DOLLYWOOD OFFERS VIRTUAL RIDES AMID PANDEMIC CLOSURE

BY GABRIELLE

Fans of Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee can enjoy a rollercoaster fix, as the attraction site is posting videos of its rollercoasters to take people on virtual rides.

The park is offering virtual tours of the Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, Dragon Flier, Firechaser Express, Thunderhead and several more of its popular attractions.

In a blog post about the virtual rides, Dollywood noted the best way to experience the virtual rollercoaster, stating: “It’s best-experienced on a device other than a desktop – a device like a smart phone or tablet you can move to “look” around you as you ride.”

During the park’s temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dollywood has been providing vital items to support at this difficult time to the community of Tennessee. Items have included reusable face masks for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The theme park has also been providing ponchos to the Sevier County Ambulance Service, which has been in desperate need of such protection.

DOLLYWOOD SUPPLIES CRITICAL ITEMS TO HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DURING PANDEMIC

 BY GABRIELLE

Dollywood has been providing vital items to help the community of Tennessee during the coronavirus pandemic. The theme park, which is temporarily closed due to the outbreak, has provided the Sevier County Food Ministries with a cheque for more than $16,000 to help boost the organisation’s supplies before it began to face unprecedented demand.

The theme park’s wardrobe and costume shop teams are producing reusable face masks to give to patients, nurses and doctors at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The wardrobe team created 350 masks in just one day, as the costume shop team produced 250 adult masks and 250 children’s masks over just two days. The teams are continuing to make the masks from home.

Eugene Naughton, vice president of Dollywood Park Operations, said: “We are blessed to have talented hosts working in our wardrobe and costume shops.

“East Tennessee Children’s Hospital reached out to us to see if we could help, and as soon as we received the call, our teams started working. We knew this was the right thing to do, and our hosts have done an amazing job producing these masks. We’re just glad to do our part.”

Dollywood’s safety team has also been busy, providing 200 ponchos to the Sevier County Emergency Management Agency, Pigeon Forge Fire Department and the Sevier County Ambulance Service, which have been desperately needing such protection due to the ongoing medical supply shortage. As Naughton explained: “When we heard they were in need of this vital personal protective equipment, we knew we had to find a way to assist.

“These folks are on the front lines every day and we have to do all we can to keep them safe. We have a close working relationship with these groups—in fact, a number of our EMTs on staff also work for these local agencies—so we’re honored to be able to help them in this way,” Naughton added.

DOLLYWOOD NAMES COVENANT HEALTH AS OFFICIAL HEALTH SYSTEM PARTNER

BY GABRIELLE

Award-winning musical theme park Dollywood has announced healthcare network Covenant Health as their official Health System Partner. The partnership will see immediate upgrades made to the park’s Baby Care Facilities and Nursing Centres.

The popular Calming Room will also receive new activities and equipment for the families using the room.

As part of the deal, Covenant Health will be presenting the new Flower and Food Festival and the Great Pumpkin LumiNights. They will also sponsor the theme park’s safety team, Centralized Measuring, the Ride Accessibility Centre and all first aid stations and rental strollers.

The President of The Dollywood Company, Craig Ross, said: “For both Dollywood and Covenant, taking care of people is the number one priority. But it’s not just caring for guests; it’s about making them part of the family and treating them exactly as we would want to be treated.”

Ross also revealed the new initiatives are just the beginning and both Dollywood and Covenant Health would be pursuing further opportunities together to improve the experiences and services available to guests.

The partnership also heralded good news for the local community, with Covenant’s President Jim VanderSteeg saying: “Covenant Health is the Knoxville area’s largest employer, and Dollywood, the largest employer in Sevier County, provides thousands of employment opportunities for people of all ages and talents. Both entities are trusted, significant economic drivers for our communities, committed to improving the overall quality of life in our region through our respective programs and services.”

Dollywood will be hosting the Covenant Health-sponsored Flower and Food Festival from May 8 to June 14 to celebrate the theme park’s 35th anniversary.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO DOLLYWOOD

BY GABRIELLE

Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas, which has been voted the Best Theme Park Christmas Event in America for 12 consecutive years, is returning to Dollywood on November 9, 2019.

The festive festival comprises of lively Christmas entertainment, heart-warming festive food and drinks, an ambiance lit up by more than five million brilliant lights and plenty more seasonal fun.

This much-loved family event is presented by Humana. The park’s Glacier Ridge will look like it is a frozen scene from the Arctic. This winter wonderland will be home to numerous fun activities, impressive Christmassy displays and different dining options.

Guests can meander through this immense frozen fairyland through areas including Wildwood Grove, Timber Canyon, Wilderness Pass and the upper part of Craftsman’s Valley.

Traditional festive shows such as ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Christmas in the Smokies’ will entertain guests. Further festive cheer can be found at Dollywood’s Parade of Many Colours.

Sharing her excitement for Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas, Dolly Parton said: “There’s nothing like Christmas in the Smokies. I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things, but the feeling of being home with the people I love at Christmas really is one of the most special things in the world to me.

“It’s my hope that the people who come experience my Dollywood at Christmas make those same sweet memories they’ll be able to share forever. I also hope we’re able to help them start some brand new Christmas traditions right here!” Dolly Parton added.

Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas will be running at Dollywood from November 9, 2019 to January 4, 2020.

DOLLYWOOD GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY

BY GABRIELLE

2020 will see the much-loved Tennessee theme park Dollywood, commemorate its 35thanniversary. To mark the special year, the park is to host a vibrant calendar full of must-see events, including a new festival and entertainment featuring well-known international performers.

The 35th anniversary season will start on March 14, 2020 with the Festival of Nations, which will run until April 20. Headlining the Festival of Nations will be a stage production of Namaste India and Ole! The production takes guests on a journey across India. Well known acts will feature on the stage, including JigJam, Drumstick and the Invaders Steel Orchestra.

The park’s celebratory Flower & Food Festival is to take place from May 8 to June 14 and will feature a colourful mass of spring flower displays, crafted by talented horticulturalists.

Expert chefs will also be heading to Tennessee to create a diverse selection of culinary delights to provide plenty of food for guests to tuck into over the spring festival.

Spring beef sprinkled over crispy potatoes, tomato and feta cheese galette, savoury lime chicken legs over rice pilaf and caprese skewers with a balsamic, are just several of the culinary items on the menu at the Flower & Food Festival.

From June 20 to August 2, a Dollywood guest favourite, the Gazillion Bubbles Show, will return to the theme park during the Summer Celebration event, when “gazillions” of bubbles will float through the air.

The park’s Harvest festival featuring Great Pumpkin LumiNights and the Southern Gospel Jubilee will bring some autumn and Halloween fun to the Smokies from September 25 to October 31.

The 35th anniversary season ends with Smoky Mountain Christmas beginning on November 7 and ending on January 2, 2021. Humana, the 12-time Golden Ticket winner for the Best Theme Park Christmas event, will present this much-loved festive occasion.

FLOWER AND FOOD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED AT DOLLYWOOD

BY GABRIELLE

Dollywood has announced plans to host a Flower and Food Festival as part of its continued expansion and investment in bringing new experiences to visitors.

The festival is planned to take place from May 8 to June 14, 2020, to mark the theme park’s 35th anniversary.

The vibrant event will see Dollywood team up with the Mosaicultures flower sculpting specialists, to make flourishing spring flower and topiary displays a key feature throughout the Great Smoky Mountains theme park.

Chefs will also be busy working on creating culinary delights for visitors.

Speaking of her love for spring, Dolly Parton said: “When I was just a little girl, spring was a wondrous time.

“I imagined having my own special field of flowers that were a fragrant home to my favourite animal friends in the woods.

“Now, my Dollywood becomes that special place with everything made of flowers – I can’t wait to share it with everyone just in time for our 35th season!” added the singer.

During the festival, the Showstreet area of the park will feature an ‘Umbrella Sky’, comprising of hundreds of multicoloured umbrellas. Dollywood will also be geared up for some selfie moments, with Instagrammable locations alongside interactive activities.

“With these umbrellas, it’s sure to be a sunshine kind of day no matter what!” said Dolly Parton.