It looks like a certain country legend is dusting off her trophy case because she just beat out Disney World and Disneyland for this theme park award!
Cinderella Castle
We’re Disney Food Blog, so of course we’re always writing about Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. But, the truth is, we love theme parks in general! And although it isn’t every day that we mention this certain theme park, we have to recognize it for being named the favorite theme park in the country by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, surpassing both U.S. Disney parks!
According to Knox News, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, has been named America’s favorite theme park! Based on the National Amusement Park Historical Association’s 38th annual survey, it beat out not just the Disney parks but all the other theme parks in the country! And with over 641 theme parks in the U.S., it’s truly a real feat.
©Dollywood
Dollywood is a family amusement park created by country singer and icon Dolly Parton. Established in 1961 and nestled inside Pigeon Forge, Tennesse, the park — spanning over 150 acres — offers a mix of thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, and immersive experiences. One of its most notable rides is the new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, which was awarded the best new attraction of 2023.
In addition to rides, Dollywood showcases traditional crafts and artisans, reflecting the rich heritage of the Appalachian region. Visitors can watch demonstrations of blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery making, and more.
©Dollywood
Live entertainment is also a very important part of the Dollywood experience, with numerous shows featuring bluegrass, country, gospel, and other genres performed by talented musicians and entertainers. The park also hosts seasonal events like the Harvest Festival, Smoky Mountain Christmas, and Barbeque & Bluegrass, adding to the festive atmosphere.
©Dollywood
Disney fans worry not, however, because Disney World was ranked the second-best theme park, while Disneyland secured third place.
Stay tuned with us here as we give all the latest theme park news!
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Dollywood truly deserves this honor. They have it all – thrilling and fun attractions, Dolly approved entertainment and down home delicious food. I always tell people that Dollywood feels like what Disneyland would have felt like if Walt when Walt was alive.
The roller coasters at Dollywood are the best. Dollywood is fun, sweet, and inclusive. It’s not Woke however. Traditional families do not need to fear what their little ones might see or hear. I have visited Dollywood before it became Dollywood, back when it was just the Rebel Railroad. The Smoky Mountains are the best part of a visit to Dollywood.
My daughter did with her husband and young family. They absolutely loved it they went twice!
It’s also much less expensive.
I wouldn’t even give it second place
My husband and I went to Dollywood last year and absolutely loved it! We didn’t even go on that many rides but still enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere is great, and the food we tried was wonderful. My husband made us go to Aunt Granny’s twice, lol.
Very happy and proud of this honor – my son and his girlfriend have both worked as performers at Dollywood for the last several years. I grew up in this area and remember Dollywood when it was Goldrush Junction and Silver Dollar City. As much as I love Disney, I’m glad they’ve received this honor and it’s pretty dang cool my son works and performs there every day. 🙂
@RandyC….please explain to me what a “traditional” family is.
@Barry. That’s so nice! Congrats to them!!
I’ve been a multi year season pass holder and I can tell you that Dollywood is a wonderful amusement park. With all the park expansion over the years, it’s a huge park! The two resorts and cabins, on property, offer beautiful places to stay. The food in the park is always good. If you’re from the South, it’s good, old fashioned cooking that will remind you of Grandma’s house or Mama’s kitchen if your Mama was as good of a cook as mine was.
There’s other dining options besides the old fashioned kind.
The rides are thrilling, lots of rollercoasters and milder rides if you are so inclined. The musical shows are wonderfully entertaining. Come to Tennessee and check out Dollywood! It’s a lot cheaper than Disney. I Love Disney as I’ve been there over 17 times, but Dollywood is close to home and that’s a plus.
Brian, if you have to ask what a “traditional” family is, then RandyC’c comment probably doesn’t relate to you. but if you are truly interested, google it.
Obviously, I was being facetious. I’m sure his comments don’t relate to me as we clearly have a different meaning of what a family is. I have taught my 2 young children that everyone is equal, and no one should be looked at or treated differently. They do not need to fear what they might see…like 2 moms or 2 dads… (and yes…that is still a family). Whenever I see someone mention the word “woke”…I usually just block it out…because it signifies someone with a narrow sense of what they think is political correctness (i.e. progressive vs conservative values).
Thanks, Randy R for replying to Brian. Your answer was better than mine, which wasn’t published, and thankfully so. Brian, I respect your right to your opinions and your desire to raise your children as you see fit. My wife and I raised our children under conservative Christian values and have no reticence in continuing to stand by what we believe, although we are frequently at odds with Disney’s newer messaging. I don’t care what adults do; it’s none of my business. I wish Disney would leave the kids out of this culture re engineering, and allow them to be children. Dollywood is just as inclusive toward all guests. The difference between what you see and hear at Dollywood is it’s not the company advocating for a particular ideology, like you see with Disney today.
Brian, I understand you were being facetious (aka trolling), which was my point. Even though, per your own admittance, RandyC’s post didn’t relate to you, you still felt compelled to post, in an attempt at calling him out. That is the aspect of “Wokeness” that is annoying people. Woke is not acceptance, but alienation, shaming, bias, racism, etc. If anyone shows traditional/conservative preferences, or even mentions that Disney’s recent direction has led to a decline in quality, they are immediately called out as “wrong” or worse. I can have conservative perspectives and still feel completely comfortable with others living their lives as they wish. However, it does sadden me that Disney’s goal of inclusion prioritizes race, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual/gender orientation over talent and qualifications in their current processes. Previously, consideration of those aspects during hiring activities was considered wrong or downright illegal. But, now if you are bias against the “right” groups (i.e. Caucasian, heterosexual, males), it’s OK. That is “Woke”. I personally take comfort knowing Dolly is unlikely to change her skin color, ethnicity, or gender under the guise of inclusiveness, while simultaneously alienating her conservative minded fans.
Sorry. I guess I don’t know what culture engineering is or want to know. I respect your right to raise your children however you would like…just as I would expect you to respect how I raise my children. I just have a different viewpoint than you on thinking that Disney does things to allow them to not be children. If you ask any 8-year-old, they won’t care or even know about social issues…they just care that Mickey waived at them during a parade. I’ve always said…if you don’t like the way a business operates…then don’t give them your hard-earned money and be critical for the things they choose to do.
The food at Dollywood IS delicious. There is a cinnamon bread there that is simply out of this world! If you go to Dollywood, do not miss this treat!!
Thank you for speaking for me. However, I felt compelled to post because Randy’s post shouldn’t be the only voice. I was not calling him out. I was expressing a different viewpoint. Did I say he was wrong? No, I simply disagreed. So…someone with traditional/conservative preferences can call someone with progressive/liberal preferences woke because he views racial and social justice differently than I do, but as soon as I say something different…I’m woke because I don’t “accept” it? Ok. That doesn’t bother me. I can live with that. The fact that you mentioned “knowing Dolly is unlikely to change her skin color, ethnicity, or gender” is the core of what I was stating because I would never have thought to even say that. I don’t look at the world like that. What saddens me is Disney had changed not due to political correctness, but strictly due to the almighty dollar and how they will do anything to separate you from it. Fast passes…gone, Magic Express…gone, extra Magic hours…gone, some street performers….gone, the watering down of the Dining plan, and of course the massive prices increases year over year. That’s why WDW isn’t number one anymore, which is what this article was originally about. Disney has monetized every aspect they can which is what keeps my family away and thousands more. Do I miss years of old? Yes, very much so, but I won’t complain what Disney has done or will do…I will simply go somewhere else. We can agree to disagree and I’m ok with that. Thanks for the spirited conversation.
Brian, I stand by what I said originally. Dollywood does not promote a political agenda like Disney has over the past several years. So if you don’t necessarily agree with what Disney has been promoting, or if you dont want to hear that stuff on vacation, you may find Dollywood refreshing. I will say again that Dollywood welcomes all guests with open arms, same as Disney. I also know from our experience that Dollywood being a short drive from the Smoky Mountains is an added bonus to its draw. Disney said in a SEC filing last year that some customers are not in agreement with their political messaging and it has the potential to hurt their revenue stream and profitability. This is a real issue for enough of Disney’s legacy customers to hurt its business. Regarding giving feedback, Disney often asks for feedback. At one time Disney actually listened to their guest feedback. Its not complaining, it’s feedback. DFB asked for feedback on their article about Dollywood being the #1 repeat destination, so I gave mine. The difference between Dollywood and WDW is palpable. We will continue going to Disney World and going on the Disney Cruise Line because we enjoy it and have fun. We still give feedback to Disney on things that would make our most recent experience even more enjoyable. BTW, I am not anti diversity. I support diversity when it’s authentic and germaine to the story, like found in Coco, Moana, and Encanto. I think inauthentic, gratituutous and pandering forms of diversity fall flat. Some of Disney’s more recent creative releases have not done well. BTW, I don’t need you to speak for me or claim that you know my inner thought processes and beliefs. You don’t know me.
Your most recent reply proved that you have misjudged me in a prejudicial manner. Yes, you were trolling me, looking to start an argument, and Randy R properly pointed that out.
Fair enough Brian. We both definitely agree that the Mouse has gotten greedy, and delivers less value for every additional dollar he takes. I too mourn the loss of those perks, especially Magical Express and resort airline check-in. And yes, we can agree to disagree on the actions, intent, and impact of the social/political stance Disney and others have taken in recent years. Thanks to you too for the spirited conversation. Appreciate it when it doesn’t get too out of hand (on either side) as it too often does these days.