Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Trouble After Political Climate Limits Its Operations
Dolly Parton’s beloved Dollywood is facing operational issues amid reports of a worker shortage.
Dollywood debuted in 1986, when Dolly Parton joined forces with Herschend Family Entertainment to rebrand the existing Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge. Set against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the park balances high-speed coasters like Lightning Rod with a strong focus on Appalachian culture, food, and music.
Its themed lands include Jukebox Junction, Timber Canyon, and Craftsman’s Valley, where visitors can watch blacksmiths, glassblowers, and woodcarvers at work. Seasonal events such as the Flower & Food Festival, Harvest Festival, and Smoky Mountain Christmas highlight regional traditions, drawing millions with their mix of live bluegrass, gospel, and country performances.
Expansion has been central to Dollywood’s identity, adding the likes of Splash Country, the DreamMore Resort, HeartSong Lodge & Resort, and the Dolly Parton Experience over the years, broadening Dollywood’s reach as a full-fledged vacation destination. The park has even outranked the likes of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort as No. 1 theme park in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards.
However, recent reports suggest that Dollywood may be at risk of operational issues in the near future.
Dollywood Faces Potential Worker Struggles
Dollywood is apparently one of multiple tourism businesses struggling to secure H-2 Visas for its international workers under the current administration.
A recent report by The Street theorized that the park could experience some operational problems this fall due to worker shortages.
According to Department of Labor data, as of August 7, 2025, only 149 of 879 H-2B requests were approved, with 700+ denied or withdrawn—down from 486 of 491 approvals in 2022 (zero denials) and 572 of 617 in 2024.
Dollywood’s HR vice president, Susan Lovedly, says H-2B visa workers are critical to operations. “International hosts offer an ideal solution for flexing our workforce at peak times of the season,” she said.
With fewer visa holders—and many younger employees returning to college—the park could face staffing gaps as fall crowds arrive. Entry-level roles across rides, culinary, and resort operations are most exposed, increasing pressure on scheduling and training.
This news comes as Dollywood pushes ahead with another major expansion. Set to open in 2026, the park is pouring $50 million into Hidden Hollow Aviation – its largest and most expensive project to date.
Teaser footage nods to “The Legend of Secret Lake,” pairing underwater imagery with earlier clips that hint at soaring over the Great Smoky Mountains. Pete Owens, Dollywood’s VP of marketing and public relations, promises “something that no one has ever done before in this particular way.”
Fans on Reddit and Facebook speculate it’s either an immersive flying theater like Flight of Passage or Soarin’ Around the World, or a high-thrill indoor dark-ride coaster.
Do you plan on visiting Dollywood this year?
