Dollywood is adding a new Dream Maker character, a chapel waterfall and updates to the Dolly Parton Experience to honor Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25, 2026. Most of it is set to open by March 2027.
Dollywood is planning several new ways to remember the woman whose name is on the gate.
A few weeks after Dolly Parton died on Aug. 25 at 80, Dollywood Parks & Resorts laid out its plans to honor her. There’s a new character, a bigger chapel area, new pieces in the Dolly Parton Experience, and a walking trail through her hometown.
Most of it is scheduled to be ready by March 2027, when the park opens for its next season.
What is Dollywood building to honor Dolly Parton?
Here’s what Dollywood announced, per its press release and reporting from Attractions Magazine and WSMV.
Dream Maker: A new character coming to the Wildwood Grove area in 2027. Dollywood says Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big and lift others up through kindness. A Dream Wagon will let kids share their own dreams.
Chapel updates: The Robert F. Thomas Chapel is getting a mountainside waterfall by its front steps, new stained-glass windows and a sculpted guitar in a new reflection area.
The Dolly Parton Experience: A new entrance portal, a new family-narrated video in the “Precious Memories” section and a new grand finale in the “I Will Always Love You” room.
Memorial space: A spot in Dollywood’s welcome plaza where guests can reflect and leave tributes.
In Dolly’s Footsteps: About 11 walking-tour markers around Sevierville at places tied to her childhood, done with the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
Who was Robert F. Thomas?
He was the doctor who delivered Dolly Parton in 1946. The chapel at Dollywood is named after him, and Parton spoke about him often.
The new stained-glass windows will show the seasons changing in the Smoky Mountains, based on a Bible verse she loved: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” That’s from Ecclesiastes 3:1.
What did Dollywood’s president say about the plans?
Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, said Parton had already signed off on the park’s future.
“She gave us the gift of time to prepare for what was eventually going to happen here. We have plans until 2036,” he told WSMV.
He also said, per The Hollywood Reporter, “Dolly would be telling us to get back to work. She knew what she wanted Dollywood to be.”
Is Dollywood still expanding?
Yes. Naughton said the plans Parton approved run through 2036 and include new resorts, per The Hollywood Reporter and Attractions Magazine. WSMV reported the company is putting about half a billion dollars into upgrades.
Reports differ on how many new resorts are in the plan, so check back as Dollywood shares more.
Can you visit Dollywood right now?
Yes. The park stayed open after Parton’s death, and fall season is going now.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival runs through Oct. 31, with the Great Pumpkin LumiNights at night. The park also picked up four more Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today this month, more “best of” honors than any other theme park, according to Dollywood.
After that, the park moves into its Christmas season before closing for the winter. The new tributes should be waiting when it reopens next spring.
Dollywood opened in 1986, when Parton partnered with the owners of the Silver Dollar City theme park on what had been an older Pigeon Forge park. It turned 40 this year. It was always meant to bring jobs and visitors to the part of Tennessee where she grew up, and the tributes are built to keep that going.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Dollywood Parks & Resorts (Sept. 2, 10 and 14, 2026), the tribute plans, Harvest Festival and Golden Ticket Awards
Attractions Magazine (Sept. 2026), the Dream Maker, chapel and Dolly Parton Experience details
WSMV (Sept. 2, 2026), the Naughton “gift of time” quote and the investment figure
The Hollywood Reporter (Sept. 2, 2026), via Yahoo, the “get back to work” quote and the timeline
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