Dollywood Turns 25!

Dollywood is turning 25! The popular theme park built in Pigeon Forge, TN, by singer/song-writer Dolly Parton, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2010. Rent a timeshare in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg and join in the big celebration.

In 1982 Dolly Parton announced in an interview with Barbara Walters that she wanted to open a theme park in her Tennessee hometown. Enter Ted Miller, General Manager of Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO who, as he says, saw the writing on the wall. "That would have been a formidable competitor," said Miller, and he immediately contacted Parton about forming a partnership with the Herschend Family Entertainment Corp, which runs 26 theme parks around the country. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Dollywood attracted 650,000 visitors its first season. Open just nine months out of the year (late March through the first of January), Dollywood has an astounding 2.5 million visitors annually. Miller attributes the theme park's success to "Perfect branding - with its cultural location near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the country, and Parton's iconic status as an international celebrity."

Over the past 25 years Dollywood has stayed true to its roots as a complete family entertainment venue with its mountain and musical themes. The 150-acre theme park offers more than 40 rides and attractions; live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and numerous crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. For Parton, Dollywood was mostly about creating jobs for friends, family and people who love to entertain. More than 2,500 people work inside the park.

In just the past four years Dollywood has won 15 major awards, the most of any theme park in America, from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. IAAPA represents over 4,500 individual members from more than 90 countries.

Watch for Dolly Parton's television special about Dollywood's 25 year history scheduled to air in July, 2010, on the Hallmark Channel. Then quick! Book a timeshare rental so you and your family won't miss out on the fun and celebration of Dollywood's "Silver Jubilee!"

“Everyone knows that I’m a dreamer, and the 25th anniversary of my Dollywood theme park is the continuation of a country girl’s dream of a special place where families can experience and enjoy all that my Smoky Mountain home has to offer,” Dolly Parton said. “I'm inviting everyone to join us all season long as we celebrate the dreamer in YOU, too!”

See Pigeon Forge timeshares. See Gatlinburg timeshares.
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