The Tennessee-Based Amusement Park Bested Disney, Universal, And More
If you’ve been to Dollywood, then you know how unique the amusement park nestled within Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, truly is.
Named after its co-owner, country icon Dolly Parton, Dollywood has something for attendees of all ages, with rides suitable for everyone from toddlers to thrill-seeking adults. The park also features live music, shops and diners, a church, and more.
Now, Dollywood has been voted the top amusement park in the country.
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards
In the 2025 edition of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which aims to guide prospective travelers to the “best of the best things to do,” the category on Amusement & Water Parks in the United States did not see a Disney or Universal park at the top.
Instead, it was Dollywood.
Detailing how the distinction was made, Tripadvisor’s website states:
“The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.”
Here is the top 10 amusement parks on the 2025 Traveler’s Choice Awards:
- Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, TN
- Magic Kingdom Park, in Bay Lake, FL
- Knoebels Amusement Resort, in Elysburg, PA
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in Bay Lake, FL
- Universal Islands of Adventure, in Orlando, FL
- Fun Spot America, in Kissimmee, FL
- LEGOLAND California, in Carlsbad, CA
- Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando, FL
- Silver Dollar City, in Branson, MO
- Whale’s Tale Waterpark, in Lincoln, NH
See the full top 20, and learn more about the Travelers’ Choice Awards, at the Tripadvisor website.
Nearly 40 Years Of Dollywood
Next year, 2026 will mark 40 years of Dollywood, which was established in 1986 — and the celebration has already begun.
While speaking with the Today Show earlier this year about this milestone, Dolly was asked about how an amusement park factored into her vision for her own life back in the ‘80s.
Dolly replied, “I used to think, even in my early days, if I made it big — if I was successful as I was dreamin’ — I thought, ‘Well, I would love to have something wonderful in my home area for my people.’”
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Dollywood provides 4,000 jobs to local residents in the Pigeon Forge area that Dolly grew up knowing as home, having been born in Pittman Center, TN, which borders Gatlinburg.
Watch a 1986 spot on the Today Show dedicated to the opening of Dollywood, here:
Watch a 1987 TV commercial for Dollywood, which features Dolly singing a jingle about the park, here:
Plan your trip to Dollywood by visiting the Dollywood website.