UPDATE! - Dollywood Resorts will also go Cashless - JUNE 11, 2026!
----- Original Blog Post Below -----
Hi Everyone,
Read All About Cashless at Dollywood's website - Click here.
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| Examples of ReadySTATION® machine that you'll see at the water park |
🔸Why are they doing this?
DOLLYWOOD RESPONSE:
By transitioning to only accepting electronic payments such as debit cards, credit cards, and mobile methods like Apple Pay, Dollywood's Splash Country will provide a faster, safer and more Guest-friendly experience. Hosts will spend less time handling cash and more time serving Guests.
WUAD RESPONSE:
This has been a trend among amusement park operators for the last decade or so. It's a cost-saving measure for several reasons. I worked in the merchandise department at Opryland - doesn't feel as long ago as it was, but their money dealing operation was quite large. There was a 'bank' called Cash Control in the middle of the park where employees would go to drop off carefully counted money from registers at the restaurants and shops, pick up neatly wrapped dollars and coins for the next shift and pick up paper pay checks. Every park has to have their own version of that, and that requires a significant amount of labor. Labor that can be done by a machine! I bet if you a visit a bank frequently in your everyday life you've noticed many banks have scaled back their humans!
When I became aware of this trend I wondered if Dollywood would do this, and how would they do it. Starting at Splash Country makes it a bit more manageable than trying to start this at the amusement park. As far as I know, this is the first Herschend Property to go completely cashless....let me know if that's not the case.
🔸Will this happen at Dollywood too?
I don't know what their plans are, but I think the signs point that direction.
🔸What about other Herschend Properties - like Silver Dollar City, Kentucky Kingdom, and the recently acquired parks like Kennywood and Silverwood?
Again, I don't know what their plans are, but if it works out well at Dollywood, it feels reasonable to me to expect them to expand it further. When and If that decision is made, then I would not expect a mid-season change. Notice this is rolling out at the start of the season for Splash Country.
🔸🔸Dollywood has put a Frequently Asked Questions on their website - Click Here To Read FAQ
Here are a few highlights....
🔸What types of payment does DWSC accept?
Beginning May 16, Dollywood's Splash Country will solely accept electronic payments. These include all major credit and debit card providers (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover) and secure mobile payment systems (Apple Pay, Google/Android Pay, Samsung Pay). We do not accept cash, however, Guests can transfer cash onto a prepaid card through a simple and safe process at several Cash to Card Kiosks located throughout Dollywood's Splash Country.
🔸Is there a fee to use the cash to card kiosks and prepaid cards?
The Cash to Card Kiosks are free to use; there is no fee to load cash onto the prepaid card. If the card is used regularly, there is no recurring fee. After 92 consecutive days of no transaction activity, however, a $3.95 fee will be charged each month. To avoid this fee, simply use the card within 91 days.
🔸How can i check my balance on my card?
Notice they have their own FAQ Section - check that out - Click Here
What do you think of Dollywood going cashless? No doubt it will be an adjustment at first, but everyone will eventually get used to it.
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