Dollywood is gearing up for the 2026 season with a series of hiring events scheduled throughout January and February. The park is looking to fill hundreds of positions across its properties, including roles for the highly anticipated NightFlight Expedition ride opening next year.
The hiring push comes as Dollywood wraps up a holiday season that included some unexpected operational challenges. The Dollywood Express entered indefinite closure on December 20 due to unscheduled maintenance, shutting down one of the park’s most historic attractions during the busy Smoky Mountain Christmas period without a confirmed reopening date.
Despite these recent challenges, the park is moving forward with aggressive hiring for 2026, offering benefits that include 100 percent free tuition, free lunch every shift, and competitive wages.
Where and When to Apply
Available positions will be posted at dollywoodjobs.com starting January 5, 2026. The first major hiring event takes place January 17 at Sevier County High School from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Additional events are scheduled at:
- Morristown Landing: January 24, 9 AM – 3 PM
- Jefferson County High School: January 31, 9 AM – 3 PM
- Newport Community Center: February 7, 9 AM – 2 PM
- Sevierville Civic Center: February 14, 9 AM – 3 PM
- Seymour High School: February 21, 9 AM – 3 PM
Dollywood recommends attending the earliest event possible for the best selection of available positions. Most attendees get hired on the spot with positions at Dollywood, Splash Country, DreamMore Resort and Spa, or HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
What’s Available
Positions span all Dollywood properties and departments. The main park has openings for culinary and merchandise teams, ride operators, ticketing, transportation, and maintenance. Splash Country needs lifeguards, culinary staff, and grounds crew. The resort properties are hiring for food and beverage, front desk, valet, and housekeeping.
The big hiring focus for 2026 is NightFlight Expedition, the new indoor family attraction opening next season. Working on this opening team offers unique experience launching what Dollywood calls “the most anticipated new ride in Dollywood’s history.” The temperature-controlled indoor design means year-round operation, creating positions that extend beyond traditional seasonal work.
Jobs are available for the full 2026 operating season as well as shorter peak periods perfect for summer employment or holiday season work. Minimum age is 14 years old. Technical support will be available at events to help with the online application process.
The Benefits Package
Dollywood’s benefits stand out among regional employers. The headline offer is 100 percent free tuition through Herschend’s GROW U program, covering education costs for employees pursuing degrees or certifications. That’s a significant benefit that can save employees tens of thousands of dollars.
Every employee gets free lunch during working shifts and complimentary admission to Dollywood and Splash Country for family and friends. The Park Perks program extends discounts to numerous regional attractions beyond Dollywood properties.
Access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center provides convenient medical care. The park also pays a portion of childcare costs for employees using Upwards-affiliated providers, addressing a major expense for working families.
Full-time employees receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. Leadership development opportunities include an apprenticeship program with Walters State Community College, creating advancement pathways within the organization.
Recent Operational Issues
The Dollywood Express has operated since 1961, predating Dolly Parton’s 1986 acquisition of the park. Originally called Rebel Railroad, it became Gold Rush Junction in 1966, then the flagship attraction for Silver Dollar City Tennessee in 1976 before Parton took over and renamed everything Dollywood.
The attraction underwent scheduled maintenance in summer 2025, but whether those issues relate to the current closure remains unclear. Unexpected shutdowns during peak holiday periods create operational challenges requiring staff reallocation and constant guest communication about the unavailable attraction.
The situation demonstrates that even heritage attractions with decades of operational history can experience problems requiring extended repairs that can’t be quickly fixed despite maintenance team efforts.
What This Means for Job Seekers
Dollywood represents a major employment opportunity in the Smoky Mountain region, functioning as one of Sevier County’s largest employers. The 2026 season builds on the park’s 40th anniversary celebration throughout 2025, with NightFlight Expedition adding a significant new attraction that expands offerings while creating new job categories.
The multi-event hiring strategy provides flexibility for applicants to attend at convenient times. Dollywood also posts new opportunities throughout the year at dollywoodjobs.com beyond these scheduled events, creating ongoing employment pathways.
For students, the combination of flexible scheduling and free tuition makes Dollywood attractive for funding education while gaining work experience. For families, the childcare assistance and healthcare access address major household expenses. Full-time career seekers get comprehensive benefits with advancement opportunities through leadership programs.
The recent operational challenges with the Dollywood Express don’t appear to be affecting the park’s growth plans or employment needs. If anything, expanding operations with new attractions like NightFlight Expedition requires additional staffing to maintain service levels guests expect from an award-winning theme park destination.
