We finally have an answer as to why we’ve never gotten a picture of Dolly Parton riding an amusement ride at her theme park Dollywood.
The country music legend often visits Gatlinburg, Tennessee where her theme park and rollercoasters sit within the Smoky Mountains. However, besides greeting residents and sometimes even performing at Dollywood, you never really see her hopping on any of the rides.
It’s evident that Parton is fearless when it comes to her career, whether it be her groundbreaking songwriting, instantly recognizable vocals, and innovative business ventures.
All of the fearlessness goes out the window though when it comes to riding one of Dollywood’s famous coasters, and Parton finally came clean on why she chooses to keep her feet on the ground.
The Smoky Mountain theme park just opened up a brand new ride called the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, and while Dolly was back at Dollywood to celebrate the momentous occasion, she told Bang Showbiz why she chooses to stand on the sidelines when it comes to actually climbing aboard any of the coasters:
“Well does that look like fun or not? I think that is really gonna be something really great. Now you all know as well as you know my name that I am not gonna be riding that thing.
Because I don’t ride the rides, I don’t want my hair to fly off right on national television or something! But I know that all of you will be fighting to get on it and I’ll be standing watching you get in line!”
She had tackled the question before back in 2019 when she sat down with the New York Times for a profile piece. Her theme park came up in that interview as well, and she gave out a classic Dolly quote to explain her reasoning back then as well:
“With all my hair I got so much to lose, like my wig or my shoes. I don’t like to get messed up.
I’m gonna have some handsome man mess it up, I don’t want some ride doing it.”
Say what you want about Dolly Parton, but she is always, unapologetically herself.
As for the ride that just opened, the Big Bear Mountain roller coaster is now the longest coaster at Dollywood, stretching over a three-forth of a mile and giving park goers a unique (and fast) look at the Smokies.
The ride was the largest investment for a single attraction that the park has ever made, costing around $25 million dollars to bring Big Bear Mountain to life. The thrill ride opened up this past May, and though you won’t see Dolly Parton on it, you’ll see plenty of Dollywood fans racing to hop on the exciting ride.
If you are a thrill-seeker, take a look at the POV virtual ride below. If you easily get motion sickness, look away:
