PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—(June 5, 2025)—Dollywood’s recent run of awards continued this week with Newsweek adding the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park to its America’s Greatest Workplaces 2025 list following the results of a recent survey.
Dollywood is part of the “Entertainment Providers” grouping of companies and is one of only three theme park companies to be featured on the list. The full list may be viewed HERE. With a caring culture, generous benefits, unparalleled company growth and numerous employment opportunities on the horizon, Dollywood employees—also known as hosts—understand firsthand why the company has received so much positive attention as an employer.
“Dollywood’s hosts are what make this park special,” said Dollywood Vice President of Human Resources, Susan Loveday. “We always strive to ensure they receive the care and support they deserve so they can take care of our guests in a world-class way. We’ve been blessed with a number of awards for our guest experience, but each one of those awards starts with hosts who love where they work and are ready to provide the best atmosphere for those visiting the park.”
The “America’s Greatest Workplaces” award is based on a large-scale independent research study conducted by Newsweek. Respondents provided insights and experiences on corporate culture, working conditions and other aspects of their current employer and other companies they know. The study incorporates more than 400,000 employee interviews in the U.S. and collected more than 4.9 million comprehensive company reviews. The Newsweek list is one of America’s largest independent employee studies.
Echoing Loveday’s comments, Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Cunningham said, “The companies on this list likely reap the rewards of stronger client loyalty and improved employee retention—clear signs that a thriving workplace benefits everyone involved.”
Pointing to Dollywood host job satisfaction, the park has long been voted as the friendliest theme park in the world. The park also is the only park to ever win the Golden Ticket Award for Best Guest Experience, which factors friendliness of employees—along with cleanliness and value—into its selection consideration. The prestigious Golden Ticket Awards are given annually by industry publication Amusement Today. In late October, Dollywood was named the #1 theme park in the country on Newsweek’s 2025 ranking of America’s Best Customer Service organizations. In May, the National Amusement Park Historical Association named Dollywood as the best theme park in America for the third year-in-a-row. Dollywood also is the reigning Tripadvisor #1 U.S. theme park, an honor based on guest reviews of those who have actually visited the park.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts employees receive a variety of unique benefits including 100% free tuition through Herschend’s GROW U. program, access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, along with complimentary Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Hosts are provided a free lunch every working shift and take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to many regional attractions, theaters and experiences. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision, is available for qualified full-time employees. Dollywood also pays a portion of childcare costs for hosts whose children are cared for at an Upwards-affiliated provider. Numerous opportunities also are available to help employees develop leadership skills, including an apprenticeship program in conjunction with Walters State Community College.
Interested applicants may view opportunities, as well as job descriptions and basic requirements for each position, at dollywoodjobs.com. Applicants can signify their interest in a position by following the online instructions to complete the application process.
For information about Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season, season passes, operating calendars and more, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
-Dollywood2025-
About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and the newly opened Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 58 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. This year, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or [email protected]