Larry Vaught Photo
If there is one thing you have to love about Dolly Parton — and there obviously are many things you can love — it is her humility.
She’s always gracious and it’s easy to tell how much everyone who works for her in any way appreciates her kindness. That was hammered home to myself and WPBK-FM show host Tim Estes when we were in Sevierville, Tenn., last week for the grand opening of HeartSong Lodge.
“I get credit for so much hard work that all of you do. I do the dreaming, they do the work,” Parton said about her staff/employees.
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development commissioner Mark Ezell was at the grand opening and shared how visitors from “all around the world come to Tennessee for the scenic beauty and hospitality and much of that is due to the incredible experience at Dollywood” and Parton’s other businesses in the area.
He noted how Sevier County generated over $3.8 billion dollars in travel spending in 2022 and how visitor spending had increased more in the last five years in Tennessee than any other state.
“No one else in the country has Dolly,” he said.
Her new HeartSong Lodge has over 300 rooms but it also has a huge convention center that will boost the economy and create jobs.
“Dolly your work touches people’s hearts, lives, homes and education. We are so grateful to you and it is easy to see why everybody loves Dolly,” he said.
That includes a lot of Dolly Parton fans who came out just to see and hear her but also employees. We talked to everyone from a security guard to a dining room server to a lodge intern to a catering executive who all praised how great it was working for Parton.
Parton said it felt great to open a second resort because that “tells me the other one (DreamMore Resort) did well” and now she has more plans for the future.
“It’s really good to see us grow,” she said. “I am very proud to be part of this. It feels great to be part of anything that brings tourists to this area. This is the most visited national park (Smoky Mountains National Park) in the United States and we love having as many (people) as we can stop off at Dollywood.”
She said Dollywood is the “best Christmas place in the world” and I might agree. There are over six millions lights scattered throughout the park for the Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration along with some terrific shows from Nov. 4-Jan. 6. And Glacier Ridge is magical.
“I am excited to see it,” Parton said. “People love Christmas and I am one of them.”
She also loves HeartSong because it reminds her in some ways of her “little house in the trees and woods” when she was growing up.
“I love the idea of a lodge versus a resort. I like something rustic but I would say this is high fashion rustic,” Parton said.
So would I with indoor and outdoor pools, waterfall, fire pits and a unique playground area for children. There is a day camp for children and at night families can use the wood-burning fire pit for complimentary marshmallow roasting and campfire sing-along.
There are several dining options and based on the meal we had, you will love the food.
Same for the various lodging options, including suites that I know my grandchildren will love.
Resort guests also get a variety of park perks including complimentary transportation to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. You will also have access to TimeSaver Passes and on Saturday can get early entry to a select ride or experience at the parks.
* * *
For more information about Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, visit www.dollywood.com/heartsong.
2 Responses
As a kid i remember watching Dolly and Porter Wagner show fell in love her songs ever since. she’s a legend and grateful she still on this earth.
I remember those shows too and yes, she is a treasure