New ‘Dolly Parton Experience’ is part of Dollywood 2024 season
The Dollywood 2024 season will be filled with events and attractions old and new, including The Dolly Parton Experience interactive walkthrough.
Dollywood will kick off its 39th season Mar. 8, 2024, a passholder-only day and the first of 280 operating days next year. That’s 23 more days than in 2023, and the biggest number the park has ever had in a single season. The park will open to all guests beginning Mar. 9, 2024.
From returning festivals to ride refurbishments to everything in between, here’s what to expect from Dollywood in the coming year.
Grand Opening of Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort — Nov. 3, 2023
The newest Dollywood overnight accommodation is ready to welcome its first guests. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is currently in a soft opening for sneak preview dates through Oct. 30, 2023. HeartSong will officially open Nov. 3, 2023.
The resort describes itself as a place “where Smoky Mountain beauty meets refined hospitality.” Pricing for rooms at HeartSong during Dollywood’s operating calendar starts around $400. Off-season rooms during January and February start around $200.
Learn more or book a stay here.
The Dolly Parton Experience — May 2024
The ultimate celebration of Dolly Parton’s legacy, The Dolly Parton Experience will open May 2024 in Dollywood. The walkthrough attraction will present an interactive journey through Dolly’s career and personal life, covering subjects such as family, fashion, and, of course, music.
The Dolly Parton Experience replaces the park area formerly known as Adventures In Imagination. The new offering is three times bigger than Chasing Rainbows Museum, a previous attraction of similar nature.
New Lift Hill for Lightning Rod — Spring 2024
Reaching speeds of up to 73 miles per hour, the Lightning Rod roller coaster has exhilarated Dollywood guests since 2016. Come spring 2024, the park will remove Lightning Rod’s linear synchronous motor (LMS) launch system from the coaster’s first ascent. In its place, crews will build a high-speed chain lift.
After the initial lift, the remainder of the ride will be the same as it always has. Lightning Rod will close Oct. 30, 2023 to prepare for this alteration.
Dollywood 2024 Festivals — All Season Long
Familiar festivals will return to Dollywood in 2024, and no matter when you visit, there’s likely to be a special event happening.
“I Will Always Love You” Music Festival (Mar. 9 – Apr. 14, 2024) will feature an updated “Paradise Road” stage show, as well as a sing-along of Dolly songs and Trio, a new show celebrating the collaborative 1987 album of Dolly, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt.
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (Apr. 19 – June 9, 2024) will engage the senses with half a million flora and park-wide specialty menus.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration (June 15 – Aug. 11, 2024) will entertain guests with returning productions. “Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights” will feature drones and fireworks in the night sky, while “Gazillion Bubble Show” will fill DP’s Celebrity Theater with countless bubbles.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival (Sept. 9 – Oct. 28, 2024) will decorate the park with thousands of pumpkins. During the evening, Dollywood will once again host Great Pumpkin LumiNights, featuring park-wide spooky lighting displays.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 1, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025) will bring holiday cheer with live shows and six million lights.
Dollywood 2024 Season Passes Available Oct. 30
Current season passholders get first dibs on renewing for 2024 through Oct. 29, 2023. Renewals start at $149. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
New passholders can begin purchasing 2024 passes on Oct. 30, 2023. The park has yet to announce 2024 pricing for new season passes.
In 2023, Dollywood celebrated the opening of Big Bear Mountain, a new roller coaster.
