🏆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's Harvest Festival 2023 - Tasting Pass, Park Info + More! 👻

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information related to the Harvest Festival, including the Tasting Pass and their festival menu.   The Harvest Festival starts on Wednesday, September 20th thru October 30th, excluding Tuesdays.  

Just FYI for your planning: Dollywood is closed Tuesday October 31st thru Friday November 3rd, then Dollywood opens back up on Saturday the 4th with the Christmas Festival.   Also, Dollywood is closed Every Tuesday until Tuesday December 4th.

Source:  Dollywood - PDF Calendar

🎃 🎃 🎃

I have rounded up all the information that I could find and put it one place for you to look over.  Let me know if I have missed anything in the comments.   Let's see what's up, let's dig into it all!

🟠FOOD

We'll start with what Wes Ramey had to say about the offerings in the Dollywood Blog:

"Dollywood’s award-winning culinary team has been hard at work incorporating the comforting smells of sweet pumpkin treats and warm apple cider into delicious fall dishes, drinks and desserts, including a pulled pork sandwich with pumpkin spice BBQ sauce, three bean pumpkin chili, salted maple potato tornado, toasted pumpkin sausage and ricotta flatbread, and spiced pumpkin bisque with toasted pepitas. Are you hungry yet? I know that I am, and the items I just listed are just a few of the tempting tastes found parkwide as part of the Harvest Festival menu."

Click on any picture to enlarge - These are from the Dollywood Website, Check it out HERE.

🟠TASTING PASS

🟠What's New Around The Park?

Dollywood Blog writer Jennifer Webb shares what's new for the festival this year!

Every season, we try to give our Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health a “glow-up,” and this season is no different. The award-winning nighttime experience once again features a number of whimsical pumpkin displays, like the pumpkin spider, the pumpkin guitar, and new this year, the pumpkin honey bees.

This season, Great Pumpkin LumiNights makes its way to Market Square. The area serves as the centerpiece for the event with the focal point—the 40 ft. tall expertly-carved pumpkin tree. New this year is the Honey Bee display. During the day, this bee-autiful display offers a pop of color near the returning Hug A Bee Beekeeper experience. By night, these buzzing bees create a sweet lighted moment for your family.

 In Craftsman’s Valley, the pumpkin guitar glows to life as it strums Dolly’s famous hit, “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” and the not-so-spooky pumpkin spider greets you with his glowing grin.  Other guest favorites include the friendly pumpkin frogs at Drop Line Pond, the bright-eyed pumpkin bats at Mystery Mine and much more. These vivid displays bring crisp autumn nights alive, making Great Pumpkin LumiNights the ultimate fall event for creating special family memories and Instagram-worthy moments.

There are plenty of activities your family can enjoy during Great Pumpkin LumiNights. With thousands of carved pumpkins throughout the park, it takes a number of talented pumpkin carvers to create the festive displays. Everyone in the family will enjoy learning how to carve a pumpkin masterpiece from Dollywood’s “pumpkin artists” during these demonstrations. Kids-and kids at heart-will love turning into human jack-o-lanterns with Glow face paint. Face painters create unique designs with glow-in-the- dark face paint during the day that come to life at night!

The Great Pumpkin LumiNights Tour offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Great Pumpkin LumiNights, and Gold and Diamond Passholders receive a special discount! This two-hour guided walking tour highlights all of your festival favorites. Participants will enjoy festive refreshments, a dip-your-own-candle activity, character meet & greets, front-of-the-line access on Mystery Mine and more. To learn more about booking the Great Pumpkin LumiNights Tour, visit our website.

Make sure your Dollywood days turn into exciting theme park evenings during Dollywood’s Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights.

🟠Photo Opportunities

According to this blog post written by Wes Ramey...

My family loves to take photos when we visit, and there’s a colorful new photo op right when we enter the park called Harvest Sky. We can’t wait to stand beneath the thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Then we’ll definitely have to stand in front of the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each and came from growers across the East Coast. We also love stopping by and seeing all the visiting artisans to see what amazing handmade wares they have brought with them, with many of them demonstrating their skills and techniques while creating one-of-a-kind treasures that we can purchase to take home with us to relive our time at Dollywood this fall whenever we want.

🟠Music 

Once again, Wes Ramey from Dollywood Blog:

Want some tunes as part of your Harvest Festival day at the park? You’re in luck, because live music is at the heart and soul of fall at Dollywood with Southern gospel, bluegrass and country artists found performing throughout the park. Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Jeannie Seely, Emily Ann Roberts, Dailey and Vincent, Triumphant Quartet, Hannah Dasher and The Isaacs are just a few of the performers set to take the stage – be prepared to sing along and enjoy some new music that just might head to the top of your musical favorites list. Performances take place on indoor and outdoor stages throughout the park, allowing the beautiful sounds to echo through the landscape here in the Great Smoky Mountains.

⭐Check out Dollywood's Website for the latest information about Special Harvest Entertainment.  HERE.  

🎃 🎃 🎃

The 2023 Harvest Festival at Dollywood is just around the corner! Check out my video from last year's festival to get a preview of all the fun you can expect.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Big Bear Mountain Rider Preview Day - Dollywood's Newest Roller Coaster.
• Guide to all Mountain Coasters in Sevier County
• 30+ Great Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge after 2pm!
• All of Dollywood's Menus 2023 Edition
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources, and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain construction updates from all of 2022.  Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.

🚨New Video!🚨 - Good Vibes - Full Show - June 28, 2023

Hi Everyone,

As summer comes to a close in the United States, I wanted to share a highlight from Dollywood's Summer Celebration: the full performance of "Good Vibes." I included this same show in Part 1 of my Summer Celebration series, but I believe it deserves its own stand-alone video. I find myself watching it several times a week for pleasure - I love this show and the cast this year has such great harmony!

 

I hope you enjoy it!

Six Flags Parks announces new additions for various parks in 2024

Hi Everyone,

I usually focus on Dollywood news and other amusement news in Sevier County, as well as Dolly news. However, I thought some of you might be interested in seeing what Six Flags is up to across their chain. Several new additions have been announced in recent weeks.

Six Flags has created a quick video showcasing their new additions for 2024, including a new water coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. SFOG is located in Atlanta, about three hours south of Dollywood. I know many theme park enthusiasts love both parks, as well as Carowinds and Kings Island, which are both about four hours from Dollywood.

Anyway, check out the new additions across the Six Flags chain of parks!

Natalie Grant Duet with Dolly Parton, singing an Annie Lennox written song, popularized by Whitney Houston!

Hi Everyone, This duet was released in early August of 2023 and I wanted to share it with you all.

I think if you liked the Whitney Version, you'll like or love this one too.  Whitney's version of Step by Step appears on the Preacher's Wife Soundtrack from 1996, if you couldn't remember, like me.  Annie Lennox wrote this song as a B-side to her 1992 single Precious.

Natalie Grant had this to say about Step by Step:

“In 1996, ‘Step By Step’ is a song I would blast on cassette in my beat up Volkswagen Golf as I drove to my job at Medicare,” shares Grant. “The dream when I moved to Nashville was music, not Medicare, but I had to do what was necessary to keep going. This song was my reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you would’ve told me then that one day, I would not only be recording this song, but doing it with an international icon, I never ever would’ve believed it. I still can’t believe it.”

Some fellow vloggers - Adventures That Rock - were lucky enough to be in the audience at Dollywood this past spring when Natalie Grant was performing, and she was joined on-stage by none other than Dolly herself!  Check their video out below.

If you're curious - Here's Annie Lennox's version of Step by Step, Then Whitney's version below that.

Dolly chats with Nancy O'Dell about New Book and offers Invaluable Life Tips!

Enjoy!

 

You can catch up on my conversation with @nancyodell on @talkshoplive now! Don't forget to order your Limited Edition PINK #Rockstar cassette and a copy of #BehindTheSeams ❤️Randomly selected copies of the book pre-ordered on #TalkShopLive will be autographed by yours truly!… pic.twitter.com/lTFpMiRZcn

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 24, 2023

Check out my previous coverage of Rockstar HERE. 

🔴A Guide to Mountain Coasters and Other Similar Attractions in Sevier County, Tennessee🔴

Hi Everyone,

Sevier County, Tennessee is home to more than a dozen unique mountain coasters, one of the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains, and one of the highest concentrations of mountain coasters anywhere on the PLANET! While well-known Dollywood is famous for its roller coasters, these mountain coasters offer a unique experience that can only be found in Sevier County.

I've created a list of all of the current operating mountain coasters in Sevier County, Tennessee, along with some additional information to help you choose the right one for you. Some of the coasters require separate admission, while others are included in a wristband that gives you access to multiple attractions. I'll break down the information for you below the link to my spreadsheet.

To See The List Of Mountain Coasters, CLICK HERE! Updated May 28, 2024.

🔵There are two main types of mountain coaster tickets:

• Single tickets: These tickets allow you to ride one or two coasters. They are typically the most affordable option.
• Wristbands: These tickets give you access to multiple coasters and other attractions. They can be a good option if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵Wristbands can be either:

• Timed: These wristbands are valid for a certain period of time, such as 2 hours or 4 hours. After the time expires, you will need to purchase another wristband or single ticket to ride the coasters.
• Unlimited: These wristbands give you unlimited access to the coasters and other attractions for the entire day. They are typically the most expensive option, but they can be a good value if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵The best type of ticket for you will depend on your budget and your plans for the day. If you are only planning on riding one or two coasters, then a single ticket may be the best option. If you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions, then a wristband may be a better value.

🟢How are the coasters different from one another, or are they all the same?

Answer: Different! Read on to learn more.

Most of these rides share one common feature: the brake. Each ride has one or two handles that you push forward to move forward or coast, and pull back or release to brake and slow down.

Weigands are more sophisticated than other rides in that each cart is "aware" of where the next cart is. If you get too close to another cart, it will automatically brake to avoid a collision. Weigands also have "brake zones" at the end of the course and before the next lift hill (if applicable), where the carts will automatically brake.

🚨If your lift hill happens to stop, remain seated and calm. It will start up again momentarily. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE CART.

INTENSITY/THRILL LEVELS

I often see remarks on social media about some of the coasters with 2,3,4 lift hills, that they are 'not thrilling' and brake a lot, as compared to the coasters with one or two lifts. It would leave some people who were seeking Higher Thrills disappointed. That is true, that the multi-lift coasters brake more. They're usually more spread out horizontally, as they do not have the vertical real estate that's needed to create one big lift hill. If you're looking for the higher thrill mountain coasters, then seek out the ones with one big lift hill vs. many smaller hills. If you're looking for milder thrills, then seek out the ones with multiple lift hills. There's a column in my spreadsheet for Number of Lift Hills.

Makes and Models of Coasters

The Smokies are home to several Weigand mountain coasters, which come in two generations: Generation 1 and Generation 2. Both generations are visually similar and offer a similar ride experience.

🔷Here's a Weigand Gen 1, below.

You'll find these Gen 1's at Rocky Top Mtn Coaster, Smoky Mtn coaster, Goats & Moonshine Mtn.

🔷Here's Gen 2

You'll find Gen 2 at Skyland Ranch, Lost Mine, and at Anakeesta

🔷Anakeesta has a single rail coaster and they've recently opened a dual rail....a Generation 2.

Single Rail Mountain Coaster at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 

What other types are there??

🔷The Powered Coaster at Rowdy Bear

Hill not required.  This one is powered the whole trip around the course.

🔷The Suspended Coaster with Shooting Targets, also at Rowdy Bear

Ready, aim, fire!  Compete against your buddy for high score.

🔷At Ober, two more styles are waiting for you!

🔹This is the ADG's version...similar to the Weigand model.

🔹This is the OG Alpine Slide of the Smokies - sliding since 1976.

You ride a chair-lift to the top of the course, disembark, and slide from there.  No lift hill like the others.  You can race here, unlike all the others.

🔷This is the Mountain Glider, located in Gatlinburg at Ripley's Mountain Coaster

🔷This is what you will find at the Wilderness at the Smokies resort. Now Open as of 10/31/2023.

courtesy of Wilderness at the Smokies

Rendering of the Cloud Coaster at Wilderness at the Smokies

Here's an another Cloud Coaster somewhere in the world.  There are only Eight of these in existence.  It must be pretty amazing; it bends your arms backwards!

As you can see, there are many different options available, each with its own unique features. And with the Smoky Mountains being home to the highest concentration of mountain coasters on the planet, this is the perfect place to experience them all!

Are there restrictions on height, weight and age? Yes. These are pretty consistent across all of the coasters in this area.

• Minimum height to ride alone is 56 inches, or 1.42 meters
• Minimum height to ride with someone who is 56 inches, is 36 inches, or .914 meters.
• Maximum weight is 375 pounds in dry conditions, less in wet. Best to double check with each coaster.
• Minimum age to ride alone is 16 years.

Let me know what you think about these in the comments! Good Luck!!

Silver Dollar City Announces Fire In The Hole 2.0 - Dollywood's Sister Park

Hi Everyone, 

This is a follow-up to my original post about the retirement of Fire In The Hole, found HERE.

On August 14, 2023, Dollywood's Sister Park in Branson, Missouri - Silver Dollar City - announced the replacement for the soon to be retired Fire In The Hole indoor roller coaster and dark ride.  Dollywood fans will recognize this as a mirror attraction to Blazing Fury.  SDC's original ride has reached the end of its working lifespan, and so a very impressive new version is set to open in 2024!

Let's check out the renderings and information provided by Silver Dollar City's Press Releases...

Source:  SDC Press Release | Burning Bridge Scene reimagined.

Source:  SDC Press Release | Overview of Ride in its new neighborhood.

Source:  SDC Press Release | Mural in the station

The wagon wheels will not be on the actual ride, but you can see these new trains are pretty faithful to the original, but these have a sort of bucket-seat and individual restraints rather than the shared bench with a safety bar found on the original.  Also new - on-board audio!

Source:  SDC Press Release | new logos

Source:  SDC Press Release | new logos

Source:  SDC Press Release

Source:  SDC Press Release

Source:  SDC Press Release

MidWest Info Guide has a great trip report from the construction tour that followed this announcement.  Tons of pictures!

Check that Trip Report out Here

Here are a few of the pictures that they shared, in random order.

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | the burning bridge dip in the track

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | new sets under construction

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | Close Up the nearly identical to the original Splashdown

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | Splashdown with maintenance switch track - just like the original.

Source:  midwestinfoguide.com | new station area

FITH has it's own unique soundtrack!

This looks fantastic to me because I was concerned that this might somehow be a ''lesser'' version of the original, but NO, this is a very faithful recreation of the original using new technology for the scenes, and all new ride components, new every single thing.  They have chosen to keep the water splashdown finale.  It's even about the same length, so I am impressed.  

Will Dollywood Be Getting This Too?  NO, not likely anytime soon.  As I wrote in my first post about FITH, Dollywood's version was upgraded in many ways in 2014, which is sure to expand its lifespan by several years.  As I explained, SDC's version is in a different state of being - it's deteriorating, basically, and so this more drastic solution was required.   $30 Million Dollars is obviously a lot of money and given that this isn't a priority at Dollywood, a replacement is far from happening.  At the moment Dollywood is hard at work on its next two or three (or more!) attractions.  One of which is rumored to be an all-new indoor roller coaster for the next phase of Wildwood Grove.  I look forward to finding more out about that!

That wraps this up.  Of course I'll keep an eye out for new details as they come up and share them here on my WhatsupatDollywood Blog.