Have you ever been to Dollywood? If so, then you’re among the countless fun-loving fans who have enjoyed the theme park’s popular attractions. You’ve likely also done something that Dolly Parton herself hasn’t done, which is ride the roller coasters.
While that might be surprising, it turns out that the country music legend has a few good reasons why she refuses to do so. She also noted what might change her mind and finally convince her to give it a go.
One Reason Dolly Avoids Rides Goes Back to Her Childhood
Despite the fact that “Parton has been co-owner of Dollywood, the whimsical Tennessee theme park named in her honor, for 40 years,” according to People, she “isn’t a fan of riding the park’s many attractions” for a few key reasons.
“I don’t like to ride the rides, everybody knows that about me,” Parton noted during an interview with Peachtree TV in 2023. She explained what that is, saying, “I have a tendency to have motion sickness. And then I’m a little bit claustrophobic. I don’t like to be closed in. And I just think ‘Well, I just have too much to lose.'”
On top of that, she added a couple of other cheeky reasons, pointing out that her chest could be exposed while on a ride, or her “hair could fall off.” She claimed, “Any number of things could happen to me on those rides.”
Frankly, Parton’s dislike of rides goes back to when she was a little girl. In March, she delivered a speech at Dollywood, and recalled, “I used to get sick on the merry-go-round as a kid on the playground.”
However, when a new Dollywood ride called NightFlight Expedition was announced in September 2025, she admitted, “I usually don’t ride the rides, but this one sounds so magical, I might just check that one out.”
For those whose interest has been piqued, NightFlight Expedition is “the first ride of its kind in the world,” according to the Dollywood website, and is described as an “all-indoor ride experience” that “takes you soaring over the Smoky Mountains, gliding across shimmering bioluminescent waters, and navigating dramatic landscapes in one unforgettable journey.
Dollywood Offers ‘Rides Tailored for Every Thrill Level’
If you haven’t been to Dollywood, then you might not realize that the popular place to spend a day with friends and family “spans 125 acres of entertainment, innovation, and Appalachian charm,” according to Venture Smoky Mountains. “Attracting over 2.5 million visitors annually, this award-winning theme park blends thrilling rides, world-class shows, regional heritage, and warm Southern hospitality — all set against the picturesque backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains.”
“Among its 30+ rides, Dollywood features several cutting-edge attractions, including the groundbreaking FireChaser Express, the nation’s first dual-launch roller coaster that travels both forward and backward,” Venture Smoky Mountains explains. “For water lovers, Dollywood’s Splash Country — located on a neighboring 25-acre site — offers an array of attractions including RiverRush, Tennessee’s first water coaster, which provides a gravity-defying ride with both uphill climbs and downhill plunges.”
That’s not to mention other rides like the Barnstormer, Big Bear Mountain, Dragonflier and Drop Line, as well as Tennessee Tornado, Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle, just to name a few. That’s not to mention the adorable Busy Bees, Black Bear Trail, Lucky Ducky and Frogs & Fireflies rides for kids.
Venture Smoky Mountains notes that “[f]amilies will find rides tailored for every thrill level, from gentle adventures for young children to heart-pounding roller coasters for the brave.” Indeed, “[w]hether you’re visiting for the adrenaline or the ambiance, Dollywood promises an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages.”
