Overnight storms hit Dollywood hard enough that Dolly Parton's Tennessee theme park was forced to close part of its grounds and cancel a popular entertainment offering on Sunday, April 19, just one day after the park's annual spring festival officially kicked off.
What the Storm Damaged
A tree near the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary was uprooted overnight, striking the aviary building and compromising the surrounding area. With the structure damaged, Dollywood determined that the safety of guests, employees, and the eagles housed inside could not be guaranteed, prompting the closure of the area near the aviary and the cancellation of all Wings of America shows for the day.
The American Eagle Foundation stepped in to relocate the park's rescued eagles to its own facilities while repairs to the aviary netting are completed.
Dollywood's official press announcement, posted via an Instagram story, reads:
“Due to storms overnight, a tree near Eagle Mountain Sanctuary was uprooted, causing the aviary to be compromised. Staff from the American Eagle Foundation will remove the eagles from the aviary and will house them at their facilities until the netting can be repaired.
The area of the park near the aviary will be closed, and all Wings of America shows for today (Sunday, April 19) have been canceled as necessary work is completed.”
No other attractions or experiences at Dollywood were reported as affected by the storm damage. The Smoky Mountain theme park has not shared an estimated timeline for repairs or indicated when the affected area will reopen to guests. Whether Wings of America performances will resume when the park opens Monday, April 20, has not been confirmed.
Plenty Still to Do
Despite the closures, Dollywood is far from quiet this weekend. April 18 marked the official launch of the park's annual Flower & Food Festival, which runs through June 7. Guests can sample limited-time food and beverage offerings with a Tasting Pass that covers up to five select culinary experiences, and the park is filled with floral arrangements, landscaping displays, and the signature Umbrella Sky installation.
View this post on Instagram
Looking ahead, Dollywood is also preparing to debut NightFlight Expedition, a first-of-its-kind attraction in the Wildwood Grove area that combines four ride experiences into one — soaring flight, whitewater river rafting, a mountain ridge roller coaster, and a lake boat segment.
Dollywood is billing it as the “world's first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride.” An opening date has not yet been announced.
Are you planning a trip to Dollywood this year? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
