There is no theme park quite like Dollywood. Tucked into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the 160-acre park mixes thrilling roller coasters with mountain crafts, gospel and bluegrass music, and the kind of Southern hospitality you can practically taste in the cinnamon bread.
The park has been welcoming guests since 1986, and it is owned by Dolly Parton herself along with Herschend Family Entertainment. As of November 8, it is part of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, which also includes Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Fans travel from all over the country to get there, and Central Florida is a big source of them. According to Allegiant, its route from Orlando Sanford to Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport is among its most popular.
This fall, some of those travelers got a head start on the fun before they even left the ground per WFTV.
Working 9 to 5? Not on This Flight
On Friday, November 6, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Allegiant, and Dollywood Parks & Resorts launched their themed “Destination Dollywood” flights to Knoxville, Tennessee.
The flight number was no accident. Flight 925 is a tribute to Dolly Parton’s classic “9 to 5,” the hit song from the 1980 film 9 to 5 she starred in alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dabney Coleman.
Allegiant first announced the flight in February, and demand was huge. Dollywood says the original flight sold out within days and became one of the fastest-selling flights in Allegiant’s history. So in March, the two partners added a second flight, numbered 2925, for the same day.
The goal was simple. Instead of waiting until they reached Pigeon Forge, passengers would feel like their Dollywood trip had started the moment they walked into the terminal.
Kettle Corn at the Gate
Sanford’s terminal got a serious dose of Smoky Mountain charm for the occasion.
The Roberts Sisters performed live, filling the airport with the kind of mountain music Dollywood guests know well. Travelers played interactive games, posed for photos, and walked away with giveaways, including plush toys and Dollywood’s signature kettle corn.
Two familiar faces showed up, too. Dollywood characters Flit and Flutter greeted passengers at the gate, then headed out to the airfield ramp to wave goodbye as the planes departed. The theme carried on in the air, with Dollywood-themed in-flight entertainment for the trip to Knoxville.
For the airport, the whole point was setting the mood early.
“We love seeing our travelers excited about where they’re headed and we want them to feel that excitement the moment they walk through our doors,” said Nicole Martz, President and CEO of Orlando Sanford International Airport. “Destination Dollywood brings that spirit to life. We’re delighted to partner with Allegiant and Dollywood to bring some extra fun to the terminal and give our travelers a memorable start to their trip.”
Wheels Up for the Mountains
The fun was not meant to stop at the airport, either. Dollywood said passengers on the themed flights who bought park tickets would get a special experience at the park on Saturday, November 7. That timing put them in the park during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration.
It took three partners to pull this off. Orlando Sanford International Airport sits about 20 miles north of Orlando and is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority. It sees roughly 3.1 million passengers a year and offers nonstop service to more than 70 destinations on six airlines.
Allegiant, based in Las Vegas, is the airport’s largest carrier and a longtime partner. The airline focuses on connecting travelers in small and mid-sized communities with vacation spots across the country.
A Little Dolly Goes a Long Way
Themed flights are not something you see every day, and this one clearly struck a chord with Dollywood fans in Central Florida. The fact that the first flight sold out fast enough to prompt a second one says a lot about how much people love Dolly and her mountain home.
We haven’t seen any announcement yet about more Destination Dollywood flights. But after a day of kettle corn, live music, and a character send-off on the runway, it is hard to imagine fans not asking for an encore.
So, tell us. Would you book a themed flight like this, or are you more of a “just get me to the park” traveler? And if you have been to Dollywood, we want to know your must-do, whether it is a coaster, a show, or a warm loaf of that famous cinnamon bread. Share it in the comments below, we look forward to taking a read!
