Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – As Dollywood celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Pigeon Forge-based theme parks have once again earned recognition as top attractions globally.
TripAdvisor has awarded Dollywood the title of the number one theme park in the US as part of its 2025 Traveler’s Choice Best Award. This marks the third time in four years that Dollywood has claimed this top position.
Here’s a look at the top 10 theme parks:
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Magic Kingdom Park (Bay Lake, Florida)
- Knoebels Amusement Resort (Ellisburg, Pennsylvania)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Bay Lake, Florida)
- Universal Islands of Adventure (Orlando, Florida)
- Fun Spot America (Kissimmee, Florida)
- LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad, California)
- Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, Florida)
- Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)
- Whale Story Water Park (Lincoln, New Hampshire)
Dollywood is unique in being the only US theme park to make it onto TripAdvisor’s global top 15 for 2025, where it holds the 11th spot.
Spanning 165 acres, Dollywood is co-owned by Dolly Parton’s entertainment group and Herschend Family Entertainment. According to their site, it attracts around 2 million visitors each year.
As the largest employer in Sevier County, Dollywood significantly impacts the local economy. A 2021 survey indicated an annual economic influence of approximately $1.8 billion.
Though Dolly Parton is famous, she humorously noted she doesn’t ride roller coasters, saying, “If I were to ride that, you’d find my wig in one of those trees,” in reference to the park’s newest addition, the “Big Bear Mountain” roller coaster, which can hit speeds of 48 miles per hour.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, officials have teased a new ride that they describe as the park’s biggest and potentially most costly project. While details remain under wraps, it has been indicated that it might feature a flying experience for guests in 2026.
The awards from TripAdvisor are determined based on traveler ratings and reviews collected over the past year. According to their data, award recipients rank among the top 1% of listed locations.
“We don’t strive for these awards simply to gather accolades,” said Eugene Norton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts. “It’s about providing a fantastic experience, as our guests have choices in where to spend their time, and we want to ensure it’s world-class when they choose us.”
Norton added that the recognition feels rewarding, deriving from genuine feedback shared by visitors about their experiences at the parks and resorts.
