Dolly Parton just got another major victory in her legendary career—this time not on the music charts, but in the Smoky Mountains where Dollywood just defeated Disneyland to be named America’s favorite theme park.
According to the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), Dollywood has officially been voted America’s favorite theme park for 2024 in its 39th annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey. This marks the third time in a row that the beloved Pigeon Forge destination has claimed the top spot—beating out none other than Disneyland in California, which placed second.
The main sign at Dollywood. Photo Credit: Sarah Stierch (CC BY 4.0)
Founded in 1986 by Parton and operated in partnership with Herschend Family Entertainment, Dollywood has grown from a modest hometown idea into a national favorite, attracting more than 2 million guests per year across its 165-acre property.
“I Was Just Hoping People Would Come”
Reflecting on Dollywood’s growth during the park’s 40th anniversary celebration in March, Dolly Parton admitted that her initial expectations were modest.
Dolly Parton Dressed As a Firefighter At Dollywood, Photo Credit: Kris Harris King, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
“On opening day in 1986, I was just hoping that people would really want to come visit a theme park with my name on it,” she said. “Even though I always try to dream big, I’ll admit I was a little bit nervous that first morning. But people did come out to support us that first day, and I’m so proud to see that Dollywood has continued to grow through the years to become a place of fun and togetherness for everyone who has come to visit.”
Dollywood: Built on Faith, Family, and the Smokies
Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood’s appeal has always gone deeper than thrill rides and funnel cakes. In a 2024 interview with National Geographic, Parton credited the surrounding community and natural landscape as the soul of the park.
Aunt Granny’s restaurant in Dollywood, so named because Dolly Parton’s nieces and nephews call her “Aunt Granny” – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
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“The Smokies — and the wonderful people who work here — are what make Dollywood so different than many of the other theme parks around the world,” she said. “We’re right on the front porch of the most-visited national park in the country, so we take what God gave us and use it to dream up the big dreams we want our guests to experience.”
Dollywood at Christmas – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
From the award-winning Wild Eagle roller coaster to the 35-acre Splash Country water park, Dollywood offers more than 50 attractions across its sprawling property, many of them themed around Appalachian culture and Dolly’s music.
A New Attraction in 2025
Dollywood’s reign at the top isn’t just built on nostalgia—it’s evolving.
During the 2025 Season Preview event, Parton and Dollywood Company president Eugene Naughton teased a brand-new attraction that will push the park’s creative boundaries even further. A promotional video described the upcoming ride as one that would go “up, over and through the Great Smoky Mountains and down to the heart of the ancient wildwood tree.”
The famous Dollywood Eagle – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
While few details have been officially confirmed, early speculation suggests the attraction may involve groundbreaking terrain-based coaster elements, possibly themed around mountain folklore or mystical natural elements. It’s a fitting expansion for a park rooted in Tennessee tradition and imagination.
What It Means to Beat Disneyland
Beating Disneyland in any theme park ranking is no small feat. While Disney continues to dominate headlines with billion-dollar acquisitions and cinematic universes, Dollywood has carved out a completely different path—focusing on authenticity, charm, and genuine hospitality (and, let’s be honest, cinnamon bread). That approach is clearly resonating with visitors.
Dollywood’s Famous Cinnamon Bread
The NAPHA award is based on guest surveys and enthusiast feedback, not corporate marketing budgets, and that makes Dollywood’s three-peat all the more impressive.
The Palace Theater in Dollywood at Christmas time – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
With its blend of down-home warmth, innovative rides, and a growing reputation for excellence, Dollywood isn’t just competing with the big boys—it’s winning as America’s favorite theme park.
And with Dolly Parton at the helm, who would expect anything less?
How do you feel about Dollywood being named America’s favorite theme park? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Never been there. It is now on the list for when my wife and I do our next big road trip.
For Disney, it’s over. By the time they course correct–and that’s assuming they ever do–it will be too late. Their parks will have lost their customers and they’ll never make back what it will cost to return things to what made them so popular for decades. If the parks die out, Disney will have to downsize by at least half to stay afloat.
I feel so conflicted. By that I mean I’m conflicted as to which I could actually care less about. Most of these comparisons lately are lose-lose. Such as this past weekends box office boon. I don’t want disney crap but I don’t want this other swill, neither. Lose-lose proposition at best. Business as usual.