While Disney and Universal continue battling for dominance in Florida and California, a theme park tucked away in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains keeps quietly collecting awards. Dollywood has once again been recognized as the top theme park in America, earning the distinction in the National Amusement Park Historical Association’s 40th Annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey.
The honor marks the fourth consecutive year that Dolly Parton’s beloved Tennessee destination has claimed the top spot among some of the most experienced theme park enthusiasts in the country.
According to the survey results, Dollywood finished ahead of Disneyland, which ranked second among NAPHA members. The organization noted that its members are not casual visitors. The average NAPHA member has visited more than 110 different theme parks and traveled to roughly a dozen parks during 2025 alone, giving the survey a level of credibility that extends beyond a typical fan poll.
Dollywood Continues a Remarkable Winning Streak
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for the Pigeon Forge destination.
Dollywood has been named NAPHA’s favorite theme park every year since 2022, a streak that now stretches across four consecutive surveys.
The park has also earned praise from everyday guests. Tripadvisor named Dollywood the top theme park in the United States in 2025, marking the third time in four years the park has claimed that distinction. The attraction has repeatedly finished ahead of iconic destinations operated by Disney and Universal in guest rankings.
For a regional park located in East Tennessee, those accomplishments are significant. Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Universal Orlando, Dollywood doesn’t benefit from massive international tourism infrastructure or the power of billion-dollar movie franchises. Yet it continues to outperform many of those larger competitors when guests are asked about overall satisfaction and value.
What Makes Dollywood Different?
Originally opening as Dollywood in 1986 through a partnership involving Dolly Parton, the park has grown into one of the most successful theme park destinations in North America. Today, the property spans roughly 160 acres and features more than 50 rides and attractions, live entertainment, award-winning dining, seasonal festivals, and an adjacent resort complex.
But thrills alone aren’t what usually earn Dollywood its highest praise.
A giant butterfly in the heart of Dollywood – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
Visitors frequently point to the park’s cleanliness, friendly employees, food offerings, and overall atmosphere. Those qualities have helped the park secure honors such as Best Guest Experience from the Golden Ticket Awards, one of the theme park industry’s most respected award programs.
The park’s Appalachian identity also helps it stand apart from its competitors. Rather than relying solely on intellectual property, Dollywood leans heavily into the culture, music, crafts, and traditions of the Smoky Mountains. That unique approach has helped the destination carve out a loyal following that continues to grow year after year.
A Sharp Contrast to Disney and Universal
The timing of Dollywood’s latest recognition is particularly noteworthy.
Disney and Universal have spent the last several years pouring billions into new attractions, lands, and resorts while simultaneously facing increasing criticism from guests over rising vacation costs, paid skip-the-line systems, and growing expenses associated with a family vacation.
The famous Dollywood Eagle – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
Dollywood, meanwhile, continues to build its reputation around guest service, affordability, and hospitality. NAPHA members specifically cited the overall value of the experience, the friendliness of park employees, and the cleanliness of the property as major strengths.
Dollywood at Christmas – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
That doesn’t mean Disney and Universal are in danger of being overtaken in attendance. Their parks still draw significantly larger crowds and enjoy worldwide brand recognition. However, awards like these suggest that when experienced theme park fans evaluate the overall experience rather than simply the size of a resort, Dollywood continues to punch well above its weight.
Dolly Parton’s Vision Continues to Deliver
Nearly four decades after Dolly Parton put her name on the attraction, Dollywood remains one of the most respected parks in the industry.
Dolly Parton rings in the 40th anniversary of Dollywood in person – Photo Credit: That Park Place
The latest NAPHA survey reinforces what many longtime visitors have been saying for years: while Disney and Universal may dominate the headlines, Dollywood continues to excel where it matters most—creating an experience guests genuinely enjoy.
And based on the growing collection of awards sitting on the shelf in Pigeon Forge, the rest of the theme park industry is taking notice.
Have you been to Dollywood? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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