Description: After being a Dolly Parton fan for many years I found myself feeling a strong urge to visit her theme park whilst in the USA in 2005.
I was in Nashville Tennessee and I decided to drive the 200+ miles to Pigeon Forge where Dollywood is located, way up in the Smoky Mountains. The drive up there was amazing; the mountains really do look smoky and the further up you go the smokier they look.
The theme park was opened as Dollywood in 1986 but before that had other names and was owned by other people. Dolly certainly has made it her own although it is part owned by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation.
There is so much to see and do at the park, and one day is not long enough to take it all in. There are live concerts featuring a lot of the well known country stars and also some up and coming new artists.
The area known as Splash Country has a variety of water rides and believe me they make certain that you do get wet as I found out when I took one of the said rides. I came off that thing soaked to the skin. There is also a steam train ride that takes you up into the mountains and they have set scenes of the olden day where the Hillbillies lived in wooden shacks.
Chasing Rainbows is Dolly’s museum where she exhibits her awards and all of her glamorous dresses worn at various concerts. Also there is a small auditorium where you can sit and listen to her narrate while you watch some of the film clips of her early performances and she tells of her upbringing.
Eating places at the park are plentiful - places with funny names like ‘Granny’s All – you – care – to – eat Buffet’, Apple Jacks Sandwich Shop, Hickory house BBQ, and Miss Stella’s (I think that one was named after her sister).
Other attractions include Dollywood Gristmill, Valley Carriage Works, Paul’s Guitar shop, The Little Chapel and the Tennessee Water Tree – the history of which can be seen on my photo. A plaque tells you that Davy Crockett discovered it.
Dolly’s tour bus is now at the park being shown as another attraction.
Dolly employs 3,000 staff at the park making her the biggest employer in the area of Pigeon Forge.
If you are a Dolly fan then this is a place that you must visit.
I think this place is a great place to visit, I really enjoyed my time there and would go again given the chance.
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