Central Florida has no shortage of theme parks. Mickey, Harry Potter, and plenty of roller coasters are never more than a short drive away. And yet every year, Florida travelers pack their bags and head north to a very different kind of park.
Dollywood sits in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on 160 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains. Dolly Parton opened it in 1986 and co-owns it with Herschend Family Entertainment. It is a place where coasters share space with blacksmiths, live music drifts out of every corner, and the welcome is famously warm.
The resort has grown well beyond the theme park. Dollywood Parks & Resorts now also includes Dollywood's Splash Country water park, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
For Orlando-area fans, Allegiant's nonstop flights from Sanford to Knoxville are one of the easiest ways to get there. On one special Friday this month, that flight became part of the vacation.
A Terminal Turned Smoky Mountain Hoedown
On Friday, November 6, Orlando Sanford International Airport rolled out the welcome mat for passengers on Allegiant's “Destination Dollywood” flights.
Travelers on Flights 925 and 2925 walked into a terminal that felt a lot more like Pigeon Forge than a typical airport. The Roberts Sisters played live, bringing Smoky Mountain sounds right into the terminal. There were interactive games, photo opportunities, and themed giveaways, including plush toys and Dollywood's signature kettle corn.
Dollywood characters Flit and Flutter were on hand to greet passengers at the gate. When it was time to go, they made their way onto the airfield ramp to give departing travelers a proper send-off.
Flight 925 departed for Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport at 12:47 p.m. Flight 2925 took off at 4:16 p.m. Once in the air, passengers on both flights were treated to Dollywood-themed in-flight entertainment.
Starting the Trip at the Front Door
The idea behind the event was to bring a bit of Dollywood's famous hospitality into the airport and onto the plane, so the trip felt special from the first step.
Nicole Martz, President and CEO of Orlando Sanford International Airport, explained it well. “We love seeing our travelers excited about where they're headed and we want them to feel that excitement the moment they walk through our doors,” she said.
“Destination Dollywood brings that spirit to life,” Martz added. “We're delighted to partner with Allegiant and Dollywood to bring some extra fun to the terminal and give our travelers a memorable start to their trip.”
Why 925? Thank a Dolly Classic
If the flight number sounds familiar, there is a reason. Flight 925 is a nod to “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton's iconic song from the 1980 movie 9 to 5, which she starred in with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dabney Coleman.
Allegiant announced the themed flight back in February, and fans jumped on it. According to Dollywood, the first flight sold out within days of the announcement and ranked among the fastest-selling flights in Allegiant's history.
That demand led to an encore. In March, Allegiant and Dollywood added Flight 2925 on the same date, giving more Orlando travelers a chance to join in.
The experience was also set up to continue in Tennessee. Dollywood said passengers who purchased park tickets would get a special experience at the park on Saturday, November 7, during its Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.
The Trio Behind the Takeoff
Three partners made Destination Dollywood happen, and each brings something different to the table.
Orlando Sanford International Airport is located in Sanford, roughly 20 miles north of Orlando. The Sanford Airport Authority owns and operates it. About 3.1 million passengers pass through each year, and the airport offers nonstop service to more than 70 destinations on six airlines.
Allegiant is headquartered in Las Vegas and is Sanford's largest carrier, as well as a longtime partner of the airport. The airline specializes in linking travelers from small and mid-sized communities with vacation destinations around the U.S.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts has been operating near the Great Smoky Mountains since 1986. Along with the Dollywood theme park, it includes Splash Country, DreamMore Resort and Spa, and HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Here's Hoping for an Encore
Airports are rarely anyone's favorite part of a vacation. Long lines, crowded gates, and overpriced snacks tend to be the norm. That is what makes something like Destination Dollywood so fun. It turned a routine Friday departure into a little celebration, complete with live music, kettle corn, and a send-off from Flit and Flutter on the airfield ramp.
We have not seen word yet on whether Allegiant and Dollywood plan to bring the themed flights back. Considering how fast the first one sold out, though, we would not be surprised if fans start asking.
Now we're curious. If you could design a themed flight to any park, which one would you pick, and what would you want waiting at the gate? Tell us in the comments. And if you were on Flight 925 or 2925, please share how it went. We'd love to hear every detail.
