Latest news with #DollyParton
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm a Disney adult but I found an alternate theme park that's cheaper
A self-proclaimed Disney adult has admitted that has has found a new favorite theme park - and it has got nothing to do with Mickey Mouse. Frank Olito, a longtime fan of Disney World, recently revealed that he was blown away by his experience at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He told Business Insider that the park, founded by country music icon Dolly Parton , boasted more affordable ticket prices, fewer crowds and great rides. Starting with the cheaper prices, he explained that he usually spends a whopping $150 or more for a single ticket to Disney World. But, while planning for his Tennessee excursion, the adventurer only paid $99 for admission to both Dollywood and Splash Country - which is adjacent to the main theme park - saving more than $50 right off the bat. Frank then said that once he arrived, he was shocked by how the park's grand entrance 'rivaled' that of Disney World. 'It was my first indication that Dollywood could stand against Disney World,' he wrote. His excitement only continued as he made his way through the 160-acre attraction as he gushed about all the features that set it apart from his former favorite hotspot - including a museum dedicated to the country star's life. '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,' he reflected. Instead of a slew of different characters, the entire park focused 'solely on Dolly Parton.' 'This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive in a way Disney does not,' Frank told the outlet. '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.' Frank revealed that since he is not a fan of rollercoasters, he was happy to see Dollywood offered calmer rides similar to those at Disney World. He also said there were 'plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day.' 'I entered replicas of her childhood home and schoolhouse. The whole park is a celebration of her hometown: the Smoky Mountain region.' Frank revealed that since he is not a fan of rollercoasters, he was happy to see Dollywood offered calmer rides similar to those at Disney World. He also said there were 'plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day.' But how did the food at Dollywood measure up? Frank candidly explained that although he missed Disney's iconic frozen treat, Dole Whip, 'Dollywood arguably had something better: cinnamon bread.' '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,' he shared. The theme park expert also reflected on how busy and 'unimaginable' the crowds can be at Disney in the summer. But was pleasantly surprised to see that 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,' he shared.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm a Disney adult... but I have found an alternate theme park that's CHEAPER and less crowded
A self-proclaimed Disney adult has admitted that has has found a new favorite theme park - and it has got nothing to do with Mickey Mouse. Frank Olito, a longtime fan of Disney World, recently revealed that he was blown away by his experience at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He told Business Insider that the park, founded by country music icon Dolly Parton, boasted more affordable ticket prices, fewer crowds and great rides. Starting with the cheaper prices, he explained that he usually spends a whopping $150 or more for a single ticket to Disney World. But, while planning for his Tennessee excursion, the adventurer only paid $99 for admission to both Dollywood and Splash Country - which is adjacent to the main theme park - saving more than $50 right off the bat. Frank then said that once he arrived, he was shocked by how the park's grand entrance 'rivaled' that of Disney World. 'It was my first indication that Dollywood could stand against Disney World,' he wrote. His excitement only continued as he made his way through the 160-acre attraction as he gushed about all the features that set it apart from his former favorite hotspot - including a museum dedicated to the country star's life. '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,' he reflected. Instead of a slew of different characters, the entire park focused 'solely on Dolly Parton.' 'This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive in a way Disney does not,' Frank told the outlet. '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.' Frank revealed that since he is not a fan of rollercoasters, he was happy to see Dollywood offered calmer rides similar to those at Disney World. He also said there were 'plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day.' But how did the food at Dollywood measure up? Frank candidly explained that although he missed Disney's iconic frozen treat, Dole Whip, 'Dollywood arguably had something better: cinnamon bread.' '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,' he shared. The theme park expert also reflected on how busy and 'unimaginable' the crowds can be at Disney in the summer. But was pleasantly surprised to see that 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,' he shared. He did offer one criticism of Dollywood though - and that was the lack of nighttime activities, such as the fireworks show and illuminated castle in Magic Kingdom. '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,' Frank revealed. '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.' Despite this, Frank concluded that he was 'pleasantly surprised at every turn.' 'Since I saved money and felt more relaxed at Dollywood, I might think twice before booking my Disney trip next time,' he concluded.
Business Insider
3 days 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.
The Australian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Honkytonk Kenya: Africa's home of country music
The party is in Kenya, but the vibe is distinctly Americana: a sea of cowboy hats and boots with a soundtrack of whisky-soaked tales about heartbreak and good ol' boys. Kenya has become the unlikely home of a growing country music scene, possibly the biggest in Africa, as testified by the thousands line-dancing in a field in the capital Nairobi this weekend for International Cowboys and Cowgirls Day. The festival crowd went wild for the king of the local country scene, "Sir Elvis" Otieno, as his deep baritone belted out classics like "Take Me Home, Country Roads" mixed with newer hits like "Down to the Honkytonk". Sir Elvis's parents named him after another musical monarch who died a few months before he was born in 1977, and then raised him on a diet of country legends like Jim Reeves and Alan Jackson. "When I started out it was a very tiny genre" in Kenya, he told AFP at the festival. "It's a dream come true to see a crowd like this today." There are links, he said, to local traditions, particularly the story-telling music of the Kikuyu tribe known as Mugithi. "Kikuyu folk music has the same kind of language, they draw from each other quite a bit," said Sir Elvis. "It's really crazy -- so many thousands of miles apart, but the messaging is the same." - 'Life, love, hate, forgiveness' - Anne Anene, 26, still remembers the song that turned her into a country music fan: Dolly Parton's "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?". "Her songs always speak to me because they always have deep messages, and they usually tell a story of what I go through," said Anene, a customer service representative for a health insurance firm. "I've always hoped to go to Texas or Nashville one day," she added. "I'd like to visit the ranches, I like horse riding, I like the ranch kind of life -- the quiet, the calm." The clothes are also a big part of the appeal. The festival was organised by Reja Manyeki, who runs a clothing and events company called Cowboys and Cowgirls. It was still pretty niche when he opened in 2018 but "now people love country music. It touches all corners (of society). "We do cowboy-themed events, birthdays, weddings, end-of-year parties... Now everyone comes, even schools." Big farming and Christian communities also make Kenya fertile ground for country and gospel music. First to perform at the festival was Samson Maombe who's picked up millions of streams for his Swahili-language takes on Christian country tunes. But for "King George" Gustavo, lead MC of the festival, it's the tales of everyday life that keep him hooked and ensures he listens to Alan Jackson "every single day". "The lyrics speak to life, love, hate, forgiveness, cheating, drinking..." he said. "You identify with that, and then obviously there's a bit of dancing." Anene, the Dolly Parton fan, says country music is also an escape. "In this world full of confusion, full of drama, country music is the only thing that makes sense to me. It has made me find peace." er/rmb/yad Breaking News Stock markets, dollar rise on EU-US trade deal Breaking News England's Lionesses head home to party after Euro glory
Fox News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Dolly Parton worried about Charles Manson's ‘darkness,' thought he could steal souls: author
For Dolly Parton, spirituality is nothing to take lightly. The country music superstar has often spoken out about her faith over the years, but in a conversation with famed celebrity interviewer Lawrence Grobel, Parton revealed just how intensely she feels about the topic. Grobel, who has interviewed and written about a number of celebrities over his decades-long career, recently shared some diary entries with Vanity Fair – many of them describe conversations he's had with Parton, who he first met in 1978. The two became friends, and in 1981, after he was presented with an opportunity to interview notorious serial killer Charles Manson, he asked Parton for her thoughts on the matter, since he'd been having trouble deciding whether he wanted to go through with it. "I think he'd steal your soul," she told him, per Grobel's diary entry. "I can't even look at a picture of him." She told him that if he were to interview Manson, "I know I wouldn't want to have much to do with you." The "Jolene" singer told Grobel that he "wouldn't make a difference" by interviewing Manson because any attention the story got would go to the infamous killer, who was convicted in 1971 of the murders of seven people. "I know it's an amazing story," she said, "but being the way we are, you and me, with the wonderful, pure force in you, just one minute with him could destroy all that we can be about. That's how spirits work. You'd have to be brave to deal with him, and I know you are, but it's something you don't tempt God with. I'd be afraid it would get to me." Grobel wrote that Parton had told him that "this devil has come up between us," referring to Manson, and that she said that if he did choose to do the interview, "You and me would be more like in a battle and I'd be looking at you differently, because it would change you and you may not even know it. The darkness is something not to get involved with." The author ultimately declined the interview, and in his diary, he wrote that Parton "pretty much made my decision for me." "No candy if I play with the devil," he remarked. While the cult leader wasn't known to worship Satan as some people believed, he did invoke some Satanic imagery in public statements he made. At one point during his trial, Manson arrived to court with a shaved head, declaring, "I am the devil, and the devil always has a bald head." At a 1986 parole hearing, he said, "From behind the time locks of courtrooms and from the worlds of darkness, I did let loose devils and demons with the power of scorpions to torment." Grobel previously recounted the story of Parton's concerns about Manson on his website in 2017. There, he wrote that Parton was surprised that he had even needed to think about whether he wanted to do the interview, calling Manson "evil incarnate." He remembered her saying, "And to tell you the truth, that you even have to think about this concerns me." He also said that following the conversation, the country legend "kept her distance" from him. Parton has long been open about her beliefs, telling Fox News Digital in 2023 that she asks God to keep "the right people" in her life and to take "the wrong ones" out of it. "My faith impacts everything that I do because I do believe that, through God, all things are possible," she said at the time. "And so I always ask God to bless everything that I do and the people that I work with and to bring all the right things and right people into my life and to take the wrong ones out. "So, I try to just live through love as much as I can. And so I just think that my spirituality has been a guiding light in my life and my strength, really, in my creative energy. And my spiritual energy has really been a great force to keep me going all these years and still being productive." Earlier this month, Parton appeared on Khloé Kardashian's "Khloe in Wonder Land" podcast, where she admitted that people have told her that she shouldn't speak so much about her faith. "I said, 'Well, yes I should,'" she told Kardashian. "I'm not telling you what to do. I'm just telling you what makes me work, what I believe." She said that if God can "shine through" her to other people, that's good enough for her.
