Dolly Parton returned to Dollywood on Friday to kick off the park’s 41st season, reassuring fans about her health while celebrating a major milestone year for both the park and the country.
Parton said she recently stopped touring to focus on her health and personal life, but emphasized that she remains energetic about the future.
“As you know, I haven’t been on tour,” Parton said. “I’ve had some little health issues, and we’re taking good care of that. I just got a little exhausted and grieving for Carl and a lot of other little things that were going on. I got myself to the point where I had to rebuild myself mentally, emotionally and physically. But all is well. It hasn’t slowed me down.”
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Dolly Parton opened the 41st season of her Dollywood theme park. (Bridget Bennett/AFP via Getty Images)
Parton also addressed rumors about her personal life, saying she has no plans to remarry after the death of her husband, Carl Dean.
“Well, I know there’s a lot of rumors going around, but I didn’t marry Sylvester Stallone,” she joked. “And I’m not dating anyone. I’m not married. I don’t think I’ll ever be married, except once. I think Carl Dean is waiting for me on the other side.”
The beloved country music icon appeared in the park as Dollywood launches its new season of celebrations related to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, including patriotic décor, new entertainment and displays of traditional Appalachian craftsmanship.
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (The Dollywood Co.)
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Park officials say the heritage of the Smoky Mountains remains central to the experience.
Dollywood also unveils a major new attraction this season, the $50 million indoor adventure roller coaster NightFlight Expedition, inspired by the bioluminescent synchronous fireflies that light up the Smoky Mountains each summer.
Ranked as Tripadvisor’s No. 1 theme park in the U.S., the park continues to expand its footprint as tourism grows in the East Tennessee region. The company has already developed two resorts and is planning additional accommodation.
The HeartSong Lodge and Resort with the DreamMore Resort and Spa in the background. (The Dollywood Co.)
“We have a total of five resorts planned on the property,” Naughton said. “We own 1,142 acres, and there are approximately 46 million people living within a nine-hour drive of our property who are theme park users. I’m really excited to tell more people in the world about the cool things happening here.”
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Beyond the Smoky Mountains, Parton is also expanding its hospitality presence in Tennessee.
“Of course we have the new hotel, Songteller, which will open in Nashville sometime in late summer, early fall,” she said.
The Dragonflier roller coaster at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dollywood’s growth comes as the broader theme park industry faces economic pressure. Consumer Edge data shows that spending at U.S. theme parks fell about 5% last summer from 2024 as rising costs prompted some lower- and middle-income families to cut back on travel and entertainment.
Park leaders say Dollywood’s focus on family experiences and regional culture makes it stand out.
“It’s very family oriented,” said Julie Collins, machinist and foreman at Dollywood. “We love it when families come and ride the train. Some children have never seen a real steam locomotive, so it’s their first time. That’s what they come here for. It’s kind of like a childhood dream.”
The Dollywood Express Steam Train at Dollywood. (The Dollywood Co.)
For Parton, the park’s success ultimately comes down to something simpler than attractions or investments.
“I pray a lot, and God has been very good to me,” she said. “But I think a lot of it has to do with great management and the way we treat people. They feel loved and valued, and we want them to always feel that way.”
Dollywood officially opened to the public on Friday with the I Will Always Love You Festival, marking what the park hoped would be a strong season in the Smoky Mountains.
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Parton said fans can expect more projects to come.
“I’ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying and preparing for a lot of new things that are coming,” she said. “Be ready for me. I’m not done yet. I’m not even close to done yet.’
