Dollywood will open its gates Wednesday, just one day after Dolly Parton’s death, with the Tennessee theme park saying the decision reflects what the country music legend would have wanted.
Following Parton’s death at 80 on Tuesday, Dollywood representatives announced that the park would continue operating, pointing to one of Parton’s longtime philosophies: “the show must go on.”
Parton held the title of Dollywood’s “Dreamer-in-Chief,” and the park said her wish was for it to remain a place where people could find joy, hope and togetherness.
“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 park said.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton also paid tribute to Parton, describing helping her turn her dreams into the theme park as the “greatest privilege” of his life.
“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Naughton said, adding that her legacy would continue through the experiences created inside the park.
The announcement came as people rushed to the Dollywood website following news of Parton’s death, temporarily overwhelming the site.
Parton had been closely associated with the park since 1986, when she became a co-owner alongside Herschend Family Entertainment. What began decades earlier as a small attraction eventually grew into one of Tennessee’s major tourist destinations.
Dollywood now spans 165 acres, alongside a 35-acre water park and two resort hotels, and features more than 50 rides and attractions.
The park recently opened its new NightFlight Expedition attraction on Aug. 19, but Parton was unable to attend because of her health. She appeared in a video instead, explaining that her doctors had advised her not to travel because she was experiencing dehydration and occasional dizziness.
That health update came shortly before her death.
Parton had also spoken about her broader health struggles in recent months, while continuing to work on projects she hoped to complete.
Her connection to Dollywood went far beyond business. Set against the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the park reflected the landscape and culture that shaped Parton’s life.
At the park’s 40th-anniversary celebration in March 2025, Parton recalled being nervous when Dollywood first opened in 1986, saying she hoped people would want to visit a theme park carrying her name.
Decades later, the park remains one of her most visible legacies.
Now, just hours after her death, Dollywood will do exactly what its founder wanted: keep the gates open, keep the music playing and give people a place to remember Dolly Parton together.
