Dolly Parton – AKA Dollywood’s Dreamer-in-Chief – has made a big admission about her preferences at the theme park.
Dollywood began as Rebel Railroad in 1961, a modest attraction featuring a coal-fired steam train. Over the years, it evolved through various owners and names, including Goldrush Junction and Silver Dollar City, but its transformation into Dollywood in 1986 marked a brand-new era led by global icon Dolly Parton herself.
In partnership with Herschend Family Entertainment to revitalize the park, Parton has infused the theme park with a touch of her Appalachian roots and personal charm. Dolly’s vision for Dollywood has always been more than entertainment; it was a tribute to her Smoky Mountain upbringing.
Over the years, the park has introduced authentic crafts, live music, and attractions inspired by Parton’s own life, such as the Dolly Parton Experience and Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home. Her hands-on involvement has helped Dollywood grow into a top-tier destination, even beating out the likes of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Universal Orlando Resort for the nation’s favorite theme park.
Today, Dollywood stands as both a family-friendly haven and a heartfelt expression of Dolly’s love for her community. While it bears all the typical hallmarks of a theme park—including roller coasters such as Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle—the cultural aspect, including its tasty food offerings, is part of what sets it apart from its competitors.
The park’s most famous food item is, by far, the Grist Mill cinnamon bread. Made fresh daily, this is a sweet bread smothered in (surprise, surprise) cinnamon and butter and paired with buttercream icing or Dollywood’s own apple butter.
This bread has received a lot of attention over the years, with guests traveling far and wide to try a bite for themselves. However, as per Dolly Parton herself, this isn’t the best food item at Dollywood.
Parton recently admitted to Southern Living that while she loves everything on offer at Dollywood, her personal favorite is the funnel cake. “Even if I’m in my bus or the Dolly suite, I say, ‘Run get me some funnel cakes,'” Parton said. “I can’t leave here without funnel cakes.”
While we’re huge fans of cinnamon bread, we’ll admit that Parton – who’s set to inspire her own Broadway show in the near future – has a point. The funnel cakes at Dollywood are exemplary—oversized, fried to perfection, and dusted with a generous portion of powdered sugar.
The park also offers seasonal varieties of its famous funnel cake, such as red velvet. On top of that, guests can choose accompaniments such as strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling, whipped cream, crumbled Oreos, or hot fudge.
What’s your favorite food at Dollywood?
The cinnamon bread is a must every time we visit! I love the kettle corn as well’