Dolly beats Disney! Dollywood honored as the best park – and for having the top new ride
Dollywood has added another top award to its trophy case.
The Pigeon Forge destination was named the favorite theme park in the country by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, beating Disney World and Disneyland.
Dollywood received the honor from the association's 38th annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey, which also awarded the best new attraction of 2023 to Dollywood's Big Bear Mountain roller coaster.
Disney World in Florida was named the second-best theme park, and Disneyland in California finished third.
Dollywood President Eugene Naughton said the quality guest experience and Dollywood's investment in building new attractions and improving existing ones are to credit for the park's success.
“Look at The Dolly Parton Experience, which we opened less than two weeks ago," Naughton said in a news release. "It is an industry-leading offering that follows closely behind two spectacular additions last year: the greatest new ride in the industry, Big Bear Mountain, and one of the top resort properties at any theme park, HeartSong Lodge & Resort."
Eligible association members, comprised of experienced theme park enthusiasts, are the ones who vote in the survey. The average member has been to more than 100 different theme parks around the world and has experienced more than 340 roller coasters.
Other recent Dollywood awards and honors
The Pigeon Forge theme park has been busy collecting top industry awards, particularly within the past decade, including best park in the world at the Golden Ticket Awards in 2023.
Here are a few other accolades for Dollywood:
No. 1 Best park in the world (2023 Golden Ticket Awards)
No. 1 Best family coaster, Big Bear Mountain (2023 Golden Ticket Awards)
No. 1 Best kids’ area (2023 Golden Ticket Awards)
No. 1 Best guest experience (2023 Golden Ticket Awards)
No. 1 Best Christmas event (2023 Golden Ticket Awards)
No. 3 Best theme park restaurant, Aunt Granny's Restaurant (2024 USA TODAY 10Best Awards)
No. 5 Best theme park (2024 USA TODAY 10Best Awards)
No. 5 Best Roller coaster, Lightning Rod (2024 USA TODAY 10Best Awards)
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dollywood wins favorite theme park award, plus best ride
