7 Shocking Dollywood Updates For 2025: Celebrating 40 Years With New Rides, Festivals, And A Game-Changing Coaster Reveal

Dollywood, Tennessee, USA, is celebrating a major milestone in 2025: its 40th Anniversary Season, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination and Tripadvisor’s #1 U.S. theme park. Visitors planning a trip to Pigeon Forge this year or next will find a park undergoing significant, fresh updates, from a refreshed Country Fair area and brand-new splash pad to a full calendar of unique festivals and the highly-anticipated unveiling of a "game-changing" attraction for 2026. [cite: 3, 5, 10 (from step 1), 7 (from step 2)]

This deep dive provides the most current information for the 2025 Dollywood season, including all the new attractions, the complete festival schedule, and essential visitor details like ticket prices and lodging options. Whether you are a lifelong fan of Dolly Parton's Appalachian-themed park or a first-time visitor, these updates are crucial for planning the ultimate Smoky Mountain getaway. [cite: 2, 5 (from step 1), 4 (from step 2)]

Dollywood 2025: The 40th Anniversary Season Highlights

The 2025 season is not just an ordinary year; it marks the 40th anniversary of the park, which opened in 1986, and the 25th anniversary of Dollywood's Splash Country water park. [cite: 7 (from step 2)] This milestone is being celebrated with a focus on refreshing classic areas and introducing new entertainment options, ensuring a blend of nostalgia and modern thrills.

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New Attractions and Park Enhancements for 2025

While the biggest coaster news is reserved for 2026, the 40th-anniversary season brings several key enhancements that will immediately impact the guest experience:

• Country Fair Refresh: The classic Country Fair area is receiving a complete refresh for 2025. This section, known for its traditional carnival games and flat rides, will feature brighter colors and an overall revitalized atmosphere. [cite: 2, 5 (from step 1)]
• New Splash Pad: A brand-new splash pad is being added to the park, offering a fun, cool-down spot for younger guests during the warmer months. [cite: 2 (from step 1)]
• Dazzling Drone Shows: As part of the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, the park will feature spectacular drone shows, adding a high-tech, mesmerizing element to the evening entertainment. [cite: 5 (from step 1), 5 (from step 2)]
• I Will Always Love You Music Festival: A new celebration, the "I Will Always Love You Music Festival," is scheduled from March 14 to April 13, 2025, bringing a medley of melodies to the mountain air as part of the opening festivities. [cite: 2, 4 (from step 2)]

The Complete 2025 Festival Schedule

Dollywood is famous for its year-round festivals, which transform the park with seasonal themes, food, and music. The 2025 schedule is packed with returning favorites and the new music celebration:

• I Will Always Love You Celebration: March 14 – April 13, 2025. [cite: 4 (from step 2)]
• Flower & Food Festival: April 18 – June 8, 2025. This festival features millions of vibrant flowers and unique culinary creations. [cite: 4 (from step 2)]
• Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration: June 14 – August 3, 2025. This includes extended hours, the new drone shows, and high-energy entertainment. [cite: 4, 5 (from step 2)]
• Harvest Festival: Late September – October. Known for its Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Southern Gospel Jubilee. [cite: 4 (from step 2)]
• Smoky Mountain Christmas: Early November – Early January. A multi-award-winning holiday event featuring millions of lights and festive shows. [cite: 4 (from step 2)]

Dollywood's Thrill Rides and Topical Authority Entities

Beyond the festivals, Dollywood is a premier destination for thrill-seekers, boasting ten operating roller coasters. The park's collection of unique, world-class coasters contributes significantly to its topical authority in the theme park world, blending traditional Appalachian storytelling with cutting-edge ride technology.

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World-Class Roller Coasters (The Thrill Entities)

No visit is complete without experiencing the park's top-tier roller coasters, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Key coasters to target include:

• Lightning Rod: Often ranked as the park’s number one coaster, this is the world's first launched wooden roller coaster, featuring a 165-foot drop and a top speed of 73 mph. [cite: 7, 11 (from step 3)]
• Wild Eagle: America's first wing coaster, which seats riders on either side of the track, offering a unique, open-air flying sensation over the Smoky Mountains. [cite: 11 (from step 3)]
• Big Bear Mountain: Located in Wildwood Grove, this is Dollywood's longest roller coaster, featuring a 3,990-foot track and an on-board audio system. [cite: 6 (from step 3)]
• Mystery Mine: A unique steel coaster that combines a dark ride section with a thrilling, vertical lift hill and a series of inversions. [cite: 7, 11 (from step 3)]
• FireChaser Express: A family-friendly launched coaster that travels both forward and backward. [cite: 7, 11 (from step 3)]
• Tennessee Tornado: A classic steel coaster known for its massive loop and high speeds. [cite: 7, 11 (from step 3)]
• Thunderhead: A massive wooden coaster known for its high-speed twists and turns, often considered one of the best wooden coasters in the world. [cite: 11 (from step 3)]

Other essential entities that contribute to the park's topical authority include the iconic Dollywood Express steam train, the traditional craft shops in the Craftsman’s Valley area, and the famous Grist Mill cinnamon bread.

Essential Visitor Information: Tickets, Lodging, and The Future

Planning a trip requires knowing the practical details, which, for 2025, include a range of ticket options and on-site lodging that provides exclusive park benefits.

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2025 Ticket Prices and Best Value

While prices are subject to change and vary by date, here is a general guide to 2025 ticket pricing (before taxes/fees):

• 1-Day Adult Ticket: The standard one-day adult pass (ages 10-61) is approximately $92. [cite: 2 (from step 3)]
• 2-Day Ticket: The best value often lies in the multi-day passes. A 2-day ticket is only about $30 more than a 1-day pass, offering two visits within a five-day period for around $124.99, making it highly recommended for guests wanting to experience all the park has to offer. [cite: 10 (from step 2)]
• Children and Seniors: Children ages 4-9 and seniors (62+) typically receive a discounted rate, and children 3 and under are admitted free. [cite: 8 (from step 2)]

Dollywood Lodging: DreamMore and HeartSong

Staying at an official Dollywood resort provides guests with perks like complimentary TimeSaver passes, which allow for shorter wait times on popular rides, and free transportation to the parks.

• Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa: Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, this resort is the original on-site hotel, offering a spa, indoor/outdoor pools, and family-focused dining. [cite: 7 (from step 2)]
• Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort: The newest lodging option, designed with a contemporary, high-end mountain-lodge feel. [cite: 16 (from step 2)]

The Game-Changing Future: NightFlight Expedition (2026)

While 2025 is a year of celebration and refinement, the park is already building towards a "game-changing" 2026 season. The newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition, is set to open in Wildwood Grove. [cite: 3, 9 (from step 1)]

The ride is described as a groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride, featuring an immersive storyline led by characters Cora and Jasper Oakley. The ride vehicle was unveiled in late 2025, building immense anticipation for what is expected to be the most ambitious new attraction in Dollywood's history. This major investment ensures that Dollywood will remain one of America's top theme park destinations for years to come. [cite: 9, 10 (from step 1), 10 (from step 3)]