For the uninformed observer, a visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is little more than a chance to enjoy some world-class rides and have some delicious food. However, to the keen eye there are secrets to be discovered everywhere, many of them inspired by the park's namesake.
"Dolly Parton's influences are found throughout the 130-acre Dollywood family adventure park," Dollywood Public Relations Manager Pete Owens says. "Her creativity as well as her fond childhood remembrances of what it would be like to be a star inspire many of Dollywood's attractions and add to the uniqueness that is found only at Dollywood."
For instance, few pay much attention to the names on park buildings, but many have great significance to Parton.
Temple's Warehouse & Dry Goods, located across from the train depot, was named for Sevierville icons Jimmy and Marie Temple. The Temples owned a similar store in downtown Sevierville when Parton was a child and Jimmy was known for conducting weddings on the site.
Granny Ogle's Ham 'n Beans is named for the mother of Dolly's best friend, Judy Ogle, while both Apple Jack's and Old Flames Candle Shop get their names from a pair of Parton's songs.
In the park's Jukebox Junction, visitors can find at least three locations that have been given Parton's touch.
Sevierville's former Pines Theater played host to Parton's first public performance in the mid-1950s.
"With the addition of Dollywood's Jukebox Junction, it was only fitting that the new theater in this 1950s-themed area be named the Pines Theater," Owens said.
Diagonally across from the Pines is Red's Diner, named for the Sevierville restaurant in which Parton had her first hamburger. Directly across from Red's is Cas Walker's General store, which was named in tribute of the Knoxville entrepreneur who gave Parton her first break in television.
The chapel in the park is named for Dr. Robert F. Thomas, a Methodist missionary who came to Sevier County and delivered Parton. It plays host to a pair of weekly worship services, one for park employees and the other open to the public.
Come mealtime, many park visitors find themselves drawn to the enticing aroma of home cooking at Aunt Granny's, the park's most popular restaurant. Most who visit the place probably do not realize the restaurant is named for Parton herself. Her nieces and nephews gave her the Aunt Granny nickname, Owens said.
In the park itself it is possible to visit at least 15 decades of Smoky Mountain history, if you pay attention. That's because each portion of the park is themed for a different time period in Parton's beloved mountain home.
It starts with Craftsman's Valley carrying an 1800s theme and advances to Rivertown, modeled after 1880-1900. Country Fair and Timber Canyon are intended to portray the area from 1890 to 1930, while the Victorian portion of the park (Showstreet, Market Square, the Village and parts of Rivertown) depicts 1890-1910. Jukebox Junction fills out the time travel, bringing alive 1950s Sevierville. Dreamland Forest and Adventures in Imagination depict the timelessness of dreams and imagination.
Speaking of Dreamland Forest, it's home to America's largest interactive tree house, while Timber Canyon hosts the top wooden roller coaster in the nation two years running. The park is filled with superlatives like these for those who pay attention.
It's no secret that there is a replica of Parton's childhood home in the park, but few realize that the Backporch Theater is actually built as the back porch of the replica. The theater plays host to the Kinfolks Show, which features Parton's actual uncles, Bill and Lewis, and cousins, Dale and Dwight.
There are secrets like these all over the park that enhance the experience of visitors in the know, Owens said.
Of course, for all the Dollywood secrets park officials are willing to spill, there's one that's very closely guarded - what's next. Though Owens admits plans for next year, including the possibility for a new ride, are developing daily, he said the public will likely have to wait until July to hear about them.
"We've got an idea of what we want to do," Owens said. "There are still some decisions we have to make. When we do reveal our plans, though, I think folks will be very excited about what we have in mind."