FOX Enterprise correspondent Ashley Webster catches up with the singer about Dollywood on ‘The Massive Cash Present.’
Dolly Parton returned to Dollywood on Friday to kick off the park’s forty first season, reassuring followers about her well being whereas celebrating a serious milestone 12 months for each the park and the nation.
Parton mentioned she has just lately stepped again from touring to deal with her well being and private life, however emphasised she stays energized concerning the future.
“I’ve not been touring, as you already know,” Parton mentioned. “I’ve had a number of little well being points, and we’re taking excellent care of them… I simply type of obtained worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and lots of different little issues occurring. I simply obtained myself type of the place I wanted to construct myself again up spiritually, emotionally and bodily. However all is nice. It didn’t sluggish me down.”
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Dolly Parton opened the forty first season of her Dollywood theme park. (Bridget Bennett/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Parton additionally addressed rumors about her private life, saying she doesn’t plan to remarry following the demise of her husband, Carl Dean.
“Properly, I do know there’s lots of rumors going round, however I didn’t marry Sylvester Stallone,” she joked. “And I’m not courting anyone. I’m not married. I don’t assume I’ll ever be married however as soon as. I feel Carl Dean’s ready for me on the opposite facet.”
The beloved nation music icon appeared on the park as Dollywood launches its new season with celebrations tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, together with patriotic décor, new leisure and demonstrations of conventional Appalachian craftsmanship.
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (The Dollywood Co.)
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Park officers say the heritage of the Smoky Mountains stays central to the expertise.
“Right here we’re in the course of God’s nation,” Eugene Naughton, president of The Dollywood Firm, informed FOX Enterprise. “The love of the Smoky Mountains is without doubt one of the issues that locks individuals into wanting to come back right here, and we’re lucky to have the No. 1 visited nationwide park simply 6 miles away.”
Dollywood can also be unveiling a serious new attraction this season, the $50 million indoor journey coaster NightFlight Expedition, impressed by the bioluminescent synchronous fireflies that mild up the Smoky Mountains every summer time.
The park, ranked Tripadvisor’s No. 1 theme park within the U.S., continues to increase its footprint as tourism within the East Tennessee area grows. The corporate has already developed two resorts and plans extra lodging.
The HeartSong Lodge and Resort with the DreamMore Resort and Spa within the background. (The Dollywood Co.)
“We’ve master-planned a complete of 5 resorts on the property,” Naughton mentioned. “We personal 1,142 acres, and there are about 46 million individuals who reside inside a nine-hour drive of our property who’re theme park customers. I’m actually excited to inform extra individuals on this planet concerning the cool issues which can be occurring right here.”
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Past the Smoky Mountains, Parton can also be increasing her hospitality presence in Tennessee.
“After all, we’ve obtained the brand new lodge, Songteller, that’s going to open someday in late summer time, early fall in Nashville,” she mentioned.
The Dragonflier curler coaster at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dollywood’s development comes because the broader theme park trade faces financial strain. Information from Shopper Edge exhibits spending at U.S. theme parks fell about 5% final summer time in contrast with 2024, as rising prices led some lower- and middle-income households to chop again on journey and leisure.
Park leaders say Dollywood’s deal with household experiences and regional tradition helps it stand out.
“It’s very family-oriented,” mentioned Julie Collins, a locomotive engineer and foreman at Dollywood. “We like to have households come up and journey the prepare. Some youngsters have by no means seen an actual steam locomotive earlier than, so it’s their first time. That’s what they arrive right here for. It’s type of a bit child’s dream.”
The Dollywood Specific steam prepare at Dollywood. (The Dollywood Co.)
For Parton, the park’s success finally comes right down to one thing easier than rides or investments.
“I pray rather a lot, and God’s been actually good to me,” she mentioned. “However, I feel a lot of it has to do with nice administration and the way we deal with individuals… They really feel cherished and appreciated, and we would like them to all the time really feel that means.”
Dollywood formally opened to the general public on Friday with the I Will All the time Love You Competition, launching what the park hopes might be a powerful season within the Smoky Mountains.
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Parton mentioned followers ought to anticipate much more tasks forward.
“I’ve simply been doing lots of writing, lots of considering, lots of praying and lots of preparing for lots of latest stuff developing,” she mentioned. “Be prepared for me. I ain’t achieved. I ain’t close to achieved.”
