PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Marking a milestone 25th anniversary season, Dollywood opens on March 27, 2010, with the addition of Adventure Mountain, America’s largest challenge course. “Everyone knows that I’m a dreamer, and the 25th anniversary of my Dollywood theme park is the continuation of a country girl’s dream of a special place where families can experience and enjoy all that my Smoky Mountain home has to offer,” Dolly Parton said. “I’m inviting everyone to join us all season long as we celebrate the dreamer in YOU, too!” Plans to honor the silver anniversary pay tribute to the park’s rich history while saluting this season’s guests. A daily entertainment showcase will take place in the park’s Adventures in Imagination area along with photographic exhibits in Valley Exhibition Hall which trace the park’s growth from 1986 to today. In addition, appearing via multi-media presentations, Parton shares her most heartfelt memories with guests visiting... (more...)

6th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Accepts Entries Sevierville (TN) – The 6th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honors the songwriting of Sevierville’s favorite daughter, Dolly Parton, and is hosted by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. During this competition, contestants must sing a song written by Dolly Parton in the style of his or her own choosing (country, rock, rap, bluegrass, etc.). Contestants may enter in the 13 and up age division or the 12 and under division for this competition. Audition tapes, sent by mail, will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals who will identify 20 finalists in the 13 and up age division and 10 finalists in the 12 and under category. Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals at Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday,... (more...)

Three new shows, an all-new Imaginé highlight the launch of the park’s 25th anniversary season. From dance to drumming, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations presented by Humana celebrates rhythms of the world with three new shows and the return of the all-new Imaginé presented by Le Grand Cirque at the international celebration March 27 through April 26. “For Dollywood’s 25th anniversary season, I’ve brought three new shows—DRUM!, Jallmay and Invaders—along with a brand new Imaginé show to get my silver celebration off to a spectacular start,” Dolly Parton said. “We’ve got the best dancing and music and entertainment for the entire family, and Festival of Nations is just the beginning!” Dollywood marks its 25th year of operation this season. Daily celebrations and special guest recognition moments are planned throughout the season to mark the occasion. Additional 25th anniversary attractions include a showcase of Parton’s ensembles worn at park appearances, showcased... (more...)

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood theme park’s 25th anniversary includes the launch of Dollywood Vacations, a new venture which offers convenient one-stop vacation planning, exclusive privileges for guests to use at the Dollywood parks and area travel packages. “As we celebrate Dollywood’s 25th anniversary, I’m thrilled that with Dollywood Vacations and our new Dollywood.com website, we can help families find a place to play and a place to stay and help them save some money at the same time,” Dolly Parton said. “We look forward to bringing more families to the Great Smoky Mountains area in the years to come which will benefit everyone.” The Dollywood properties currently bring a cumulative attendance of more than four million visitors to the area each year. Dollywood Vacations guests at select properties receive exclusive privileges for taking advantage of the new planning features offered on the Dollywood.com website which serves as the gateway to Dollywood,... (more...)

Dollywood’s 25th anniversary season offers guests the opportunity to conquer America’s largest challenge course with the opening of the new Adventure Mountain attraction on March 27, 2010. “My new Adventure Mountain is just one of the many fun and exciting additions I have in store for folks during Dollywood’s 25th anniversary season,” Dolly Parton said. “Adventure Mountain is the perfect way for families to enjoy nature in the beautiful outdoors here in the Smoky Mountains, so I’m officially challenging everybody to try it!” Universally unmatched in size and scope, Adventure Mountain covers two-acres of mountainside outdoor terrain in Dollywood’s Wilderness Pass area. Designed exclusively for Dollywood, Adventure Mountain features four courses that range from easy to expert. Camp Teachittoomee, located at the mountain’s base, offers a variety of ground-based experiences for younger visitors who can become “ranger recruits.” Geyser Gorge takes... (more...)

Dollywood Adventure Mountain Is your family ready for our new action-packed Adventure Mountain? Explore two acres of mountainside terrain with four different adventure courses and more than 100 challenging obstacles, including swinging beams, suspension bridges, flying islands, and a tire traverse. Experience the best of the Smoky Mountains and the great outdoors in one place. Dollywood’s Adventure Mountain!  Read More →

Entertainment legend honored by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions annual Big E Awards. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dolly Parton added yet another award to her trophy case in November—her first-ever Heartbeat Award for Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke, a $1.3 million production which opened at her Dollywood theme park on May 9, 2009. Dollywood has won 15 Big E Awards in the past four years, more than any other theme park in the world. The Heartbeat Award was presented on Nov. 18 during the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) Expo’s annual Big E Entertainment Awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Dollywood Entertainment Director Paul T. Couch accepted the award, on behalf of Parton and Dollywood. The Big E Awards recognize the best theme park shows in the world. “Sha-Kon-O-Hey! tells the story of folks like me who grew up in the Smoky Mountains,” Parton said. “I was truly honored to tell our story through my heartfelt words... (more...)

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood theme park claimed its fourth consecutive international Heartbeat Award along with three additional trophies at this year’s International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo’s Big E entertainment awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Nov. 18. The latest awards bring Dollywood’s total to 15 in the past four years, more than any other theme park in the world. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke won the prestigious Heartbeat Award.  The $1.3 million production premiered May 9, 2009, featuring eight songs written by Dolly Parton and tells the story of the last family leaving the area that would become Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Sha-Kon-O-Hey! returns May 2010 for Dollywood’s 25th anniversary season. Dollywood’s previous Heartbeat Award winners are Dreamland Drive-In (2008 & 2006) and The Great American Country Show (2007). “The true honor in receiving the Heartbeat Award lies in its recognition of our ability to... (more...)

Dollywood invites everyone who works or lives in Sevier County admission for only $5 per person.  Proceeds will be donated to the Sevier County Food Ministries.  This special offer is going on November 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 19, 2009.  All you have to do to take advantage of this great offer is: Present your state or federal issued photo I.D. and verification of Sevier County residence (such as an electric bill, water bill, personal check, or payroll stub)  at any Dollywood ticket booth any one day.  Spouse must present a state or federal issued photo I.D. with same last name or provide proof of marriage.  Children under age 16 and living at home will be allowed admission with their parents only.  Otherwise proof of Sevier County residence is required. Anyone 16 years or older must present a state or federal issued photo I.D. and verification of Sevier County residence or employment. I.D. will be recorded for proof of visit. Parking fees, food and merchandise are not free. Offer... (more...)

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood unwraps its 20th anniversary holiday season on Nov. 7 with the opening of its award-winning festival Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, which continues through Jan. 2, 2010.   Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival recently won its second consecutive Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event.  The awards are presented annually to the “best of the best” in the amusement industry by Amusement Today magazine from an international poll. “I just love spending the holidays with family and friends, so I hope my Smoky Mountain Christmas festival brings families closer together this time of year.” Dolly Parton said.  “My wish is for everyone to be wrapped in warm holiday memories, just like the ones of my family that I cherish and hold so dear.” The Golden Tickets also honored Dollywood for Best Shows, which includes the park’s lineup of holiday entertainment.  Dollywood’s live stage shows feature Dollywood’s Babes... (more...)