Dolly Parton is on the hunt for a larger trophy case. Dollywood was the top winner at the 2024 Golden Ticket Awards. Not only did the Pigeon Forge attraction earn five regular awards , it also won a special legend award in a festive category that Dollywood has dominated for so long the category is being retired.
Dollywood won more awards than any other theme park in the world at the prestigious Sept. 7 event, which is like the Oscars of the amusement park industry.
Though Dollywood did not repeat a win for best park in the world – which it received for the first time last year – the theme park was the runner-up to Germany’s Europa-Park, making Dollywood the No. 1 theme park in the United States.
“With all of the awards we’ve won the last few years, I think we’re going to have to get a larger trophy case,” Parton joked in a press release. “Awards are nice to receive, but we don’t do what we do to win awards. We want to be the place where families want to return time and time again to make new memories they will always treasure.”
Dollywood President Eugene Naughton told Knox News last month that award recognition makes the Dollywood crew work even harder to provide guests a thrilling experience that exceeds their expectations.
“There is a great sense of pride for everyone each time we learn about another of these accolades,” Naughton said. “We all work for Dolly Parton, who I believe is one of the most loved people on the entire planet. We all want to provide an experience that is worthy of her.”
Dollywood wins big at the 2024 Golden Ticket Awards
Dollywood took home five awards at this year’s Golden Ticket Awards. which are presetned by Amusement Today. The park also was named a finalist in three categories and received the legend award in a now-retired category.
- Best Family Coaster: Big Bear Mountain | Second consecutive win
- Best Kids’ Area: Wildwood Grove | Fifth consecutive win
- Best Guest Experience: Dollywood | Fifth consecutive win
- Most Beautiful Park: Dollywood | Last won in 2021
- Best New Show (new category): “From the Heart – The Life and Music of Dolly Parton”
The park earned a legend status award for the best Christmas event category, which is being retired after 15 consecutive wins by Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. No. 2 in best park category.
Other 2024 honors include No. 4 in best wooden roller coaster (Thunderhead) and No. 5 in best water park (Splash Country).
“With more wins than any other park on the planet, Dollywood demonstrates how the commitment to quality experiences truly matters,” Amusement Today spokesperson Tim Baldwin said in a release.
“It’s not just a park that caters only to thrill seekers. All ages enjoy an incredible visit, whether you like rides, entertainment, food or just being in someplace special. There’s a magic that is evident at the park,” Baldwin continued.
Where does Dollywood rank in roller coasters?
Three of Dollywood’s roller coasters made the 2024 Golden Ticket lists of top 50 steel and wooden coasters in the world.
- Thunderhead (No. 4) | Wooden coaster
- Lightning Rod (No. 22 tie) | Steel coaster
- Big Bear Mountain (No. 32 tie) | Steel coaster
The Golden Ticket Awards began in 1998 and are voted on by hundreds of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans, industry journalists and ride manufacturers from around the world, according to a press release.
The 2024 ceremony was held at Kennywood, a 125-year-old amusement park just outside of Pittsburgh. Dollywood hosted the annual ceremony last year.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com . On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208 .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dollywood wins big at the Oscars for theme parks again. Here’s how many awards it won
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