Popular Theme Park Closing After Cold Weather Threatens 22 Rides
Dollywood is music legend Dolly Parton's popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. The theme park's president wants it to eventually be open year-round but cold weather is intervening.
"Spanning 160 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood theme park offers more than 50 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining and the friendliest theme park atmosphere in the world!" the park trumpets on its website.
According to Knox News, Dollywood is in its "landmark" 40th season. The newspaper noted that Dollywood President Eugene Naughton has a "long-term goal" of having Dollywood open year-round, but the park is headed instead into its offseason. The theme park will close on January 4, 2026, for the winter, according to Knox News.
Dollywood Closes 22 Rides Due to the Cold Weather, Its Website Says
(Photo by: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The beloved theme park closes completely in the winter because the cold weather can negatively affect some of the rides, Knox News reported. In addition to the seasonal closure, 22 Dollywood rides shut down depending on an individual day's temperature.
Dollywood lists the temperature at which each ride closes. "We value your safety at Dollywood. In the event of occasional inclement weather we adhere to the following guidelines listed below. During these times we invite you to visit indoor attractions, shops or restaurants until weather passes," the theme park wrote.
In addition, some rides close during lightning, precipitation, and high winds.
The park listed these temperatures for ride closures:
Ride or Attraction | Temperature |
Amazing Flying Elephants | 32 degrees |
Barnstormer | 32 degrees |
Big Bear Mountain | 36 degrees |
Black Bear Trail | 23 degrees |
Dragonflier | 36 degrees |
DropLine | 5 degrees |
FireChaser Express* | 39 degrees |
Frogs & Fireflies | 32 degrees |
Great Tree Swing | 32 degrees |
Lemon Twist* | 32 degrees |
Lightning Rod | 34 degrees |
LumberJack Lifts | 32 degrees |
Mystery Mine* | 34 degrees |
Shooting Star | 36 degrees |
Sky Rider | 36 degrees |
Smoky Mountain River Rampage | 32 degrees |
Tennessee Tornado | 34 degrees |
Thunderhead | 35 degrees |
Tree Top Tower | 32 degrees |
Waltzing Swinger | 23 degrees |
Whistle Punk Chaser* | 36 degrees |
Wild Eagle | 34 degrees |
"One of Dolly Parton’s greatest dreams—the little theme park named Dollywood that opened in her home county in 1986—has now become one of the world’s leading family destinations and is set to celebrate its 40th season in 2025," a Dollywood press release says. "Dollywood Parks & Resorts looks a lot different than it did when it opened on May 3, 1986, but the mission at its heart remains the same—to create a welcoming environment where families can enjoy making memories together."
“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” Parton said in the release. “That’s a lot of laughter, hugs and smiles, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to be part of it for so many years. When we opened Dollywood, the main thing I wanted to do was to give families a fun place where they could enjoy time spent together. I’m so proud of all the people who have worked to make Dollywood what it is today, and I want to thank all the guests who have supported us and trusted us to help them create those days they’ll never forget."