?A lot of my own relatives even work on the park which is great, especially in the show, the family show. I'm proud of all of that, but I'm just proud of the whole area, Dollywood is just the star of the area, of course I would think that, or I want to believe that,? Parton said.

Dolly Parton views Dollywood as her "legacy of love" and a tribute to her heritage in the Smoky Mountains. In 2026, as the park celebrates its 41st anniversary, Dolly remains deeply involved, famously stating that she wanted a place where families could "share their own special light." She views the park not just as a business, but as a primary engine of economic growth for her home county, providing thousands of jobs and supporting her "Imagination Library" literacy program. Dolly often remarks that she was "nervous" on opening day in 1986, wondering if people would visit a park with her name on it. Today, she is immensely proud that Dollywood has become one of the most respected and awarded theme parks in the world, emphasizing that her goal has always been to "put wings on people's dreams" through friendly service and mountain hospitality.