🏆Dollywood wins FIVE Golden Ticket Awards! 🏆

Hi Everyone,

The 25th annual Golden Ticket Awards ceremony was held at Dollywood on Saturday September 9th, 2023. Both Dollywood and Dolly Parton were recipients of Golden Ticket Awards.

Amusement Today sets up the story...

Host facility Dollywood had its biggest year ever, snagging five awards, including the night’s biggest upset. For the first time ever, the Pigeon Forge theme park took Best Park, only the third park to ever do so. Other wins were for Best Guest Experience, Best Christmas Event of 2022 and Best Kids Area. The park also took AT’s newest category: Best Family Coaster. Big Bear Mountain was Dollywood’s largest investment in an attraction to date, and it paid off.

The Best Park award for the previous eight years, has been awarded to Europa Park in Germany, so that is an impressive award for Dollywood.

KnoxNews has a lot of great information, so let's let Davarrick Turner take it away... 

She built a career that made her a global icon, but it was Dolly Parton's dream to build something that would make her parents proud and honor all the people she grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains.

And she did exactly that with Dollywood. The theme park in Pigeon Forge she opened in the mid-1980s is now crucial to East Tennessee’s tourism, economy and culture.

“There's that old saying that you can never go home again. Well, whoever said that? I can’t ever get out of home. I mean, home is in my heart. These mountains, I’ve always cared (about them),” Parton told Knox News this weekend.

“I’m the only person that ever left the Smoky Mountains and took them with her,” she joked as only she could. “But seriously, I love these mountains. I'm so proud to be a Tennessee girl, and I'm proud to be a Smoky Mountain girl.”

Because there’s not a Dollywood party without Dolly, she was in Pigeon Forge on Sept. 9 to celebrate the theme park's big wins at the annual awards ceremony considered the Oscars of the amusement industry.

Dollywood is a huge part of her legacy, and it delights her to know that it continues to have a profound impact on East Tennessee, especially contributing to the growth of other businesses in the area.

“I'm just proud to have been part of the people that have provided jobs and watched it grow. And it's a good feeling to have been a part of that,” she said.

 

A golden night for a golden lady

It was truly a golden night for the popular theme park, earning recognition in 10 categories in total. In addition to best park, Dollywood also won top honors in the best guest experience, best kids’ area, best family coaster and best Christmas event categories. 

And it earned notable recognition in the most beautiful park, best food, best new coaster, best wooden roller coaster and best new attraction installation categories.

The Golden Ticket Awards were held at the Showstreet Palace Theater in Dollywood. The Pigeon Forge amusement park last hosted the ceremony in 2012.

“Each time I enter the park, I am immersed in a sense of welcome,” Golden Ticket Awards spokesperson Tim Baldwin said in a news release. “The food, the music, the rides, the atmosphere — there is a heart to it.”

“Just as Dolly likes to treat people with kindness and love, Dollywood exudes a sense of happiness. It makes you want to come back,” Baldwin continued. “This is why Dollywood has grown exponentially from a regional destination to a national one — and beyond.”

 

What are the Oscars of the amusement industry?

The Golden Ticket Awards are presented by Amusement Today, the amusement park industry’s leading trade magazine.

The awards are voted on by hundreds of industry journalists, ride manufacturers and experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans from around the globe. The pool of voters changes every year, according to Amusement Today.

Dollywood’s newest and longest attraction, Big Bear Mountain, was a major factor in the park’s 2023 accolades. It won the inaugural best family coaster category and solidified the park’s best kids’ area win.

Go read the whole article at KnoxNews....there are some pics to see as well.

Just a bit more info, from WATE-TV (ABC affiliate) about Dolly's operating partners for Dollywood....

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Dollywood hosted the Golden Ticket Awards Saturday, where the park took home five awards.

In addition to the park awards, Dolly Parton and her business partners Jack and Pete Herschend were named Golden Ticket legends. Parton said the park had always been a dream of hers.

"We have so many wonderful things happening here, I have wonderful partners with the Herschends, but I've been blessed to do tons of stuff, and at my age I'm still doing it and I'm as excited about everything as I was back when I left the smokies dreaming years ago," Parton said.

She said she's proud of more than just the park.

"A lot of my own relatives even work on the park which is great, especially in the show, the family show. I'm proud of all of that, but I'm just proud of the whole area, Dollywood is just the star of the area, of course I would think that, or I want to believe that," Parton said. "I just think the whole area from Sevierville through Pigeon Forge through Gatlinburg I'm proud of this whole area."

Parton has many projects outside of music, that showcase her love for East Tennessee.

"I'm just proud to be a Tennessee girl. So, of course I wanted something in my own hometown, I always used to think if I make it big, if I make it like I'm dreaming of doing, I want to go back home and do something great for the people in my hometown," she said.

That's exactly what she did. Dollywood employs thousands of people and has been ranked a top workplace in America.

"It's something I can always be proud of, something my relatives can be proud of, and all my neighbors, the people I grew up with. Just to say that's my hometown, I got something special here, and that has all come true, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of that."

She and her business partners at Dollywood, Jack and Pete Herschend, were also named Golden Ticket Legends at the awards ceremony.

"At Dollywood, we give back too. Of course we make money, if you go in business you're hoping to make money, but it's not about the money at this point in my life as much as it is about making sure that I show my gratitude toward life and toward God and toward the people that have made life good," she said.

At the end of the day, she has one goal for visitors at Dollywood.

"Well, hope they go away thinking 'I've never has so much fun in my life,'" Parton said.

I think that's really impressive to win awards that are voted on among your professional peers and amusement park enthusiasts, so Congratulations to Dollywood!!  I mean, if you are reading this you are probably at least low-key obsessed or maybe even Obsessed-Obsesssed, but either way you already know how awesome Dollywood is.  I love sharing part of my oddball obsession with Dollywood, with all of you.

Speaking of which, Check out some of my videos that relate to this post, like Big Bear Mountain Preview Day, or any of the festivals from 2023.  

• I Will Always Love You - Celebrate 50 years of IWALY.
• IWALY Short Video if you only have 60-seconds to spare.
• Food & Flower Festival 2023
• Summer Celebration 2023
• Part 1 - A Day at the Park
• Part 2 - After Dark - Dance Party, Drone & Fireworks from Wildwood Grove - a Golden Ticket award winning Area.
• Big Bear Mountain Sing-Along With Dolly Parton
• Watch the Cued-Up Video of that - HERE

Dollywood Introduces a New TimeSaver Option

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has introduced a new TimeSaver Pass Option for those who are willing to shell out some bucks for it.  Let's dive into it a bit and figure out What's Up.

Here's a link to Dollywood.com's page about TimeSaver.

Source

List of Available Rides:

Big Bear Mountain - Premium Only

Barnstormer

Dizzy Disk

Dragonflier

Drop Line

FireChaser Express

Lighting Rod

Mystery Mine

Sky Rider

Smoky Mtn River Rampage

Tennessee Tornado

Thunderhead

The Waltzing Swinger

Wild Eagle

List of Available Theaters:

Celebrity Theater

Pines Theater

Showstreet Palace

🚨New Video!🚨Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival🚨Plus the Hall Sisters & A Brighter Day Performances🚨

Hi Everyone,

I have a new video to share with you all!  This is from Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival for 2023. 

In this video I focus a lot more on the "Flower" end of things with this festival.  I shoot the festival by myself, and I can only eat so much, so, check out all the other vloggers who will show you that side of the festival.  I love filming all the great landscaping and you can see that a lot of thought and planning goes into making this a reality.  

Speaking of landscaping, The company that Dollywood partners with to create their mosaicultures is called Mosaicultures International and they are based in Montreal, Canada.  Check their website out below - they feature lots of photos of Dollywood and lots of other impressive installations at other locations.

website:  Home - Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal (mosaiculture.ca)

While enjoying my day admiring all of the festival decorations, I took in two very popular shows at Dollywood right now.  A Brighter Day at the Back Porch Theater and later in the day I saw The Hall Sisters perform their show on the porch of the chapel.  I wasn't sure what to expect exactly with the Hall Sisters, but they harmonize and play well together, it was definitely a great highlight from this day at Dollywood.  And of course, A Brighter Day never disappoints, and the cast and crew are all amazingly talented singers and musicians.  See Both Shows If You Can!  This festival runs until June 11th, 2023.

Big Bear Mountain is OPEN!

I will share with you this video of Dolly Parton and Eugene Naughton (Dollywood President) open Big Bear Mountain on May 12th, 2023.  Dolly Parton performs an original song that I placed over a POV video for Big Bear AND you can sing along to her catchy tune.  I love playing it over and over.

Dollywood was gracious to invite some season pass holders to a Rider Preview Day for Big Bear and that was on Monday, May 8th for me - there were several days to choose from.  I have a very extensive look at Big Bear in my video that I'll share below.

I really had an excellent first impression with my ride on BBM.  I'll break down the different elements below:

Ride Plaza / Queue Areas / Station - The ride plaza is very spacious and there is a lot of room to check out the roller coaster from countless angles.  There is a great ride sign for Big Bear.  I've already seen a lot of selfies on social media in front of it.  The queue has room for hundreds of people if needed, and it probably will be for a while.  The overall theme of the ride is that we are all looking for Big Bear, and so the queue fits with that type of expedition/rugged theming that they chose.  Lots of maps, photos, trinkets and whatnot all add to the experience.  The station is set up much like the other coasters at Dollywood.  The cubbies come in small and large, and I was able to fit my backpack in the larger cubby no problem.  The station is at grade level, so folks in wheelchairs and ECV's should have an easy time accessing the station.  

Trains - I found them very comfortable.  They are bucket-style seats that are padded, and the only restraint is an individual lap bar that I didn't have any issues with.  I'm 5 foot 8 inches, so I don't have a lot of legs to scrunch up into the train.  For a comparison, this seemed a whole lot roomier than Lightning Rod and a bit roomier than Thunderhead - to compare to other Dollywood trains.  I noticed on one row of the train, the side wall was on a hinge, so that may be the row that has more room for those with prosthetics or other considerations.  I didn't' see it in action, so I'm not certain, but that's most likely what that particular row is for.  Of course, the folks at the Ride Accessibility Center near the front gate of the park will have all of that information available.

Furthermore, I think the trains look super cool.  I love all the little details on them like the jerry cans on the back, and the little bits of mud splatters that are near the wheel wells - all of it is so cool.  The headlights and taillights both illuminate and look great.  The on-board audio sounded really well.  I think they had some speakers in some areas too, maybe for a backup or maybe to reinforce the audio sound effects?  Not sure, but either way its a nice addition.  It takes me back to my dear Opryland and the stuffed bear on Grizzly River Rampage.  

There are two trains that I saw, not sure if there is a third train.  On preview day one train would launch from the station as the other was going into the brakes, so a third train would stack if they used it.  They may have a third train coming later so they can have a spare to do maintenance on - since Dollywood's season is nearly year-round at this point.  That would be some insurance for always being able to run two trains.  

Ride Itself / Layout - I love this layout.  I have ridden lots of record-breaking rollercoasters and those are fine, but what I love most is just exactly what Big Bear is, and that's forceful launches, and lots of meandering around side to side, up and down.  Nothing too crazy that snaps your neck back and forth like I-305 or Maverick.  The transitions were so smooth in between all the direction changes that it all just felt so natural and well designed.  It's zippy!  The first launch out of the station gets the job done, which is to get you to the second launch.  I love love love the fact that the train does not come to a stop before the 2nd launch.  So many new multi-launchers will bring everything to a grinding halt before a launch and I despise that - such a buzzkill for me (see:  Copperhead Strike, Maverick, Time Traveler, there are many others).  Big Bear Mountain avoids that nightmare and really, once you are on your way you will not stop for 3,990 feet.  The pacing for me is fast and it stays fast until the end.  The little dip under the pathway is cool finale to the whole ride.  Super smooth brake run and then the friction wheels whisk it right in to the station pronto.  

The waterfall area is cool, but you go through it so quickly that it's over before you know it.  Don't blink!

Overall - I'm really impressed with everything about this new coaster.  I think it will impress many who look at it and go meh.  It's definitely not meh to me. I can't wait for summer so I can see how it looks and rides in the dark of night.  I'm sure it will be as fun in October-December when the sun sets around 5 o'clock.

10 out of 10!

I hope you enjoy all my videos!!!

Big Bear Mountain Rider Preview Day May 8th, 2023 - VIDEO & PICS / Bonus Content from May 12, 2023!

May 12, 2023 Update:

Here is Dolly introducing the world to BBM at Dollywood.

Hi Everyone, I was able to attend the first day of rider previews for Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood.  Far Below is a batch of pics and a couple vids I shot with my phone.  I've edited a short-form and a long-form videos, and those are below.

Video Update - Here's a short of Big Bear Mountain

Video #2 - Here's a 10 minute video filled to the brim with every available angle I could find around Big Bear Mountain.

Here's a social media post from Dollywood from 5/11/2023.

photo update

 

Big Bear Mountain is ready to ROAR! 🐻🚙🎉

Hi Everyone, Dollywood is announcing a period of Ride Previews for Passholders.  All the info is below.

from Dollywood.com - link: Big Bear Mountain Preview Night | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

Dollywood posted this to Facebook...

And Dollywood posted this too....  It's A Lot, All At Once!!!

On Friday, May 12, Diamond Passholders will have access to register for exclusive ride event times between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The ride will then open to the general public at the conclusion of those ride times.

— Dollywood Parks & Resorts (@Dollywood) April 26, 2023

I also have a short video to share.  This will likely be my last construction update for Big Bear Mountain since it's opening soon.  You will see in my video that there has been a lot of progress on the areas around the station since my last video on March 10th.  They're hustling along!

I'm really excited for this coaster!  I've ridden record-breaking coasters of all types, but Big Bear has what I love most which is good pacing - it doesn't stop anywhere along the course like other multi-launchers tend to do, and it looks as though it keeps a good pace up throughout the ride.  Other things I think I will like about it will be that the three launches will be forceful, but not uncomfortable, and then some great hills and loads of curves.  The theming looks to be well thought out and well executed.  I can't wait to see it up close and see more details.  Plus, it's a really long coaster and who doesn't love that?

The fact that it has a 39" height requirement will mean that this could be the first coaster for lots of kiddos.  I have so many good memories of working up the courage to ride Wabash Cannonball at Opryland and now I see kids half the age I was then, getting off of Lightning Rod - kids seem a lot more brave today than they were when I was 8 to 12'ish, lol.  But anyway, this will be a good starter or mid-sized coaster for a new generation.

Big Bear Mountain is a new generation Vekoma roller coaster, and it's been a long time since two Vekoma roller coasters have operated in Tennessee.  The first two Vekoma coasters were Chaos and The Hangman, which were located at Opryland and closed with the park in 1997.  I sadly never got to ride The Hangman because I never in my wildest dreams imagined that they would close Opryland.  Now, in 2023, we have Dragonflier and Big Bear Mountain, two Vekomas....so that's pretty cool to me too.

Dollywood's New Big Bear Mountain Roller Coaster Still Set for May Opening - Testing Video

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood held a special event at the park on Saturday and Amusement Insider was there, and was able to get lots of great video of Big Bear Mountain testing.  Check out their video below.

Dollywood announced a May Opening Time frame but have not yet specified an actual date.  This video shows lots of landscaping around the station is in place, so they are definitely hustling along with this project as quickly as possible.  And the fact that the coaster is cycling is a great sign that it works, and it works properly.  It looks like it's zipping through the course kinda fast, maybe more than the 45mph that it was supposed to have when announced.  We'll See!

This gets me even more excited for the opening of Big Bear Mountain.  How about you?

The Great Smoky Mountains Are the Perfect Place to Get Away in 2023! Let's See What's Up!

Hi Everyone, I came across this detailed article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about all of the new attractions coming soon to Sevier County-Smoky Mountain FunPlex Area.  Obviously, this is a great story to share on the blog for all of you trip planners from out of town or region.   Check out their article below.  Source:  https://www.knoxnews.com/

Looking for things to do in the Smokies? These attractions are open now or will be soon.

Here's what's new in the Great Smoky Mountains in 2023 including roller coasters, water slides and treehouses!

Devarrick Turner - Knoxville News Sentinel

Published 5:10 AM EDT Apr. 14, 2023 Updated 5:10 AM EDT Apr. 14, 2023

The vision for the 407: Gateway to Adventure attraction on Interstate 40 in Sevierville is becoming a reality. Smoky Gap, the area’s entertainment hub, just broke ground and Buc-ee’s is slated to open in the coming months.

But you don’t have to wait to have some springtime fun. Various new and updated attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have opened and are available to enjoy right now, including waterparks, treehouse adventures and, of course, Dollywood.

More attractions will open as summer moves in, and there are plenty of new experiences and expansions to look forward to as well.

What's open in spring 2023 in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg?

Anakeesta

• The mountaintop adventure park is open, and guests can enjoy its newest attraction, Astra Lumina. The celestial experience brings the stars into a Smoky Mountain Forest lit with projections and lights.

• Other things to do at the park include Chondola and Ridge Rambler rides, Treetop Skywalk, Vista Gardens, and the TreeVenture Challenge Course.

• You can check anakeesta.com/events for a full list of attractions and events available.

• Location: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg

• General admission tickets: $22.99-$34.99; Free for children age 3 and younger; Astra Lumina add on: $15.99

Dollywood

• Offering rides, shows, food and Dolly Parton, one of America’s favorite theme parks opened for its 2023 season in March.

• Dollywood’s Flower and Food festival begins April 21, Splash Country waterpark open May 13 and the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration starts June 17.

• The 2023 calendar can be found at dollywood.com/calendar.

• Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge

• Tickets: $89+

Sanctuary Treehouse Resort

• This unique treehouse resort with mountain views in Sevierville offers luxe accommodations outfitted with slides, drawbridges and scavenger hunts.

• The first seven treehouses, including a double tree fort, are open for reservations, but there is limited availability until around July. More treehouses will be built and available for reservations throughout the year.

• Location: 107 Pheasant Ridge Road, Sevierville,

• Single treehouse price: $275 to $796 per night; Double treehouse: $651-$1,522 per night.

Wilderness at the Smokies

• The Lake Wilderness outdoor waterpark and the yearlong Wild WaterDome, Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark, are both open.

• Only the slides are currently open at Lake Wilderness. Full access to the outdoor waterpark begins May 27.

• Visitors also can enjoy the dry indoors family entertainment center, Adventure Forest. Admission for those who aren't resort guests is based on availability.

• Check wildernessatthesmokies.com for pricing options and passes.

• Location: 1424 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville

"Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville," "Dollywood," "Anakeesta in Gatlinburg"

What’s opening soon in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

Soaky Mountain

• The waterpark’s 2023 season begins the weekend of May 13-14. It will be open daily starting May 20. Regular day admission is $47.99.

• Location: 175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville

Salamander Springs outdoor waterpark

Visitors enjoy at Soaky Mountain waterpark, Buc-ee's' billboard, Dolly Parton during an event at the resort's construction site of HeartSong Lodge and Resort

• Salamander Springs at Stone Hill Lodge is the second Wilderness at the Smokies outdoor waterpark, and is scheduled to open May 27.

• Check wildernessatthesmokies.com for pricing options and passes.

• Location: 190 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville

Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain

• Dollywood’s longest roller coaster, Big Bear Mountain, is set to open in May.

• The two-minute roller coaster ride in the Wildwood Grove section of the Pigeon Forge theme park will travel through hills, turns, tunnels and even waterfalls at speeds up to 48 miles per hour and maximum elevation of 66 feet.

• Location: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge

Buc-ee’s

• The popular travel center is opening its Great Smoky Mountains location in Sevierville. A grand opening had been set for early June but has since been delayed to a yet-to-be-announced date, a spokesperson told Knox News.

• It will be open 24 hours a day and will feature 120 fueling stations, a 250-foot-long car wash, and, of course, the famous Buc-ee’s snacks and beaver mascot merchandise.

• The 74,000-square-foot location is set to be the world’s largest Buc-ee's, until a slightly larger one opens in Texas later.

• Buc-ee's will be the first business to open as part of upcoming 407 attraction in Sevier County.

• Location: 170 Foretravel Drive, Kodak

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort

• The massive 302-room resort inspired by Parton’s love for the Great Smoky Mountains is scheduled to open in November. Many of the rooms will have balconies with a view of the Smokies.

• Located in Pigeon Forge, the resort will feature family suites, bunk rooms, a large pool, balconies on half the suites and even a Dolly suite that will be available when she’s not using it.

• Reservations for the resort will open in June. Visit dollywood.com/heartsong for more information.

• Location: 2525 Dollywood Resorts Blvd., Pigeon Forge

New Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg attractions opening later in 2023 and beyond

Dig ‘n Zone

• This construction-themed park for adults and kids is scheduled to open in Sevierville this spring.

• The park will have more than 25 attractions allowing families to ride, drive and operate different construction equipment like forklifts on a go-kart track and excavators with modified buckets to swing around.

• An opening date has not been announced yet, but tickets are available. Tickets are $50-$55; it’s free for children age 4 and younger. More information is available at dignzone.com.

• Location: 1707 Veterans Blvd., Sevierville

BirdVenture and Hellbender Mountain Coaster

• A $34 million expansion is still underway at Anakeesta and is expected to open in 2023.

• BirdVenture: This interactive attraction will feature three large birdhouses, a dozen adventure zones and seven giant slides.

• HellBender: Named after the salamander species native to the Smoky Mountains, this roller coaster will navigate a steep mountain incline, sway through tunnels, slither through twists and turns and offer 360-degree views of the Smokies.

• Location: 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Wilderness at the Smokies expansion

• The Sevierville waterpark and resort is celebrating its 15th season with a $40 million and 40,000-square-foot expansion set to open in fall 2023.

• The expansion includes a three-story water coaster with a 22-foot drop at 29 mils per hour, a lazy river with an immersive tunnel experience, rooftop pool with glass edges and a new XD adventure theatre.

• Location: 1424 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville

407: Gateway to Adventure

• Development of Smoky Gap, the planned entertainment district at the 407: Gateway to Adventure attraction off Interstate 40, began April 11. The entertainment hub is set to open in 2025.

• Smoky Gap, an immersive entertainment experience, will have an Americana theme with restaurants and retail stores. The area will also be home to a Marriott Courtyard hotel and a still-to-be-announced attraction that will anchor the Smoky Gap district.

• Phase two of the massive 407 project will feature a resort, which might be sports-themed.

• Location: Exit 407 off Interstate 40

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208. 

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