Dollywood Kicks Off 40th Season with Special Presentation Featuring Dolly Parton, Teases 2026 Attraction
The presentation marked Dolly's first public appearance since the passing of her husband.
Dollywood has welcomed its passholders today for the first day of the season, and this season is especially worthy of celebration because it's the 40th anniversary of the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee landmark!
What’s Happening:
- Dollywood’s 40th anniversary has begun and namesake “Dreamer in Chief" Dolly Parton made her first public appearance since the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, to welcome guests during a special passholder preview day, the first day of operation for the season.
- This year also marks the 25th anniversary season of Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, the 10th anniversary of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and the 30th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library - which has gifted more than 270 million books to children around the world under the age of 5.
- The special opening ceremony also featured a mysterious teaser video that hinted at something big coming to the park in 2026.
- As for 2025, guests are already experiencing some of the areas of the park that have been refreshed in the off-season, including the Country Fair and The Village. In Country Fair, guests can find an expanded seating area as well as a new splash pad.
- The Village has bright new touches, as well as the reimagining of the Imagination Playhouse. The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library, becomes a permanent feature this year, offering shows for younger guests starting on April 19th through the end of September. The shows will be performed on a rotating basis, featuring favorites that Dollywood guests have grown to love over the years.
- During the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new stories and character meet & greets will be incorporated into the experience.
- As part of the 40th Anniversary, “Heartsong: The Movie" will be remastered and moved into the Dreamsong Theater as part of the Dolly Parton Experience.
- Later this spring, guests will also find a new 750 spot parking lot and the new Wilderness Pass Restaurant, both of which are important pieces of the half-billion dollar, 10-year expansion plan announced back in 2021.
- 2025 will also see the return of the “I Will Always Love You" Music Festival, which is taking place as the park opens for the season, as well as Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (April 18th - June 8th), Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14th - August 3rd), Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (September 12th - October 27th), and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (November 1st - January 4th, 2026).
- As for that special 2026 tease, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said “We’re not ready to share the details, but I can tell you it will be a revolutionary new experience unlike ANYTHING anywhere else in the world."
- You can check out the full presentation below:
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