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Amber Davis

Dollywood Blogger



Latest Posts by Amber

17 EXCEEDS In a Row! What Does That Mean?

17 EXCEEDS In a Row! What Does That Mean?

Dollywood's Splash Country lifeguards are among the best in the industry. And I can prove it. Earlier this week, we received our 17th consecutive EXCEEDS score. Let me explain why that is impressive: Our water park and lifeguards are certified through Jeff Ellis & Associates (E&A), a company that specializes in international aquatic safety and risk management consultation. That's a…

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Behind The Scenes: Washing 1 Million lbs. of Resort Laundry

Behind The Scenes: Washing 1 Million lbs. of Resort Laundry

As a company, we learned a lot after opening Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa-including a lot about laundry! Originally, we took care of all laundry without bells and whistles. Then, we got smart and moved the linens operation to a warehouse. That gave us a lot more elbow room to sort, wash, dry and fold. Just think of all the…

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Behind the Scenes: The Inspiration for Wildwood Creek

Behind the Scenes: The Inspiration for Wildwood Creek

As we get closer to opening Wildwood Grove in May, we hope to share more and more peeks behind the curtain of this new land. When we invited the media to join us for a construction tour, Wildwood Grove's Creative Director, Patrick Brennan, shared stories of how the details are coming together. And, when I say details I'm literally talking…

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2022 Dollywood Off-Season Work

2022 Dollywood Off-Season Work

Dollywood is closed, and for that reason, it felt very fitting that there was snow on the ground when I walked the park to see the off-season projects already underway. Our operating calendar takes us through the first of the new year, but we close shortly thereafter because it can get pretty chilly in the Smoky Mountains during January and…

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A Peek Inside: Splash Country Off-Season Updates

A Peek Inside: Splash Country Off-Season Updates

Yes, we may be in the doldrums of January (28 degrees with a chance of precipitation as I sit to write this blog), but I'm excited about the coming season for Dollywood's Splash Country. Typically, January isn't the prettiest time to walk through a water park that's located in the Smoky Mountains. But there's so much work happening, I can…

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What Are Golden Events and Golden Hours?

What Are Golden Events and Golden Hours?

For a few months now, you've been hearing about Golden Events and Golden Hours for Dollywood's 2022 Gold and Diamond Passholders. Today, I'm able to give you a better idea of what to expect. I'll focus mostly on the Golden Events we have already nailed down (more are coming!), but I'll quickly explain Golden Hours. Beginning this March, Gold and…

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Dollywood's Craftsmen in the Off-Season

Dollywood's Craftsmen in the Off-Season

During Dollywood's off-season, I love to give you a peek behind the curtain at all the work in progress. And though there are several construction projects happening right now, some teams are business as usual. Our craftsmen, for example, continue to produce hand-made wares even when there's no audience. Craft demonstrations may draw you in as you're walking through Craftsman's…

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Behind the Scenes: Story of the Gift Shop Tree

Behind the Scenes: Story of the Gift Shop Tree

Whether or not you're a "detail person," I think you're going to appreciate the thought that went into Wildwood Grove. Our creative team looked for every opportunity to showcase East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. When you visit the new land, spend some time checking out the tree in Mountain Grove Merchants.

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How to Celebrate Birthdays at Dollywood

How to Celebrate Birthdays at Dollywood

For my little boy's 4th birthday this year, I had a stroke of genius-though, I can't truly take credit. He has not [yet] asked for a "real" birthday party, so in the previous three years, I've just hosted family and friends at our house for a celebration. This year, we were talking about what he wanted to do for his…

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How It's Made: Dollywood's Blacksmith & Foundry

How It's Made: Dollywood's Blacksmith & Foundry

Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The name of the town comes from a local blacksmith shop that was established in the early 1800s. It was an influential business named after the Little Pigeon River. The name of the forge became synonymous with the town itself. It's only fitting, then, that Dollywood has its own functional blacksmith shop inside…

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Visiting Dollywood with a Baby in Tow

Visiting Dollywood with a Baby in Tow

I think many parents will agree with me-you gotta do what you gotta do to keep your sanity when you have a baby in the house. In my case that means getting out of the house frequently, and my 3-year-old is grateful that we still enjoy outings! From experience, I can tell you that visiting Dollywood IS possible with a…

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How to Select Your Retreat or Canopy at Splash Country

How to Select Your Retreat or Canopy at Splash Country

Let's call this Retreat/Canopy 201. By now you already know why you want to reserve a shaded space for your next visit to Dollywood's Splash Country, but you need a little help with strategy for choosing your spot. Great. You've come to the right place.

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What is Dollywood's Ride Accessibility Center?

What is Dollywood's Ride Accessibility Center?

At Dollywood, we want everyone in your family to enjoy our park. We intentionally design experiences for people of differing abilities. In fact, one of Dollywood's complimentary services is our Ride Accessibility Center. Are you familiar with it? It's a beautiful concept that was created to help guests get more out of their Dollywood visit. We partner with Covenant Health…

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NEW Aquatic Transfer Wheelchairs

NEW Aquatic Transfer Wheelchairs

When Dollywood's Splash Country introduced Accessibility Tubes in 2017, it enabled guests with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy water attractions they had never been able to experience before. What a joy it was watching kids and adults float down the lazy river for the first time! For the 2018 season, our Aquatics team introduced another option for people with…

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What You Need to Know about Dollywood's Lost and Found

What You Need to Know about Dollywood's Lost and Found

If you are able to travel light-you have a gift. I remember the days of leaving the house with my sunglasses, wallet and cell phone. Those days are over. Now, it's diaper bags, backpacks, sippy cups, snacks, entertainment, changes of clothing-just about everything but the kitchen sink, as they say. I get it now: people come with STUFF. And, a…

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Military Discount on Dollywood Tickets, Passes and Stays

Military Discount on Dollywood Tickets, Passes and Stays

Dollywood is proud to support our country's armed forces. We offer a military discount on day tickets, Season Passes and on stays. Because we're celebrating veterans this week, I thought it would be helpful to pull together information about military discounts in this blog. Thank you for your service! Our military discount applies to U.S. active or retired military, veterans,…

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Dollywood's Splash Country Honored with International Safety Award

Dollywood's Splash Country Honored with International Safety Award

I'm always proud to brag on our team at Dollywood's Splash Country-and this one is big. Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) just honored them with the prestigious Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award for their diligence in keeping our guests safe. I've previously written about how E&A secretly audits and scores our teams during unannounced visits. This international aquatic safety…

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New Dolly Parton Experience Coming in 2024

New Dolly Parton Experience Coming in 2024

When Dolly visited Dollywood on Friday, she let a theater full of Dollywood Season Passholders in on a secret: we’re planning to open a whole new Dolly Parton experience next season. In 2024, we will introduce The Dolly Parton Experience: an interactive, newly-reimagined approach to telling Dolly’s story. This experiential attraction will open in the location of the former Chasing…

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