FOX Enterprise correspondent Ashley Webster catches up with the singer about Dollywood on ‘The Huge Cash Present.’
Dolly Parton returned to Dollywood on Friday to kick off the park’s forty first season, reassuring followers about her well being whereas celebrating a significant milestone yr for each the park and the nation.
Parton mentioned she has just lately stepped again from touring to concentrate on her well being and private life, however emphasised she stays energized in regards to the future.
“I’ve not been touring, as you recognize,” Parton mentioned. “I’ve had just a few little well being points, and we’re taking excellent care of them… I simply type of bought worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and lots of different little issues happening. I simply bought myself type of the place I wanted to construct myself again up spiritually, emotionally and bodily. However all is nice. It didn’t sluggish me down.”
DOLLY PARTON $650M EMPIRE: FROM HUMBLE ROOTS TO QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC, MOVIES AND NOW MAKEUP
Dolly Parton opened the forty first season of her Dollywood theme park. (Bridget Bennett/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Parton additionally addressed rumors about her private life, saying she doesn’t plan to remarry following the loss of life of her husband, Carl Dean.
“Properly, I do know there’s lots of rumors going round, however I didn’t marry Sylvester Stallone,” she joked. “And I’m not relationship anyone. I’m not married. I don’t suppose I’ll ever be married however as soon as. I feel Carl Dean’s ready for me on the opposite aspect.”
The beloved nation music icon appeared on the park as Dollywood launches its new season with celebrations tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, together with patriotic décor, new leisure and demonstrations of conventional Appalachian craftsmanship.
The Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (The Dollywood Co.)
DOLLY PARTON SHARES THE ONE PART OF HER BUSINESS EMPIRE THAT SHE’S ‘REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF’
Park officers say the heritage of the Smoky Mountains stays central to the expertise.
“Right here we’re in the midst of God’s nation,” Eugene Naughton, president of The Dollywood Firm, instructed FOX Enterprise. “The love of the Smoky Mountains is among the issues that locks folks into wanting to return right here, and we’re lucky to have the No. 1 visited nationwide park simply 6 miles away.”
Dollywood can also be unveiling a significant new attraction this season, the $50 million indoor journey coaster NightFlight Expedition, impressed by the bioluminescent synchronous fireflies that gentle up the Smoky Mountains every summer time.
The park, ranked Tripadvisor’s No. 1 theme park within the U.S., continues to increase its footprint as tourism within the East Tennessee area grows. The corporate has already developed two resorts and plans further lodging.
The HeartSong Lodge and Resort with the DreamMore Resort and Spa within the background. (The Dollywood Co.)
“We’ve master-planned a complete of 5 resorts on the property,” Naughton mentioned. “We personal 1,142 acres, and there are about 46 million individuals who dwell inside a nine-hour drive of our property who’re theme park customers. I’m actually excited to inform extra folks on the earth in regards to the cool issues which can be happening right here.”
DOLLY PARTON’S HOME ON WHEELS TURNED INTO $10,000 HOTEL SUITE
Past the Smoky Mountains, Parton can also be increasing her hospitality presence in Tennessee.
“In fact, we’ve bought the brand new resort, Songteller, that’s going to open someday in late summer time, early fall in Nashville,” she mentioned.
The Dragonflier curler coaster at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dollywood’s progress comes because the broader theme park business faces financial stress. Information from Client Edge reveals spending at U.S. theme parks fell about 5% final summer time in contrast with 2024, as rising prices led some lower- and middle-income households to chop again on journey and leisure.
Park leaders say Dollywood’s concentrate on household experiences and regional tradition helps it stand out.
“It’s very family-oriented,” mentioned Julie Collins, a locomotive engineer and foreman at Dollywood. “We like to have households come up and journey the practice. Some children have by no means seen an actual steam locomotive earlier than, so it’s their first time. That’s what they arrive right here for. It’s type of somewhat child’s dream.”
The Dollywood Categorical steam practice at Dollywood. (The Dollywood Co.)
For Parton, the park’s success in the end comes all the way down to one thing less complicated than rides or investments.
“I pray quite a bit, and God’s been actually good to me,” she mentioned. “However, I feel a lot of it has to do with nice administration and the way we deal with folks… They really feel liked and appreciated, and we wish them to all the time really feel that approach.”
Dollywood formally opened to the general public on Friday with the I Will All the time Love You Pageant, launching what the park hopes will likely be a powerful season within the Smoky Mountains.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Parton mentioned followers ought to count on much more tasks forward.
“I’ve simply been doing lots of writing, lots of pondering, lots of praying and lots of preparing for lots of latest stuff developing,” she mentioned. “Be prepared for me. I ain’t executed. I ain’t close to executed.”
