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Dollywood announces first project in $500m investment plan

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dollywood heartsong lodge and resort

Dollywood has announced the HeartSong Lodge & Resort, the first project in a $500 million investment plan over the next decade.

The Dollywood Company is embarking on an ambitious investment plan of more than $500m over the next decade, and one of the first projects is the HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

The 302-room HeartSong Lodge & Resort is located adjacent to Dollywood‘s DreamMore Resort & Spa and is set to open in 2023, as announced by Dolly Parton.

“I’m always dreaming and coming up with new ideas and things I want our guests to experience,” said Parton. “I’m so proud of this place that we’ve been able to build here in the Smokies.”

“I always dreamed of accomplishing two things with Dollywood,” she added. “I wanted to give jobs to the folks who live here and I wanted to give visitors another reason to come and experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.”

HeartSong Lodge & Resort opens 2023

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is a reimagined property with family suites, themed suites and loft rooms, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor cove and a communal fire-pit.

“From the time we announced Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in 2015, we have seen the entire region emerge as one of the nation’s leading family vacation destinations,” said Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company.

“We’ve been able to help Dolly achieve the dreams she had more than 35 years ago, and with this announcement today, we’re going to be able to put wings on even more of her dreams.”

The Dollywood theme park and Splash Country water park welcome more than 3 million visitors annually. Since 2019, the Dollywood Company has invested more than $220m as part of its ongoing investment plan.

Investment plan unveiled by Dolly Parton

dollywood heartsong lodge and resort

“With the success we’ve experienced at DreamMore Resort, we feel this is the perfect time to expand our portfolio of resorts,” Naughton added.

“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we had a relatively strong 2020 and we currently are outpacing our original expectations for 2021, so we are confident in the potential we see in the continued growth of the Smokies.”

Back in 2019, Dollywood opened its $37m Wildwood Grove, the largest expansion in the park’s history. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Aquarium is transferring its ownership to Dollywood operator Herschend Enterprises.

Images: Dollywood

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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