Dolly Parton announces HUGE $500M Dollywood expansion
Looks like Dolly has big plans for Dollywood!
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
Dolly Parton has announced a massive expansion project for her theme park located in the Great Smokey Mountains, Tennessee. Dolly's beloved theme park Dollywood will be expanding over the next decade as part of a $500 million investment.
Plans include a new 302-room HeartSong Lodge & Resort adjacent to Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
The name of the resort hails from her 1994 hit of the same name, inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains where she grew up.
Designed to look like a rustic lodge, the HeartSong’s initial layout features spacious suites with bunk rooms, as well as multiple pools, outdoor gathering spaces, a communal fire pit and porch.
More than three million guests visit Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park each year.
“I’m so proud of this place that we’ve been able to build here in the Smokies,” Parton said in a statement on her website.
“I always dreamed of accomplishing two things with Dollywood. I wanted to give jobs to the folks who live here and I wanted to give visitors another reason to come and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. We celebrated our 35th season last year, so I think it is fair to say we’ve been able to do that.”
If you fancy a trip to Dollyland post-Covid, the HeartSong Lodge & Resort is scheduled to open in 2023.
Check out some of our favourite Dolly quotes:
"It's hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world."
Dolly Parton performing in 1976.
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
Dolly on stage.
"You can be rich in spirit, kindness, love and all those things that you can’t put a dollar sign on. "
Dolly Parton on stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2014.
"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."
Dolly Parton and her Goddaughter Miley Cyrus on stage at the Grammy Awards in 2019.
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."
Dolly Parton and her former partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, who she wrote her hit 'I Will Always Love You' about.
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
Dolly performing on stage at the UK Country Music Festival.
"Never leave a rhinestone unturned."
Dolly Parton in a publicity shot for the film 'Rhinestone' in 1984.
"Life is short, keep your dreams big and your hair bigger."
Dolly Parton co-hosting the 57th Academy Of Country Music Awards in March 2022.
"When it comes to music or hair, crank up the volume!"
Dolly performed at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2022.
Read more:
Everything you need to know about music icon Dolly Parton
We love Dolly Parton! 7 of her best quotes through the years