Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Wilderness At The Smokies Announces $40 Million dollar Expansion

My Blog Post Title

 

Hi Everyone,

I see on social media that a lot of Dollywood fans are also big fans of the Wilderness At The Smokies waterpark resort.  And now there's going to be even more to love about Wilderness, because they have big expansion plans in the works.  They're adding a water coaster, a new lazy river, a ''cloud coaster'' that will go over parts of the Adventure Forest area, and a rooftop pool with a bar and grill.  As if that wasn't enough, Wilderness is building twelve 2,600 sq ft villas that can accommodate up to twelve guests.

Here is WATE's Report on this epic expansion:

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee’s largest indoor waterpark has announced plans for a $40-million expansion, the largest in the 15-year history of the Wilderness of the Smokies.

 

The Sevierville resort will add nearly 40,000 square feet to their Wild WaterDome indoor waterpark, offering several new attractions and improvements to existing amenities.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on September 15 with the project expected to be completed by fall 2023.

Headlining the renovations is the ‘Switchback Mountain,’ a three-story water coaster where riders will reach 29 miles per hour and feature a 22-foot drop. ‘


A release from the park said it will be the world’s first slide with Reverse AquaLucent effects, bringing eye-catching colors and patterns to the indoor park.

Other new attractions include the ‘Lookout Lagoon,’ a rooftop pool with a glass edge. The expanded rooftop area will also be home to an entertainment stage, bar and grill, and cabanas.

A new lazy river with LED color-changing kaleidoscope lighting and other visual effects will be constructed. The park will also add 500 seats to the waterpark and additional cabanas on the mezzanine and main levels.


In addition to the waterpark expansion, the resort will add a suspended ‘Cloud Coaster’ called the ‘Rocky Top Glider’ to the Adventure Forest section of the park. A park release said it will be the first of its kind in Tennessee and only the ninth in the world.

It will have a track length of approximately 400 linear feet with two lift hills, launching riders at a starting height of 18 feet with maximum heights of around 25 feet. This project is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2023 and the Adventure Forest will remain open during the construction.

An eight-person theater will also be added to the Adventure Forest, combining three-dimensional graphics and visual effects. The theater will be completed later this year.

The renovations will also expand food and beverage offerings throughout the park.


Lastly, the resort will construct a dozen, three-bedroom villas. These 2,600-square-foot villas will accommodate up to 12 guests, overlook the Sevierville Golf Course and are fully furnished with an electric fireplace, game room and pool table.

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Here is the press release from Wilderness At The Smokies:


OUR WILD WATERDOME IS ABOUT TO GET BIGGER!

August 18, 2022

We’re super excited to announce that in honor of our 15th anniversary which we will be celebrating in 2023, we have started a 40,000 square foot expansion of our Wild WaterDome.

The expansion will include:

Switchback Mountain, a three-story water coaster which will feature three steep drops, uphill blasts, high speeds and the premier of the world’s first slide with Reverse AquaLucent effects with colorful, spellbinding patterns. These special tubes will also allow light to filter through, adding brightness to the Wild WaterDome.

According to Pete, our Managing Director, “Switchback Mountain is guaranteed to be amazing! To get riders’ adrenaline pumping, the water coaster begins with a heart-pounding 22-foot drop at 29 mph before propelling the riders up into a right hairpin turn inside the first Reverse AquaLucent section. A second drop will follow into an open flume, followed by an uphill blast into a sharp left turn inside another Reverse AquaLucent tube with different patterns. For thrill’s sake, the coaster will repeat a third time into a final set of patterns inside another Reverse AquaLucent tube. To round out the sensations, riders will loop through a dark tube before finishing in an open flume.”

The waterpark expansion will also include Forbidden Caverns Lazy River, featuring an immersive tunnel experience complete with LED color changing kaleidoscope lighting, mirrors and projections.

Finally, the resort will be taking advantage of the waterpark’s expanded rooftop by adding Lookout Lagoon, a roof top pool with a glass edge. This area will also be home to the Peak Rooftop Bar and Grill, three rooftop cabanas and entertainment stage area. For convenience, an elevator will transport guests to and from this area.

Pete adds that per guest’s requests, the resort will be adding 500 seats to the waterpark, six additional cabanas on the mezzanine level of the waterpark and nine additional on the main level.

The anticipated completion of this expansion is fall of 2023. Watch our blog for other developments in the works!

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Wow, well that is a lot to look forward to!  With the new Soaky Mountain Water Park and now these new additions to Wilderness, there will be a lot to see and do at this location.  What are you looking forward to the most?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Until next time!

Monday, September 5, 2022

Treat Yourself to a Dolly Parton License Plate and Support The Imagination Library at the same time! (must be a Tennessee resident)

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If you are a resident of Tennessee, you can show your love of Dolly and help support Dolly's Imagination Library literacy program that gives children one free book a month from birth, to age five.

Read more about the Imagination Library here.



All sales of Dollywood Foundation license

plates supporting Imagination Library

All Tennessee drivers are required to get new license plates.

They can choose a Dolly Parton license plate and support

Imagination Library programs in Tennessee.


Author: WBIR Staff

Published: 5:05 PM EDT August 24, 2022

Updated: 10:11 AM EDT August 25, 2022

Source: WBIR

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee drivers are required to get a

new license plate when they renew their car registration this

year. They can choose to get a newly designed blue plate,

or they can choose a specialty plate.

If they choose a Dollywood Foundation license plate, they will help support Imagination Library programs across

the state. All of the sales go to support Imagination Library

programs across the state. Since 2017, the Knox County

chapter of the program has gotten more than $30,000

from license plates.

"So, $30,000 for the Knox County program, that will

support 2,000 children with an entire year's worth of

books," said Danielle Velez, a program manager of the

Imagination Library. "That's a great amount of money that

we're getting from the license plate sales."

Credit: Imagination Library


The program was founded in 1988 by Dolly Parton and

grew to deliver books to children around the world. It's

headquartered in Sevier County and every year, the Dolly

Parton Scholarship also gives $15,000 to five high school

students in the county to help them go to college.


The annual fee for the Dollywood Foundation license plate

is $61.50, with $35 of that fee going to benefit the Imagination

Library. It is available to all Tennessee residents. A full list of

available license plates is on the state's website.


Here’s the origin story of the Dolly Parton Imagination

Library License Plate from 2017.

Source: WKRN

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Dolly Parton announced
a special Imagination Library license plate that will benefit her
program that provides more than a million books to children
for free each month.
The colorful plate features the Imagination Library’s logo and
Parton’s likeness with a silhouette of the Great Smoky
Mountains in the background.
“My daddy thought the Imagination Library was the most
important thing I’d ever accomplished, so I know if he was
still here with us, he would’ve been the first person to buy
one for his truck,” Parton said.
The Dollywood Foundation plans to contribute its portion of the
plate proceeds directly to county Imagination Library programs
in Tennessee.
“We could not provide one million books to children each month
without the support of local communities around the world,”
said Dollywood Foundation President David Dotson.
“Through the funding and awareness, the Tennessee
Imagination Library license plate will generate, we’re able to
inspire even more children here in our home state to love to
read.”
The Dolly Parton/Imagination Library plate quickly reached
its 1,000-pre-order requirement, allowing it to go into
production.

The plates that were pre-ordered are beginning to arrive

at local county clerk’s offices. Plates can be personalized for

an additional fee through the Department of Revenue.


Friday, September 2, 2022

Doggy Parton Merchandise Now Available At Dollywood's Emporium, and other fine retailers.

My Blog Post Title

Hi Everyone,

So, I went to Dollywood on Wednesday August 31, 2022, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dolly while she's filming for her NBC Christmas Movie - I didn't see her, but on my way out of the Park, inside the Emporium I could not help but notice a full display of Dolly's just released line of dog merchandise, Doggy Parton.  I made a video of the display - take a look below. 



Here is WATE's report about Dolly's newest endeavor...

 

TENNESSEE (WATE) — Dolly Parton has launched her canine collections with pink accessories, blonde wigs, cowboy hats, Dolly’s costumes complete with a guitar and a high-heel chew toy on Amazon.

Parton wanted to open a fashion line for dogs. After announcing her new line called “Doggy Parton” in July, she launched the brand on Amazon.

Dolly Parton says in a post on Amazon’s sale page that her love for pets is stronger than ever. The launch includes accessories, clothes, toys, collars and leashes.


The store has t-shirts with Parton on the front. Others are in plaid design or jean material. There is also a shirt that quotes, “In a World Full of Jolenes Be a Dolly.” The different designs give a southern charm that feels like a true “Dolly” collection.


Part of every Doggy Parton purchase will help fund and support Willa B Farms, a rescue where animals in need find “never-ending love and care,” according to the website. The farm in Old Hickory, Tennessee is a grassroots nonprofit that helps horses, pigs, chickens, tortoises and “everything in between.”


Parton has been known for her business skill as much as her singing voice. She’s associated with the theme park in Pigeon Forge called Dollywood, creating a baking collection called Dolly Parton Baking Collection and helping children throughout the world get access to books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.


To visit the Doggy Parton store on Amazon, visit the website here.

 

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Doggy Parton has an Amazon store where you can take a closer look and even purchase if its in stock.  They look to be out of a lot of options.


Let's check out these screen grabs from the Doggy Parton Amazon Store.






Do you have a favorite item?  What do you think about Dolly's latest product line?  Let me know in the comments.

                                                                🐶🐶🐶


If you want to take a look at my video of the Emporium from earlier this year, take a look at that here.  Moreso than any time in my memory, there was so much more Dolly Parton merchandise than I have ever seen.  Tons of t-shirts, coffee mugs, hats - lots to see and you can see much of it in the video.




Until next time!


Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Experience Dollywood In A Whole New Way - With Private Tours!

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 Hi Everyone, 

Dollywood has reintroduced its private tours for those who are interested, and the tours can vary depending on the time of year and which festival is happening.  Right now, there is a VIP tour available through the end of the season.  In September and October, a tour that will include behind the scenes of LumiNights Festival.  And during the Smoky Mountain Christmas in November & December, a  new tour that focuses on Glacier Ridge will be available.   

Let's dig a little deeper on Dollywood.com to learn more...

Dollywood Parks & Resorts



TOURS AVAILABLE SELECT DAYS AUG. 20 - JAN. 1, 2023

Dollywood VIP Guided Tour

Explore Dollywood in a special, unique way with our ultimate VIP experience. In addition to your own private tour guide, including front-of-the-line privileges, you'll be able to fully customize your visit based on your interests: rides and thrill attractions, shows and entertainment, dining, or all things Dolly Parton.

Gold and Diamond Season Passholders save $20 and $30 off, respectively, on this tour! (Must be signed in for a discount to show.)

So, What All Is Included With This Tour?

 

  • Personal tour guide for the entirety of your day at Dollywood

  • Complimentary preferred parking

  • Front-of-the-line access to all attractions

  • Reserved seating at participating shows

  • Complimentary meal of your choosing from Aunt Granny’s Restaurant or Front Porch Café (Link to Dollywood's Menus here)

  • Behind-the-scenes access (If Applicable)

  • Package pick up and delivery to your hotel room at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa (If Applicable)

  • Reserved spaces for fireworks viewing (If Applicable)

  • Gift from Dolly at the conclusion of your visit

Dollywood VIP Guided Tour

Explore Dollywood in a special, unique way with our ultimate VIP experience.

Ages 4 and Older

Per Person

$299

+ taxes and fees

*Minimum of 2 Guests; Tour price does not include admission to Dollywood. Admission must be purchased separately.

Tour Available Select Days 08/20/2022 - 01/01/2023

Important Information

 

  • Tour requires separate, valid admission to Dollywood, which is not included in the price of the tour

  • Dollywood VIP Guided Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 20, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

  • Tour groups include one guide and between two and eight guests

  • Groups of more than eight need to call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for reservations. A second tour guide will be provided free of charge

  • You will receive a questionnaire call from the Dollywood VIP Tour Team to go over any and all special requests, additional information, and your arrival details


Don’t see availability on the day of your visit?

Please call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD to speak with a host about available tour options.

 

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Behind the Glow Guided Tour



 


GREAT PUMPKIN LUMINIGHTS

Behind the Glow Guided Tour

Dates: Tours Available Select Days Sept. 23 - Oct. 29, 2022

Go behind the scenes of one of Dollywood's most-popular seasonal events, Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Ask questions and learn what it takes to set up more than 12,000 real and faux pumpkins, special effects, lighting, and more! Plus, enjoy special experiences and keep-sakes to make your visit unforgettable.

Gold and Diamond Season Passholders save $5 and $10 off, respectively, on this tour! (Must be signed in for a discount to show.)

So, What All Is Included With This Tour?

 

  • Guided, behind-the-scenes group tour of Great Pumpkin LumiNights

  • Collectible neon Behind the Glow lanyard

  • Dip Your Own Candle Activity

  • One-time use TimeSaver Pass

  • Great Pumpkin LumiNights activity card

  • Character meet & greet with an exclusive photo opportunity

  • Special Harvest Festival treats and refreshments

  • VIP viewing of the fall Wildwood Tree experience

Behind the Glow Guided Tour

Go behind the scenes of one of Dollywood's most-popular seasonal events, Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health.

Ages 4 and Older

Per Person

$99

+ taxes and fees

*Tour price does not include admission to Dollywood. Admission must be purchased separately.

Tours Available Select Days 09/23/2022 - 10/29/2022

Important Information

 

  • Tour requires separate, valid admission to Dollywood, which is not included in the price of the tour

  • Behind the Glow Guided Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Sept. 23, 2022 - Oct. 29, 2022

  • Tour groups can be up to 12 guests each with multiple parties per group

  • Day of tour sales will end at 4 p.m., however, future tour dates will still be sold

  • After your tour is purchased, you will need to check in at the TimeSaver Reservation Center (located in Adventures In Imagination) on the day of your tour to receive your lanyard, activity card and meeting location instructions

  • Each tour will begin at approximately 6 p.m. each evening


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SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

Magic of Glacier Ridge Guided Tour

Dates: Tours Available Select Days Nov. 5 - Jan. 1, 2023

Go behind the scenes of one of Smoky Mountain Christmas's most unique lit areas, Glacier Ridge. Ask questions and learn what it takes to set up millions of lights, trees, and decorations in our winter wonderland covering Craftsman's Valley, Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass and Wildwood Grove! Plus, enjoy special experiences and keep-sakes to make your visit unforgettable.

Gold and Diamond Season Passholders save $5 and $10 off, respectively, on this tour! (Must be signed in for discount to show.)

So, What All Is Included With This Tour?

 

  • Guided, behind-the-scenes group tour of Glacier Ridge

  • Collectible neon Magic of Glacier Ridge lanyard

  • Smoky Mountain Christmas activity card

  • Character meet & greet with an exclusive photo opportunity

  • Special Smoky Mountain Christmas treats and refreshments

  • VIP viewing of the winter Wildwood Tree experience

Magic of Glacier Ridge Guided Tour

Go behind the scenes of one of Smoky Mountain Christmas's most unique lit areas, Glacier Ridge.

Ages 4 and Older

Per Person

$99

+ taxes and fees

*Tour price does not include admission to Dollywood. Admission must be purchased separately.

Tours Available Select Days 11/05/2022 - 01/01/2023

Important Information

 

  • Tour requires separate, valid admission to Dollywood, which is not included in the price of the tour

  • Magic of Glacier Ridge Guided Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Nov. 5, 2022 - Jan. 1, 2023

  • Tour groups can be up to 12 guests each with multiple parties per group

  • Day of tour sales will end at 4 p.m., however, future tour dates will still be sold

  • After your tour is purchased, you will need to check in at the TimeSaver Reservation Center (located in Adventures In Imagination) on the day of your tour to receive your lanyard, activity card and meeting location instructions

  • Each tour will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. each evening


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If you would like to see some video from Great Pumpkin LumiNights or Smoky Mountain Christmas, check my videos out below.


Until next time!



🍁🍂Dollywood's Harvest Festival 2024 Video Extravaganza 🍂🍁

Hi Everyone,  As I write this we are in peak-Christmas season, just a few days out from the big day and I am wrapping up my videos from Doll...