The investment provides for additional space at Dollywood's Splash Country and new experiences at Dollywood, including two phases of expansion for the wildly popular Wildwood Grove.
Those additional visitors will need more things to do. With the addition of a third unnamed resort by 2027, estimates the brand will go from 300,000-400,000 overnight guests a year to more than 1 million. A 28.5-acre site adjacent to DreamMore Resort & Spa will house the 302-room rustic retreat inspired by Parton's love of the Great Smoky Mountains. HeartSong Lodge & Resort, slated to open in September 2023, is under construction.
KNOX NEWS SENTINEL PUBLISH ON CHRISTMSD LICENSE
Dollywood attracts visitors from an average of 25 states a day, according to Naughton's unofficial license plate survey.Īs it expands promotion geographically, Dollywood hopes to extend the length of each guest's stay in the Pigeon Forge area, about 3.4 days right now.Ībout $200 million of the company's 10-year investment is earmarked for creating new overnight experiences. Now, the park advertises in 16 markets and pulls visitors from major metro areas within 300 miles and all along the East Coast. Pete Owens, vice president of marketing and public relations, remembers in the early 2000s when the park marketed to visitors in Knoxville, Tri-Cities, Chattanooga and maybe Asheville. As more Americans return to travel, it could be a record year for visitors and revenue. I’m not sure that even I can imagine how much the parks will change and grow over the next 10 years."ĭollywood opens its 37th year for season passholders March 11 without attendance restrictions. "We’ve already announced our HeartSong Lodge & Resort - which I’m very proud knowing we’re going to have two resorts - and I‘m not going to spill it all yet, but we’ve got some great new attractions coming in the future. "But with this investment, we’re going to be able to provide even more for our guests," Parton said in a written statement to Knox News. And Dollywood already is considered one of the best amusement parks in the country. Record visitors flocked to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2021. It's a good time to invest in the Smoky Mountain brand. The investment by business partners Herschend Family Entertainment and cultural icon Dolly Parton includes building two new resorts, adding more rides, and creating infrastructure to attract and retain the best in the hospitality industry. The company is investing $500 million as part of a 10-year strategic plan to elevate Dollywood Parks & Resorts to a premier and eventually year-round destination. Are there enough places to sit? Is the walkway too narrow?įixing the small things, the president of Dollywood Company told Knox News - customer pain points like parking, seating and ease of movement - is key to taking one of America's most beloved theme park companies to the next level.īecoming an empire also takes money. Listening for the telltale signs of a turned around first-time guest. Listening for comments about a too-long food line. While he walks around Dollywood, always ready to pick up the odd food wrapper floating along the path, Eugene Naughton is listening. Dollywood investing $500 million as part of a 10-year strategic plan
0 kommentar(er)
