"Can you believe it's been forty years," asked the Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton, to the enthusiastic crowd on Dollywood's 2025 opening day.

"This is truly an anniversary year because Dollywood is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and of course, we are also celebrating 30 years of the Imagination Library, 25 years of Splash Country and 10 years of operation at our beautiful DreamMore Resort and Spa."

Following a year of record attendance in 2024, Dollywood Parks & Resorts, the #1 U.S. theme park according to Tripadvisor reviews, has much to celebrate in its 40th operational season. Last year, the park added The Dolly Parton Experience, subsequently named by USA Today as one of the Top Five Best New Theme Park attractions in 2024. The park also celebrated the first full year of operation for the company's second lodging property, Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

Returning to the 40th anniversary, Dolly reflected on the theme park's opening in the spring of 1986. She recalls being so nervous that no one would come, but the guests started coming.

"And I thought, before that movie even came out, 'if you build it, they will come,' and sure enough they did."

"It's been a great run so far," adds Dolly. "There are so many memories that I know we all share, but we are just getting started."

Guests visiting in 2025 will notice overall area refreshes in Country Fair and The Village. Among the changes in Country Fair are a new splash pad and expanded seating area, while The Village received bright new touches and the reimagining of the Imagination Playhouse.

The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly's Imagination Library, becomes a permanent fixture this season. From April 19 through the end of September, it offers a rotation of playhouse favorites for younger guests. During the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new story time with character meet-and-greets is part of the experience.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, "Heartsong: The Movie" will be remastered and moved to Dreamsong Theater as part of The Dolly Parton Experience. It will run in the theater with "Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends."

"In the limited amount of time, the team has been very, very busy, but it's been so much fun," says Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton. "We are only closed for 70 days and did over 100 projects in those 70 days."

Naughton pointed out that while much has been completed, two of the park's most prominent projects are opening in late spring: the Wilderness Pass Restaurant and a new 750-space parking lot. Both are important pieces of the company's half-billion dollar, 10-year expansion plan announced by Dolly and Naughton in 2021.

"Through the years, we hope to do bigger and better things," said Dolly. "We will continue to grow if everything permits."

She and Naughton hinted at one with a video preview of an upcoming ride in 2026, which Naughton believes will continue to elevate Dollywood's status globally within the industry.

Back to this season, and as everyone knows, it's not Dollywood without the festivals. The park opened with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (through Apr. 13), honoring Dolly and her talents as an internationally known performer through songs, shows and culinary treats. Highlights include "From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton" at Celebrity Theater, which tells Dolly's remarkable story in an inspirational and uplifting way and runs through the Flower & Food Festival. The "Sing-a-long with Dolly" invites guests to belt out the lyrics to some of her most-loved songs. This fun and interactive show takes place at the Back Porch Theater. Finally, "Trio, Again featuring Three Times A Lady" at Showstreet Palace Theater honors the "Trio" albums released by Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.

Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival (Apr. 18-June 8) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests, with over half a million blooms during this award-winning festival. Dollywood's culinary team showcases their abilities during the event with a menu highlighting the tastes of spring in the Smokies. "Play On," a special 40th-anniversary retrospective show featuring songs and scenes from many of the park's iconic shows from years past, debuts on May 3, the date of the park's first operational day in 1986. 

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, presented by Food City (June 14-Aug. 3), includes Dollywood's Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night. Even more drones take to the skies this year to present a show that honors Dollywood's 40th season.

"Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution" and "Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience" provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer. 

A family tradition for many, Dollywood's Harvest Festival, presented by Humana (Sept. 12- Oct. 27), celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which was previously named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every family member. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood. 

The industry's Best Theme Park Christmas event, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2026), concludes the park's 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

Did You Know ... Dollywood offers three season pass levels: Gold, Silver and the new Volunteer Summer Pass. The popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free season-long admission to any child born in 2020 or 2021. Passes are on sale now. 

The Gold Pass includes two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, free general parking and discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging. Gold passholders also receive access to special events and activities just for them; only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type. They can take advantage of another great perk: complimentary TimeSaver line access for the first hour of every operating day.

Silver Season Passes include two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-A-Friend Free tickets; child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates. 

The Volunteer Summer Pass allows East Tennessee residents to purchase a special season pass valid for visits from Apr. 21 to Sept. 11. The pass is available online only at a discounted rate while supplies last.