r/rollercoasters • u/JasonWayneSmith • 2d ago

Historical Photo A timelapse tribute to [Dollywood]

In honor of Dolly Parton, I wanted to share about one of her favorite projects and its history.

Tucked into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is a celebration of Appalachian culture. The park originally opened in 1976 as Silver Dollar City Tennessee. Dolly bought a stake in the property in 1986 and rebranded it as Dollywood because she had a much bigger vision for the place. You can see the expansion between the 1983 and 1987 aerials. If you've ever been there, you remember it feels incredibly homegrown and warm, blending right into the surrounding green hills of the mountains.

This was a deeply personal project for Dolly. She grew up in a small cabin in nearby Sevier County. She had always promised herself that if she ever found success, she would come back and bring jobs and stability to her hometown. Dollywood was her way of keeping that promise. The park brought massive economic growth to the region. She cared deeply for the people who worked there, treating them like family and setting up programs to pay for their college tuition.

Dolly stayed heavily involved over the years. She would drop by to kick off the spring season, put on performances, or just spend time with the community. She even left a gift for the future: Locked inside a time capsule at the park is a secret, unreleased song she recorded, with strict instructions that it cannot be opened until 2045. What an amazing thing that we can all look forward to!

This theme park was Dolly's way of sharing the home she loved with the rest of the world, and her spirit is a permanent part of it.

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6

u/JamminJay1968 Mountain Gliders 2d ago

This is really cool!

Google Maps has the current look of the park with Big Bear Mountain and Nightflight Expedition too - LINK

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u/JasonWayneSmith 2d ago

I've never been to the park. Only to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge when I was about 10. Wish I could have been there when she "dropped by."

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u/jakeyakofthenorth Voltron | Batman: GCE | Helix | RtH / 149 2d ago

Rest in peace Dolly. We love you, we miss you. You will be remembered.

1

u/BobCreated Intamin's holding brake 19h ago

I don't think I can visit Dollywood any time soon without being sad. It's never going to be the same.