Tripadvisor officials today named Dollywood as the number one theme park in the United States and the number 10 theme park in the world during the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards.
The 165-acre destination earned top honours from Tripadvisor users, with Dollywood ranked number one in the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Amusement Parks in the United States and number 10 on the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Worldwide Amusement Parks list.
The award was calculated based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor during the 12-month period from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024.
“I’m so thrilled about what our guests say about what we’re doing at Dollywood,” Dolly Parton said.
“I truly wanted Dollywood to be a place where people would be excited to visit because of the warmth and hospitality of the hosts working there and because of the natural beauty God blessed us with in the Great Smoky Mountains. I want Dollywood to be a light in the world; a place where people know they can come have a good time and enjoy making memories with their families. I’m proud of everyone who works so hard to make Dollywood the best!”
Eugene Naughton, President of The Dollywood Company, added to the thoughts of the park’s Dreamer-in-Chief.
“Like Dolly says, ‘we don’t do what we do to win awards,’” said Naughton. “We do it because we want to provide the best guest experience in the country. When guests choose to come spend their time with us, we want to give them what they deserve – an atmosphere that truly is world-class, where they can enjoy time with one another creating those moments they are going to cherish forever.
“This award also is special because it is based on what our actual guests are saying about their time here at our parks and resorts.
“We are humbled by the Tripadvisor recognition, because it is due to the hard work of our hosts. We’ve won so many great awards this year, and they just echo what our guests tell us – the Dollywood Parks & Resorts experience truly is the best in class.”
The United States top-10 is:
1. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
2. Disney’s Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
3. Fun Spot America (Kissimmee, Florida)
4. Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Orlando)
5. Fun Spot America Orlando (Orlando)
6. Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Orlando)
7. Legoland California (Carlsbad, California)
8. Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania)
9. Busch Gardens (Tampa, Florida)
10. Whale’s Tale Waterpark (Lincoln, New Hampshire)
Dollywood is the only park in North America to make the international top-10 list. The worldwide top-10 list is:
1. Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallee, France)
2. Siam Park (Tenerife, Spain)
3. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
4. Beto Carrero World (Penha, Brazil)
5. Waterbom Bali (Kuta, Indonesia)
6. Beach Park (Aquiraz, Brazil)
7. Puy du Fou (Les Epesses, France)
8. Alton Towers Resort (Alton, United Kingdom)
9. Walt Disney Studios Park (Marne-la-Vallee, France)
10. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
“With more than 1.4 million activities and experiences, Tripadvisor is a go-to resource for travellers to discover and book their next adventure, no matter what ‘adventure’ means to them,” says Kristen Dalton, Tripadvisor President.
“Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travellers. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a leisurely explorer, the ‘Best of the Best’ badge has the seal of approval from global travellers as a source of inspiration for an unforgettable vacation.”
Image: Dollywood
