HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (TENNESSEE VALLEY LIVING) - This summer, the TVL team took a trip up to The Smokies for some behind-the-scenes looks, exclusive experiences, and of course to have some fun in the park.

We toured some brand new attractions, made Dollywood’s world famous cinnamon bread, stayed in the brand new HeartSong Lodge & Resort, and trained to be a lifeguard and we decided to take you along with us. There is no place on Earth that the TVL team loves more than Dollywood. In May, we got to visit and experience the park in a new way! This week, we are taking you along for an inside view of our experience.

From seeing new attractions, riding some rides, making cinnamon bread, and of course eating some incredible food, we had a wonderful time.

The Dolly Parton Experience

The long-awaited Dolly Parton Experience is now open! Featuring several interactive elements, the new attraction will make you feel as if you were alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world. Housed in multiple buildings, the multi-faceted Dolly Parton Experience includes exhibits that span her iconic career, the inspiration and results of her biggest dreams, the importance of her family, and even a curated exhibit that highlights Dolly’s signature style through the years.

Behind the Seams

You can see Dolly’s life behind the rhinestones in ‘Behind the Seams.” With iconic outfits, wigs, and jewelry of Dolly’s on display, fans will be able to see her life in a new light. In this one-of-a-kind exhibit, you can explore a curated selection of Dolly’s signature style through the years and a behind-the-scenes look at the design process.

Songteller

In “Songteller,” you’ll walk through Dolly’s life starting in her childhood and ending with her life today. You’ll even see the inspiration for and results of her biggest dreams!

You’ll start with Dolly’s coat of many colors, which is where it all began for her. As a child, Dolly’s mother took a box of rags and sewed them into a patchwork coat filled with love to keep her warm that winter. While at school the next day, her classmates made jokes about the coat. From this came her beloved song, “Coat of Many Colors.”

Songteller is filled with displays of iconic outfits, guitars, and more. As you walk through, you can read about specific performances, movies, and moments in Dolly’s career.

DreamSong

Dolly’s family and friends will continue to perform in the DreamSong theater, but now as you wait for the next show, you’ll discover the importance of faith and family in a whole new exhibit within the theater queue.

The Dolly Parton Experience provides guests with more Dolly than ever, as it is three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum. To see Behind the Songteller, Behind the Seams, and DreamSong, you can plan your visit here.

How the famous Cinnamon Bread is made

If you’ve ever visited Dollywood, a highlight of your trip was probably the famous cinnamon bread at Grist Mill!

Built in 1982, the Dollywood Grist Mill was the first fully operational grist mill built in the state of Tennessee in more than 100 years. Workers constructed it exactly as it would have been more than a century ago when folks in the Smoky Mountains relied on the giant water wheel to grind corn and wheat.

Today, the Grist Mill is home to their world-famous cinnamon bread, which is freshly made daily before your very eyes. You can try this famous snack with buttercream icing or Dollywood’s apple butter. Payton got to try her hand at making it, and we can confidently say that a lot of love goes into the cinnamon bread. Dollywood’s Director of Culinary Services Aaron Banks walked her through step-by-step how to make the bread. From smothering the dough in butter to covering it in cinnamon sugar, the bread is confectionary gold.

To try it for yourself, you’ll have to head to Dollywood! Click here to plan your visit.

Dollywood’s Splash Country

Are you ready for some fun in the sun this summer? Dollywood’s Splash Country is the perfect getaway spot in The Smokies and it just so happens to be one of the safest!

As the most trusted water park in The Smokies, it has more food, more entertainment and 35-acres of summertime fun for all ages this summer.

Dollywood’s Splash Country still keeps safety as its top priority. Splash Country lifeguards were once again honored with the Ellis and Associates’ Platinum International Safety Award for their 2023 operations, receiving this impressive honor in back-to-back years. Meaning, you and your family will be safer at Splash Country than anywhere else in the area.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is offering special meal bundles for guests to enjoy some of their all-new culinary offerings. Tickets start at $54.95+tax for one-day admission.

Guests can add a meal and drink for just $5 more or a meal, drink and snack for just $10 more. Guests looking for a summer full of thrills, chills and meals can upgrade to a two-park season pass with water park dining. This pass provide admission to Dollywood’s Splash Country all season long plus a meal and snack during each visit!

For more details on all ticket offerings to Dollywood’s Splash Country, visit www.dollywood.com.

An inside look at Dollywood resorts

If you’re headed to the Smokies to visit Dollywood, the place to stay is at one of Dollywood’s luxury resorts.

While the resorts themselves are incredible, the benefits of staying are even better. Dollywood resort guests receive exclusive privileges like priority access, complimentary TimeSaver Passes, complimentary door-to-door transportation, complimentary package delivery, and daily Golden Hour participation.

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort & Lodge was designed to bring that intangible feeling to life, honor everything that makes the Smokies special, and invite you to experience the wonders of finding your own heartsong. While staying, guests enjoy lovely touches that are inspired by the beauty of the Smokies, inviting families to gather for meaningful connections and escape everyday stresses.

Amenities:

Indoor and outdoor pools

Camp DW children’s activities

302 rooms, many with balconies

6 dining locations

Complimentary trolley service to Dollywood Parks

26,000 SF of meeting space

We stayed in HeartSong during our visit and it was truly an incredible experience. Our view of the mountains was beautiful and the room came with everything we needed and more. The decor and furniture transported us into the mountains and we would not have had it any other way!

Discover new delicious dining options, created by resort chefs, in the full-service restaurant, lounge, private dining room, and Songbird Market Grab & Go eatery. We ate and grabbed a cup of coffee each morning of our stay, and we can attest that it’s the best way to start off a Dollywood Day! Plus, Honeysuckle & Pine Storied Goods Mercantile is your shopping outpost for unique gifts and treasured keepsakes.

To learn more about HeartSong Lodge & Resort and to plan your stay, click here.

The Spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort

If all that has not convinced you yet, the resort features an onsite spa, The Spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. Whether you want some special mommy and daughter time or plan a girlfriends’ spa getaway, The Spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort offers a complete selection of customized treatments to help you feel pampered in Southern style. Spa reservations are required. Please call 865-428-9684 to speak to a spa representative to make an appointment today.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Saturday | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday | Closed

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is where family time comes naturally to guests. Surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, yet only minutes away from excitement, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort offers everything you need to make your family’s trip memorable.

Built around the rich traditions of storytelling, family and togetherness, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is just minutes from Dollywood’s award-winning theme parks. This hotel in Pigeon Forge near Gatlinburg upholds the spirit of the South in a fresh new way, as it can only be imagined by Dolly and Dollywood.

Amenities:

Indoor and outdoor pools

Camp DW children’s activities

Full-service spa

6 dining locations

Complimentary trolley service to Dollywood Parks

6,000 SF of meeting space

To learn more about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and to plan your stay, click here.

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