Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The popular travel review site TripAdvisor recently named Dollywood as one of the best amusement parks in the world, continuing the Pigeon Forge park’s string of impressive accolades and awards.
Based on reviews and ratings for all amusement parks worldwide, TripAdvisor compiled the list of the Top 25 Amusement Parks around the globe. Dollywood placed 19th on the list, which included parks like Universal’s Islands of Adventure (#1), Magic Kingdom (#3), Universal Studios Florida (#6), Germany’s Europa-Park (#7), Disneyland (#8), Denmark’s Tivoli Gardens (#12), Epcot (#16), Six Flags Magic Mountain (#22), Silver Dollar City (#24) and Walt Disney Studios Park in France (#25).
One recent review on TripAdvisor, titled “One of the Best in the World,” noted, “This world-class attraction gets better every year…Great rides including seven roller coasters and some of the best shows and food in any park in the world can be found among the arsenal of activities.”
Another review, titled “Best Amusement Park In America!,” read, “Dollywood is one of the best theme park experiences in America!…The staff is so friendly and will go out of their way to do anything for you! The shows are just as good as a Broadway production. They have some world-class roller coasters and other rides that you just want to ride over and over again!”
The award-winning park certainly has endeared itself to its many guests, having recently been named #3 Best Theme Park in the country and #6 Best Musical Attraction by USA Today’s 10Best. In 2015, the park also earned Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best Christmas Event, Best Shows and Friendliest Park. Dollywood earned the 2010 Applause Award, the theme park industry’s highest honor.
Dollywood is open with daily operation Wednesday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Park hours Dec. 16-18 are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.; park hours Dec. 19-23 and Dec. 26 – Jan. 3 are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
With the 2016 addition of Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wood coaster, Dollywood is poised for an exciting year of thrilling rides, amazing entertainment and family memory making!
Smoky Mountain Christmas guests can upgrade a paid one-day admission ticket to a regular 2016 season pass for as low as $28 (plus tax when buying four or more). Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket ($62) toward the purchase of a 2016 season pass. A season pass purchased during Smoky Mountain Christmas provides unlimited admission to this year’s Christmas festival along with Dollywood’s entire 2016 season (A one-day ticket is valid for upgrade on the day of visit only). Also, guests who purchase a Dollywood one-day ticket after 6 p.m. receive free admission to the park’s next operating day.
