We're passionate about all things Dollywood and Sevier County, and we want to share that passion with you. Come along as we explore all that this beautiful area has to offer. From Dollywood and Splash Country to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove, there's something for everyone in Sevier County.
We're also big fans of Dolly Parton, and we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on her latest news and projects. We're sure you'll find something to love here.
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.
As a Dolly Parton and Dollywood fan, I love sharing interesting facts and stories about them. Recently, I came across some fascinating photos of the Dolly Parton statue at the Sevier County Courthouse. The statue was sculpted by Jim Gray, a well-known artist in the area. The photos were taken at Gray's home in 1986/early '87, while he was still working on the statue. One of the commenters on the post said that Dolly Parton herself visited Gray's home to provide sketches for the statue. How cool is that?!
I was reading this article about free things to do around the Knoxville and East Tn area, and I stumbled upon this freebie about the Gatlinburg Trolley being fare-free this weekend.
So if you're in the area, or know someone who is, then this might be useful for you!
Dolly has released two singles from her forthcoming album Rockstar, due out in November. The first single is Magic Man, a classic rock duet that includes Ann Wilson, of Heart. The second is Bygones, an original song written by Dolly and includes Rob Halford, of Judas Priest as well as Nikki Sixx & John 5, of Motley Crüe.
Check The New Singles Out Below
I wanted to post the YouTube videos here, but they are not currently available to use through the Google Blogger service, so in the meantime, you can follow the links and choose your favorite music service to listen. YouTube should be available if you don't subscribe to the other services.
I'll refrain from sharing my opinion to give you all a chance to listen to these a few hundred more times before forming your own opinion :)
Fortunately, I've been covering the news of Rockstar since, well, around the time she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year and said, 'I have to do a rock album!' So, I have a few blog articles related to Rockstar that you might want to check out.
Dolly Parton at the Rock N Roll HOF Induction Ceremony - HERE
Subscribe to my blog for more Dolly news & Dollywood news too! If you are a fan of Dollywood, then you should also check out my YouTube channel and show "What's Up At Dollywood". I produce a large number of Dollywood videos each season that focus on all the festivals, new attractions, lots of shows and music, Dolly when she comes to Dollywood - basically Dollywood, Dollywood, Dollywood. If you're a Dollywood super-fan like me, then subscribe to all my stuff!
My Blog Post Title Hi Everyone! I see a lot of requests on social media for Dollywood's Menus, so I have just the blog post for you!
Here are the Dollywood menus for 2023. You'll notice that the 2023 pictures will say 2023 in the bottom-left corner.
Furthermore, Dollywood can change the menus, the items, and the prices at any time, which is probably why they don't post their menus online. It would be a full-time job for someone to keep up with!!!!
If you want to see this same post from 2022 to compare prices, or for lower-price nostalgia - click here: Here.
I came across this promotion for Splash Country and wanted to share it with you all. This is valid only on Thursdays, and you'll choose the date when you purchase through the link below. $39.95 for a one day admission. There is a $1 Fee and $5 Tax, so $45.95 is the final price.
It does say something to the effect of "with a Food City coupon", but it didn't ask me for anything when I put the ticket in my cart - so that part is not very clear to me. Anyway, it doesn't look like you need it to take advantage. Let me know in the comments if your situation is different.
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.
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.
Hi Everyone, I ran across this article and wanted to share with all of you fellow Dolly fans. Dolly has broken more world records, and you can read all about it below in a media release from the Guiness World Records. Congratulations, Dolly!
Dolly Parton with Official Adjudicator Michael Empric and Manager Danny Nozell
Dolly Parton cements legendary status with longest span of No.1 hits
By Aliciamarie Rodriguez
Published 31 May 2023
During an exclusive presentation in Nashville, Tennessee, Guinness World Records, presented beloved international superstar Dolly Parton with three new record titles celebrating her remarkable career.
Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – On 14 May 1977, New Harvest…First Gathering was the first of Dolly Parton’s eight No. 1s on Billboards Top Country Albums chart.
Dolly’s most recent chart-topper was A Holly Dolly Christmas on 17 October 2020, which gave her a No.1 duration of 43 years 156 days.
Dolly is ranked third overall, behind Johnny Cash (50 years 91 days) and Merle Haggard (48 years 192 days).
However, with A Holly Dolly Christmas she extended her lead over Reba McEntire (30 years 284 days) and Shania Twain (22 years 91 days) who had a 20+-year span of No.1s on Top Country Albums.
Most studio albums released by a female country singer – Dolly Parton released 65 studio albums between 1967 (Hello, I’m Dolly) and 2022 (Run, Rose, Run).
Her discography includes 13 albums with Porter Wagoner in 1968–1980.
All of them reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart – and eight country No.1s: New Harvest… First Gathering (1977), Here You Come Again (1977), Heartbreaker (1978), 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980), Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt; 1987), Eagle When She Flies (1991), Pure & Simple (2016) and A Holly Dolly Christmas (2020).
Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection was Dolly’s 48th Top 10 entry on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
The album – featuring “9 to 5”, “Jolene”, “Here You Come Again” and “I Will Always Love You” – debuted at No.4 on 3 December 2022.
Dolly’s first experience in the Top 10 was with Porter Wagoner on Just Between You and Me on 9 March 1968.
Her first Top 10 as a solo artist was with My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy on 13 December 1969.
“I am humbled every time I receive a new Guinness World Record title,” said Dolly.
“I share these three new honors with my fans, who have allowed me to enjoy such a long career.”
This is not the first time the country icon is recognized for a Guinness World Records title.
In fact, the legendary star holds seven others:
Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart
Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist
Most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female)
Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist
Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart
First country singer to be nominated for the EGOT
Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist
“Celebrating the longevity and success of Dolly Parton's remarkable career with three more Guinness World Records titles was incredible, added adjudicator Michael Empric.
“Dolly isn't just a legend... she is Officially Amazing!”
Dolly's journey to becoming the 'Queen of Country Music' began at the young age of 10.
Her phenomenal song writing skills and powerful voice have proven her to be a huge presence on both the country and pop music scene for years.
Although she first found success with country star Porter Wagoner, the global music icon eventually began her own career filled with popular songs.
Twice, Dolly and Porter were the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year and together had 14 Top Ten hits between 1967 and 1980.
Dolly’s first solo hit was “Joshua” (1971), followed by three other number one songs in 1974: “Jolene,” “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” and “I Will Always Love You,” which was famously covered by Whitney Houston.
Dolly Parton with Official Adjudicator Michael Empric and Manager Danny Nozell
In 1999, she was even inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
But it isn’t just Dolly’s voice that makes her impressive.
Her larger-than-life personality and big heart have made her valued throughout the world.
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.
Hi Everyone, Today is a special day, it's the official birthday of Dollywood. It opened on this day in 1986, making this season it's 38th! Here's to many many more!
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