Dollywood isn’t just winning awards for guest experience. It’s now earning national recognition for something happening behind the scenes.

For the second consecutive year, Dollywood Parks & Resorts has been named one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2026” by Newsweek — a distinction based on one of the largest independent employee research studies in the country.

The recognition places the Pigeon Forge destination among the top 1,000 companies nationwide, evaluated on leadership, integrity, compensation, work-life balance, culture and benefits.

A Ranking Built on Nearly 180,000 Employee Interviews

Newsweek’s study was conducted between April and October 2025 and included nearly 180,000 employee interviews and more than 2.7 million comprehensive company reviews. Media coverage was also monitored to validate responses.

The awards are part of what Newsweek describes as one of America’s largest independent employee studies, with additional data from 2022 through 2024 included at a reduced weight.

Importantly, companies cannot apply, register or pay to be included — nor can they influence their ranking through payment. That independence adds credibility to the recognition and signals that the results reflect employee sentiment, not marketing strategy.

A Culture Where Employees Are “Hosts”

At Dollywood, employees are known as “hosts,” reinforcing a hospitality-first philosophy that extends from frontline interactions to internal culture.

The park has long been voted one of the friendliest theme parks in the world. It remains the only theme park to win the Golden Ticket Award for Best Guest Experience from Amusement Today — an honor that factors friendliness, cleanliness and value into its evaluation.

In October 2025, Dollywood was also ranked No. 50 on Forbes’ Best Customer Service 2026 list, placing second in the hotels and recreation category.

That guest-first mindset is deeply tied to employee experience — and increasingly, that connection is drawing national attention.

Benefits That Go Beyond the Basics

Dollywood Parks & Resorts offers a range of benefits designed to support employees both professionally and personally.

Through parent company Herschend’s GROW U. program, hosts receive 100% free tuition. Employees also have access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, and qualified full-time team members can enroll in comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage.

Additional benefits include:

– Complimentary admission to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country for family and friends

– Free lunch during every working shift

– Participation in the Park Perks program, offering free or reduced admission to regional attractions

– Childcare cost support for hosts using Upwards-affiliated providers

– Leadership development opportunities, including an apprenticeship program in partnership with Walters State Community College

The company’s growth also creates expanded career pathways across its properties, which include the 165-acre theme park, Splash Country water park and two adjacent resorts: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

A Broader Pattern of Recognition

Since opening in 1986, Dollywood has built a reputation as one of the most awarded destinations in the amusement industry. The park earned the Applause Award in 2010 — widely considered the industry’s highest honor — and has collected dozens of Golden Ticket and Brass Ring awards.

In 2022, 2024 and 2025, Tripadvisor users named Dollywood the No. 1 theme park in the United States based on guest reviews.

Located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the park operates from mid-March through early January, blending rides, entertainment and Appalachian craftsmanship into an experience rooted in East Tennessee tradition.

Why This Recognition Matters in 2026

In today’s competitive labor environment — especially within hospitality and tourism — workplace culture and benefits have become central to long-term success.

Dollywood’s back-to-back recognition from Newsweek reinforces a broader trend: destinations that invest in their people often see that investment reflected in guest satisfaction, brand loyalty and sustained growth.

For job seekers, open positions and application details are available at dollywoodjobs.com. For guests planning a visit in 2026, season details and operating information can be found at dollywood.com.

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