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FOX Business correspondent Ashley Webster catches up with the singer about Dollywood on ‘The Big Money Show.’<\/p>\n
Dolly Parton returned to Dollywood on Friday to kick off the park\u2019s 41st season, reassuring fans about her health while celebrating a major milestone year for both the park and the country.<\/p>\n
Parton said she has recently stepped back from touring to focus on her health and personal life, but emphasized she remains energized about the future.<\/p>\n
“I have not been touring, as you know,” Parton said. “I\u2019ve had a few little health issues, and we\u2019re taking good care of them\u2026 I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally and physically. But all is good. It didn\u2019t slow me down.”<\/p>\n
DOLLY PARTON $650M EMPIRE: FROM HUMBLE ROOTS TO QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC, MOVIES AND NOW MAKEUP<\/p>\n
Dolly Parton opened the 41st season of her Dollywood theme park. (Bridget Bennett\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Parton also addressed rumors about her personal life, saying she does not plan to remarry following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.<\/p>\n
“Well, I know there\u2019s a lot of rumors going around, but I did not marry Sylvester Stallone,” she joked. “And I am not dating anybody. I\u2019m not married. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever be married but once. I think Carl Dean\u2019s waiting for me on the other side.”<\/p>\n
The beloved country music icon appeared at the park as Dollywood launches its new season with celebrations tied to America\u2019s upcoming 250th anniversary, including patriotic d\u00e9cor, new entertainment and demonstrations of traditional Appalachian craftsmanship.<\/p>\n
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (The Dollywood Co.)<\/p>\n
DOLLY PARTON SHARES THE ONE PART OF HER BUSINESS EMPIRE THAT SHE’S ‘REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF’<\/p>\n
Park officials say the heritage of the Smoky Mountains remains central to the experience.<\/p>\n
“Here we are in the middle of God\u2019s country,” Eugene Naughton, president of The Dollywood Company, told FOX Business. “The love of the Smoky Mountains is one of the things that locks people into wanting to come here, and we\u2019re fortunate to have the No. 1 visited national park just 6 miles away.”<\/p>\n
Dollywood is also unveiling a major new attraction this season, the $50 million indoor adventure coaster NightFlight Expedition, inspired by the bioluminescent synchronous fireflies that light up the Smoky Mountains each summer.<\/p>\n
The park, ranked Tripadvisor\u2019s No. 1 theme park in the U.S., continues to expand its footprint as tourism in the East Tennessee region grows. The company has already developed two resorts and plans additional lodging.<\/p>\n
The HeartSong Lodge and Resort with the DreamMore Resort and Spa in the background. (The Dollywood Co.)<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve master-planned a total of five resorts on the property,” Naughton said. “We own 1,142 acres, and there are about 46 million people who live within a nine-hour drive of our property who are theme park users. I\u2019m really excited to tell more people in the world about the cool things that are going on here.”<\/p>\n
DOLLY PARTON’S HOME ON WHEELS TURNED INTO $10,000 HOTEL SUITE<\/p>\n
Beyond the Smoky Mountains, Parton is also expanding her hospitality presence in Tennessee.<\/p>\n
“Of course, we\u2019ve got the new hotel, Songteller, that\u2019s going to open sometime in late summer, early fall in Nashville,” she said.<\/p>\n
The Dragonflier roller coaster at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. <\/p>\n
Dollywood\u2019s growth comes as the broader theme park industry faces economic pressure. Data from Consumer Edge shows spending at U.S. theme parks fell about 5% last summer compared with 2024, as rising costs led some lower- and middle-income families to cut back on travel and entertainment.<\/p>\n
Park leaders say Dollywood\u2019s focus on family experiences and regional culture helps it stand out.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s very family-oriented,” said Julie Collins, a locomotive engineer and foreman at Dollywood. “We love to have families come up and ride the train. Some kids have never seen a real steam locomotive before, so it\u2019s their first time. That\u2019s what they come here for. It\u2019s kind of a little kid\u2019s dream.”<\/p>\n
The Dollywood Express steam train at Dollywood. (The Dollywood Co.)<\/p>\n
For Parton, the park\u2019s success ultimately comes down to something simpler than rides or investments.<\/p>\n
“I pray a lot, and God\u2019s been really good to me,” she said. “But, I think so much of it has to do with great management and how we treat people\u2026 They feel loved and appreciated, and we want them to always feel that way.”<\/p>\n
Dollywood officially opened to the public on Friday with the I Will Always Love You Festival, launching what the park hopes will be a strong season in the Smoky Mountains.<\/p>\n
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Parton said fans should expect even more projects ahead.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying and a lot of getting ready for a lot of new stuff coming up,” she said. “Be ready for me. I ain\u2019t done. I ain\u2019t near done.”<\/p>\n
#Dollywood #theme #park #opens #41st #season<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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