Dollywood Parks & Resorts announced a group of new experiences and installations honoring Dolly Parton on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. The additions land over the coming months, and they reach the park’s chapel, Wildwood Grove and the streets of Sevierville.
The park frames all of it around Dolly’s faith, her love for the Great Smoky Mountains and her belief in imagination. Here’s everything Dollywood confirmed.
A waterfall and new stained glass at Robert F. Thomas Chapel
A cascading mountainside waterfall will be added just outside the chapel’s front steps. Dollywood says it creates a peaceful setting where guests can pause, reflect and take in the natural beauty of the Smokies.
The chapel also receives new stained-glass windows. Dollywood commissioned them to reflect Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV): “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” The windows depict the changing seasons of the mountains.
The Dream Maker arrives in Wildwood Grove in 2027
A new character called the Dream Maker comes to Wildwood Grove in 2027. She’s inspired by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 330 million books to children around the world. Dollywood calls it the largest children’s literacy program of its kind.
The Dream Maker and her Dream Wagon give kids a chance to share their own dreams and hear stories inspired by Dolly. Through those stories and interactive moments, she encourages guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up.
Special kiosks will also sit throughout Wildwood Grove. Guests can leave their own notes about how Dolly inspired them to chase big dreams.
A new portal into The Dolly Parton Experience
A new portal will welcome guests into The Dolly Parton Experience. Dollywood describes it as a gateway into the attraction’s immersive collection of moments, stories and memorabilia.
A memorial already stands in Dollywood’s welcome plaza. It’s there for anyone who wants to reflect on Dolly’s life and celebrate the joy she brought to people around the world.
“In Dolly’s Footsteps” walking tour comes to Sevierville
Beyond the park gates, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce will debut a new program called “In Dolly’s Footsteps.” Special walking-tour markers will go up at locations throughout Sevierville that Dolly and her family frequented in her youth. One marker was on display for media during the announcement.
What Dollywood’s president said
“Many of us had extensive conversations with Dolly through the years about how she would want us to carry her vision forward,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “Dollywood will always be a place where families find fun, kindness and joy, a place where they can make memories that last a lifetime, just like she would have wanted. We will carry her dreams forward by continuing to grow, welcoming even more guests, and sharing the warmth and hospitality of which she was so proud.”
Dollywood hasn’t shared opening dates for the chapel work, the portal or the Wildwood Grove kiosks yet. The Dream Maker is the one piece with a year attached, and that’s 2027.
Source: Dollywood Parks & Resorts
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