During an enlightening construction tour at Dollywood on February 15, the lively sounds of ongoing projects echoed, each meticulously designed to elevate the overall guest experience. Noteworthy among the transformations is the enhancement at the turnstiles.
Dollywood, known for its attentive ear to guest feedback, is set to unveil a practical addition—a restroom conveniently positioned outside the ticketing area. This thoughtful response reflects the park’s commitment to addressing guest needs.
Amidst the array of changes, some enhancements may not immediately catch the eye but contribute significantly to the park’s seamless operation. An impactful upgrade involves the ticketing system, set to undergo testing during the park’s opening for passholders on March 8, 2024. This technological leap signifies an exciting evolution, aiming to eliminate hassles at the front gate and encourage visitors to delve into the park’s wonders promptly.
This innovative system catapults Dollywood into the early 21st Century, granting passholders personalized accounts accessible via their smartphones. The integration of these accounts with various elements of the guest journey promises a smoother experience. As the year progresses, guests will enjoy the convenience of mobile ordering at select Dollywood restaurants, streamlining their visit and minimizing wait times.
Lightning Rod has risen to acclaim as one of the nation’s top-rated roller coasters, boasting a truly unique ride experience. Despite facing challenges along the way, the exhilarating elements of this attraction far outweigh any setbacks. Dollywood’s commitment to delivering exceptional guest service led to a strategic decision after the Harvest Festival last season—replacing the LSM launch system with a more reliable traditional chain lift.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts, known for their meticulous focus on ride uptime measured hourly across the property, recognized the need for consistency. Lightning Rod, a groundbreaking wooden coaster introduced in 2016, presented innovation but encountered difficulties with the launch system. This adjustment, while slightly slowing the ascent, ensures riders still traverse the top at the same speed, maintaining the ride’s impressive essence.
The park’s leadership demonstrates a genuine understanding of guests’ sentiments, particularly those traveling from locations like Cincinnati, Chicago, Atlanta, and beyond, who might experience disappointment when Lightning Rod isn’t available. The decision to transition away from the launch system stems from a sincere desire to deliver a reliable and accessible experience for all visitors. Working with the launch system since 2016, the park made the crucial decision to enhance reliability, as the ride was previously only open 60 percent of the time.
This shift to a more proven coaster technology with a 120-year legacy increases ride uptime to nearly 99 percent, allowing an additional million guests the opportunity to experience the coaster. Dollywood remains steadfast in its mission—to provide an incredible and consistent experience for every visitor, ensuring the thrill of Lightning Rod continues to captivate audiences.
In addition, Lightning Rod will also feature completely new trains this year.
A transformative journey awaits at Dollywood’s reimagined Adventures in Imagination area, once home to the Chasing Rainbows Museum. The entire space has undergone a stunning makeover, now dedicated to an immersive exploration of Dolly Parton’s life, talents, and iconic wardrobe. The Songteller experience emerges within the former Chasing Rainbows building, while Dolly’s Closet transforms into Behind the Seams. DreamSong Theater remains, promising a fresh show this year with Precious Memories.
The Dolly Parton Experience, under construction for nearly a year, strives to honor the dynamism and vibrancy of Dolly’s life story. Beyond mere static displays, this attraction narrates her tale through engaging storytelling, offering guests an unprecedented glimpse into both cherished artifacts and new, unseen treasures. Opening in late May, it promises to captivate visitors with ticks that truly wow.
Behind the Seams stands as an opportunity to delve into the creation of Dolly Parton’s iconic wardrobe. The park, recognizing the need to preserve her dresses, employs museum-quality cases—environmentally sealed and protected. This strategic upgrade ensures longevity for these precious artifacts.
Replacing the former Chasing Rainbows Museum, which, while immensely popular, lacked agility, the Dolly Parton Experience is designed as a dynamic attraction. From interactive elements to rotating wardrobes and digitally immersive Songteller memories, the experience evolves throughout the year, introducing both familiar and novel aspects.
As Dollywood embraces the future, this comprehensive makeover, the first since 2002, promises to bring the area closest to the front gate to a new level, aligning with the evolving identity of Dollywood. The incorporation of video-mapped pieces, 360-degree immersive experiences, and cutting-edge technology, along with integration into the Dollywood mobile app through QR codes, elevates the overall guest experience. Adults and kids alike can engage in a scavenger hunt and gamified activities, ensuring a delightful payoff for those who find all the butterflies in this exciting inaugural incarnation. Dollywood’s commitment to innovation shines through, promising a thoroughly enhanced and contemporary visit for all.
Dollywood is making a significant investment in entertainment this year, complementing the new Dolly Parton Experience with three captivating shows. Among them is a tribute to the 1987 collaboration between Dolly, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, reflecting the park’s commitment to celebrating iconic moments in music history. Entertainment holds a pivotal role at Dollywood, forming a genuine connection to special events, festivals, and serving as a core component of the park’s identity.
Dollywood’s dedication to shows is unparalleled, as it invests more in this aspect than any other theme park in the United States. Evolving continuously, the park introduces the brand-new shows at the beginning of this year, ensuring its theaters remain vibrant throughout the season. Despite some dark days in the 2023 calendar, Dollywood’s substantial investment keeps its theaters open this year, except during show changeovers.
Technological enhancements within the theaters are underway, with a particular focus on maintaining top-notch sight and sound quality. Even as the long-running and beloved Dreamland Drive-In show takes its bow after a successful 16-year run, Dollywood remains committed to Dolly Parton’s challenge to evolve offerings for its changing guest base. The addition of $1 million in sight and sound technology underscores the park’s commitment to providing guests with the best possible viewing and listening experience.
Looking ahead to Dollywood’s 40th anniversary in 2025, plans are in motion for a show commemorating this milestone. The park recognizes its multigenerational appeal, catering to families, grandparents, and adult couples seeking high-quality entertainment. Dollywood’s unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that the 2025 show, alongside the current lineup, will continue to captivate audiences of all ages.
Guests can embark on a culinary odyssey at Dollywood, where the adventure transcends the exhilarating rides. From the savory perfection of pizzas to the succulent allure of pork and the sweet temptation of pies, the park’s food offerings promise a gastronomic delight. During the tour, I seized the chance to savor culinary delights from the upcoming 2024 season. Director Aaron Banks and executive chef Christopher Seabrook unveiled a tantalizing lineup of new menu items, providing a firsthand taste of the delectable delights awaiting park guests.
Indulge in the luscious White chocolate cranberry bread pudding or opt for a sweet twist with the Mason jar Goo Goo Cluster cheesecake. Refresh your palate with The Pines Theater Garden Salad and savor the unique flavor of Pickled deviled eggs. Warm up with the Smoky corn chowder or treat yourself to the harmonious combination of Fried green tomato and mozzarella. For those craving bold flavors, the Spicy BBQ pork rinds and Smoked Memphis Bar-B-Q Ribs are a must-try. Dive into the rich and savory Honey garlic chicken, complemented by the exotic DragonFly Lemonade with mango and dragon fruit boba. Complete your culinary adventure with the comforting warmth of Hot cranberry tea. Enhance your Dollywood experience with these culinary creations, a perfect blend of elevated favorites and exciting new dishes awaiting you throughout the year.
Guests seeking a complete theme park experience are in for a treat at Dollywood. In 2023, the park expanded its calendar by 28 operating days, and this year, in 2024, an additional 23 days have been added. Beyond these extra days, Dollywood is enhancing the experience further by incorporating an additional 357 operating hours into its schedule, ensuring a truly immersive and extended visit.
This thoughtful extension not only caters to the desires of visitors but also adds substantial value for season passholders. The increased operating hours prove to be a significant enhancement, offering passholders, like myself, the opportunity to make the most of their membership and enjoy the park to its fullest. Dollywood’s commitment to providing a robust and extended experience underscores its dedication to exceeding guest expectations and ensuring every visit is memorable.
Dollywood officially opens for all guests March 9.
Required reading: Dollywood’s Festival Lineup a Symphony of Experiences
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