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Rumors over social media have incorrectly stated that Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge owned in part by Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, is shutting its gates for good, making fans and visitors confused.
In Tennessee, at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood is still open and trading as normal.
The misunderstanding resulted from a press release by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, which is closing down two of its facilities in Georgia permanently:
1. Malibu Norcross is a well-known family-friendly amusement center located in Norcross, Georgia, within Gwinnett County.
2. Mountasia in Marietta
The shutdowns have nothing to do with Dollywood.
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Dollywood was ranked the number one amusement park in the U.S. in 2025 by TripAdvisor, surpassing even Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios, making it a must-visit destination for families, tourists, and fans of Dolly Parton who want to enjoy unforgettable entertainment, scenic beauty, and a uniquely American theme park experience.
Malibu Norcross was an amusement center and go-kart arcade, whereas Mountasia contained mini-golf, go-karts, and other family-oriented attractions.
"Thanks to our amazing community, hosts, and guests for creating unforgettable memories in Malibu Norcross for over 20 years!" the company said.
Early this year, Herschend purchased Palace Entertainment's portfolio, which consisted of Mountasia, Malibu Norcross, and 22 other parks. The purchase grew Herschend's portfolio to over 70 family entertainment assets, including Dollywood.
Herschend's history with Dollywood goes back to 1976, when the firm bought a tiny community park called Goldrush Junction. In 1986, Dolly Parton became an owner, and the park was renamed Dollywood. Parton and Herschend also own Dollywood's Splash Country and Dolly Parton's Stampede.
In spite of the online speculations, Dollywood isn't hit by the recent shutdowns. The theme park remains open and welcomes people from all over the country.
This past year, as Palace Entertainment's properties were being acquired, Herschend CEO Andrew Wexler iterated that the company's larger mission is to concentrate on people and community influence.
"This is a historic moment not only for Herschend, but for each of our hosts, guests, and communities we serve," Andrew Wexler stated at the time. "To us, this is much more than expanding our holdings of family brands with attractions growth is people. It's about building an awesome place to work where our hosts love what they do and can create memories worth repeating for our guests for generations to come."
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