Dollywood reveals major park plans following Dolly Parton’s death

PIEGON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - Dollywood officials announced what’s next for the park following the death of its co-founder and country music icon Dolly Parton.

Dollywood President Eugene Naughton announced Wednesday that the upcoming renovations and current plans will continue to honor the legacy of Parton.

“She knew what she wanted Dollywood to be ... she taught us how to dream big,” Naughton said.

In his address, Naughton noted several plans coming to the park, including five new resorts, a new guitar sculpture to be placed in the Dollywood fountain and a special reflection area for visitors to share words about how Parton impacted them.

Naughton said that before her death, Parton had already planned for the park’s future and how it could serve the community.

“She gave us the gift of time to prepare for what was going to eventually happen here. We have plans until 2036 that she laid emphasis on us as a leadership team that I am confident in,” Naughton said.

The half-billion-dollar investment strategy underway for Dollywood will focus on renovating existing areas along with the new additions, all approved before the legendary singer and philanthropist’s death.