it was the Smoky Mountains park that won visitors' hearts. Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania jumped from eighth to third place, followed by Universal's Islands of Adventure, Fun Spot America, and Silver Dollar City. Whale's Tale Waterpark in New Hampshire cracked the top 10, nudging out Busch Gardens. Dollywood defeated Disney and Universal theme parks for the second year in a row TripAdvisor reviewers praised Dollywood not only for its rides but for its warmth, affordability, and charm. One visitor described it as 'a place to celebrate Dolly Parton's life,' blending Southern hospitality with thrill rides and family fun. Tickets to Dollywood range from $92 to $132, with water park access available for an additional $10. Meanwhile, some Disney fans are pushing back against the rankings — and recent park changes. Gavin Doyle, founder of Disney news site called Disneyland 'the most charming and impressive theme park resort in the US,' and questioned why it didn't make the top list. 'Dollywood is a great small theme park... but Walt Disney World delivers a great vacation experience at impressive scale,' he told Daily Mail. Meanwhile, Forbes also named Dollywood the top US employer for women, based on surveys of more than 140,000 women across large companies. 'We are proud of the ways we've empowered women across our organization — from leadership development to flexible scheduling and mentorship programs,' said Dollywood vice president of human resources Susan Loveday. Disney World has faced backlash from fans who were furious over its price hikes and ride removals Disney has faced criticism for high prices and the axing of rides. One guest was furious after paying $1,394.91 for a 'bargain' day out at Disney with his family of four. Fans also criticised the park for its decision to replace Star Wars: Launch Bay with a new experience called The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. Fans have also been grieving the loss of the Muppet Vision 3D show and the removal of Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland. It is to make room for a highly anticipated Cars land, but it has made guests believe Disney is 'tearing apart' Magic Kingdom. Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania jumped from eighth to third place, followed by Universal's Islands of Adventure, Fun Spot America, and Silver Dollar City. Whale's Tale Waterpark in New Hampshire cracked the top 10, nudging out Busch Gardens.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolly Parton gives guests a sneak peak of Dollywood's 40th anniversary season
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Dollywood is opening for it's 40th anniversary season on Saturday, with the park, and Dolly Parton herself, giving season passholders a first peak at the exciting additions to the park this year. Dolly Parton is slated to host an event opening the park at 11 a.m. Friday. That event will be livestreamed in this story. New Ober Mountain upgrades allow for longer snow sports season in 2025 Ahead of the 2025 season, the park shared that it has been wrapping up several major developments in Dollywood's parks and resorts. Company president Eugene Naughton told 6 News they are still hoping to hold onto traditions. One of the upgrades is a refresh of Dollywood's Country Fair area, where the Demolition Derby, Lemon Twist, and Sky Rider riders are located. Some of the other upgrades include a new 750-space parking lot, a new restaurant, and a permanent Imagination Playhouse. Friday's event also kicks off the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, a celebration of Dolly's iconic song of the same name. Laurel Falls Trail is closed, here's where to go in the Smokies instead Earlier this year, Dollywood hosted several hiring events to find staff to fulfil jobs across the park, with the park hiring staff for areas in it's award winning and culinary and merchandise teams, as well as life guards and front desk positions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dollywood wrapping up improvement projects ahead of 40th season
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Following a year of record attendance in 2024, Dollywood Parks and Resorts are preparing for another season and visitors can expect some major developments when they open this March. Dollywood will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. While they do plan to grow and change, Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton said they also hope to hold onto their traditions. Engine 107 departs Dollywood, exchanged for Hurricane Helene relief 'Probably just like you think about in your in your own home, right? There's a room that needs to get painted, there's a room that sort of needs a refresh, might need a new piece of furniture. It's same thing for us,' he said. Naughton said as Dollywood gears up for their 40th season starting next month, they have over 100 projects underway. Some of the largest being a 750-space parking lot, a new restaurant, and a refresh of the Country Fair. 'So we held on to the things that were already great and we just expanded on that,' said the Vice President of Guest Experience Cyndi McCormack. Smaller projects are also underway, like a new 'Dollywood' sign reminiscent of the one in Hollywood, a permanent Imagination Playhouse. They are also adding more entertainment including 'Play On,' a 40th anniversary show featuring songs and scenes from previous plays. 'This is our new production that will be able to showcase our most beloved shows, characters and experiences and we're really planning on packing as much as we can into a 35-minute show,' said Entertainment Director Paige Bales. While the park continues to expand, one employee who has worked here since it become Dollywood said the traditions stay the same. How tourism in Sevier County brings in millions of visitors and billions of dollars 'We've still kept the same feel that's coming in and learned in friendship and making friendship. The only thing that the growth has done as far as coworkers is just increase the opportunity and the number of people, the number of friendship,' said David Stinnet, who works for Dollywood Security. Naughton said it is the employees like him who continue this culture. 'The care and the heart that they put in to all of the different things that happen. Whether you're a member of our landscaping team or you're a painter or you're on rides maintenance or you're running in culinary or retail. We're a small city here on our campus, every one of them care about doing it right, because it's the right thing to do,' he said. ▶ See more top stories on While it may seem like they have a lot going on right now, Naughton assures nearly all of the projects they are working on will be completed come opening day. The park will open to the general public March 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
