It would be an understatement to refer to Pigeon Forge as Dolly’s town. As the ultimate Smoky Mountains hometown gal, Dolly Parton has made no secret of her fondness for this region. It’s where she discovered her love of music and where she still returns when she needs rest and rejuvenation. The Smokies have long attracted many types of visitors for many reasons, but there is no denying that Dolly-centric destinations currently hold much of the appeal for a significant subset of today’s vacationers. Like Dolly herself, these attractions are welcoming and vibrant. There is plenty available for Dolly Parton fans, ranging from Dolly Parton’s Stampede to the DreamMore Resort, and, of course, the iconic theme park Dollywood. Now, a more contemplative attraction is about to enter the fray: the Dolly Parton Experience.
It’s tough to fit all the best attractions into a jam-packed Pigeon Forge itinerary, but this new destination warrants at least a few hours from your busy day. No, it’s not as thrilling as Dollywood’s top rides or the slides at Dolly Parton’s Splash Country, but what it lacks in excitement it more than makes up for in compelling stories. Keep reading to get all the details on the Dolly Parton Experience.
What Is the Dolly Parton Experience?
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As the ultimate tribute to Dolly Parton and her amazing journey, the Dolly Parton Experience provides a deep dive into the singing sensation’s fascinating background. This revitalized attraction is set to open in May of 2024, and shares much in common with the former Chasing Rainbows Museum. However, it does occupy three times the space and provides even more insight into Dolly’s history and her impact.
This represents a whole new take on Dollywood’s Adventures in Imagination, which was already impressive prior to the introduction of the Dolly Parton Experience. This area has long attracted many hardcore Dolly fans — and that’s not about to change.
Featuring highly immersive exhibits, the Dolly Parton Experience aims to show visitors what makes Dolly so special while revealing the true impact she’s had on the world and especially on the community of Pigeon Forge. This is achieved with a variety of unique exhibits, along with plenty of video footage and even narration from the singing sensation herself.
This vast museum will include many exhibits worth checking out, but most will center around three main themes:
Songteller
Focused on Dolly’s many musical accomplishments, this must-see exhibit reveals the inspiration behind several of her biggest hits, along with many other little-known stories that will encourage you to see her already impressive body of creative work through new eyes.
Behind the Seams
Dolly may primarily be known for her amazing voice, but there’s no denying that she’s got a distinctive sense of style. Her eye-catching outfits take center stage in this visually dynamic exhibit, which provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into all that goes into Dolly’s signature look.
Precious Memories
The DreamSong Theater is an amazing performing arts venue, but now, the wait to enter this space will be a lot more enjoyable. Conveniently situated within the theater’s queue, the Precious Memories exhibit offers a heartwarming look at Dolly’s family dynamics and her rich friendships, revealing the power of faith and a closely connected community.
Who Should Check Out the Dolly Parton Experience?
While there’s a lot to love about the Dolly Parton Experience, this attraction won’t be equally appealing to all guests. With so much to do and see, you will want to feel confident that you and your companions will appreciate this unique opportunity before you take time out of your busy day to gaze at Dolly-centric exhibits.
Families with young children, in particular, may want to focus on other activities and attractions, as little kids simply won’t be as fascinated by Dolly’s history as their parents. Some older children, however, may enjoy the immersive exhibits, and adults (especially those who love bluegrass and country music) will be in awe of this attraction.
If nothing else, the Dolly Parton Experience provides an excellent opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the theme park environment. Many tourists will view this as an excellent addition to the Dollywood lineup. It’s a non-negotiable for those who primarily visit for the atmosphere and the music, rather than the rides.
Make the Most of the Dolly Parton Experience
If you just can’t get enough of Dolly, you will definitely want to build the Dolly Parton Experience into your Pigeon Forge itinerary. Get ready for an emotion-filled journey that will give you many new reasons to appreciate the musical talent and friendly spirit that Dolly brings to the Pigeon Forge community and beyond.
