Dollywood has a lot in the works. Not only for the current 2024 season, but also for the years following it. We attended a special presentation where the Dreamer-in-Chief herself, Dolly Parton, gave a refreshed overview of the park's current plans.
Dollywood is coming off of opening Big Bear Mountain and HeartSong Lodge & Resort last year and is beginning plans to celebrate 40 years of existence this year. In this year in between, the park is not taking a break. In May, Dollywood will be opening the Dolly Parton Experience. Taking over the old Adventures in Imagination area, this will be a complete refresh of the Chasing Rainbows Museum and surrounding area. Over a million dollars was spent upgrading the park's theaters so they can offer entertainment in each of their theaters during all of the park's seasonal festivals.
Dollywood also dropped hints towards their future plans mentioning more parking and a sit down restaurant is coming in 2025 as well as a new signature attraction in 2026.
Several construction projects were noticed while walking around the park. Dizzy Disk in Country Fair has been removed. Miss Lillian's restaurant is getting a major overhaul. Another step towards improving Cinnamon Bread distribution has been taken. Lastly, the entire Plaza at Wilderness Pass area is dug up.
One last thing to mention is that Lightning Rod has received two brand new trains and has undergone more extensive offseason work on its lift hill updating to using a high speed chain lift.
There is so much to look forwards too, and yet also so much to experience this season. Follow along as show you some of these improvements as well provide a deeper glimpse into this year's festival offerings.