Park Update
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Wildwood Grove debuts at Dollywood
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has introduced Wildwood Grove, the largest expansion in park history. North American editor Paul Ruben has the story.
percent. Wildwood Grove is Dollywood theme park’s largest capital investment ever and is the first new area added to Dollywood since Wilderness Pass in 2008. The biggest adventure in Dollywood’s history provides guests of all sizes unique experiences to enjoy together as a family. Dolly Parton opened the fascinating new land to
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visitors ready to enjoy its 11 new experiences. She shared the inspiration and dreams that led to the creation of Wildwood Grove, calling the area the new standard for Dollywood. “When I was a little girl growing up in the hills
of the Smoky Mountains, I’d often let my imagination just run away—something I still do now—dreaming these big dreams about what it’d be like to venture off with a family of bears in to the woods or how fun it would be to hitch a ride with the butterflies and dragonflies,” Parton said. “All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and
A thrilling new experience for Dollywood guests, The Mad Mockingbird allows riders to control their experience by moving a sail as they rush above the ground in a high-speed circle
uilt at a cost of $37 million (€33 million) over six acres (2.4 hectares), it increases the size of the park by 20
ponds around home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove. We’ve been able to create a new area to allow families to experience some of those exact dreams we all had when we were little. Wildwood Grove is so special to me because so many of the same daydreams and imaginations from my childhood have now found a perfect place at my Dollywood. I hope families will enjoy laughing, playing and exploring together in this great new place that truly does feel like home for me.”
Mockingbirds and Dragonflies The Dollywood company president Craig Ross explained the significance of the newest addition to the storied theme park. “Without doubt, this is one
of the most exciting days in the history of our company,” Ross explained. “It is rare in our industry that a park adds a completely new land in its entirety, and as we continue to grow and set attendance records, we needed to add more area to give guests more room to spread out and explore. Additionally, we were able to take many of Dolly’s childhood dreams and create experiences that are uniquely Smoky Mountain-themed and really help tell the story of this beautiful area. I know our guests will be thrilled with the great diversity of attractions they will be able to enjoy when they visit Wildwood Grove. We’re extremely proud of the fact that there are experiences here that every member of the family will love and enjoy.” After stepping into Wildwood Grove, imagination takes flight, delivering explorers on a journey of discovery. Remarkable sights and six new rides await visitors throughout the land. In the distance, the breathtaking Wildwood Tree catches
Guests on their way to adventure and exploration enter Dollywood’s new Wildwood Grove through a giant fallen log. At $37 million, Wildwood Grove is the largest capital investment in Dollywood’s history
JUNE 2019
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