For many fans, the idea of experiencing Dollywood alongside the legendary Dolly Parton sounds like a dream come true. But for her late husband, Carl Dean, visiting the Smoky Mountain theme park came with its own set of rules—his own.
On March 14, Parton made a heartfelt appearance at Dollywood’s opening celebration for its milestone 40th season. It marked her first public event since the passing of her husband on March 3, 2025. Married for nearly 60 years, the couple shared a famously private love story, rarely appearing in public together despite Parton’s superstar status. Their journey began in the most unassuming of ways—outside a laundromat on the very day an 18-year-old Dolly arrived in Nashville to pursue her music career.
As reported by Knox News, Parton took a moment to address the gathered crowd, expressing gratitude for their support in the wake of Dean’s passing. “I will always love him, and I miss him,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. Despite the grief, she explained why she chose to keep her tradition of attending Dollywood’s season kickoff: “I need some fun, so I’m probably gonna be stupid. I’ve been crying enough the last week or two.”
Parton shared how deeply she felt Dean’s absence, describing it as “a hole in [her] heart.” She added, “I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him.”
Among the many memories she holds dear, Parton recounted Dean’s amusing approach to visiting Dollywood. Rather than taking advantage of VIP treatment, he preferred to experience the park just like any other guest—on his own terms.
“He used to come to the park; he bought his own ticket—stood in line and got his ticket. He didn’t want somebody giving him a ticket ‘cause he was Dolly’s husband,” she told Knox News, chuckling at the memory. “Everybody thinks that’s the funniest thing.”
Unlike Parton, who is deeply involved in every aspect of Dollywood’s operations, Dean maintained a low profile. He only visited when she was away, never attending major park events or checking on projects alongside her. However, that didn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention.
“He would say, ‘You need more bathrooms,’” Parton recalled with a laugh, imitating his voice. “Or he would say, ‘You need to tell them this or that. It’s crowded over in that area. You might want to tell them they ought to do this or that.’”
Despite his keen eye for guest experience, Dean wasn’t one for thrill rides. While Dollywood is home to some of the country’s most exhilarating coasters—like the Wild Eagle—he preferred to keep his feet on the ground, simply taking in the sights, enjoying his favorite park snacks, and quietly observing.
It turns out, if given the chance, that’s exactly how Parton would choose to spend a day at Dollywood herself. “I think I would do like Carl,” she mused. “I would just walk around, and look at everything.”
As Dollywood marks four decades of memories, Carl Dean’s quiet but thoughtful presence remains woven into the park’s history—just like the woman who made it all possible.
