What’s New at Dollywood 2022
February 22, 2022
Everybody loves Dollywood – America’s favorite theme park and the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee entertaining over 2.5 million visitors every year. Nestled on 150 acres near the Smoky Mountain towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Dollywood offers visitors a unique southern experience inspired by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, rich South Appalachian culture, and famous beloved country singer Dolly Parton.
Dollywood is a must-see for every Smoky Mountain vacation itinerary and delivers tons of fun for every member of the family. The park features 11 uniquely themed areas with over 40 world-class rides and attractions, a continuous seasonal line-up of award-winning festivals and dinner shows, fun stores, and restaurants, charming historic sites, and one of the best outdoor water parks in the US.
The history of Dollywood dates back to the original Rebel Railroad in the 60s, Goldrush Junction in the 70s, and Silver Dollar City in the early 80s. Dollywood has tripled in size since its humble beginnings in 1986 and consistently ranks in the top amusement parks in the world. In 2021, Dollywood was awarded four Golden Ticket Awards for Best Guest Experience, Best Kids’ Area, Most Beautiful Park, and Best Christmas Event.
Dollywood opens to the public for its 37th season on Saturday, March 12th, 2022, with a new season pass structure to tailor the guest experience, notable upgrades throughout the park, bigger festivals and seasonal celebrations, and the anticipated return of old-time favorites. Here’s what to look forward to in Dollywood’s 2022 season.
Dollywood continues to enhance it’s park and culture in unique ways! As of February 24th, 2022, Dollywood will be launching their GROW U program offering free 100% college tuition to all employees wanting to pursue a higher education. This speaks to the nature of Dolly Parton, the culture of Dollywood, and their investment in the future of their hosts and guests.
“We know when our hosts are happy and feel cared for that they are going to pass that along to our guests – when our hosts strive to grow themselves, it makes our business and our community a truly better place.”
Take a ride on the Dollywood Express!
Getting Around Dollywood
Dollywood is America’s favorite theme park, so you can expect crowds and traffic! Getting into and around Dollywood will be easier in 2022 with notable upgrades and improvements to the parking toll plaza and entrance parking lot, wider walkways throughout the park, and the historic old mine tunnel connecting Craftsman’s Valley to The Village has been removed to create a viewing area for guests to watch the authentic, coal-fired Dollywood Express Train roll by.
Dining & Shopping at Dollywood
Shopping and dining at Dollywood is all part of the unique guest experience! Dollywood made refurbishments during the off-season to several restaurants and the world-class Dollywood Emporium in Showstreet for a better shopping, dining, and overall guest experience. Fewer lines, quicker service, and the same delicious, award-winning southern cuisine from Dollywood’s top chefs.
Enjoy delicious southern cuisine and sweet treats!
Make a splash!
Splash Country Water Park
Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park placed 4th in the Golden Ticket Awards and is the most trusted water park in the Smokies. Splash Country opens for the 2022 season on May 14th, with upgrades including shiny resurfaced water slides throughout the park, new natural plaster at the lagoon-style Cascades pool, and lush mountain landscaping and fragrant flowers throughout the park. Little Creek Falls is one of Splash Country’s first attractions and has been reimagined for 2022 into a splash pad with pop jets, flowers, and interactive creative play for preschoolers and new butterfly shade structures for parents and little ones to escape the summer sun.
Dollywood Events & Festivals
The colorful Umbrella Sky!
The Flower and Food Festival
April 22nd – June 5th, 2022
Dollywood’s colorful springtime festival returns with amazing additions to the giant three-dimensional floral sculptures, living mosaics, and hundreds of thousands of beautiful blooms. The festival will feature new and exciting food vendors with fresh spring flavors and unique culinary treats at Dollywood’s top eateries. From the colorful Umbrella Sky on entry to whimsical floral displays throughout the park, the Dollywood Flower and Food Festival is a visual and immersive experience not to be missed.
Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration
June 18th – August 7th, 2022
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is bigger and better for 2022 with extended hours and the return of the award-winning Gazillion Bubble Show! The Gazillion Bubble Show holds 19 bubble-related Guinness World Records and is a delight for all ages. As the sun sets the streets in Wildwood Grove come alive with a 30-minute DJ party followed by the Sweet Summer Nights Drone & Fireworks Show with dynamic 3D animations, a symphony of lights and a brilliant fireworks display. A sweet way to end the day at Dollywood!
Kick-off the summer fun with a brilliant fireworks display.
Jack-O-Lantern fun!
The Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin LumiNights
September 23rd – October 29th, 2022
Celebrate the beauty of fall in the Smoky Mountains at Dollywood’s award-winning Harvest Festival. The park transforms with all the sights, sounds, and smells of the fall season – spectacular leaf-peeping, live entertainment, harvest-inspired food, and thousands of brilliantly illuminated jack-o’-lanterns at The Great Pumpkin LumiNights, voted “The Best Theme Park Harvest Event in the World”. New to the Harvest Festival in 2022 are owl-themed displays nestled in the park and trees at Hoot Owl Hollow in Craftsman’s Valley.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas
November 5th, 2022 – January 1st, 2023
The Golden Ticket Award for “Best Theme Park Christmas Event” goes to …. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, as it has for the past 12 years! Our favorite Smoky Mountain family tradition returns for another year with over 5 million lights, festive holiday shows, and entertainment, spectacular fireworks, culinary delights, and a sensory overload of Christmas spirit and joy.
The Robert F. Thomas Chapel during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Looking to the Future of Dollywood
Looking to the future, Dollywood has big plans! Dolly Parton’s plans for Dollywood include a ten-year and half-billion dollar investment for exciting expansion, including the HeartSong Lodge & Resort scheduled to open across from DreamMore Resort & Spa in 2023. Another new “record-breaking” family attraction will make its 2023 debut next to the Dragonflier in Wildwood Grove – the inside scoop says it’s rumored it be a “record-breaking, multi-generational rollercoaster” among the longest rides in Dollywood.
Where to Stay
Enhance your unique Smoky Mountain experience even further with a Stay & Play package from Xplorie. Our selection of over 800 Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg vacation cabins and homes includes your dream mountain cabin, exceptional guest services, and a variety of complimentary activities for every day of your stay in the Smoky Mountains.
