Latest news with #NAPHA
New York Post
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Dollywood crowned ‘favorite theme park' again in 2024
Dollywood earned the title of 'favorite theme park' in the country for the third straight year in 2024. That's according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association's (NAPHA) recently released yearly NAPHA Amusement Park Attractions Survey of its members. Dollywood's first-place ranking for 'favorite theme park' – one of a handful of categories that the survey looks at – for 2024 marked Dollywood's latest instance of receiving the title, after notching it with the NAPHA's members in 2022 and 2023. The park, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is also tied for first in that category with two other theme parks in 2021, per the NAPHA. Dollywood has over 50 rides and attractions. More than 2 million people visit Dolly Parton's park each year, according to the park's website. No. 2 for 'favorite theme park' went to Disneyland, the Walt Disney Co.-operated park in Anaheim, California. 4 The Lumber Jack's Pizza restaurant at the Dollywood theme park, pictured on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 4 The entrance to Dollywood is viewed on October 18, 2016 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Getty Images In the survey, Dollywood was also dubbed the second 'most beautiful park' behind Busch Gardens Williamsburg, according to the NAPHA. When it came to traditional amusement parks, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania emerged as NAPHA members' favorite for that category. 4 American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton poses for a portrait with her guitar at Dollywood circa 1993 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Getty Images 4 Dolly Parton at the Dollywood Dewitt tour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Dollywood and Passholder Preview Day held at the Celebrity Theater at Dollywood on March 14, 2025, in Pigeon Forge, TN. Curtis Hilbun / / MEGA Knoebels Amusement Resort's Phoenix roller coaster was also named the 'favorite wood roller coaster' for 2024 for the 14th year in a row, the NAPHA said. Other categories included in the NAPHA survey included 'favorite steel roller coaster' and 'best new attraction,' which Cedar Point's Millennium Force and Six Flags Great Escape's The Bobcat, respectively earned. The NAPHA's members have over 130 different parks under their belts on average, it said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ghost Town in the Sky could see a revival: What to know about potential sale
A wild-west themed amusement park in Maggie Valley may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide website Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village, formerly known as Ghost Town in the Sky, as a "cursed amusement park." The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park, which was once a popular attraction but has not been open since 2009. The NAPHA made a Facebook post on May 9, stating that a potential buyer from Florida expressed interest in buying the defunct amusement park. The same post said that current owner Jill McClure, who inherited the property, aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." So far, the NAPHA has mentioned only preliminary consideration of purchasing the park from the potential Florida buyer. However, current owner McClure has clarified that she hopes to sell the park, regardless, for entertainment purposes. Blue Ridge Mountain Life co-owner Larry Deane explained in a post on the website that the reasons behind Ghost Town Village's initial closure were "extensive." "Over the many years, the park just slowly ran into disrepair, having some significant infrastructure issues like water, power, sewage," Deane wrote. "After all, providing those services on the top of a mountain for an amusement park isn't easy." Deane also cited the decline in popularity of the "wild west" theme in as a reason why Ghost Town Village was closed. As the abandoned park is private property, it is unlawful to enter the area without permission. "It is illegal to enter the property, and you will be charged with trespassing per our conversation with local authorities," Deane wrote. More: Mother's Day tariff trouble: Flower costs rising. See Western NC grower options Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Ghost Town in the Sky, Ghost Town Village may attract new owner
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ghost Town in the Sky could see a revival: What to know about potential sale
A wild-west themed amusement park in Maggie Valley may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide website Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village, formerly known as Ghost Town in the Sky, as a "cursed amusement park." The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park, which was once a popular attraction but has not been open since 2009. The NAPHA made a Facebook post on May 9, stating that a potential buyer from Florida expressed interest in buying the defunct amusement park. The same post said that current owner Jill McClure, who inherited the property, aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." So far, the NAPHA has mentioned only preliminary consideration of purchasing the park from the potential Florida buyer. However, current owner McClure has clarified that she hopes to sell the park, regardless, for entertainment purposes. Blue Ridge Mountain Life co-owner Larry Deane explained in a post on the website that the reasons behind Ghost Town Village's initial closure were "extensive." "Over the many years, the park just slowly ran into disrepair, having some significant infrastructure issues like water, power, sewage," Deane wrote. "After all, providing those services on the top of a mountain for an amusement park isn't easy." Deane also cited the decline in popularity of the "wild west" theme in as a reason why Ghost Town Village was closed. As the abandoned park is private property, it is unlawful to enter the area without permission. "It is illegal to enter the property, and you will be charged with trespassing per our conversation with local authorities," Deane wrote. More: Mother's Day tariff trouble: Flower costs rising. See Western NC grower options Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Ghost Town in the Sky, Ghost Town Village may attract new owner
