Dollywood unveiled a series of upcoming exhibits, experiences and park expansions on Wednesday that it said will pay tribute to its late founder Dolly Parton, as well as carry forward plans the late singer already had in the works for her beloved Tennessee theme park. 

Read more Danny Boyle’s Rupert Murdoch Drama ‘Ink’ Gives Venice a Rollicking Start on Opening Night

The theme park announced the news during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that kicked off with a video tribute to Parton and ended with Heidi Parton Kin and Friends’ rendition of “9 to 5.” Shortly after, Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton took to the stage, where he revealed a new partnership with the city of Sevierville, Tennessee, and a number of key park expansions, which the dreamer-in-chief had approved. 

“The curtain on this first act has fallen, and now time has come to start to talk about the journey forward, the next steps that we need to do,” Naughton said. “Because Dolly would be telling us to get back to work. She knew what she wanted Dollywood to be. She always wanted this to be a place of fun and togetherness, and most of all, as our love letter showed, she taught us here at Dollywood how to dream big.”

Naughton revealed the city of Sevierville will install, over the next couple of days, “In Dolly’s Footsteps,” a walkable tribute that lets fans trace her footsteps through the city, visiting and learning the stories of around 11 various locations, such as the Pines Theater, that held personal meaning to the life of the Grammy winner. Naughton also confirmed that the “I Will Always Love You” tribute banners inside the park raised around The Dolly Parton Experience, which last week was the site of a moment of silence held by fans as they remembered the singer, actress, and philanthropist, will remain. 

The multimedia walkthrough that opened in 2024, with distinct zones moving through Parton’s life from Sevier County to global stardom in her own words, will also receive a new portal into its park zone that will extend the experience onto the show street. Inside, aspects of the experience, such as “Precious Memories” and the “I Will Always Love You” room, will also expand to celebrate the life of the late singer. 

Within “Precious Memories,” a new video — narrated by Parton’s family sharing their best moments with the singer — will eventually be added to the current lineup of six videos, which sees Parton narrate stories of her family. For the Songteller experience, the park plans to add a new grand finale to the “I Will Always Love You” room. 

Beyond the experience, the park announced the arrival of a new character in the Wildwood Grove area, as part of its plans to carry the singer’s spirit and care for children, which Naughton called “the most important thing to Dolly.”

Known as the Dream Maker, the character will embody Parton’s “great passion for dreaming big and telling stories” and allow younger guests to “learn some of the foundational things that Dolly talked about her whole life.” The area will also get a new Tribute Center, which will allow people to privately and publicly share memories of the singer. Public messages “will be used in a unique way within our storyline in the park,” he said. 

The centerpiece of the park’s upcoming work is tied to the park’s Chapel, and unveiled alongside concept art and video of the coming expansion — one of the biggest looks at the plans for the church to date. In tribute to Dr. Robert F. Thomas, the Methodist minister and mountain doctor who birthed Parton in her family’s one-room cabin, the area will now feature a cascading mountainside waterfall outside the chapel’s front steps, with the chapel also receiving new stained-glass windows commissioned to reflect the Bible verse: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” 

A special reflection and a sculpted guitar will also exist in the space. “I hope this will turn out to be the place on property that will give a chance for people to reflect on the impact that Dolly’s had on you,” Naughton told press. 

Read more Billy Ray Cyrus Says Miley Dropping Last Name Is a “Natural Progression for an Iconic Superstar Legend”

Wednesday’s announcements were a mix of new and previously planned updates to the park, most of which Naughton confirmed should open around March 2027. 

“The last seven days have been filled with a lot of grief, and that comes with feeling the loss of a loved one,” he said. “I know that we have all cried. I know I have spent a lot of time sharing with people on the midway their thoughts and feelings and the impact that Dolly had. But now it’s time to look at how we’re going to honor her on property moving forward.”

As for how future endeavors within the park will move forward without Parton to sign off on the vision and execution, Naughton confirmed she had rubber-stamped plans through 2036. 

“She gave us the gift of time to be able to prepare what was going to eventually be happening here,” he said while taking press questions. “Her love of music and her love specifically of live music, the chance to bring those stories to life on the stages here will always be a really big part of who we are as a complex. We talked all the time about our future. She really didn’t get much into daily operations. That wasn’t her thing, but she really lit up when we talked about the future. So we have plans all the way through 2036 that she laid emphasis on for us as a leadership team, and I’m really confident in that.”

The Dollywood head also confirmed that key elements of the company’s previously announced half-billion-dollar investment strategy around the property’s five new resorts were also approved by the late singer. “Resort three, four, and five, and the outdoor resort, all planned on stories that Dolly already has approved,” he said. “She was really special with that for us, so I’m confident we’re not only going to be the same, but if she were looking right down here on me, she’d be kicking my rear if I didn’t say we’re going to get better every day.”

Following the announcement of Parton’s death last Wednesday at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, Dollywood remained open as a “place of joy, hope and togetherness” in the spirit of her work ethic in an environment that could honor her spirit “with laughter, music and shared dreams,” according to an announcement by the park, which also encouraged fans to donate to Parton’s Imagination Library. 

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Naughton said in a statement at the time. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”

Within a day of the news of Parton’s passing, memorials both official and unofficial quickly appeared around the Pigeon Forge park. Outside, flowers and other items were left by fans near the entrance sign. Inside, guests left remembrances, including balloons, written messages, and butterflies — a personal symbol the late singer embraced — at a designated display in the park. The official memorial was erected in Dollywood’s welcome plaza, allowing park visitors and fans to not only reflect on her life, but honor her contributions and the joy she, her music and various ventures brought. Guests also congregated at the Chapel where they remembered the park’s dreamer-in-chief through service. 

Naughton is unsure when or if that will come down. “I don’t really know how long it’s going to last because I don’t have all the answers and I don’t think anyone on our team really knows,” he said. “We want to give plenty of time to let people [to remember her] in a real special way.”

Read more Hollywood, Horsepower and Parmigiano Fuel the Ultimate Venice Side Quest