Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park Announces Temporary Closure

Dollywood Announces Sudden, But Hopefully Short, Closure On Wednesday (July 17)

Dollywood, the theme park named after country music legend Dolly Parton, announced a temporary closure on Wednesday (July 17).

The park opened on schedule at 10 AM. But just one hour later, they shared a statement on social media announcing they would be closed for the remainder of the day.

Dollywood’s statement read:

“Due to a water main break, Dollywood theme park is closed for the day. Dollywood maintenance teams and City of Pigeon Forge crews are on scene to repair the break. More details will be provided once available. Dollywood’s Splash Country [a waterpark] and Dollywood resort properties are not affected.”

UPDATE: Dollywood Reopened On July 18

Thankfully, the closure was short-lived. Dollywood announced on Thursday (July 18) that the water main break had been repaired, and the park would reopen to guests that day.

“We are happy to share that the water main break has been repaired,” Dollywood announced. “The park will reopen for regular hours today. We sincerely apologize to all guests who were impacted by the water main break. The closure prevented us from creating memories worth repeating for you and your families yesterday, and we want to make it right.”

Guests affected by the July 17 closure should call 1-800-Dollywood to request a refund for any purchases made that day. Parking fees, locker rental receipts, TimeSaver passes, and all admission tickets will be honored on guests’ next visit to the park.

Dollywood Opened In 1986 After Formerly Operating As The Rebel Railroad

Parton, who grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, transformed Pigeon Forge’s Rebel Railroad into her namesake theme park. Dollywood opened to visitors in 1986 and has continued to grow ever since.

This year (2024), Dollywood was named America’s favorite theme park, beating out popular destinations such as Florida’s Disney World and California’s Disneyland. 

Also this year, Parton unveiled a brand-new exhibit at Dollywood, called “The Dolly Parton Experience.” The experience is divided into three parts, highlighting Parton’s love for music, fashion, and faith/family.

Parton had long dreamed of creating such an experience at Dollywood. She got emotional when she finally saw it come to life.

As she gave CBS Mornings a tour of the exhibit, she said, “You know how they say sometimes that when you start to die, your whole life flashes before you? Well, it about killed me going through there ’cause I got so emotional.”

You can watch Parton lead CBS Mornings on an extensive tour of Dollywood’s “Dolly Parton Experience” in the video below. Hopefully, Dollywood will reopen soon so more guests can enjoy this amazing attraction and everything else the park offers.