Dollywood, the East Tennessee theme park started by Dolly Parton, is officially one of the ten best amusement parks in the world! According to a new list by Trip Advisor, Dollywood ranked at No. 8, beating out Europa-Park in Germany and Paultons Park in the U.K.
Dolly started Dollywood in 1986, which was formerly Silver Dollar City, as a way to support those who lived in and near her hometown of Sevierville, where she grew up.
“I always thought that if I made it big or got successful at what I had started out to do, that I wanted to come back to my part of the country and do something great,” Dolly previously said (via The Boot). “Something that would bring a lot of jobs into this area. Sure enough, I was lucky, and God was good to me, and things happened good.”
Dollywood closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, opening again in early June, albeit with a few restrictions.
“Growing up in the Smoky Mountains, I learned that everything goes quiet for a spell. Then one day, everything starts to bloom, and grow again,” Dolly said in a video announcing the reopening. “Things have changed for all of us. That’s OK, because now we’re ready to see you happy and here with us again, to share the beauty of our mountains, to just be together, safer and stronger than ever before. We can’t wait to see you at Dollywood soon. Brighter days are here. Let’s get out and enjoy them.”
As part of the new restrictions, the daily capacity of visitors is limited, and face masks are required for all guests ages three and up. Social-distancing is also being implemented, and several additional hand sanitizing stations have been installed. Find more information at Dollywood.com.
According to the Trip Advisor list, Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida, is the No. 1 theme park in the world, followed by Puy du Fou in Les Epesses, France at No. 2, Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando at No. 3, Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando at No. 4, and Universal Studios Florida in Orlando at No. 5. Universal Studios in California claimed the sixth spot, while Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark took the No. 7 spot.