I started going to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN when I was very young. (It wasn’t that long ago. I swear!) I would always look forward to our yearly trip to my favorite place. Now I get to experience Dollywood through my own kids’ eyes. I have seen that park change a great deal since I’ve been going. I have seen rides, attractions, and shows come and go throughout the years. It was always fun to watch Dollywood grow and expand over the years. Well this year Dollywood is getting ready for their largest expansion ever, Wildwood Grove. I am beyond excited to experience this magical six acre add-on to Dollywood.
What is Wildwood Grove?
Wildwood Grove will be the newest section to Dollywood, a family-friendly theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Turn on your imagination and be ready to create some memories because you will enter a world of color, butterflies, bears, fireflies, frogs, and plenty of trees. It sounds like the perfect southern summer day/night. Dolly Parton wanted families to experience the same kind of real-world magic she did growing up in Tennessee.
What’s in store?
I did get the chance to peek between the fence boards recently, and it really does look magical and they aren’t even done yet. After getting a little sneak peek at the area, I want to go even more than I had from just reading about it. From what I’ve seen, it looks like they really did capture the magic of a southern summer night. The new section is going to feature all sorts of new rides and experiences. Of course, being Dolly’s, there will be butterflies everywhere. But you will also get to dart around on the back of a dragonfly too. The magic of the fireflies will be there in full force, as well. (That might just have been the thing I’ve been most excited about.) So make sure you stay through sunset. You can hop with frogs, catch a ride on a friendly bear, even soar like a leaf!
Why are we so excited?
In case you hadn’t noticed, real-life magic is our thing. Yes, we love the fairies and princesses (and dragons) kind of magic as well, but real-life magic is what we do best. Finding the magic in everyday. Dolly created this whole area with just that in mind. She wanted to share the real-life magic that she experienced as a child. That all of you can experience in any Southern woods, day or night. I go out to my backyard almost every night to watch the fireflies dance and flicker and carry all my worries away. I can’t wait to see what Dolly had in mind to share her experience.
Opening Day
The area is scheduled to officially open on May 10-11. Make sure you keep watching here for our experiences and take-away from our first visit, coming up soon!
