Dolly Parton is known for her appearances at the Dollywood Parks & Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She does her best to be at the park for the grand opening and for the big announcements. Dolly planned to be there on September 17 for the unveiling of a new attraction, but a health issue kept her away. She explained her absence in a video shared during the event.
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“Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” Dolly Parton said, “I know, and I’m here, and you’re there. And you’re wondering why that is? Well, I had a little problem.”
Dolly added that her doctors wanted her to stay back home. “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better,'” she said.
Dolly Parton Hated Not Being At Dollywood
Even though her heart was at Dollywood for the announcement, she needed to take care of herself at home.
“So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit,” Dolly added. “I was looking so forward to it.”
Dollywood shared a video of the newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition, on Instagram.
“What happens in the Smoky Mountains after the sun goes down? Soar, plunge, climb and navigate the first ride of its kind in the world,” the post reads.
This ride looks absolutely incredible, and fans can’t wait.
“Ok we just rode by the massive ride building on the Dollywood Express and now knowing what’s coming, we are beyond excited for this!!! What an amazing sounding new ride, groundbreaking and something TRULY new and unique in the theme park word and Dolly is a class act as always in the message she shared during the announcement,” a fan wrote.
Hopefully, we’ll get to see Dolly Parton’s POV from NightFlight Expedition when Dollywood opens in 2026.
This story’s featured image is by Jason Kempin/Getty Images.
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