Beloved theme park ranked No. 1 in the US — besting even Disney and Universal fun spots: ‘Above-and-beyond reviews'
Tripadvisor has named the top amusement park in the U.S. — and it's not in Disney or Universal.
In its 2025 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards this week, Dollywood was named No. 1 in the Amusement & Water Parks category.
Advertisement
The Appalachian-themed park co-founded by the legend Dolly Parton bested Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Universal Studios this year.
5 Dollywood was named No. 1 in the Amusement & Water Parks category.
Jacob Biba for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Dollywood is located in the Great Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and features rides, an adjoining water park and a museum showcasing Parton's costumes and memorabilia.
Advertisement
This isn't the first time Parton's amusement park, which opened to the public in 1986, has landed in the No. 1 spot — according to Knoxville News Sentinel, Dollywood has earned the top spot three times in four years.
It's also been named one of the top 25 amusement parks in the world at No. 11 — and it's the only park in North America to make the top 15 on the international list.
5 Dolly Parton at Dollywood in 1993.'This award is humbling,' Dollywood President Eugene Naughton said in a statement to the outlet, 'because it is derived from real reviews left by our actual guests describing their time here at our parks and resorts.'
Advertisement
Dollywood was also named America's favorite theme park for the third year in a row this past May by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.
Disney World's Magic Kingdom came in second place, and Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania ranked No. 3.
The ranking by Tripadvisor is based on 'above-and-beyond reviews and opinions' from the site's community over 12 months, the website said, adding that out of the 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve the milestone.
5 The Chasing Rainbows theater at Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Advertisement
5 The Dollywood Express steam locomotive carries guests throughout Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
'We've earned a number of honors this year from national organizations, and it is all due to the hard work of our hosts who ensure our guests feel welcome and cared for while they are here,' Naughton continued.
5 Park guests ride the Smoky Mountain River Rampage at Dollywood.
Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
'We feel – and these awards continue to show – the Dollywood Parks and Resorts experience truly is best in class.'
'We don't provide the best guest experience in the country to try to win these awards. We do it because it is the right thing to do,' he added when speaking to the Daily Mail.
Tripadvisor's top 15 amusement & water parks in the United States
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
25 minutes ago
- New York Post
Putin's ‘secret daughter' laments father who killed ‘millions' and ‘destroyed' her life as she pivots to support Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged secret daughter spoke out against her father in a cryptic post condemning the man who 'destroyed' her and 'took millions of lives.' Elizaveta Krivonogikh, a 22-year-old art school graduate living in Paris who is believed to Putin's youngest daughter, shared the messages on her private Telegram, in line with her increasing openness on Instagram as she's started to share more images of herself. 4 22-year-old Elizaveta Krivonogoikh is supposedly Vladimir Putin's secret love child. social media Advertisement 'It's liberating to be able to show my face to the world again,' she wrote, Bild reported. 'It reminds me of who I am and who destroyed my life,' she added. The Telegram chat, dubbed 'Art of Luiza,' references her work pseudonym Luiza Rozova. Advertisement Krivonogikh didn't explicitly name Putin in either post, but has also never shot down the popular theories surrounding her true parentage. The budding artist was born in 2003 after a suspected affair between Putin and her mother, Svetlana, the president's then-housekeeper. 4 Putin has never confirmed the rumored love child. POOL/AFP via Getty Images The bombshell was first revealed after a 2020 investigation by Russian media outlet Proekt, citing her 'phenomenal resemblance' to Putin. He isn't listed on her birth certificate, but 'Vladimirovna' was included, translating to 'daughter of Vladimir.' Advertisement In 2021, slain journalist and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny exposed Krivonogikh's Instagram, which highlighted her life of luxury and her family's staggering wealth that many have attributed to their connection with the disgraced Russian president. 4 Krivonogikh returned to social media and slammed her rumored father. Instagram / luizaroz__ While Krivonogikh originally celebrated life in the spotlight, she retreated after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2021 and her Instagram was suddenly shut down. She's since returned, but was more reserved at first, hiding her face in many photos. She's now seemingly changed her tune — and swapped sides on the devastating war after previously mourning her inability to 'make an extra lap around my beloved St. Petersburg.' Advertisement Krivonogikh has since denounced her previous Gucci-encrusted lifestyle of obscene wealth and speaks openly against her supposed father's massacre in Ukraine while working in a Parisian art gallery specializing in anti-war works. 4 Krivonogikh also denounced Putin's invasion of Ukraine. AP Krivonogikh also adopted an extra pseudonym, Elizaveta Rudnova, inspired by Putin's late ally Oleg Rudnov — a cheeky stab at her elusive parentage. Still, critics of Putin haven't quite bought her reshaped image and insist that she shouldn't be working in a space where she could be interacting with Ukrainians, regardless of her stance. 'Am I really responsible for the activities of my family, who can't even hear me?' Krivonogikh wrote. Putin is also rumored to share two secret sons, a 10-year-old and a 6-year-old, with his former gymnast fling and Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
'King of the Hill' revival honors Jonathan Joss with tribute
Jonathan Joss' memory lives on. The late 'King of the Hill' voice actor, who was shot and killed on June 1 in San Antonio, Texas, was honored Monday with an on-screen tribute at the end of the animated sitcom's Season 14 finale. 'In Loving Memory… JONATHAN JOSS,' the tribute read alongside photos of Joss and his 'King of the Hill' character, John Redcorn. Advertisement 9 'King of the Hill' star Jonathan Joss was honored with an on-screen tribute at the end of the animated sitcom's Season 14 finale. Hulu 9 Jonathan Joss joined 'King of the Hill' in 1996 as the character John Redcorn. Hulu Joss was fatally shot outside his home on June 1 following an alleged fight with his neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. He was 59. Advertisement The beloved actor, who also appeared in shows like 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Tulsa King,' was reportedly found lying 'near the roadway' when authorities were dispatched to a shooting in progress and arrested Alvarez. Although police claimed Alvarez confessed to shooting and killing Joss, he was released on June 2 on a $200K bail bond. 9 Jonathan Joss was shot and killed on June 1 outside his home in San Antonio, Texas. Facebook/Jonathan Joss 9 Jonathan Joss' neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, allegedly confessed to killing the 'King of the Hill' voice actor. Getty Images Advertisement Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Joss' husband, who was with the actor at the time of his death, has claimed that the 'King of the Hill' star was a victim of a homophobic hate crime. 'He was laughing,' Kern de Gonzales alleged after the shooting. 'He mocked me for telling my husband that I loved him and used the same homophobic slurs.' 'I was just really looking down at my husband, focused on him, making sure that he had completely crossed over,' Joss' husband added. 9 Jonathan Joss with his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales. Facebook/Jonathan Joss Advertisement Although the San Antonio Police Department originally said that their investigation discovered 'no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation,' Chief of Police William McManus later walked back that initial statement. 'That was way, way, way, premature,' McManus said during a subsequent press conference. 'We shouldn't have done it. It was way too soon before we had any real information. And I will own that.' 'I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the tragic loss of Mr. Joss, which has been heavily felt,' he added. 'Our homicide detectives are continuing to pursue every lead in this case to ensure that we understand the full picture of what led up to the senseless murder of Mr. Joss.' 9 Jonathan Joss in a photo posted to Facebook on April 2, 2025. Facebook/Jonathan Joss 9 Jonathan Joss as Chief Ken Hotate in 'Parks and Recreation.' NBC Joss joined 'King of the Hill' after Victor Aaron, the original voice actor for John Redcorn, passed away in a car crash in September 1996. He remained on the animated sitcom until its 13th season in 2009, and was set to reprise his role as John Redcorn for the revival, which was released in its entirety on Monday, Aug. 4, on Hulu, according to People. However, Joss was reportedly escorted out of a 'King of the Hill' panel at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, on May 30 after he tried to talk to the show's co-creators, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. Advertisement The 'True Grit' actor was gunned down just two days later. 9 Jonathan Joss in a video posted to Instagram on March 11, 2025. Instagram/@originalredcorn 9 Candles, flowers, and notes are placed at a makeshift memorial in San Antonio on June 5, 2025, for Jonathan Joss. AP Advertisement 'Rest in peace, Jonathan Joss,' Judge, Daniels and Saladin Patterson wrote on Instagram after Joss' death. 'Jonathan brought King of the Hill's 'John Redcorn' to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival.' 'His voice will be missed at King of the Hill,' they added, 'and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan's friends and family.'
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Margaret Qualley bares all in NYC as she reveals why she ‘felt really lonely' before Jack Antonoff
Margaret Qualley is shedding more than just her clothes. In a new cover story for Cosmopolitan's Fall 2025 issue, published Monday, the 'Poor Things' starlet opened up about her husband, Jack Antonoff, and how she felt before they met. 'In every other relationship I've ever been in, I still felt really lonely because I wasn't with my person, and it's like I was seeking something,' Qualley, 30, began. 'I don't feel like that anymore. Jack makes me feel safe and comfortable.' Advertisement 9 Margaret Qualley on the cover of Cosmopolitan's new Fall 2025 issue. Alana OHerlihy for Cosmopolitan 9 The 'Substance' starlet posing for pictures around NYC for Cosmopolitan's Fall 2025 issue. Alana OHerlihy for Cosmopolitan 'I spent so many years trying to be someone's perfect girl, and that girl changed over and over again,' she continued. 'But I can't lie to Jack. I can't be that for him – he'd see through it. So I just have to be myself. He's been the person I've pictured my whole life. And I'm not even saying that metaphorically.' Advertisement The 'Substance' actress also revealed how she and the Bleachers frontman, who married in 2023, first connected. 'Falling in love with Jack was the biggest feeling I've ever felt. We met right as COVID was ending, at the first party I'd been to,' Qualley shared. 9 Margaret Qualley posing for pictures around NYC for Cosmopolitan's new Fall 2025 issue. Alana OHerlihy for Cosmopolitan 9 Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley attend the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images Advertisement 'We saw each other on a roof, and we just started talking and never stopped,' she added. 'We went on a series of walks throughout the city that summer.' Although the 'Honey Don't!' actress admitted that she 'fell in love' with Antonoff, 41, shortly after they first met, she claimed that he was the one to say 'I love you' first. 'He did, obviously,' Qualley began. 'I'm very old-school about stuff like this. I would never put myself out there first.' 'I never text twice. I mean, now we're married and I can text him anything at any time. We're always having a conversation; he's like my human diary,' she added. 'But before we were together, at the beginning, I would always follow Southern girl etiquette.' Advertisement 9 Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff attend the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024, in Elmont, New York. Getty Images for MTV The 'Happy Gilmore 2' actress admitted it didn't hurt that Antonoff looks a lot like her first-ever Hollywood crush. 'My first crush was Adam Sandler in 'Happy Gilmore' and 'Big Daddy,' and I've been looking for that essence my whole life,' she said. 'I'm like, 'That's Jack.'' As for her idea of 'healthy love,' Qualley said that it is 'like there's always a ground below you' and that she makes a point to perform in projects that feature her concept of 'healthy love.' 'You can't fall very far because you're going to be caught,' the 'Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood' actress said. 9 Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley attend the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images for The Recording Academy 'But love is also hard. It's why I feel inspired to make movies about love, whether it's platonic or romantic or whatever,' she continued. 'The kind of thing I would be proud to show my kids one day.' Elsewhere during her interview with Cosmopolitan, Qualley opened up about her former model-turned-actress mother, Andie MacDowell. Advertisement More than 40 years before Qualley posed for photos around New York for the magazine's latest issue, MacDowell, 67, did the same for the outlet's September 1982 cover. 'It's iconic—she looks amazing,' Qualley said of her mom's shoot. 9 Margaret Qualley and her mom, actress Andie MacDowell, attend the AFI Awards Luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire on March 11, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images While her mother starred in movies like 'Groundhog Day' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral,' and her father, Paul J. Qualley, 67, was also a model, Qualley started her career all on her own when she left home for the big city while still just a teenager. Advertisement 'I moved to New York City at 16, when I got into a summer program at the American Ballet Theatre,' the 'My Salinger Year' star recalled. 'Although I didn't watch Dance Moms, that was very much the world I grew up in.' 'But I realized I was just not good enough to be a dancer, and I'll never be perfect at it,' she admitted. 'And if I'm not going to be the best, I don't think it's worth pursuing.' 9 Andie MacDowell, Rainey Qualley, Paul Qualley and Margaret Qualley at the NYC premiere of 'Just the Ticket' in 1998. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images It was then that Qualley began modeling. Advertisement 'I got a modeling job and was able to pay my rent,' she said. 'And I was like, 'I could just stay here.' I sent my mom a long email: 'Found a school. Got a job. What do you think?'' However, it wasn't always easy for Qualley, who didn't make her acting debut until the 2013 film 'Palo Alto' or gain real recognition until the HBO drama series 'The Leftovers' one year later. 9 Margaret Qualley attends the 30th annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on February 7, 2025, in Santa Monica, California. Getty Images for Critics Choice Association 'I was 16 years old, alone in the city. It felt terrifying,' she shared. 'Other kids were going home to their parents and their tutors, and I was at Paris Fashion Week with a chemistry or algebra textbook for a class that I was failing.' Advertisement 'I didn't have any friends. I didn't know anyone in the city,' Qualley continued. 'If a guy got on the elevator, I would get off.' 'I lived all of my 20s out of a suitcase, without any furniture. I had a mattress on the floor,' she concluded. 'And I became financially independent by the time I was 18, so I was super frugal, too.'
