PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WJHL) — This year marks four decades since Dollywood first opened its doors, and as part of their milestone anniversary, Dolly Parton herself will join festivities at the theme park on Friday. WJHL is taking an active role in this commemoration and delving into what draws more than 4 million tourists annually to the attraction.
Anslee Daniel from News Channel 11 interviewed Leon Downey, who serves as the executive director of tourism for Pigeon Forge, along with Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company, to explore how Silver Dollar City transformed into Dollywood.
The city seized the chance to team up with the Herschend family and Dolly in 1986, which marked their first significant attraction,” Downey stated. “Since then, Dollywood has continued to expand each year.
Dollywood stands as the top job provider in Pigeon Forge and brings in the most tourist income locally. It has been recognized by TripAdvisor as the leading theme park in the U.S., and it has likewise earned the Golden Ticket Award for being deemed the finest amusement park globally.
Downey mentioned that the park remains vibrant due to “people’s insatiable appetite for Dolly.” The leader with a vision intends to expand the park even more, featuring a new outdoor retreat where visitors will have the chance to enjoy camping “in true Dolly fashion.”
Naughton mentioned that the decade-long strategic plan is a $500 million initiative that encompasses Dollywood’s biggest ride to date: Take Flight. This new attraction is scheduled to debut during the following season.
Our biggest event in our entire history that we have ever organized,” he stated. “I assure you, it will be unlike anything the industry has witnessed before, and it will definitely fulfill Dolly’s grand aspirations.
Parton, a strong supporter of education, similarly emphasizes the educational requirements of her staff at Herschend.
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