Dollywood abruptly ceased operations yesterday, with guests forced to leave the park early.
Dollywood is a one-of-a-kind theme park that stands out for its blend of modern amusement and cultural heritage. Opened under the name of the legendary Dolly Parton in 1986, the park reflects her deep connection to the Appalachian region, showcasing local traditions, crafts, and music.
With its breathtaking location in the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood offers more than just rides—it’s a celebration of the region’s rich history and vibrant culture. Visitors can explore the park’s many themed areas, such as Craftsman’s Valley, where artisans demonstrate traditional skills like pottery and woodworking, offering a glimpse into the past while enjoying state-of-the-art attractions.
The park’s attractions range from high-speed roller coasters to family-friendly rides that reflect Dollywood’s commitment to offering something for everyone. Iconic rides like Lightning Rod, the world’s first launched wooden coaster (although it axed this feature earlier this year after repeat operational issues), and Wild Eagle, the first wing coaster in the U.S., offers thrills for adventure-seekers.
Abrupt Closure at Dollywood
Right now, the park is in the middle of its Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration. This involves over six million twinkling lights, dozens of towering Christmas trees, and an array of holiday-themed snacks and shows.
Yesterday, however, these celebrations were cut short.
A sudden Arctic blast hit the park, forcing Dollywood to shorten its operating hours as temperatures hit a low of 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Originally scheduled to close at 9 p.m., the park decided to close at 7 p.m.
This follows a string of other abrupt closures for Dollywood in 2024. In July, the park experienced a water mains leak that forced it to close after only opening for a matter of hours.
Later that same month, flash floods struck the theme park. Guests were left to wade through waist-high water to reach partially submerged cars, with one guest receiving a minor injury. The park also switched up its operating hours due to Hurricane Helene in September.
“I still love Dollywood… but we barely escaped today,” one guest wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time. “Hope everyone gets out alright.”
Cold Fronts Slam Theme Parks
Dollywood isn’t the only park suffering from low temperatures today. All week, Central Florida has struggled with a cold front. This has forced the closures of Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Universal Volcano Bay, and SeaWorld’s Aquatica water park.
Blizzard Beach, which alternates with Typhoon Lagoon on Disney’s water park schedule, was closed for a large portion of last season for this very reason. Though the exact closure date hasn’t been confirmed, it’s expected to shut down for refurbishment in March, with Typhoon Lagoon taking over for the spring and summer.
Are you visiting a theme park during this week’s cold front?
