Dollywood Parks & Resorts Announces Plans To Honor Dreamer-In-Chief

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026) — The Dollywood Parks & Resorts family continues to celebrate the extraordinary life of its incomparable Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton, with plans to create several new experiences and installations that honor her remarkable contributions, enduring values and love for the people and places of the Great Smoky Mountains. 
 
Over the coming months, these additions will provide guests with meaningful opportunities to reflect on Dolly’s life, her faith and her influence while experiencing the joy, imagination and togetherness that have always been at the heart of her vision for Dollywood. Dolly dreamed of a place where guests could leave the worries of the world outside its gates and focus on making lifelong memories—together.
 
“Many of us had extensive conversations with Dolly through the years about how she would want us to carry her vision forward,” explained Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “Dollywood will always be a place where families find fun, kindness and joy—a place where they can make memories that last a lifetime, just like she would have wanted. We will carry her dreams forward by continuing to grow, welcoming even more guests, and sharing the warmth and hospitality of which she was so proud.”

An inspirational setting for both Dolly and generations of Dollywood guests, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel will receive new elements that reflect Dolly’s faith and connection to the Smoky Mountains.
 
A cascading mountainside waterfall will be added just outside the chapel’s front steps, creating a peaceful setting for guests to pause, reflect and enjoy the natural beauty that inspired so much of Dolly’s life and work. The chapel also will receive new stained-glass windows commissioned to reflect Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV), the Bible verse that resonated deeply with Dolly: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Inspired by Dolly’s love for the Smokies and the many seasons of her life and career, the windows depict the changing seasons of the mountains.
 
None of Dolly’s accomplishments speak more profoundly to her love for children and her belief in the power of imagination than her founding of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program has gifted more than 330 million books to children around the world and is the largest children’s literacy program of its kind. To celebrate this important part of Dolly’s work and to inspire the next generation of dreamers, a new character, the Dream Maker, will come to Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove area in 2027. Through stories and interactive experiences, the Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up through courage and kindness. The Dream Maker and her Dream Wagon will give children an opportunity to share their own dreams, hear stories inspired by Dolly and discover that dreams can become even more meaningful when they are shared with others.
 
Special kiosks also will be located throughout Wildwood Grove, giving guests a place to share their own thoughts and notes about how Dolly inspired them to dream their own big dreams.
 
A new portal into The Dolly Parton Experience will welcome guests into the attraction’s immersive collection of moments, stories and memorabilia. The new entrance will provide a fitting gateway to the area dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Dollywood’s Dreamer-in-Chief.
 
A memorial currently stands in Dollywood’s welcome plaza for those who wish to remember and celebrate Dolly. The memorial is a special place for all who would like to reflect on her life, honor her profound contributions and celebrate the joy she brought to so many people around the world.
 
Beyond the gates of Dollywood, “In Dolly’s Footsteps,” a new program developed by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, will debut soon. Special walking-tour markers will be placed at locations throughout Sevierville that Dolly and her family frequented in her youth, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the places and experiences that helped shape her. One of the markers was on display for media during the announcement.
 
Together, these additions reflect the spirit of Dolly’s vision for Dollywood—a place where kindness is celebrated and guests can make lifelong memories. As Dollywood continues to grow, Dolly’s influence will remain woven into the experiences guests share, the dreams that are inspired and the lives that are touched. Her extraordinary vision will continue to shape the park for generations to come.