Dollywood’s future confirmed after owner Dolly Parton’s death at 80 as beloved theme park issues heartbreaking statement

DOLLY Parton’s beloved theme park has confirmed its future following the country music legend’s death at 80. The Tennessee attraction has revealed how it plans to carry on without its famous Dreamer-in-Chief as staff mourn the woman who helped turn it into an American institution. Dolly Parton poses for a portrait with her guitar at Dollywood circa 1993 Credit: Getty The entrance to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Credit: Getty Dollywood will remain open following Dolly Parton’s passing at 80, honoring her wishes Credit: Getty Dreamsong Theatre is pictured in Dollywood theme park Credit: Alamy Dollywood will remain open following Parton’s death – and is set to welcome guests as scheduled on Wednesday in accordance with the star’s wishes. Park bosses said Parton wanted Dollywood to continue bringing families together after she was gone, rather than shut its gates in mourning. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! The decision was revealed in an emotional statement issued after Parton’s death was announced Tuesday by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security. “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton,” the statement began. Read more on Dolly Parton “Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.” It comes as… Star looked upbeat in final photos taken just weeks before her death Khloe Kardashian and Kelly Osbourne lead emotional tributes to country legend Family statement in full as nephew confirms country music icon’s death Singer revealed ‘hard times with health’ just days before passing Heartbreaking last post looked forward to opening of her museum Trump pays tribute to one of the ‘greatest singers’ Star joked about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s future kids in heartbreaking last video post The park said continuing to welcome visitors was part of the Jolene singer’s vision for the attraction she helped build in her native Tennessee. Most read in Entertainment “Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness – a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams,” the theme park said. Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton also vowed that the superstar’s legacy would live on inside the gates. “The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Naughton said. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. “She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Dollywood will open as scheduled on Wednesday, embodying Parton’s ‘show must go on’ spirit Credit: Instagram Park bosses confirmed Parton wanted the theme park to continue bringing joy to families Credit: Getty Dolly Parton at the Dollywood Dewitt tour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Dollywood on May 2, 2025 Credit: Alamy Dollywood officially opened under that name on May 3, 1986 Credit: Alamy “Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.” Naughton confirmed Dollywood would open as planned Wednesday, saying that was what Parton would have wanted. “Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic – an inspiration to people everywhere,” the statement continued. “In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle – ‘the show must go on.’ “Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.” Dollywood was born from Parton’s determination to give something back to the Smoky Mountains where she grew up. During a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters, the star spoke of her dream of creating a “Smoky Mountain fairy land” in her home region while also bringing jobs and money into the local economy. The idea eventually caught the attention of theme park owners Pete and Jack Herschend. Parton teamed up with the Herschend business in 1986 to transform the former Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge into Dollywood. The gates opened on May 3 that year – and the park quickly became a runaway success. Within its first full year, it reportedly attracted 1.3 million visitors, around double the number that had visited Silver Dollar City the previous year. Today, Dollywood draws nearly three million guests during a typical season stretching from March through the Christmas holidays. It has also become a major economic force in the area, employing more than 3,000 people during its peak season and ranking as the biggest employer in Pigeon Forge and Sevier County. Dolly Parton pictured at the theme park in 1993 Credit: Getty Within its first full year, Dollywood reportedly attracted 1.3 million visitors Credit: Getty Parton previously recalled how the seeds for the sprawling attraction had been planted during her childhood. “When I was growing up here in the Great Smoky Mountains, we used to come every now and then down to this area,” she told USA Today in 2023. “When it was the county fair, we’d come to town, and I used to think if I make it big, if I get rich like I was dreaming I might, that I’d love to do something special, to come back home and build a park of my own.” Her gamble paid off spectacularly. Dollywood was named the top amusement park in the United States by Tripadvisor in 2025. This year, it also landed at number 49 on TIME magazine’s ranking of the top 500 privately held companies in the country. The attraction is famous for its rollercoasters and family rides as well as its adjacent Splash Country water park. Its food has developed a cult following too, with Dollywood’s cinnamon bread and enormous 25-pound apple pie becoming social media sensations. Comment now