Dollywood has confirmed that the beloved Tennessee theme park will continue operating following the death of its founder and longtime “Dreamer-in-Chief,” Dolly Parton, at age 80.

Parton died on Aug. 25, 2026, leaving millions of fans heartbroken. But inside the park she helped build from the ground up, the message is clear: Dollywood will keep going, just as she wanted.

The park announced that it would open as scheduled on Wednesday, only hours after news of Parton’s death spread around the world.

In a heartfelt statement, Dollywood described the singer as its beloved “Dreamer-in-Chief” and said everyone connected to the park was mourning her loss.

“Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit,” the statement said.

But the park also made clear that closing its gates would not reflect Parton’s wishes.

Dolly wanted Dollywood to remain a place where families could come together, make memories and enjoy music, laughter and time with the people they love.

“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness,” the park said. “A space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.”

That vision will now become an important part of how Dollywood moves forward.

Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, also shared an emotional tribute to the woman who helped make the attraction what it is today.

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Naughton said.

He remembered Parton as someone whose kindness was as big as the Smoky Mountains she loved and said her ability to inspire people would remain part of the park.

“While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward,” he added.

Naughton also confirmed that the park would open Wednesday because that was what Parton would have wanted.

“Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates,” he said.

He added that Parton’s remarkable work ethic was another part of her legacy, ending with a message that perfectly captured the spirit she brought to Dollywood: “The show must go on.”

Parton’s connection to the theme park dates back decades.

Growing up in the Smoky Mountains, she dreamed of creating something special in the area where she was raised. During a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters, she described her vision of a “Smoky Mountain fairy land” that would also create jobs and bring more money into the local community.

That dream eventually became reality.

In 1986, Parton partnered with Pete and Jack Herschend to transform the former Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, into Dollywood.

The park officially opened under its new name on May 3, 1986.

It did not take long for Parton’s gamble to pay off. During its first full year, Dollywood reportedly welcomed about 1.3 million visitors, nearly twice the number that had visited Silver Dollar City the year before.

Four decades later, the attraction has become one of Tennessee’s best-known tourist destinations.

Dollywood now welcomes millions of visitors during a typical season and provides thousands of seasonal jobs in the region. The park has also become an important part of the local economy in Pigeon Forge and Sevier County.

For Parton, however, Dollywood was about more than rides, attractions and ticket sales.

It was her way of giving something back to the place she always considered home.

She once recalled visiting the area as a child for the county fair and imagining what she could create there if she ever became successful.

“When I was growing up here in the Great Smoky Mountains, we used to come every now and then down to this area,” Parton said in a 2023 interview with USA Today. She remembered dreaming that if she became rich, she would return home and build a park of her own.

She did exactly that.

Over the years, Dollywood grew into a major attraction known for its roller coasters, family rides, live entertainment and seasonal celebrations. The neighboring Splash Country water park also became part of the larger resort.

Even the food became famous, with Dollywood’s cinnamon bread and giant apple pie becoming fan favorites and frequent stars on social media.

The park was also recognized as the top amusement park in the United States by Tripadvisor in 2025.

Now, Dollywood faces its biggest change yet.

For the first time, visitors will walk through its gates knowing Parton is no longer there to welcome them herself.

But the park does not plan to treat her absence as the end of her story.

Instead, every show, ride, meal and family memory will become another way of carrying her vision forward.

Dolly Parton built Dollywood because she wanted people to dream. After her death, the park says it will keep doing exactly that.