Dollywood, the beloved Smoky Mountain theme park that Dolly Parton built, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 — and the Queen of Country herself showed up to kick off the milestone season in style. With new restaurants, refreshed attractions, and a major project already teased for 2026, there has never been a better time to plan a visit to America's award-winning theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton Kicks Off the 40th Anniversary Season With Music, Memories, and a Big Tease
On March 14, 2025, Dolly Parton welcomed guests and media for opening day at Dollywood, marking the official start of the park's 40th anniversary season. The kickoff coincided with the return of the "I Will Always Love You Music Festival," a celebration of the music that has defined Dollywood since its doors first opened in 1986. "The Smoky Mountain Dream That Dolly Built," as it's often called, welcomed Dolly herself to the stage as she shared her excitement for the season ahead.
According to park officials, the 2025 season brings a host of upgrades and additions. The highlight is the new Wilderness Pass Restaurant, a dining venue located in the Wildwood Grove area that offers guests a fresh culinary experience. The park has also invested in a significant refresh of the Country Fair and The Village areas, along with a brand-new Imagination Playhouse for younger guests. A new 750-space parking lot has been added to accommodate growing crowds.
Beyond the rides and shows, Dollywood is offering a special 40th Anniversary Guided Tour available daily at 4:30 p.m. throughout the season (March 16, 2025 – January 4, 2026). The five-hour guided tour highlights the history of Dollywood, including reserved seating on the Dollywood Express train and a reserved seat for a show of the guest's choice.
Timeline: How Dollywood Reached 40 Years of Magic
Dollywood's journey from a modest regional attraction to America's most-awarded theme park is remarkable. Here's a look at the key milestones:
- 1986 — Dolly Parton partners with Herschend Family Entertainment to transform the former Silver Dollar City theme park into Dollywood, opening on May 3, 1986
- 1990s — The park expands with new rides like the Tennessee Tornado roller coaster and the addition of the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, the largest bald eagle exhibit in the country
- 2001 — Dollywood's Splash Country water park opens adjacent to the theme park
- 2015 — DreamMore Resort & Spa opens, offering on-site accommodations for the first time
- 2019 — Wildwood Grove, the largest expansion in park history, debuts with 11 new attractions
- 2023 — Big Bear Mountain, the park's longest roller coaster, opens; HeartSong Lodge & Resort debuts as the second on-site resort
- 2025 — Dollywood celebrates its 40th anniversary season with new dining, refreshed areas, and a major 2026 project teased
Throughout its four-decade history, Dollywood has consistently been voted the best theme park in the United States by readers of the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) and has won multiple Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today.
Beyond the Coasters: Why Dollywood Has Won America's Heart
While Dollywood is home to world-class roller coasters like Lightning Rod (the first wooden coaster to feature a launch), Wild Eagle (a wing coaster that soars above the treetops), and the family-friendly Big Bear Mountain, the park offers so much more. As StyleBlueprint notes, some of the best things to do at Dollywood don't involve roller coasters at all.
Visitors can explore Dolly Parton's Tennessee Mountain Home, a replica of the cabin where Dolly grew up, complete with original furnishings and personal artifacts. The Eagle Mountain Sanctuary houses rescued bald eagles in a natural mountain habitat, and the Wings of America bird show presents incredible bird-of-prey demonstrations.
The Dollywood Express, a vintage steam train, takes guests on a scenic five-mile journey through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains — a beloved tradition since the park's earliest days. For Southern cuisine lovers, the park's dining options range from traditional Southern fried chicken and biscuits at Aunt Granny's to the cinnamon bread at the Grist Mill that has achieved legendary status among regulars.
According to the Dollywood official website, the park hosts multiple festivals throughout the year including the Festival of Nations in the spring, the Barbeque & Bluegrass festival in the summer, the Harvest Festival in the fall, and Smoky Mountain Christmas — which transforms the park into a winter wonderland with millions of lights.
For those looking to extend their stay, Dollywood offers two on-site resorts: the DreamMore Resort & Spa and the newer HeartSong Lodge & Resort, both offering immersive Smoky Mountain-themed accommodations with exclusive park benefits.
What's Next: A Major Project Teased for 2026
Perhaps the most exciting news to come out of opening day was the tease of a major new project slated for 2026. According to multiple reports from TheSmokies.com and Coaster101, Dollywood hinted at a significant addition — widely rumored to be called "NightFlight Expedition," an indoor roller coaster attraction that would be located in the Wildwood Grove area. This would be Dollywood's first major indoor coaster and represents the next phase of expansion following Big Bear Mountain.
"The ability to be clear and level-headed has been a big part of Dollywood's success," wrote John Gullion of TheSmokies.com. "There is a willingness to recognize what works and double down, such as the popular Wildwood Grove addition which was quickly followed by the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster."
The 2025 season also features a new drone and fireworks show during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, honoring the 40th anniversary. The show runs nightly during the summer months and is included with park admission.
Where Things Stand Now: Planning Your 2025 Visit
Dollywood's 2025 season runs from March 15, 2025, through January 4, 2026, with the park operating seasonally and expanding to daily hours during peak periods. The 40th Anniversary Guided Tour is available daily at 4:30 p.m. and requires advance reservation.
For visitors looking to maximize their experience, travel experts recommend arriving early to tackle popular coasters like Lightning Rod and Big Bear Mountain before crowds build. The TimeSaver pass — Dollywood's skip-the-line program — is available for guests who want to maximize their day. Parking has been improved with the new 750-space lot, but guests staying at DreamMore or HeartSong enjoy complimentary shuttle service to the park entrance.
Dollywood has also gone cashless as of 2025, so visitors should plan to use credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments for all purchases within the park.
Ticket prices start at $89 for a one-day adult pass, with multi-day and season pass options available that offer significant savings for frequent visitors.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
- Dollywood is celebrating 40 years in 2025 with new dining, refreshed areas, and special anniversary tours
- New for 2025: Wilderness Pass Restaurant, Imagination Playhouse, refreshed Country Fair and The Village, and a new 750-space parking lot
- Dolly Parton personally kicked off the season on March 14, 2025, with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival
- A major new indoor coaster (NightFlight Expedition) is rumored for 2026 in Wildwood Grove
- On-site stays at DreamMore Resort & Spa or HeartSong Lodge & Resort offer the best experience with park benefits
- Year-round festivals include the Harvest Festival, Smoky Mountain Christmas, and more
