A soaring eagle, a river rush, a new Dolly Parton show
The summer season at Dollywood is under way, with extended hours, nightly fireworks, and a new show by Dolly Parton herself.
Come winter, the Christmas show also will feature new music and special effects, including a hologram visit by Dolly as the Ghost of Christmas Past.
My People, the first new show at Dollywood since 2009, features Dolly’s brother Randy, sister Cassie, and several other family members sharing songs about their family’s strong faith and deep love for the Smoky Mountains.
Parton also has provided all-new music for Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol, the park’s original adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic that plays in December. And new holographic technology will bring Parton to the stage as the Ghost of Christmas past.
"Set amid lavish Victorian scenery, the classic story of redemption and hope is underscored by seven powerful new songs written by Parton especially for this 45-minute musical," a press release says.
Dollywood’s A Christmas Carol headlines the park’s annual Smoky Mountain Christmas show.
Dollywood also made news last week when its $20 million Wild Eagle was named the Best New Attraction of the year by the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), the latest in a series of awards the ride has received.
America’s first "wing coaster," Wild Eagle has seats perched on either side of the track, so riders see nothing but sky above and earth below.
Not yet winning awards but certainly a big hit with the crowds is the new River Rush—a "water coaster" that opened in May at Dollywood’s Splash Country.
River Rush takes four-person toboggan-style rafts up 1,176 feet and then drops them four stories, through dark tunnels and at one point through a 25-foot drop at a 45-degree angle.
By Cheryl Rosen
Cheryl
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps