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Dollywood announces a $300 million investment
plan over the next 10 years
Update : 27/08/13 - 18h27Published by François Mayné the 25 August 2013, New.
The company behind the Dollywood entertainment destination in Pigeon Forge, USA, has unveiled a massive 10-year $300 million investment plan that will include the addition of new attractions and resorts, resulting in the creation of more than 2,500 new jobs in the region.
Led by famous country singer Dolly Parton who has been partners with Herschend Family Entertainment to operate the facilities since 1985, Dollywood has become one of the most popular theme park destination in America and is regularly awarded by trade associations for the quality of its offering. Located in heart of the natural surrounding of Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, the property features a 150-acre theme park (Applause Award holder), a 35-acre water park (Dollywood's Splash Country) and lodgings (Dollywood Cabins) for an annual attendance of over 2.5 million guests.
First details on the phase 1 of the investment plan, more exactly for the 2014-2015 period, have been disclosed during a press conference. Two years after the opening of the country's first wing coaster Wild Eagle (designed by Bolliger & Mabillard) and one year after the opening of Tennessee’s first and only water coaster RiverRush (supplied by ProSlide), Dollywood will add another innovative new ride to its theme park with the nation's first dual-launch family coaster.
Named FireChaser Express, the ride will be inspired by the local fire stations with the front-vehicle of the train themed like an old fire truck. Designed by German manufacturer Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, the track – whose layout has not been disclosed by the park – will be 2,427-feet (740-meters) long for a maximum height of 12 stories. The train will travel forward and backward, leaving the loading station in one direction and returning in the opposite direction.
To mark the company’s 30th anniversary in 2015, Dollywood will open the 300-room Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, its second venture in the lodging industry. Situated on 100 acres of land (40.4 ha) at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the hotel will feature a large variety of accommodations, a full-service restaurant, an indoor pool, a spa, an amphitheater for outdoor entertainment, an event lawn with craft demonstrations and special entertainment as well as 8,000 square feet (743 sqm) of indoor meeting space.
“With Dolly Parton’s vision and world-class properties like Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country waterpark as our foundation, The Dollywood Company is poised to become a family vacation destination like no other,” said Craig Ross, President of The Dollywood Company. “Dolly welcomes folks into her home and her heart, and our plans to grow and expand The Dollywood Company are steeped in her desire to bring families closer together by creating experiences delivered from the heart.”
According to an independent economic impact study commissioned by The Dollywood Company, the new project destinations and hospitality investments will add $150 million annually to the local economy. Additionally, more than $7 million in state and local taxes will be generated by the company’s 10-year investments while most of the jobs created will impact positively the hospitality and construction industries.
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The NewsParcs' Theme Park Supplier's News of the Week is a round-up of the latest news relative to companies supplying the theme park industry around the world. This weekly report covers topics such as corporate announcements, ...
Our Industry Roundup is a summary of the latest major news related to the theme park industry worldwide. We report news specifically on operators, owners, trade associations and related organizations, including trends, attendance...