Dollywood wrapping up improvement projects ahead of 40th season
by: Naomi Hillmer
Posted: Feb 25, 2025 / 06:03 PM EST
Updated: Feb 25, 2025 / 06:09 PM EST
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Following a year of record attendance in 2024, Dollywood Parks and Resorts are preparing for another season and visitors can expect some major developments when they open this March.
Dollywood will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. While they do plan to grow and change, Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton said they also hope to hold onto their traditions.
“Probably just like you think about in your in your own home, right? There’s a room that needs to get painted, there’s a room that sort of needs a refresh, might need a new piece of furniture. It’s same thing for us,” he said.
Naughton said as Dollywood gears up for their 40th season starting next month, they have over 100 projects underway. Some of the largest being a 750-space parking lot, a new restaurant, and a refresh of the Country Fair.
“So we held on to the things that were already great and we just expanded on that,” said the Vice President of Guest Experience Cyndi McCormack.
Smaller projects are also underway, like a new “Dollywood” sign reminiscent of the one in Hollywood, a permanent Imagination Playhouse. They are also adding more entertainment including “Play On,” a 40th anniversary show featuring songs and scenes from previous plays.
“This is our new production that will be able to showcase our most beloved shows, characters and experiences and we’re really planning on packing as much as we can into a 35-minute show,” said Entertainment Director Paige Bales.
While the park continues to expand, one employee who has worked here since it become Dollywood said the traditions stay the same.
“We’ve still kept the same feel that’s coming in and learned in friendship and making friendship. The only thing that the growth has done as far as coworkers is just increase the opportunity and the number of people, the number of friendship,” said David Stinnet, who works for Dollywood Security.
Naughton said it is the employees like him who continue this culture.
“The care and the heart that they put in to all of the different things that happen. Whether you’re a member of our landscaping team or you’re a painter or you’re on rides maintenance or you’re running in culinary or retail. We’re a small city here on our campus, every one of them care about doing it right, because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
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While it may seem like they have a lot going on right now, Naughton assures nearly all of the projects they are working on will be completed come opening day. The park will open to the general public March 15.