Dollywood news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Dolly Parton skipped Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition opening due to health issues. The $60 million ride opened Aug 19 without her.
Background
Dolly Parton has been dealing with health issues since May, when she announced she was responding well to treatments but needed time before returning to stage performance level. She postponed her Las Vegas residency and canceled other appearances. The new NightFlight Expedition coaster, costing over $60 million, is Dollywood's most expensive and technologically advanced ride, featuring bioluminescent creatures of the Smoky Mountains.
How it unfolded
- May 2026Dolly Parton posted a video saying she has health issues but is improving with treatments, and needs time before performing.
- Jun 2026Dollywood president Eugene Naughton announced the ride would open in mid-August after delays.
- Aug 13, 2026Reports confirmed Dolly Parton would not attend the ride preview due to health concerns.
- Aug 14, 2026Dolly Parton appeared virtually at the opening ceremony, saying her doctor 'clipped my wings' and she was dehydrated.
- Aug 15, 2026Theme Park Insider published a positive review of NightFlight Expedition, calling it an amazing family ride.
- Aug 19, 2026NightFlight Expedition opened to the public as scheduled.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Dollywood president Eugene Naughton said the ride is the most they've ever spent and the most technology-advanced, and it tells the story of Smoky Mountains' nighttime bioluminescence.
- Public
- Visitors expressed excitement for the ride, with Naughton noting 'there was so much excitement for what was happening inside the building.'
- Expert
- Theme Park Insider's review praised the ride as high-tech, multi-featured, and innovative, and noted it solves the park's lack of indoor rides during inclement weather.
Still unverified
The exact nature of Dolly Parton's health issues has not been publicly specified; she mentioned 'health challenges' and 'a few procedures' but no official diagnosis.