Entertainment

Dollywood announces park expansions and memorials honoring Dolly Parton

The Tennessee theme park unveiled planned tributes, including a chapel waterfall and expanded exhibits, following the music icon's death at 80.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 20:19 UTC2 reports

The short version

Dollywood unveiled major expansion plans and memorial additions honoring founder Dolly Parton following her death at age 80.
Updates include a cascading waterfall outside the park's chapel, new interactive exhibits, a Tribute Center, and a citywide walking tour in Sevierville.
Dollywood leadership confirmed that Parton had pre-approved park and resort development plans running through 2036.
Most of the announced park additions are scheduled to open to the public around March 2027.

Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.[Associated Press · The Hollywood Reporter]
Dollywood leadership announced new park features, including a cascading waterfall by the chapel, new stained-glass windows, and additions to The Dolly Parton Experience.[Associated Press · The Hollywood Reporter]
The park will introduce a new character named the Dream Maker in Wildwood Grove and establish a Tribute Center for guest messages.[Associated Press · The Hollywood Reporter]
The city of Sevierville, Tennessee, partnered with the park to install "In Dolly’s Footsteps," a self-guided walking tour marking roughly 11 sites significant to Parton's life.[Associated Press · The Hollywood Reporter]
Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton stated that Parton pre-approved long-term development plans and resort investments through 2036.[The Hollywood Reporter]
The majority of the newly announced park tributes and updates are projected to debut around March 2027.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Park leadership has not determined when temporary memorial displays established in the welcome plaza following Parton's death will be removed.[The Hollywood Reporter]