PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)— For the third time in four years, Tripadvisor officials have named Dollywood as the number one theme park in the United States during the 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. Dollywood ranked as the number 11 theme park in the world and was the only United States-based park in the top 15 worldwide.
The 165-acre destination also earned the top spot on the United States list in both 2024 and 2022 and finished second in 2023.
According to Tripadvisor, the award was calculated based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on the site during a 12-month period, “so our Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best winners are decided by you: real travelers from all over, sharing real opinions and stories…Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best is our highest honor. The award takes into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings, and ranks the very best accommodations, destinations, beaches, restaurants and things to do in specific categories and geographic areas, as rated and reviewed by travelers. Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners are among the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor.”
Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President, said that a specific focus on the guest experience and providing a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for all guests is key to the park’s recent success.
“We don’t provide the best guest experience in the country to try to win these awards,” Naughton explained, “we do it because it is the right thing to do. Our guests have options on where they can spend their time, and when they choose to visit us, we want to give them a world-class experience. This award is humbling though, because it is derived from real reviews left by our actual guests describing their time here at our parks and resorts.
“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. We feel—and these awards continue to show— the Dollywood Parks & Resorts experience truly is best in class.”
The United States 2025 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards top 10 is:
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Disney’s Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
- Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pennsylvania)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Orlando)
- Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Orlando)
- Fun Spot America (Kissimmee, Florida)
- Legoland California (Carlsbad, California)
- Universal Studios Florida (Orlando)
- Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)
- Whale’s Tale Waterpark (Lincoln, New Hampshire)
To see the full list, please visit this link.
Dollywood is the only park in North America to make the international top 15 list. The worldwide top 15 list is:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
- Beto Carrero World (Penha, Brazil)
- Waterbom Bali (Kuta, Indonesia)
- Heide Park (Soltau, Germany)
- Puy du Fou (Les Epesses, France)
- Beach Park (Aquiraz, Brazil)
- The Web Adventure Park (Wigginton, United Kingdom)
- Paultons Park (Romsey, United Kingdom)
- Drayton Manor Theme Park (Tamworth, United Kingdom)
- Escape Penang (Penang Island, Malaysia)
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Adventure Cove Waterpark (Sentosa Island, Singapore)
- Parque Terra Magica Florybal (Canela, Brazil)
- Universal Studios Singapore (Sentosa Island, Singapore)
- Legoland Billund (Billund, Denmark)
Dollywood Parks & Resorts—which touts Dollywood theme park, Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, and two industry-leading resort properties, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort—continues its unparalleled run of awards with several top rankings coming within the last 12 months. Earlier this year, Dollywood Parks & Resorts was named to Newsweek’s Best Customer Service 2025 list, as well as Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. Dollywood also ranked on Newsweek’s lists of America’s Greatest Workplaces and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women, as well as USA Today’s Top Workplaces 2025.
In May, the National Amusement Park Historical Association named Dollywood the favorite theme park in the country for the fourth consecutive year. Last September, Dollywood earned Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best Guest Experience, Best Kids Area, Best Family Coaster, Best New Show (From the Heart), and Most Beautiful Park. The park’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival earned the Golden Ticket Legend Award and was dubbed the all-time greatest Christmas event at any theme park. Dollywood has earned more Golden Tickets in the last decade than any other park in the world. Last October, Dollywood’s Splash Country earned the Al Turner Memorial Commitment to Excellence Award presented by the World Waterpark Association.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City occurs now through Aug. 3 and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night. Even more drones take to the skies this year to present a mesmerizing show that honors Dollywood’s 40th season. “Gazillion Bubble Show: Evolution” and “Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience” provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer.
A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 12- Oct. 27) celebrates the beauty of fall in the Smokies. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, previously named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. A showcase of spectacular artists takes to the stage this fall, including Triumphant Quartet (Sept. 15-19), Keith Anderson (Sept. 20-21), The Grascals (Sept. 22-24), Lee Roy Parnell (Sept. 28), Sidewalk Prophets (Sept. 29- Oct. 3), Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (Oct. 5-7; Oct. 13-14), Emily Ann Roberts (Oct. 8-12) and Dailey & Vincent (Oct. 15-19). Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans and fall fun make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.
The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2026)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.
For more information about Dollywood’s 40th season, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts—which celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2025—consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and 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 64 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. In 2022 and 2024, 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 mid-September. 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]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room