As a world-famous singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, Dolly Parton is nothing if not a dreamer.
One of Parton’s most ambitious dreams was to build a theme park where families could have fun and make memories together amidst the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, where she grew up.
Her dream to create a “Smoky Mountain fairyland” similar to Disneyland was realized when Dollywood opened on May 3,1986, and she hasn’t stopped dreaming or making them come true for the millions of families who visit her namesake park ever since.
The park hasn’t stopped growing since it opened, including a $300-million expansion in 2013 that included the Firechaser Express coaster, followed by Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa in 2015, and the $37-million addition of the Wildwood Grove area in 2019.
The park is in the midst of yet another massive expansion, to the tune of $500 million. Dollywood’s newest additions include Big Bear Mountain, which opened in May 2023, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which followed in November of the same year.
So much more is still to come during this decade-long expansion, the latest of which was announced on September 17th during a press event showcasing what will be the park’s largest investment in a single attraction to date.
Meet NightFlight Expedition
Currently under construction in the Wildwood Grove section of the park, the $50 million NightFlight Expedition will be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride when it opens in Spring 2026.
The addition of this world-class attraction represents Dollywood’s commitment to being “the number one family attraction destination,” as Dollywood president Eugene Naughton said during Wednesday’s press event.
NightFlight Expedition “illuminates” the beauty of the Smoky Mountains at night, with four unique adventures in one thrilling attraction. Guests will soar through the scenic mountain peaks, navigate whitewater rapids, traverse a mountain range, and glide through a shimmering lake, all while discovering the nighttime magic of America’s most-visited national park.
“I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition,” Parton said in a press release “We’re always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we’re doing in the park, and they’ve definitely been able to do it with this ride,” she added.
A recent illness kept Parton from attending the event in person, but she shared her excitement via video during the press event, joking “It’s the most expensive thing we’ve ever done, so that’ll be good.”
NightFlight Expedition is the joint creation of Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios, and Mack Rides. The ride will feature custom-designed amphibious ride vehicles that Dollywood describes as “all-terrain, all-weather flying boats”, immersive multimedia projections onboard and offboard audio and special lighting effects and projections to fully envelop riders in the experience.
With a minimum height requirement of only 39 inches and a top speed of 29 miles per hour, this is one of several Dollywood attractions that the whole family can enjoy together. The ride is fully indoors, making it safe from Tennessee’s late afternoon storms, hot summer weather, and cold winter temperatures.
NightFlight Expedition continues to build on the Wildwood Grove storyline, inspired by Parton’s childhood daydreams while playing in the creeks and forests near her home. Wildwood Grove is a magical place where imagination takes root.
Families can bumble along on the back of a friendly black bear on Black Bear Trail, bounce around on a frog on Frogs & Fireflies, or set out in search of an elusive bear that’s loose in the park on Big Bear Mountain, a family-friendly coaster (39-inch minimum height requirement) with a top speed of 48 miles per hour and over 21 airtime moments.
At the center of Wildwood Grove stands the Wildwood Tree. This towering tree is bedazzled with nearly 650 multi-colored butterflies and almost 9000 leaves. It’s beautiful any time of day, but really comes to life when it lights up at night.
When you board the ride, you’ll be joining twins Cora and Jasper Oakley at the Hidden Hollow Aviation hangar on a quest to find the Secret Lake whose waters power the Wildwood Tree’s mystical glowing canopy.
Cora and Jasper are twin scientists who also happen to be the niece and nephew of Ned Oakley, the wilderness explorer who is always out looking for that Big Bear. Using their Bioluminator technology, the twins will help to illuminate the ride’s bioluminescent beauty.
Want a teaser? We have a video teaser of the story with some really interesting concept art:
We had a chance to visit the future site of the ride, currently under construction behind Big Bear Mountain. When complete, the massive 44,000-square-foot facility will house nearly a quarter-mile of track (1,255 feet to be exact) and provide a five-and-a-half-minute ride experience.
Dollywood has leaned heavily into a mix of family-friendly attractions, thrill rides, delicious food, and live entertainment you can’t help but clap and sing along with.
Why I Love Dollywood
As excited as we are about a new attraction, there’s a lot more that sets Dollywood apart.
There’s just something about being surrounded by trees, mountains, and fresh air that makes you breathe a little deeper, move at a leisurely pace, and really savor each moment. Theme park days can feel hurried and stressful, but that feeling doesn’t exist at Dollywood.
Every single staff member (or “host” as they are called here) is genuine and friendly, from the bus driver who tells you she hopes to see you tired and full of cinnamon bread (the park’s most famous treat) for your return ride home in the evening to the roaming musicians you encounter in the park.
Parton’s heart and mission shine through in every detail, but you don’t have to be a fan to love this park (but, honestly, how could you not be). The park is also home to the Dolly Parton Experience, an entire interactive museum dedicated to Parton’s illustrious life and career, as well as a replica of her childhood log home.
Dollywood is home to more than 50 rides and attractions, including 10 – soon to be 11 – roller coasters that range from family-friendly to fast-and-furious. Not to mention the indoor and outdoor shows, delicious food (one more plug for cinnamon bread!), and seasonal festivals.
The park is currently celebrating its annual Harvest Festival, with more than 12,000 pumpkins, limited-time food and entertainment, talented artisans, and so much more. During the festival, the park is set aglow at night during Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
In the spring, Dollywood celebrates the Flower & Food Festival and always marks the holiday season with a Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Dollywood is an excellent choice for families on a budget. 2025 ticket prices are as follows:
- 1 day for $92
- 2 days for $122
- 3 days for $132
You can add Dollywood’s Splash Country water park access (open seasonally) to any ticket type for only $10, and the park frequently runs two days for the price of one sales at the beginning and end of each season.
If you have a preschooler, you can sign up for a free Pre-K Imagination Season Pass that grants four- and five-year-olds access to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country for an entire year.
Timesaver skip-the-line access starts at $60 per person, per day, but is one of many included benefits when you stay in one of Dollywood’s two on-site hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Pricing at both resorts hovers in the $300 range and both offer complimentary shuttle transportation to Dollywood, daily housekeeping, complimentary self-parking, daily activities for families like crafts and s’mores, live music, fire pits, indoor and outdoor pools and the aforementioned skip-the-line passes.
Both resort hotels remain well-maintained and operate as a base for Dollywood and Smoky Mountain visits. And when NightFlight Expedition opens next spring, you’ll have one more reason to visit.
In her dreams, Parton “envisioned a place where the culture and people of the Smoky Mountains would be celebrated and enjoyed by everyone. She knew the park would provide many good things for the people she cared about, including her family and the people of Sevier County,” according to her official website.
With all she has accomplished, Parton would be well within her rights to rest on her laurels, but with the upcoming opening of this first-of-its-kind family attraction, it’s safe to say Parton and team aren’t giving up their “9 to 5” anytime soon.
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