New coaster, 300-room resort just part of Dollywood’s 10-year, $300 million investment project
By amusementtoday | August 22, 2013
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Dollywood officials announced yesterday a $300 million, 10-year investment project to the Dollywood property here.
All specifics for the next 10 years haven’t been ironed out as yet, but definites include a Gerstlauer dual launch roller coaster expected to open in 2014 and a 300-room hotel to open in the summer of 2015.
Dolly Parton said in an interview with Amusement Today after the official announcement that the resort hotel had been a dream of hers for a long time.
“I would go places and people would ask me ‘Can I stay at Dollywood?’” Parton said, adding Pigeon Forge has plenty of great places to stay. “But, until now, it just wasn’t the right time.”
Now is the right time, she said. Ground has already been broken for the hotel being built on 100 acres adjacent to Dollywood’s Splash Country and a short distance from the Dollywood theme park.
“We are serious about this thing,” she said, with a laugh.
Dollywood President Craig Ross joined Parton for the interview. He said Dollywood has always been recognized as the friendliest park.
“That is unique to Dollywood,” Ross said. “Now, they can play with us and stay with us.”
Ross added that visitors staying at the hotel will have free parking and free transportation to the amusement park.
“The property is within walking distance of Splash Country,” he said.
Named the FireChaser Express, the new family friendly roller coaster is expected to open in March of next year. The coaster launches twice, traveling forward and backward on a winding track, which will stretch over 2,000 feet.
