The constant updates

Many parks try to add something new each year. This strategy is a marketing ploy as much as anything. With something new to offer, the advertising crew has something to sell. At Dollywood, the park’s going to do brisk business no matter what. Still, Dolly demands constant improvements, and her loyal employees do an amazing job of honoring the request.

Over the past few years, Dollywood has constructed four absolutely amazing new attractions. The Barnstormer was the first of them, arriving in 2011. Technically, the proper term is returning since the park had a Barnstormer until 2004, albeit a much different one. The new version is what the industry terms a Screamin’ Swing, albeit one that swings guests to the top of a mountain. It’s also the subject of the legendary “Never Again, Grace!” viral video meme.

In 2012, Dollywood added Wild Eagle, a wing coaster that delivers one of the most unique ride experiences in the world. They followed that in 2014 with FireChaser Express, the best themed ride at Dollywood since the legendary Blazing Fury. FireChaser Express tells the story of a fireman trying to prevent fireworks from going off on the mountain and thereby sparking like wildfire, a premise that sadly proved prophetic.

Dollywood’s most important recent addition is Lightning Rod, the reigning champion at the Golden Ticket Awards in the category of Best New Ride. As you can tell from reading this, the voters at Amusement Today love them some Dollywood. It’s the current winner in four different categories (Best Christmas Event is the fourth) out of 21 possible categories. That makes it THE most dominant theme park in terms of Golden Ticket Awards voting.

Lightning Rod is a wooden roller coaster that goes 73 miles per hour. If that sounds like a large number, it should. As of publication, it’s the fastest wooden roller coaster ever built. Any self-respecting adrenaline junkie HAS to go to Dollywood to ride Lightning Rod. It’s the current alpha in the wooden roller coaster industry.

The owner

Before Dolly Parton arrived, this business was called Silver Dollar City. It was fine but generally viewed as inferior to other theme parks in the same general region, particularly Six Flags Over Georgia and Opryland USA. How important was Dolly to the improvements? Well, Dollywood is now the most popular tourist attraction in Tennessee, even surpassing Graceland, the mansion and estate of the late Elvis Presley. Opryland USA went out of business in 1997. Dolly Parton purchased a portion of the business 1986. After only 11 years of ownership, she didn’t just surpass her main competition in the state of Tennessee. She put them out of business entirely.

Dolly’s more than just a shrewd businesswoman. She’s also kind beyond words. I’ll offer two examples, one of which is personal. My freshman year of college, I attended a religious institution close to Dollywood. Many of the students there had grown up in Sevierville, the city where many Dollywood employees live. Dolly offered a college scholarship to every one of these students. The official program is called the Buddy System.

Many of the early participants of the Buddy System later joined Dollywood in a professional capacity. When you visit the park, you’ll discover the friendliest employees this side of Disney. For that matter, you might find them even more personable. Dollywood is the reigning winner at the Golden Ticket Awards in the category of Friendliest Theme Park, beating Disney at their own game.

The other example I’ll note is that Sevier County suffered a tragedy in late 2016. A sudden fire outbreak in the mountains destroyed numerous businesses and homes. The estimated property damage was $500 million. Dolly started the My People Fund to help those in need in a time of great tragedy. She also pledged to pay $1,000 per month to each of the 900 families who lost their homes in the fire. Later, she upped that amount with a final bonus, giving each family a total of $10,000. That’s $9 million she personally donated as a simple act of generosity and kindness to people living in her hometown. 

Dolly’s the absolute best. You should come visit her park.