New Addition to Dollywood: Wildwood Grove Now Open
If you've never been to Dollywood -- or want to make a return trip -- now is a good time to visit Dolly Parton's theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It just opened a major new addition, Wildwood Grove, which features 11 new attractions, some focused on Parton's daydreams of her childhood in the Tennessee hills located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The new, $37 million, six-acre expansion is the largest in Dollywood history and just opened to the public on May 10, 2019. Wildwood Grove extends the footprint of the park by 20% and marks the first new area to be added since Wilderness Pass in 2008.
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Spending
"I hope families will enjoy laughing, playing and exploring together in this great new place that truly does feel like home for me," said Parton, the legendary country music singer on opening day.
Rides and Play Areas for All Ages
There's a little something for everyone at Wildwood Grove whether you are a family of roller coaster fanatics or a family that enjoys a slower pace. Here's a rundown of some of the new attractions:
Dragonflier: This 1,486-foot-long suspended roller coaster lets you soar like a dragonfly, dipping and darting past the geysers of Wildwood Grove with a top speed around 45 miles per hour. The minimum height requirement is 39 inches, so this is a family-friendly ride that may be just the right intensity for most school-aged kids and up.
The Wildwood Tree: Everywhere in Dollywood, you'll see butterflies, Dolly's signature symbol, worked into the themes and landscape of the park. But that symbol been taken to a whole new level at The Wildwood Tree, a 50-foot-tall focal point of Wildwood Grove, which features 650 lighted butterflies that will "come to life" each evening in a unique nighttime experience. The nighttime experience at this attraction is set to debut June 15.
Great Tree Swing: Similar to pirate ship rides that swing back and forth at other theme parks, Wildwood Grove's version is a "leaf boat." Designers hope you'll feel as if you're drifting down from a giant sycamore tree.
Treetop Tower: Families can shoot nearly 40 feet in the air in separate, acorn-shaped, gondola-style seats, which spin around, as if in the top of a tall oak tree, before sending you (safely) back to the forest floor.
The Mad Mockingbird: Themed with Tennessee's state bird in mind, this interactive flying ride lets you control your own experience, zooming in or out by manipulating the bird's movable front wing, as you enjoy a high-speed, circular rush.
Frogs & Fireflies: Perfect for the littlest members of your crew, this gentle roundabout ride lets kids chase one another in playful frogs, circling around a lily pad.
Hidden Hollow: Ideal for extra hot or rainy days, this climate-controlled indoor play area offers 4,000 square feet of space for kids to explore and play.
Wildwood Creek: Speaking of hot days, kids can cool off in the fun splash park at Wildwood Creek - directly across from the Wildwood Tree - where you'll find pop jets, splashing pools and other fun water features.
Black Bird Trail: In a world of bigger, taller and faster, this ride for kids 36 inches and up looks -- downright pleasant. Sit on a bear and glide up and down around a track with jolly music playing in the background.
Exploring the Rest of the Dollywood
Once you've seen the new additions at Wildwood Grove, you'll want to be sure to take in all the other marquee attractions at Dollywood, including Lightning Rod (named Amusement Today's Best New Ride of 2016) and Thunderhead (twice named the world's top wooden roller coaster).
There's also FireChaser Express, which takes riders on a forward and backward trip at 34 miles per hour, and Wild Eagle, billed as the nation's first wing roller coaster. And, for a slower pace, don't miss the Dollywood Express, where an authentic, coal-fired steam engine will take you on a nostalgic five-mile journey in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.
The park is known for its food and live music performances, so be sure to make some time to enjoy a tune or two while you're there. And, if you're after waterslides, Dollywood has those too: Dollywood's Splash Country, adjacent to the main theme park, offers 35 acres of waterpark attractions.
Bottom Line
There's never been a better time to head to Dollywood with your crew. And, stay tuned: TPG Family will visit Dollywood this summer and return with a complete guide to the theme park.
Are you looking for more theme park fun this summer? Here are more ideas:
- The Best New Theme Park Rides Opening in Summer 2019
- The Essential Guide to Legoland Florida
- Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe at a Theme Park
- How to Make a Reservation to Visit Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
- Guide to Visiting Knott's Berry Farm
- Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World
- How to Enjoy One Day at Universal Studios Orlando
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.