Latest news with #Dolly
Business Insider
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I'm a Disney World fan who went to Dollywood for the first time. It was cheaper, less crowded, and exceeded my expectations.
I'm a longtime Disney World fan, but this summer, I visited Dollywood for the first time. The park in Tennessee was cheap, had fewer crowds, and had great snacks. Dollywood pleasantly surprised me and will make me think twice before booking another Disney trip. Disney World has long been my dream vacation. Since I was a kid, I've loved heading down to Florida and spending time in the parks, jumping on some of my favorite rides like "Soarin'" and " Pirates of the Caribbean." I'm a far cry from a Disney Adult, but I've also been going to Disney every few years with friends. This summer, I decided to switch it up. I've heard great things about Dollywood in Tennessee, but I was unsure if it would be worth the trip. After talking with a few friends, we decided to bite the bullet and book the trip. I was pleasantly surprised. Immediately, I was impressed with the cheaper ticket prices. The grand entrance rivaled that of a Disney park. Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA is a staple at Disney World, and I was surprised to find Dollywood had its own version. The buildings at the front of the park housed theaters, shops, and restaurants. It was my first indication that Dollywood could stand against Disney World. My first stop at the park was the Dolly Experience: Songteller, which is a museum of the singer's life. Walking through a museum while at an amusement park was a new experience, but it set the tone for the rest of the day. This wasn't an amusement park set around an IP of movies and TV shows. It was a place to celebrate Dolly Parton's life. Exploring an amusement park devoted to one celebrity was unique and fun. Disney World is obviously centered on the many different characters and franchises that Disney owns. On the contrary, Dollywood is focused solely on Dolly Parton — her childhood, her music, and her other achievements. This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive in a way Disney does not. From the moment you enter the park, you explore different parts of Dolly's life. I entered replicas of her childhood home and schoolhouse. The whole park is a celebration of her hometown: the Smoky Mountain region. I wasn't expecting much from the rides at Dollywood, but there was plenty to do. As someone who hates roller coasters, I always loved Disney World because the parks are home to calmer, iconic rides. When I saw the list of rides at Dollywood, I was hesitant. There were a lot of roller coasters, and I am decidedly not a thrill seeker. Even though I only went on a few rides, they were comparable to some of my favorites at Disney. Plus, there were plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day. There was no Dole Whip, but Dollywood's cinnamon bread changed me. Disney's frozen treat, Dole Whip, is iconic, and I certainly missed it while in Tennessee, but Dollywood arguably had something better: cinnamon bread. Throughout the park, you could smell the warm scent of cinnamon all day long. When I finally got my hands on a loaf, I instantly melted. The fluffy dough was the perfect treat in the middle of the day. Though it wasn't as refreshing as Dole Whip, it was as delicious. Dollywood wasn't as crowded as I expected. No matter how much you enjoy Disney, it's just not a pleasant experience in the summer. The crowds are unimaginable. I've been to the parks in July and August, and during that time, the crowds are seemingly never-ending, and the lines for rides can go up to two hours. Thankfully, Dollywood was the opposite. Even though it was July, the park was not packed, so I felt more relaxed. It was easy to move around. Lines for rides were manageable, too; none of them exceeded 45 minutes. Unfortunately, Dollywood doesn't come to life at night like Disney does. The one aspect I really missed about Disney while at Dollywood was how the park transforms at nighttime. The castle in Magic Kingdom lights up, and the fireworks show is something you just have to brave the busy crowds for. Plus, the concession stands stay open and offer food through the closing of the park. Main Street USA also becomes a prime spot, as crowds fill the street, shopping and eating. However, at night, Dollywood seemed to lack any energy. The park emptied out entirely. While the rides were still open, all of the restaurants and concession stands closed. There was a fireworks show at night, which also included a drone show, but we didn't stick around because the park just didn't seem lively enough. Pigeon Forge has just as much to offer as Orlando does. Disney World is located in a large city, Orlando, which has a lot to offer. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is also a tourist town, and I loved visiting. It's filled with every activity you can imagine: mini golf, go-karting, dinner shows, shopping, carnivals, and world-class restaurants. I stayed on Margaritaville Island in Pigeon Forge and loved being close to the stores and restaurants. The view of the Ferris wheel from the hotel pool was also great. My first visit to Dollywood far exceeded my expectations. I didn't know what to expect when I first booked my trip to Dollywood, but I was pleasantly surprised at every turn. Dollywood was a great vacation spot because of the rides, the immersive theme, and the food. Since I saved money and felt more relaxed at Dollywood, I might think twice before booking my Disney trip next time.
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
Social media reunites 86-year-old woman with her beloved donkeys
A woman who last track of her adoptive donkeys following a devastating house fire is finally set to reunite with her beloved pets. Margaret Adams, 86, moved to Ireland two decades ago and has been based in Killeagh, East Cork. Earlier this year, the British native lost all of her belongings when a fire quickly engulfed her thatched house. Pic: Trace My Donkeys/ Facebook Fortunately, Margaret escaped the blaze while a quick-acting neighbour rescued her dogs, Misty and Lurcher. Following the demise of her home, Margaret returned to the United Kingdom to spend time with her brother, but was adamant to return to her home away from home in Cork. As well as her canine friends, Margaret was also owner to a pair of pet donkeys, Dolly and Daisy, who were rehomed following the fire. Fortunately, Margaret escaped the blaze while a quick-acting neighbour rescued her dogs, Misty and Lurcher. Pic: Go Fund Me Margaret regrettably gave up her donkeys two days after the fire, with her friend appealing on Facebook to reconnect the woman with her pets. An appeal issued on Facebook group Trace My Donkeys, detailed how Margaret thought she would have contact with her donkeys. A friend of Margaret's detailed that Margaret was back in her home of East Cork but couldn't locate Dolly and Daisy, who had been relocated. Earlier this week, Bernie, who appealed for the missing donkeys, shared a beautiful update confirming that Dolly and Daisy had been found 'safe and well in the UK.' Pic: Trace My Donkeys/ Facebook Earlier this week, Bernie, who appealed for the missing donkeys, shared a beautiful update confirming that Dolly and Daisy had been found 'safe and well in the UK.' In a testament to the power of social media, the family who were caring for Dolly and Daisy saw the appeal and made contact thinking they had the donkeys. Bernie confirmed: 'Dolly and Daisy have travelled many, many miles over many, many hours from their home in East Cork to the UK and they will be doing it all again but this time returning to where they belong. 'Margaret will be absolutely over the moon to meet her beautiful donkeys again as will very many other people who knew and loved them dearly.'
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
How much are the cheapest ‘Dolly The Musical' Nashville tickets?
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Dolly Parton is having a moment. In addition to the ten-time Grammy winner's recently-announced Las Vegas residency — which goes down at Caesars Palace this December — 'Dolly A True Original Musical' began previews in Nashville. The rousing show, which tells the tale of the Backwoods Barbie's life 'from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood,' debuted at the Music City's own 1,727-seat Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on July 18 and officially opens Aug. 8. Advertisement 'I've lived my whole life to see this show on stage,' Parton said in a statement. 'I've written many original songs for the show and included all your favorites in it as well. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll clap, you'll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol' Opera. Pun and fun intended.' Notable songs that appear within the musical that is slated to open on Broadway in 2026 include 'I Will Always Love You,' 'Jolene,' 'Coat of Many Colors,' and '9 to 5,' as well as new tunes (as hinted at above) written by Dolly. Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis and Quinn Titcomb take turns playing the titular 'Dolly' at different stages of her life. John Behlmann (Parton's late husband, Carl Dean), John Zdrojeski (country star Porter Wagoner) and Jacob Fishel (longtime manager Sandy Gallin) round out the cast. If you want to catch the rhinestone and star-studded show live, tickets are available for all dates at the Fisher Center from now until the final performance on Aug. 31. Advertisement At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any one show was $75 including fees on Vivid Seats. Other shows have tickets starting anywhere from $81 to $206 including fees. For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about 'Dolly A True Original Musical' below. All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation. 'Dolly The Musical' Nashville ticket prices 2025 Advertisement Every single 'Dolly A True Original Musical' date, show start time and links to the cheapest tickets available can be found here: 'Dolly The Musical' dates Ticket prices start at Thursday, July 24 7:30 p.m. $167 (including fees) Friday, July 25 7:30 p.m. $132 (including fees) Saturday, July 26 2 p.m. $144 (including fees) Saturday, July 26 8 p.m. $96 (including fees) Sunday, July 27 3 p.m. $124 (including fees) Tuesday, July 29 7:30 p.m. $132 (including fees) Wednesday, July 30 7:30 p.m. $115 (including fees) Thursday, July 31 7:30 p.m. $130 (including fees) Friday, Aug. 1 7:30 p.m. $132 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 2 7:30 p.m. $129 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 3 7:30 p.m. $140 (including fees) Tuesday, Aug. 5 7:30 p.m. $137 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 6 7:30 p.m. $133 (including fees) Thursday, Aug. 7 7:30 p.m. $102 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 10 1 p.m. $154 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 10 7 p.m. $204 (including fees) Tuesday, Aug. 12 7:30 p.m. $149 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 13 2 p.m. $206 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 13 7:30 p.m. $151 (including fees) Thursday, Aug. 14 7:30 p.m. $177 (including fees) Friday, Aug. 15 7:30 p.m. $166 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 16 2 p.m. $138 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 16 8 p.m. $161 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 17 3 p.m. $163 (including fees) Tuesday, Aug. 19 7:30 p.m. $102 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 20 2 p.m. $102 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 20 7:30 p.m. $102 (including fees) Thursday, Aug. 21 7:30 p.m. $75 (including fees) Friday, Aug. 22 7:30 p.m. $75 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 23 2 p.m. $149 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 23 8 p.m. $81 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 24 3 p.m. $82 (including fees) Tuesday, Aug. 26 7:30 p.m. $96 (including fees) Wednesday, Aug. 27 7:30 p.m. $97 (including fees) Thursday, Aug. 28 7:30 p.m. $81 (including fees) Friday, Aug. 29 7:30 p.m. $93 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 30 2 p.m. $137 (including fees) Saturday, Aug. 30 8 p.m. $99 (including fees) Sunday, Aug. 31 3 p.m. $105 (including fees) (Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and, if it isn't noted, will include additional fees at checkout.) Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. Advertisement They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. Still curious about Vivid Seats? You can find an article from their team about why the company is legit here. According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'The Fisher Center will also feature Dolly! All Access, a pop-up shop and exhibit showcasing Parton's archival outfits, exclusive photos from throughout her career and limited-edition merchandise available for purchase.' Dolly Parton Las Vegas residency 2025 For those hoping to see the genuine article live, a complete calendar including all 'Dolly: Live In Las Vegas' show dates, start times and links to buy tickets can be found below. 'Dolly A True Original Musical' cast To make sure you're familiar with the players, here are shortened versions of the official bios for the six leads of 'Dolly A True Original Musical' courtesy of the show's website. Katie Rose Clarke (Dolly Parton) most recently starred as Beth in the Tony Award-winning revival of 'Merrily We Roll Along' for director Maria Friedman and opposite Jonathan Groff on Broadway, following a run at the New York Theatre Workshop. Best known for her role as Glinda in the Broadway production of 'Wicked,' she also starred in the role in the musical's first national touring company. Carrie St. Louis (Dolly Parton) was last seen opening the Lucille Lortel Award-winning Off-Broadway hit 'Titanique' at the Daryl Roth Theater as Rose DeWitt-Bukater. Previously, she was the final 'Lauren' on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical 'Kinky Boots.' She is best known for her portrayal of Glinda in 'Wicked' on Broadway and in the national touring company. Advertisement Quinn Titcomb (young Dolly Parton) made her professional acting debut at just five years old as Lulu in the Broadway national tour of 'Waitress.' Her favorite credits include the Broadway national tours of 'Les Miserables,' 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas,' and 'Sound of Music.' Quinn can also be seen on screen in Searchlight Pictures' 'Theater Camp,' starring alongside Ben Platt. John Behlmann (Carl Dean) just finished playing 'Jerry' in the new Broadway musical 'Smash.' Before that, he received a Grammy nomination starring as con man 'Gordy Jackson' in the Tony-nominated Broadway musical comedy 'Shucked.' Behlmann also got an Outer Critics nomination for creating the role of dim-witted beefcake 'Max' in the Tony-winning musical 'Tootsie.' On camera, he's appeared in movies directed by Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, and Greg Mottola. John Zdrojeski (Porter Wagoner) performed in 'The Great Gatsby' on Broadway. He's also appeared in the TV series 'Evil,' 'Billions,' 'The Code,' and 'Madam Secretary.' His latest collection of original music, 'Nor'easter III,' is the final installment in a trilogy of EPs he's released over the course of the last year. It will be available on all streaming services on August 15. Jacob Fishel (Sandy Gallin) debuted on Broadway as Motel, the tailor, in David Leveaux's revival of 'Fiddler on the Roof,' and returned to The Great White Way in the original cast of 'Paradise Square,' playing Milton Moore (aka Stephen Foster). On screen, Jacob's television work includes 'Elementary,' 'Cold Case,' 'Medium,' 'Without a Trace' and 'Numb3rs.' Dolly Parton musical appearance Advertisement Before the curtains opened on the first night of previews, the 79-year-old inspiration for the musical took the stage with director Bartlett Sher. As expected, the crowd erupted. Parton then proceeded to regale the audience with this humorous anecdote: 'We've had a great time. We've had so many wonderful people that have worked on this show, and I think you're gonna love everybody's part because they have worked so hard. But you know, this has been my dream for a long time. You know what's funny, back in 1964, when I was a senior in high school, did I tell you this story? Advertisement Well, my high school class, we went to New York to the World's Fair. And that was the year that every taxi cab in New York said, 'Hello, Dolly.' That's when the musical 'Hello, Dolly' was there, and I thought, wow. I can't wait to see my name on a taxi cab again… I want you to know that we're so happy that we get to do this in my hometown here in Nashville…' She concluded her charming speech by telling the crowd not to sing along to the songs they know and love. 'This ain't no hootenanny!' she added. 'This is a Broadway musical. Have a great time, you know I love you, appreciate you.' Huge Nashville concerts 2025 Can't make it to see 'Dolly' live on stage? Advertisement If so, we feel your pain. However, there will be other can't-miss shows coming to the Athens of the South next few months. Here are just five of our favorites that you ought to circle on your calendars. • Katy Perry (Aug. 19) • Benson Boone (Sept. 9) • Tate McRae (Sept. 11) • Lainey Wilson (Oct. 2) • Keith Urban (Oct. 17) Who else is out and about? Take a look at this list of all the biggest country artists on tour in 2025 to find the show for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chai, fame, franchise: As Dolly Chaiwala turns entrepreneur, Akshat Shrivastava explains why comparison with him can backfire
Dolly's Business Blueprint Why Akshat Shrivastava Says Education Still Matters No One-Size-Fits-All Success Story As Sunil Patil, popularly known as Dolly Chaiwala, rolls out his tea franchise across India, his journey from a street-side tea seller in Nagpur to a viral icon has continued to draw massive attention. The launch of his franchise model, Dolly Ki Tapri , has seen over 1,600 applications within just 48 hours—marking a new phase in his entrepreneurial rise. But alongside the celebration, some have begun questioning their own paths—prompting financial educator and YouTuber Akshat Shrivastava to step in with a word of who regularly shares insights on careers and finance, responded to the growing chatter by urging young people not to compare their life choices with Dolly's unconventional success. In a detailed post, he acknowledged Dolly's achievement but warned against using it as a benchmark for personal worth or franchise boom has certainly sparked admiration, but Shrivastava pointed out that such stories, while inspiring, should not become a source of anxiety or self-doubt—especially for students and professionals following more traditional Chaiwala's franchise model includes three tiers: a basic chai cart stall (Rs 4.5–6 lakh), a mid-level store format (Rs 20–22 lakh), and a flagship café setup (Rs 39–43 lakh). With catchy slogans like 'Limited cities. Unlimited chai,' the brand aims to bring Dolly's signature style and flavor to urban corners across began as a local tea cart gained momentum through Dolly's vibrant presentation, quirky fashion, and magnetic serving skills. His big break came when a video of him serving tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went viral globally in 2024, turning him into a symbol of grassroots innovation and to the trend of young people questioning the value of education and jobs in the face of viral success, Akshat Shrivastava underlined the importance of long-term structure and purpose. He explained that academic achievement represents intellectual wealth—something completely different from sudden financial success. According to him, equating money with education is a flawed and dangerous noted that many individuals benefit from having clearly defined systems: completing education, getting a job, and enduring the corporate grind. These may seem ordinary, but they serve as milestones that give life a rhythm and purpose. Shrivastava emphasized that such paths are meaningful, even if they don't make acknowledged that Dolly's rise involved exceptional risk—and life has rewarded him for it. However, he reminded followers that not everyone is meant to walk that same path. While Dolly's story is dramatic and unique, that doesn't make more structured or quieter journeys less encouraged young people to take pride in their own progress, stressing that not all stories need to go viral to be meaningful. Dolly's success is a celebration of individual grit, but Shrivastava believes it should not be viewed as a shortcut or substitute for education and goal-setting.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dolly Javed: It's time people know me as Dolly, not just Uorfi's sister
Dolly Javed, sister of Uorfi Javed, is set to appear in the reality show 'Chooriyan Chali Gaon,' aiming to establish her own identity. Dolly Javed , who will be seen in the upcoming show Chooriyan Chali Gaon, says this new reality show is unlike anything people have seen before. 'Honestly, now I feel like I'm realising how different captive reality is… It's just crazy without the phone. ' Known till now as Uorfi Javed's sister, Dolly is ready to carve her own space. 'People will also know me as Dolly Javed now. Urfi started her career first, but that's how it is. Many actors have siblings who follow the same path. I took up this show because I've got a chance to make my own personality, so let's just grab it. It'll give me visibility… making people aware that I exist.' Dolly adds, 'It will give me freedom to show my personality. I'll continue with content creation — I genuinely love that. Acting is something I would love to do, but first I want to learn it. Maybe work behind the camera, get experience, and then step in.' Her relationship with Urfi, she says, is full of support, not pressure. 'It's a privilege. Being the youngest, I have sisters to guide me — or give me clothes for the show! Urfi advises me a little, but she lets me take my own decisions and learn from my mistakes.' As for what to expect from the show, Dolly laughs, 'They're saying I have to touch Gobar and cook food — I don't even remember when I last made a roti.'
