Dollywood just pulled the rug out from under thousands of guests planning to visit today. The park dropped an Instagram story this morning announcing they’re closing three hours early because of cold weather. But here’s the kicker: their website still says they’re open until 9 PM when they’re actually shutting down at 6.
Talk about a communication disaster.
The Instagram story reads: “Due to forecasted temperatures for Sunday Dec. 14, Dollywood theme park will operate from 11 am – 6 pm.” They’re also warning that temperatures may limit select outdoor attractions, which is code for “some of your favorite rides won’t be running.”
So basically, you’re getting less time AND fewer rides. Cool, cool, cool.
Nobody Updated the Website
This is where it gets messy. Dollywood’s official website is still showing a 9 PM closing time as of Sunday morning. That’s a three-hour difference from what they posted on social media. Anyone who checked the website instead of Instagram is going to show up expecting a full day and get blindsided by the early closure.
How does a major theme park not coordinate their communication channels? Someone in the marketing department is having a rough morning.
The whole situation screams last-minute decision, probably made when weather forecasts got updated overnight. But that’s no excuse for leaving your website with completely wrong information when guests are actively making plans.
What About Refunds?
Here’s the question everyone’s asking: will Dollywood compensate guests who are losing three hours of park time? The Instagram announcement says absolutely nothing about refunds or rain checks.
But hold up. Dollywood does have a rain check policy that might apply here. The official policy states: “Dollywood & Dollywood’s Splash Country will issue a rain check if the length of your visit is negatively impacted due to weather. Individual rain checks will be given when one-day admission tickets are presented at the Groups Booth. Rain checks MUST be obtained before leaving the park.”
Cold weather is definitely weather. The question is whether pre-announced schedule changes count the same way as unexpected closures during your visit. The policy doesn’t really clarify that part.
If you’re at the park today and feel cheated by the shortened hours, hit up the Groups Booth before you leave. Rain checks have to be requested before departure, so don’t wait. Just know that rain checks are only valid during the current operating season, which is pretty useless if you traveled from out of state and can’t come back.
The Tea
Let’s be real about what happened here. Dollywood looked at the weather forecast, realized operating outdoor rides in freezing temperatures is a liability nightmare, and made a call to cut hours. Fair enough. Safety matters.
But the execution is sloppy. Posting on Instagram while leaving your website unchanged is amateur hour. Guests deserve better than having to cross-reference multiple platforms just to figure out basic operating hours.
And the complete silence on compensation? That’s not a good look. People plan vacations around these visits. They book hotels, arrange travel, take time off work. Finding out the morning of that you’re losing three hours of park time with zero acknowledgment that this might be disappointing is tone deaf.
The Instagram post tries to soften the blow by highlighting that Christmas shows, festive treats, and the “award-winning atmosphere” will still be available. That’s nice and all, but nobody travels to Dollywood just for the atmosphere. They want the rides. They want the full experience they paid for.
What Guests Need to Know Right Now
If you’re heading to Dollywood today, here’s the deal. Plan for 11 AM to 6 PM, period. Don’t trust the website. Bundle up because it’s going to be freezing. Expect some outdoor coasters to be closed.
Hit the indoor attractions and shows first since those are guaranteed to be running. Save outdoor rides for the afternoon when temperatures peak. And if you’re pissed about the shortened day, go to the Groups Booth before you leave and demand a rain check.
Also, keep checking social media for updates throughout the day. If temperatures rise more than expected, maybe they’ll extend hours. Or if it gets worse, they might close even earlier. At this point, anything’s possible.
The bottom line? Dollywood fumbled this one hard. Cold weather happens. Schedule changes happen. But coordinating your messaging and being upfront about compensation shouldn’t be this difficult. Do better, Dollywood.
Here’s the thing, Dollywood cannot just update the time on their website as easily as posting on IG. One, those are two different departments. Two, a website’s design requires time to make changes. Your whole article comes off as if they owe you for the 3 hours, you more than likely would not even be there.
I wish all people who are Disney lovers would quit hating on Dollywood just because it keeps beating their beloved Disney world! Dollywood always has their guests’ health and safety in mind. While Disney can operate bc Florida rarely gets that cold, Dollywood struggles with freezing temperatures throughout their Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Temps in the Smokies are often below freezing on some nights, and Dollywood takes that into account to ensure guests stay warm when temps are going to be way too cold. Kudos to Dollywood to consider the people who come from far and wide to enjoy the best theme park in the US! Side note – most people understand the mountains and valleys if TN and plan accordingly with the temps and weather.
Bravo! Tell it like it truly is!
I was planning to go to Dollywood on Sunday but saw the forecast was a high of 30 and low of 10 so I pivoted my plans. There was no way I was gonna go freeze my ass off on a 60+ mph coaster at those temps! I doubt anyone was that surprised or disappointed to have to leave at dark in those conditions, regardless of what was communicated where and when.
“Do Better” is an absolutely insane take on this 👎
Of you wish to discuss facts. Dollywood announcement the change in hours publicly the day before, not that morning. There were many comments on Social Media on Saturday discussing and maybe of those were supporting the decision. Several posts were made on Facebook in al.atemot.to let as many people know about this change as possible. It’s sad and irresponsible to see people posting inaccurate and condescending material either intentionally or without getting all the facts
Because Dollywood is looking out for their employees health and that of park goers should be of the highest priority! Thank you Dollywood for having a heart and looking out for all of us! Disney needs to realize they take a back seat to Dollywood! Love Dollywood any day and twice on Sunday compared to Disney!
As someone who used to work at Dollywood, they are very concerned about guest safety. Sunday morning the weather was updated to state that the weather was going to be hazardous to be out in. And who would want to ride the Wild Eagle when there is a wind chill factor making it feel like 9 out. It was unsafe conditions to be in the theme park that is mostly outdoors. So, yes, this was a smart decision. I wonder if the author who loves Disney has ever felt that cold of temperatures.
What a hateful and disgusting post. Alessia, do better, or just be done. No pun intended. Disney adults are so weird.
I’ve never been to Dollywood, and I grew up near Disneyland and have been visiting that park my entire life. I’m still someone who loves CLASSIC Disney, but modern Disney has been taken over by nasty commie A-holes and that’s why modern Disney has scared away most normal people. Now when people say the term “Disney adults” most of us picture obese land whales who are selfish and the type of whiners who complain about rides not being able to accommodate people who are almost as big as an elephant.
Dollywood actually doesn’t have much that appeals to someone like me, because I really don’t like most rollercoasters or “Thrill rides.” However seeing that Dollywood has pissed off so many “woke” a-holes, I’m now hoping I can plan a trip there in the near future. Your nasty post is actually a good AD for Dollywood so thanks. 😁
I totally agree. Disney people have got so bad because they’re bunch. Alphabet, people now and these just change so much. They should take Netflix’s offer and sell to them. But I’m not going to Disney anymore. So they lost my money and buying their stuff. Also, to me, the only people that can afford Disney. These days are people who are super-rich are either big drug dealers who have plenty of cash and look at the fights that have been going on in the magic kingdom and altercations. Have you noticed what gender they are?
Honestly, Dollywood can do whatever Dollywood wants and we still love them because we trust their decisions. We know Dollywood has our best interest in mind. Dollywood is the GOAT no matter how many articles you write bashing it.