Latest news with #SplashCountry
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dollywood's Splash Country's 25th season has water rides, dance parties and new food
Summer is almost here, and Dollywood's Splash Country is ready to help you cool off. The award-winning Pigeon Forge water park opens May 10 for its 25th anniversary season. 'When I think about 25 years at Dollywood's Splash Country, that's a lot of folks that have visited. Hundreds of thousands of families that have come out here and spent a day in their summer creating memories. It's not just a water park sometimes; it's a tradition,' Director of Operations Jordan Leach said during a media preview. For the 2025 season, live music bashes return, and a few new food items will be on the menu. Here's what else you can expect this year at Splash Country. The water park's 25th season kicks off May 10-11 for weekend operation. Daily operation begins May 17 and continues through Aug. 9. And then weekend operation returns through Sept. 21, the final day of the water park's season. Splash Country has 16 rides plus other attractions across its 35 acres, and embraces the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Thrill seekers can enjoy RiverRush, Tennessee's first water coaster, Fire Tower Falls and Mountain Twist. For a more calming water getaway, you can drift down the award-winning Downbound Float Trip lazy river or splash in the water at the Mountain Waves wave pool. The popular Splash Bash Music Series turns the water park into a pool dance party. A rotation of artists perform at the wave pool stage. A full list of artists and dates will be posted at If you just want to kick back and lie out in the sun (or shade), Splash Country has a variety of canopies and waterside retreats for rent. The Family Reunion Retreat accommodates large groups of more than 12 people. Splash Country's culinary team has 'created a wave of tasty treats' for the 25th season, according to Dollywood. New food items include: Chicken street corn nachos at the Watering Hole and Big River Pavilion Chicken Alfredo pizza at Campsite Grill Garlic parmesan chicken tenders at Oakley Bros Food Wagon Additional summertime meals and treats can be found at Dogs N Taters, Ned's Bear Paws and Mountain Waves Creamery. Splash Country tickets start at $54.95 for one-day admission. An opening presale for $44.95 is available through May 11. 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. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dollywood's Splash Country is back, bigger, splashier and tastier
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How big a splash did Dollywood and other Tennessee water parks make on 10BEST lists?
Dollywood's Splash Country has a few new awards to start its 25th season! The water park, along with others in Tennessee, received 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards recognition in several water park categories. Splash Country, which opens May 10 for the season, made the cut in three categories. And Soaky Mountain is among the best outdoor water parks in the country. Tidal Track Wave Pool at SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville also received praise, coming in at No. 9 on the best wave pool list. Check out the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards honorees and where local attractions placed. 'One of the top water slides at Dollywood's Splash Country is undoubtedly the Raging River Rapids,' notes 10BEST about the 700-foot-long ride. It is Dollywood's, and Tennessee's, highest showing in the 2025 water park awards. VR Waterslide at Kalahari Resorts - Poconos (Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania) Tassie's Underwater Twist at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida) Voyage to the Center of the Earth at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado) Reef Plunge at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida) Raging River Rapids at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) High Extreme at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California) Vanish Point at Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida) Tomcat Racers at Wild Rivers Waterpark (Irvine, California) Neptune's Fury at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California) Calypso Coaster at Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida) Soaky Mountain makes its sole 10BEST appearance at No. 7, even beating out Splash Country, which didn't make the list this year. Soaky Mountain has several adventure thrill rides such as Black Bear Rapids Adventure, Coyote Springs pool and the Edge Dueling Watercoaster. Splashway Waterpark (Sheridan, Texas) Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado) Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida) Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana) Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa) Island H2O Water Park (Kissimmee, Florida) Soaky Mountain Waterpark (Sevierville, Tennessee) Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia) Adventure Island (Tampa, Florida) Aquatica San Antonio (San Antonio) Splash Country's Downbound Float Trip floated through lush landscapes and gentle cascades to claim the eighth spot on the best lazy river list. Wind-Away River at Discovery Cove Orlando (Orlando, Florida) Loggerhead Lane at Aquatica Orlando (Orlando, Florida) Kailahi River at Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa) Bahari River at Splashin' Safari Water Park (Santa Claus, Indiana) Lazy River at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado) Hubba Hubba Highway at Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia) Bubbly Lazy River at DreamWorks Water Park (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Downbound Float Trip at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) Castaway River at Wild Rivers Waterpark (Irvine, California) Aloha River at Hula Hula Bay at White Water (Branson, Missouri) Tennessee's first and only water coaster continues to make a splash. Splash Country's RiverRush (No. 10) uses water jets to propel rafts up steep inclines and through twists, turns and tunnels to give riders a roller coaster-like experience. Eagle Hunt at Boulder Beach at Silverwood (Athol, Idaho) Wildebeest at Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana) Mile High Flyer at Water World (Federal Heights, Colorado) Wailua Kupua at Lost Island Waterpark (Waterloo, Iowa) Breakers Edge Water Coaster at The Boardwalk At Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania) Dream Runner at DreamWorks Water Park (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Aqua Rocket at Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, California) Cutback Water Coaster at Water Country USA (Williamsburg, Virginia) Mammoth at Splashin' Safari (Santa Claus, Indiana) RiverRush at Dollywood's Splash Country (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards highlight the best in travel, food and drink, and lifestyle, and are voted on by the public. A panel of industry experts nominate their favorite interests and attractions across a wide range of categories every week, and then 10BEST editors vet these nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented for a public vote. 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: How Dollywood ranked on the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST water park awards
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dollywood's Splash Country's 25th season has water rides, dance parties and new food
Summer is almost here, and Dollywood's Splash Country is ready to help you cool off. The award-winning Pigeon Forge water park opens May 10 for its 25th anniversary season. 'When I think about 25 years at Dollywood's Splash Country, that's a lot of folks that have visited. Hundreds of thousands of families that have come out here and spent a day in their summer creating memories. It's not just a water park sometimes; it's a tradition,' Director of Operations Jordan Leach said during a media preview. For the 2025 season, live music bashes return, and a few new food items will be on the menu. Here's what else you can expect this year at Splash Country. The water park's 25th season kicks off May 10-11 for weekend operation. Daily operation begins May 17 and continues through Aug. 9. And then weekend operation returns through Sept. 21, the final day of the water park's season. Splash Country has 16 rides plus other attractions across its 35 acres, and embraces the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Thrill seekers can enjoy RiverRush, Tennessee's first water coaster, Fire Tower Falls and Mountain Twist. For a more calming water getaway, you can drift down the award-winning Downbound Float Trip lazy river or splash in the water at the Mountain Waves wave pool. The popular Splash Bash Music Series turns the water park into a pool dance party. A rotation of artists perform at the wave pool stage. A full list of artists and dates will be posted at If you just want to kick back and lie out in the sun (or shade), Splash Country has a variety of canopies and waterside retreats for rent. The Family Reunion Retreat accommodates large groups of more than 12 people. Splash Country's culinary team has 'created a wave of tasty treats' for the 25th season, according to Dollywood. New food items include: Chicken street corn nachos at the Watering Hole and Big River Pavilion Chicken alfredo pizza at Campsite Grill Garlic parmesan chicken tenders at Oakley Bros Food Wagon Additional summertime meals and treats can be found at Dogs N Taters, Ned's Bear Paws and Mountain Waves Creamery. Splash Country tickets start at $54.95 for one-day admission. An opening presale for $44.95 is available through May 11. 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: Dollywood's Splash Country opens for 2025 summer season
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dollywood still growing, giving back as it enters 40th season
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Friday marked 40 seasons since Dollywood's original opening day. As the park celebrated the anniversary, they highlighted how they have grown and contributed to the rest of Sevier County. 'We wouldn't be what we are without the community, and we know that a lot of the community actually works at our properties, and the community supports us in so many ways that it is important for us to be able to give back to the people who do so much for us,' said PR Director Dollywood Parks and Resorts Wes Ramey. New zipline in Pigeon Forge becomes asset to East Tennessee tourism In a panel alongside the creators of Dollywood, Dolly Parton said their accomplishments, specifically with the Dollywood Foundation, have reached beyond the park's borders. 'The fact that we can actually give back so much and do so many great things through the foundation, and I think of the Imagination Library or myself, it is one of the greatest things, not just here in Dollywood, but I've ever been involved in my whole career,' said Parton. While Friday marked the anniversary of their original opening day, other parks are also passing milestones. Splash Country is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and they too reflected on how they have given back. Stone Memorial tops Tennessee girls flag football rankings in sport's inaugural season 'We're probably about a third of the size that we are now. We have added slides, we've added seating areas, we've added food restaurant locations,' said Splash Country Director of Operations, Jordan Leach. Last year, they held the second largest Water Safety Day in the nation, which aims at teaching communities water safety. 'It really supports our mission to make sure that families and kids are learning together, that they feel comfortable in the water and that they know how to stay safe,' said Leach. 'Whether they're visiting us here at Dollywood, Splash Country, or out of the pool at their house throughout the lake, that's really what it's all about, just making sure that people know how to be safe and have a good time.' Dolly Parton gives guests a sneak peek of Dollywood's 40th anniversary season While they hope to continue to grow alongside the rest of Dollywood, there may be some new attractions in store next year. In the 40th year celebration, the president of the Dollywood Company a teased there may be a new attraction coming to the park in 2026. While they didn't tell too many details they did say they are building a five-story 44,000 square-foot indoor attraction in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
