🦋 The Dolly Parton Experience - Construction Update Video, Renderings and New Info! 🦋

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released some information and an awesome rendering of the New for 2024 - Dolly Parton Experience.  It's set to expand into multiple buildings.  Let's check it out!

These are on Dollywood.com.

link

link

Just looking at the rendering, and knowing what it looked like before as Chasing Rainbows, this looks like a fitting, if not over-the-top area that represents Dolly well.  Glitter, sequins, rhinestones, diamonds - everything that sparkles!  That's one way to describe Dolly and this looks like it belongs in Dolly's world - Dollywood.   I do like how the big expanse of concrete is broken up with new landscaping beds and adds a lot of interest.  Of course, the giant butterflies are one of the things associated heavily with Dolly and Dollywood too, they both honor the butterfly.  Then, off in the distance, the two twin peaks of Lightning Rod - talk about sightlines.  

Off to the right, in the theater it looks like some new programming.  "Precious Memories" is what's on the marquee.  On the left, the former Dolly's Closet looks to be transformed into Behind The Seams, which I imagine could be similar to Dolly's Closet - or perhaps they'll change it up?  We'll find out more, I'm sure, the closer we get to the 2024 season, which, by the way will begin on March 8, 2024.  That's one week before the more recent opening date of Mid-March.  Dollywood is inching closer and closer to year-round operations.

Im excited to see how this looks in the end.  If I recall, Dollywood mentioned they were incorporating some of the technology used in the recent Van Gogh Exhibit and Beyond Monet - that should be a real leveling up from Chasing Rainbows more traditional exhibits.

Dollywood posted this on facebook -

👄👄

Here's the three bullet points that are cut off:

Exhibits in multiple buildings spanning Dolly’s iconic career, inspiration behind her dreams, the importance of family and her signature style through the years

Feel like you're alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world

Three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum

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If you're feeling nostalgic, or never got experience Chasing Rainbows - Take a look at my video filmed a few months before it closed in 2021.

🍁 Fall Colors Have Arrived in the Smoky Mountains 🍂

Hi Everyone,

Fall Colors are creeping into the Smoky Mountains.  I follow a lot of stuff on social media in order to keep you all informed with as much helpful information as possible.  On Facebook, I follow a hiking and waterfalls in North Carolina group, and its members' share tons of photos of their hikes and waterfalls, as one would expect!  Some of the members recent images are incredible to see.  I had been concerned that our autumn leaves may just wither on the tree and fall due to some ongoing drought issues we've been experiencing around here, so this makes me happy to see the leaves really changing color.  This, to me, seems a tad bit earlier than normal, but it is what it is, so enjoy it if you are able to.

Let's take a look at some of this Facebook's group recent pictures....all taken by 2 group members, Cara C. & Matt M.

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

    

2024 Season Pass Renewal Info for Dollywood (Updated 10/11/23)

Hi Everyone, (Update & 2nd Update & 3rd update- Below)

On Tuesday October 3rd, Dollywood sent some passholders information about renewing their passes for 2024.  I did not receive the email and its possible many others didn't either.  However, I logged into my account and discovered that my pass was eligible to renew, and so I went through the process up until pulling the trigger at Checkout.

What I could not find was the info graphic that was all over the place online, but not anywhere to be found in my Dollywood account.  WEIRD.

Im not 100% sure this info graphic is the first one, or the updated one.⬆️

Here's the info graphic, above.

So, after studying I notice several components of the 2023 pass are missing, so is that on purpose?  I saw somewhere online that Dollywood is still working on details.  Typically, they have all of that worked out before an announcement, not that they don't tweak things, but usually it's mostly sorted out.

At this stage it feels too early to offer any type of color commentary or advice, so I will hang on for more information and be sure to pass that on to you all when I learn more.

My post last year about the 2023 passes was published on October 17, 2022, and you can read that HERE if you would like to.  I would imagine by the middle of October they will have more information to share.  Maybe they are just getting a jump start on the renewal process?

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Quick Update - Thursday 10/5/23

I am seeing a lot of folks online who are frustrated at this.  There are a lot of passionate Dollywood fans out there!!

At some point soon, all of the correct details will sort themselves out.  I hope that happens sooner than later, lol.

In my snail mail today, I received a newsletter with the info graphic for the passes.  I learned yesterday three important things on the Dollywood Annual Passholders FB page.

1) This promotion for early renewals was meant to highlight some key features but was not supposed to be detail oriented.

2) The original info graphic - the one up above, has some errors (i think), so ignore that one, maybe.

3) A follower of Dollymania.com pointed out on this same FB page, that they had done some in-depth research, and had some solid answers to many of the questions.  So, I'll show you all a screen grab from that informative exchange.   You can click the image to enlarge it. 

I hope this helps provide some much-needed information to those seeking it out.  And it all sounds like the entitlements are going to be pretty good, but until I see this information come straight from Dollywood, I hesitate to offer any suggestions or colorful commentary.  Kudos though to Dollymania.net for trying to get answers.

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Second Update - Monday, October 9, 2023

Dollywood has created it's own, official, Facebook page specifically for Season Passes, and all the information that goes a long with it.

go here: Dollywood Parks & Resorts Season Passholders | Facebook

This should be a great resource, so go and sign up for it.

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Third Update - Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Dollywood has updated their information, and it looks pretty complete, I think.

Where is this information??

Okay, on a desktop computer, you'll find it here.  Or, do the following:

1. Log into Dollywood.com
2. go to Theme Park
3. go to Season Passes
4. Scroll down to "Season Pass Renewals."
5. There, you will find this 2024 Info Graphic.  Dollywood is still selling 2023 passes, so be aware of what you're looking at, it's easy to mix it up.

🟠🟠🟠 Dolly Parton and the University of Tennessee - A Mash-Up You Didn't Know You Needed! 🟠🟠🟠

Hi Everyone, 

Dolly Parton has announced a new line of mash-up shirts and tops inspired by Dolly and UT sports, the OG UT (University of Tennessee).

There are some that are Dolly in UT colors, an "I heart Dolly and the Vols'', "It's Great to be a Tennessee Vol'' with Dolly in orange, and many more styles.

You know, this is a lot of fun for me because I graduated from UT and obviously not low-key fascinated with Dolly (and Dollywood), for most of my years on earth. I don't doubt that I will see some of these shirts being worn around Dollywood.

This mash-up is being produced by a independent mother/daughter business that does impressive work and took off, so to speak. Here's what's on their website:

source:  About Us – shoplivylu

Let's check out what the current line of options look like for this first run.  Click to enlarge or head to their website for more information.

Turns out that this is Dolly's second UT-related announcement recently. 

 

Dolly announces an exclusive Vols Edition of her upcoming Rock album, Rockstar (November 17th, 2023), as a 2-CD set that includes a live version of Rocky Top!  

Awesome.  I watched her live at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the United Kingdom a few years ago and I remember wondering at the time how the British kids would react to Dolly's performance.  They were enthralled and hanging onto everything she said and sang.  So...I kind of wonder if that's the "live version'' that's included in this set?  It's possible, but Dolly was also on tour at the time of Glastonbury and Rocky Top was in every set list, so it could be from any place.

source:  my Chasing Rainbows Museum Video - cued up:  here - YOUTUBE



She sang Rocky Top in Switzerland :)

source:  my Chasing Rainbows Museum Video - cued up:  here - YOUTUBE

So, there you have it folks.  Dolly Parton's latest line of merchandise is University of Tennessee-related, and there is a lot of overlap between fans of Dolly and UT in East Tennessee. Go Vols!

🌟Dolly releases the next single from Rockstar! What's Up featuring Linda Perry is streaming now!

Rockstar Update!

Dolly Releases her version of 'What's Up'' with Linda Perry, and the What's Up At Dollywood Channel/Bloggy-Vlog approves!

If you're interested in checking out my previous Rockstar coverage from the beginning chatter to now - check that out here:

• Rockstar - Speculation and Revelations
• Dolly releases two single from Rockstar
• Dolly at the 2022 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction 
• Rob Halford discusses Dolly in interview
• Rob Halford approached for Rockstar album.

⭐Lightning Rod received a lot of off-season changes - Opens March 8th, 2024!

March 6, 2024 Announcement ⤵️⤵️⤵️

👉👈

Big News out of Dollywood regarding Lightning Rod:

• LSM Launch will be replaced with a High-Speed Chain Lift.
• The new chain lift experience will be very similar to the current launch experience.
• 13 mph - the speed of the chain lift, per the video.
• The rides peak-speed will stay the same at 73 mph.
• It was not said, but I think the structure of the lift hill will change materials, from wood to steel.  Not Confirmed.
• Spring 2024 New and Improved Lightning Rod will open.
• Two Brand New Trains for Lightning Rod.
• No mention of any changes above the chassis.  We'll see!
• No other specific changes were made regarding the replacement of the wooden track to IBox Steel track.
• About 40% of the current track remains the original wooden "Topper Track".
• In 2020/21 Off -season, the process of replacing much of the wood track to steel was completed.

Watch Dollywood's Video to hear all of the details they share:

Well, that is certainly promising news.  I think we all know that Lighting Rod has had its share of down time since it opened in 2016.  I know that pain of travelling far away to go ride something and then you get there, and it's down.  Its unfortunate, it really is.  And Dollywood realizes that, and they are going to try and remedy that.  Yay Dollywood! 

Dollywood, to my knowledge, has never really said what exactly the issues are, but from all the credible internet rumblings that I have heard, it boiled down to the lift hill being made of wood, which created some sway and stability issues and all the sensors working properly, and so on.  So, based on what Dollywood is changing, and what Pete & Eugene said about realizing that 'now they know why launches and wooden coasters don't pair well together' - paraphrasing, but you get the idea. ...that seems to me to be the likeliest scenario.

Enjoy Lightning Rod until the end of the Harvest Festival as it will close on October 30th for a major overhaul and two brand new trains.

Follow me and of course I'll post more as details come out.

What are you thoughts about it?  Let me know in the comments!

🔴🔴🔴

Here a couple of pictures of Lightning Rod from Tuesday, November 28, 2023. All of the old hardware used for the launch has been removed. The overhead structure at the top of the lift has been temporarily removed to allow for the installation of the new high-speed chain lift.

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

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🏆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!