By John Gullion

Tribune Managing Editor

It was the beginning of a new era, or as Dollywood President Eugene Naughton called it; a second act.

Dollywood began the process of creating a life after Dolly Wednesday afternoon with a press conference at the HeartSong Theater that laid out the park’s short-term plans to honor their Dream maker-in-chief and reassure the park’s fans that though the vision leader has gone on, the vision remains.

“I know this week has been terribly difficult for everyone, but I’ve been reminiscing on some of my favorite stories with Dolly and you all have seen a lot of times when we were on stage together, I just never quite knew where she was gonna take it,” Naughton said. “And honestly that’s some of the funnest times that I’ve ever had in my life, getting a chance to be alongside of her. It was quite a dream.

“Dolly would be telling us to get back to work,” he said. “She knew what she wanted Dollywood to be.”

Naughton explained some of the initiatives that will help the park further honor Dolly Parton’s life and legacy.

An inspirational setting for both Dolly and generations of Dollywood guests, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel will receive new elements that reflect Dolly’s faith and connection to the Smoky Mountains.

A cascading mountainside waterfall will be added just outside the chapel’s front steps, creating a peaceful setting for guests to pause, reflect and enjoy the natural beauty that inspired so much of Dolly’s life and work. The chapel also will receive new stained-glass windows commissioned to reflect Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV), the Bible verse that resonated deeply with Dolly: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Inspired by Dolly’s love for the Smokies and the many seasons of her life and career, the windows depict the changing seasons of the mountains.

Asked if Parton was aware of the plans for a waterfall in her honor before she passed, Naughton explained that Parton’s leadership style was to let them follow her inspiration rather than her direction.

“She gave me the inspiration of time,” Naughton said. “I always communicated with her about what her wishes were. The favorite thing I had about Dolly and her leadership style is that she never told me what to do, but she always inspired me to do the right thing. And so, the waterfall is that for us.”

In Wildwood Grove, there will be a new character that is inspired by Parton’s Imagination Library which shared books and the gift of reading to millions of children in East Tennessee, the United State and beyond.

None of Dolly’s accomplishments speak more profoundly to her love for children and her belief in the power of imagination than her founding of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program has gifted more than 330 million books to children around the world and is the largest children’s literacy program of its kind. To celebrate this important part of Dolly’s work and to inspire the next generation of dreamers, a new character, the Dream Maker, will come to Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove area in 2027. Through stories and interactive experiences, the Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up through courage and kindness. The Dream Maker and her Dream Wagon will give children an opportunity to share their own dreams, hear stories inspired by Dolly and discover that dreams can become even more meaningful when they are shared with others.

Special kiosks also will be located throughout Wildwood Grove, giving guests a place to share their own thoughts and notes about how Dolly inspired them to dream their own big dreams.

The bridge to The Dolly Parton Experience will be enhanced, creating a portal to will welcome guests into the attraction’s immersive collection of moments, stories and memorabilia. The new entrance will provide a fitting gateway to the area dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Dollywood’s Dreamer-in-Chief.

Dollywood Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Pete Owens explained.

 “The first thing that we’re going to be doing is put a true portal into the Dolly Parton Experience that will allow really a very defined entrance. It will help define the experience,” he said. “And then within the Dolly Parton Experience, we will have a new finale withing the SongTeller Experience. And within Precious Memories, which sets within the lobby of the DreamSong Theater, there are six videos that are there of Dolly speaking about important people in her family and friends and other people that have been included over many years. We’re going to give the family a chance to do. She spoke about them and now we’ll give them a chance to speak of her. That will enter the rotation in the Precious Memories.

“That will be a sweet tribute.”

They also discussed a Sevierville plan to honor places that were important in her life with “In Dolly’s Footsteps,” Special walking-tour markers will be placed at locations throughout Sevierville that Dolly and her family frequented in her youth, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the places and experiences that helped shape her. One of the markers was on display for media during the announcement.

There has been some expressing concern that with Dolly gone, changes might be coming to the park.

Naughton said the vision is in place – with Dolly’s input – for years to come.

“Our dream-maker-in-chief really taught us well,” he said. “Believe me you, she gave us the gift of time to be able to prepare what was gonna eventually be happening here. The foundations of this being a great place for family’s to come? That will never go away. Her love of music and her love specifically of live music, the chance to bring those stories to life here will always be at of who we are as a company.

“We talked all the time about our future. She didn’t really get into daily operations, that wasn’t really her thing, but she always lit up when we talked about the future. We have plans all the way through 2036 that she laid emphasis on for us as a leadership team and I’m really confident in that. When I first joined the company, you heard us talk about a half a billion dollar investment strategy that we’re going to be carrying forward. In that we talked about a total of five resorts to be added on our property. You’ll love to know that resorts three, four and five and the outdoor resort all planned on stories that Dolly has already approved. Because it’s really important for her, and for us, in looking out to the future. She was really special at that for us. So, I’m confident we’re not only going to be the same but if she were looking down right here on me with lightning bolts, she’d be kicking my rear if I didn’t say we’re going to get better every day.”

Owens agreed that Dollywood will remain strong with Dolly’s spirit.

“Whether we did anything or not, Dolly’s spirit is here and will ever be here. But we feel as if there are some opportunities for us to honor her,” he said.