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NEWS
Dolly Parton opens new attraction, Wildwood Grove, at Dollywood theme park
POSTED 21 May 2019 . BY Andy Knaggs
Country singer Dolly Parton's latest vision for her Dollywood theme park has been brought to life

All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and ponds around the home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove
– Dolly Parton
Country singer Dolly Parton's latest vision at her Dollywood theme park has been brought to life, with Wildwood Grove opening to the public at the attraction in Tennessee, US.

The expansion is a US$37m (€33.17m, £29m), six-acre development with 11 nature-themed attractions.

At the heart of the land, a 55ft-tall (16.7m) tree grows from a cluster of natural rock and boulders, offering a natural platform for live performances from the park's entertainers.

From 15 June, at night, the tree will come to life, with a show featuring butterflies glowing in a kaleidoscope of spectacular colourS.

The expansion will feature 11 new experiences, six new rides among them. The main attraction will be Dragonflier – a suspended family rollercoaster. Joining it will be the Treetop Tower, Black Bear Trail, Mad Mocking Bird flying carousel, Sycamore Swing swinging ship and the Frogs and Fireflies carousel.

"When I was a little girl growing up in the hills of the Smoky Mountains, I’d often let my imagination just run away — something I still do now — dreaming these big dreams about what it’d be like to venture off with a family of bears into the woods, or how fun it would be to hitch a ride with the butterflies and dragonflies," said Parton, speaking to Southern Living.

"All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and ponds around the home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove. We’ve been able to create a new area to allow families to experience some of those exact dreams we all had when we were little."

Wildwood Grove increases the size of Dollywood by around 20 per cent and is the first new area added to the park since Wilderness Pass in 2008.
Wildwood Grove is the first expansion of the theme park since 2008 Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
The Wildwood Tree will be lit up every night by hundreds of butterflies and thousands of leaves Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
The acorn on top of the Treetop Tower was hand-carved Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
RELATED STORIES
  Dollywood, Universal and Fantawild among 2018 TEA Thea Awards winners


The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) has revealed the winners of this year's Thea Awards.
  FEATURE: People profile: Dolly Parton


Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton announces the expansion of Dollywood theme park
  Dolly Parton reveals US$37m Wildwood Grove expansion of Dollywood


Country singer Dolly Parton has announced plans for the US$37m (€32m, £28.5m) expansion of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
  Dollywood reveals US$300m expansion plan


Dollywood has announced the first of its new projects as part of a US$300m (£192m, €225m), 10-year expansion plan in and around the theme park, which is based in Tennessee.
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The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
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NEWS
Dolly Parton opens new attraction, Wildwood Grove, at Dollywood theme park
POSTED 21 May 2019 . BY Andy Knaggs
Country singer Dolly Parton's latest vision for her Dollywood theme park has been brought to life
All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and ponds around the home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove
– Dolly Parton
Country singer Dolly Parton's latest vision at her Dollywood theme park has been brought to life, with Wildwood Grove opening to the public at the attraction in Tennessee, US.

The expansion is a US$37m (€33.17m, £29m), six-acre development with 11 nature-themed attractions.

At the heart of the land, a 55ft-tall (16.7m) tree grows from a cluster of natural rock and boulders, offering a natural platform for live performances from the park's entertainers.

From 15 June, at night, the tree will come to life, with a show featuring butterflies glowing in a kaleidoscope of spectacular colourS.

The expansion will feature 11 new experiences, six new rides among them. The main attraction will be Dragonflier – a suspended family rollercoaster. Joining it will be the Treetop Tower, Black Bear Trail, Mad Mocking Bird flying carousel, Sycamore Swing swinging ship and the Frogs and Fireflies carousel.

"When I was a little girl growing up in the hills of the Smoky Mountains, I’d often let my imagination just run away — something I still do now — dreaming these big dreams about what it’d be like to venture off with a family of bears into the woods, or how fun it would be to hitch a ride with the butterflies and dragonflies," said Parton, speaking to Southern Living.

"All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and ponds around the home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove. We’ve been able to create a new area to allow families to experience some of those exact dreams we all had when we were little."

Wildwood Grove increases the size of Dollywood by around 20 per cent and is the first new area added to the park since Wilderness Pass in 2008.
Wildwood Grove is the first expansion of the theme park since 2008 Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
The Wildwood Tree will be lit up every night by hundreds of butterflies and thousands of leaves Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
The acorn on top of the Treetop Tower was hand-carved Credit: Dollywood via Twitter
RELATED STORIES
Dollywood, Universal and Fantawild among 2018 TEA Thea Awards winners


The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) has revealed the winners of this year's Thea Awards.
FEATURE: People profile: Dolly Parton


Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton announces the expansion of Dollywood theme park
Dolly Parton reveals US$37m Wildwood Grove expansion of Dollywood


Country singer Dolly Parton has announced plans for the US$37m (€32m, £28.5m) expansion of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dollywood reveals US$300m expansion plan


Dollywood has announced the first of its new projects as part of a US$300m (£192m, €225m), 10-year expansion plan in and around the theme park, which is based in Tennessee.
MORE NEWS
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
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COMPANY PROFILES
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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