Congratulations - Dollywood Named Favorite Amusement Park
DOLLYWOOD NAMED FAVORITE AMUSEMENT PARK BY NATIONAL AMUSEMENT PARK HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Pigeon Forge theme park earns another “Nation’s Best” award just as summer in the Smokies begins
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Monday, June 3, 2024) —Fresh off the opening of the highly acclaimed Dolly Parton Experience, Dollywood theme park earned yet another award that points directly at the quality experience guests can expect when they visit the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park.
The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) recently released the results of its 38th annual NAPHA Amusement Park and Attractions Survey, and for Dollywood fans, the news sounded very familiar. Dollywood was named the favorite theme park in the country by eligible NAPHA voters. The park’s Big Bear Mountain roller coaster also was voted the best new attraction of 2023.
The results of the survey should not be taken lightly, as the association’s members are experienced theme park enthusiasts who have visited countless parks around the world. The average member has been to more than one hundred different theme parks and has ridden more than 340 roller coasters. In 2023, members went to an average of 14 parks during the course of the year. NAPHA members voted Disney World—a conglomeration of four different parks in Florida—in the second position, while Disneyland in Anaheim, California, finished third.
Dollywood’s position as a leader in the theme park industry has grown quickly in the last decade, with the park routinely earning top awards as voted by both guests and industry insiders. Those who have visited the park understand the quality of the Dollywood experience is unparalleled and is the driving force behind the park’s recent awards success.
In 2023, Dollywood earned five Golden Ticket Awards, including Best Park in the world and Best Guest Experience. The latter award considers friendliness of employees as well as the overall value for the money paid in bestowing the honor, two areas where Dollywood truly shines. Earlier this season, Dollywood was named the #1 attraction in the world which former guests most wish to revisit, owing again to the quality and value guests find during their time at the park. Additionally, Dollywood was named #27 on Forbes’ first-ever Top 300 Best Companies for Customer Service in 2024.
“We pride ourselves on offering our guests the absolute best possible experience when they are here with us,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton. “We focus on providing an excellent value to our guests. When you compare what we offer here to our competitors within the industry, I think you see we give guests a world-class experience for every member of the family. I believe that is the reason why we have seen so much success with awards competitions and honors the last several years.
“We also provide an unbeatable value year after year, while reinvesting in new experiences and guest improvements at the same time. Look at The Dolly Parton Experience which we opened less than two weeks ago. It is an industry-leading offering that follows closely behind two spectacular additions last year: the greatest new ride in the industry, Big Bear Mountain, and one of the top resort properties at any theme park, HeartSong Lodge & Resort.”
For those looking to squeeze in one last visit to Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health, it ends June 9! And while Mother Nature has provided plenty of rain this spring to keep more than one million brilliant blooms gorgeous, there is plenty to do throughout the park in the sun, the rain or whatever trick she has up her sleeve.
New at Dollywood this season, “From the Heart—The Life and Music of Dolly Parton,” ends its debut run at the conclusion of the Flower & Food Festival. This awe-inspiring musical gives guests a firsthand look at Dolly’s monumental career by using some of her biggest hits to lead the way.
Dollywood’s newest show, “Heidi Parton: Kin & Friends,” is located in Dreamsong as part of The Dolly Parton Experience. The show features Dolly’s niece, Heidi Parton, and a cast singing songs and telling stories; and since Heidi wrote it alongside her aunt Dolly, it includes songs and stories that only family would know!
And while the Flower & Food Festival is coming to an end, there is plenty to keep guests entertained during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City. The “Gazillion Bubble Show,” returning this summer, is a one-of-a-kind spectacular that kids (and parents) of all ages will love. The entire family will be mesmerized by bubbles of all shapes, sizes and colors, and a fantasy segment pays homage to Dolly and her Smoky Mountain heritage.
Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party and Drone Show returns to enchant and amaze. As the sun sets, Wildwood Grove transforms with a hyped DJ and energetic dancers inviting guests of all skill and coordination to participate in the action. When the drones launch, the party takes to the sky, telling a unique Dollywood story through 3D animations, a symphony of light and an accompanying soundtrack.
The Pines Theater is home to two new shows this summer, Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience (June 14 – July 13) and Phat Cat Swinger (July 15 – Aug. 11). Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience highlights the many talents of rescue and shelter dogs from across the country. Phat Cat Swinger performs both original music and re-imagined favorites with style, class and charisma.
At The Imagination Playhouse in Heartsong Theater, three classic children’s stories – books included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – come to life on stage. This season, the featured musicals include “Coat of Many Colors,” “The Little Engine that Could” and “Violet the Pilot.” These fun and imaginative stories provide endless fun for kids…and adults!
For more information about Dollywood’s 2024 season, visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and the newly opened Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 58 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or powens@dollywood.com
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or wramey@dollywood.com
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or eliston@dollywood.com
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or jwebb@dollywood.com
Josh Sauer: Publicist, (865) 428-9891, (865) 323-2653 or joshua.sauer@dollywood.com
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/
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