Dollywood has officially been named the Favorite Theme Park in America once again by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, continuing an impressive streak for the Tennessee destination.
The recognition comes as part of NAPHA’s 40th annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey, where Dollywood has now held the top spot since 2022.
And honestly, at this point, it’s getting harder and harder to argue against it.
Why Dollywood Continues Standing Out
Unlike many theme park awards that rely heavily on marketing or public voting campaigns, NAPHA’s survey comes directly from longtime theme park enthusiasts who collectively visit hundreds of parks around the world. According to the organization, the average member has visited more than 110 different parks.
That’s what makes this recognition especially interesting.
Dollywood continues winning because guests consistently point to the same things:
- Friendly employees
- Cleanliness
- Strong value
- Atmosphere
- Guest experience
And honestly, that tracks with what so many people say after visiting.
There’s something about Dollywood that feels different from larger corporate parks. It feels more personal, more welcoming, and a little less chaotic in the best possible way.
Awards Keep Piling Up
This latest recognition adds to a growing list of recent honors for the park and resort destination.
In recent years, Dollywood has also earned:
- Tripadvisor’s #1 Theme Park in the U.S. multiple times
- Golden Ticket Awards for Best Guest Experience, Best Kids’ Area, and Best Family Coaster
- Forbes recognition for Top Customer Service among U.S. theme parks
- Multiple workplace culture and employee awards in 2026
It’s honestly rare to see a park consistently score highly with both guests and employees at the same time.
Flower & Food Festival Is Happening Now
The award news also arrives during Dollywood’s annual Flower & Food Festival, running through June 7.
The festival features more than one million blooms, large-scale Mosaiculture displays, seasonal food offerings, live entertainment, and spring-themed experiences throughout both the park and resort hotels.
If you’ve never seen Dollywood during this festival, it’s genuinely one of the prettiest seasonal park events anywhere in the country. The landscaping alone is honestly kind of ridiculous in the best way possible.
Dollywood’s Growth Isn’t Slowing Down
Over the last decade, Dollywood has quietly transformed from a regional favorite into one of the most respected theme park destinations in the industry.
Between the expansion of Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, DreamMore Resort, major attraction investments, and seasonal festivals, the entire destination feels like it’s operating on a completely different level than it was even ten years ago.
And somehow, despite all the growth, it still manages to keep the charm and warmth that made people fall in love with it in the first place.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.