Dollywood Stays True to Family Roots While Disney Grapples With Intense Mature Content Debate

Dolly Parton recently spoke about her family-oriented Dollywood resort with the iconic “Islands in the Stream” singer’s words coming just a few weeks after Disney’s R-rated controversy at their original theme park.

The Dollywood Resort, nestled in Pigeon Forge near the Great Smoky Mountain range in Tennessee, is one of America’s most beloved theme park destinations.

Co-owned by singer Dolly Parton and Herschend Entertainment, Dollywood has attractions like the Lightning Rod, destinations like the new Dolly Parton Experience, Southern-style eateries, and the famous cinnamon bread from the Grist Mill.

The resort is undergoing major operational changes as it prepares to host its annual Harvest Festival, which commences on September 9, 2024. As such, entire days are currently unavailable, and all other days will operate at reduced opening times until the seasonal event begins.

Parton recently stepped away from touring to help care for her husband, Carl Dean, and recently spoke with Travel + Leisure about what Dollywood offers.

“When you come to Dollywood, everybody has a different agenda,” the musician told the outlet at the newly opened HeartSong Lodge & Resort earlier this year. “We’ve got some of everything—it all depends on how you want to spend your day.”

Parton discussed the food and merchandise offerings, with the report noting the cultural significance of the new Dolly Parton Experience. The experience opened on May 24 and features exhibits like Songteller: Dolly’s Journey, “which [documents] her path from her modest Sevierville roots to becoming one of the most beloved country performers of all time.”

Not only did Parton comment on what is on offer at Dollywood, but she also divulged her feelings on what the message guests read when exiting the Dollywood theme park and the Splash Country water park–a sign that reads “I Will Always Love You,” which, of course, is a direct reference to her iconic 1974 song.

“They’re going to see on the way in that they’re going to have a lot of fun,” Parton told Travel + Leisure. “But when they’re worn out and ready to go back to their rooms or wherever they come from, it’s like, ‘Dolly loves us. She said thank you in her own little way.’ I love the little touches that make the people feel like I’ve said something personal to them on their way out.”

“Growing up hard myself, I know that it’s not easy to save up enough money to take the whole family to a park. It’s a lot of work, so I appreciate every bit of that,” she continued.

Interestingly, Dollywood ranks, in some cases, as more popular than the likes of Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Experiences flagship resort in Orlando, Central Florida. Many guests have felt Disney’s price increases across the board, so for Dolly Parton, the co-owner of a rival park, to speak so candidly about her guests gives Dollywood a significant edge against the Mouse–that there is a person behind the brand.

Related: Dollywood Jeopardy: Dolly Parton Cuts Ties With Company After Gross Illegal Activity Uncovered

Not only did Dolly reveal her opinion on what it means to go to a theme park, but she also shared her favorite thing about Dollywood.

“I’m real proud of the fact that this is very family-oriented,” she said.

Now, when it comes to Disney parks across the globe, a family-friendly environment is built into the very ethos of each destination. Walt Disney did say that what he wanted most was for Disneyland to be a happy place; “a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonders of life, of adventure, and feel better because of it.”

However, a recent addition to Anaheim’s second theme park caused a controversy many are still reeling from.

What did Disney do?

Following the release of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) in movie theaters this July, Disney Experiences did what it has done in the past and debuted new characters in the theme parks. There’s been Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian, Loki from Loki, and then came Deadpool.

Deadpool is well-known to be firmly situated in the R-rated category so his appearance in the family-friendly Disneyland Resort raised eyebrows.

As previously reported, Deadpool’s appearance at the park damaged guest trust and loyalty.

“Deadpool is the first character from an R-rated project to appear in a Disney theme park, so it should come as no surprise that there’s been some backlash to his debut,” Inside the Magic wrote. “Some parents have taken his appearance as proof that Disney is trying to foist the explicit franchise upon their children, while others have taken issue with some of the more adult jokes the character has made in the park.”

Related: Disneyland Park Abruptly Shuts Down, Denies Entry to Thousands of Guests

One of the more controversial jokes came during Deadpool’s interaction with other Marvel characters at Disney California Adventure Park, where Avengers Campus resides. The Merc with a Mouth lived up to his namesake by alluding to a dating app on Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr. in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) cellphone.

“What do we have here?” Deadpool said. “We’ve got the Disney Parks app, Instagram, TikTok, Tinder, Grindr. Wow, Mr Stark, I love your new profile picture.”

Many comments flooded in on the captured video footage, and most were not impressed with Deadpool talking about Grindr, the gay dating app, in his performance. Comments included Disney fans claiming that Deadpool does not belong in the Disney parks, as well as one fan who said, “Disney went from being the most trusted family brand to sex-obsessed perverts in the blink of an eye.”

With Deadpool now in the parks–he can also be found at Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be Disney Adventure World) at Disneyland Paris–Disney has now opened this door for more adult-targeted characters going forward.

Related: The Dollywood Decline: New Park Overtakes Dolly Parton as America’s Favorite

There won’t be any Deadpools at Dollywood, though, that’s for sure.

Why do you think Disney introduced Deadpool at the parks? Do you think Dollywood is truly fully family-oriented? Let us know in the comments down below!