PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Dollywood is opening for it’s 40th anniversary season on Saturday, with the park, and Dolly Parton herself, giving season passholders a first peek at the exciting additions to the park this year.
Parton started off the event thanking guests for their love and support after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean.
“Of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you.”
To start off with the preview of what the park will look like, Dolly reflected on how the park began and shared a video of the coming season at the park will include.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the park shared that it has been wrapping up several major developments in Dollywood’s parks and resorts. Company president Eugene Naughton told 6 News they are still hoping to hold onto traditions.
One of the upgrades is a refresh of Dollywood’s Country Fair area, where the Demolition Derby, Lemon Twist, and Sky Rider riders are located. Some of the other upgrades include a new 750-space parking lot, and a new restaurant.
The 2025 season is also set to include all the festivals the park is known for, including the I Will Always Love You Music Festival that kicks off with Friday’s event, the Flower & Food Festival, the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, and Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, leading up to another Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Following the video, Naughton joined Parton to talk about the changes at Dollywood, saying his job is to make sure they give wings to Dolly’s dreams. During the 70 days the park was closed, over 100 projects were completed.
Among those projects was the conversion of the Heart Song Theater to the permanent Imagination Playhouse, which will open in mid-April, and the new restaurant in Wilderness Park. During the 40th anniversary season, the upgrades are expected to continue throughout the season, including a new show called “Play On” that will open on the park’s anniversary weekend in May.
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The announcements also included a glimpse at a new ride that will allow guests to “take flight” coming to Dollywood in 2026. Parton and Naughton said the Smoky Mountain themed project will be the biggest and most ambitious project the park has undertaken.
Parton wrapped up the event with a song called “Celebrate The Dreamer In You.”
In addition to 2025 being the 40th anniversary season of Dollywood, it is also the25th anniversary season of Splash Country and the 10th anniversary season of the DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Friday afternoon, Dolly also waved and greeted guests during a parade through Dollywood.
Earlier this year, Dollywood hosted several hiring events to find staff to fulfil jobs across the park, with the park hiring staff for areas in it’s award winning and culinary and merchandise teams, as well as life guards and front desk positions.
