Smaller theme park unexpectedly usurps Disney and Universal's positions as leaders in the industry
In a surprising turn of events, Dollywood has once again secured the top spot as the best amusement park in the United States, according to TripAdvisor's annual list [1][3][5]. The Tennessee-based park has consistently delivered a unique combination of thrilling rides, charming live performances, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from major competitors like Disney's Magic Kingdom and Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Dollywood's success can be attributed to its focus on providing an exceptional guest experience. Over the past 12 months, the park has received a high volume of "above-and-beyond" reviews and ratings from visitors, a key criteria used by TripAdvisor to determine its Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards [3][5]. The park's emphasis on Southern hospitality and world-class entertainment resonates strongly with visitors, helping Dollywood maintain its beloved status and international appeal [1][5]. In fact, Dollywood is the only North American park to reach TripAdvisor’s top 15 worldwide, ranking at No. 11 globally [1][5].
Dollywood's president, Eugene Naughton, called the park's TripAdvisor award 'humbling' [4]. Interestingly, Naughton emphasized that their priority is not winning awards but doing the right thing for guests, which aligns with the park's reputation for quality and care [5]. This customer-centric approach likely contributed to dethroning longtime leaders such as Disney and Universal, suggesting that factors beyond size and brand—such as guest satisfaction and unique cultural offerings—play a decisive role in the rankings [1][3].
Meanwhile, Disney World, another major player in the amusement park industry, has faced backlash from fans due to price hikes and ride removals. Recently, the Muppet Vision 3D show and Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland have been removed from Disney World [2]. One guest paid $1,394.91 for a 'bargain' day out at Disney with his family of four [6]. Despite these challenges, Walt Disney World continues to deliver a great vacation experience at an impressive scale, according to Gavin Doyle, founder of MickeyVisit.com, who considers Disneyland the most charming and impressive theme park resort in the US [7].
The rankings also saw some other notable changes. Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania jumped from eighth to third place [1]. Universal's Islands of Adventure, Fun Spot America, and Silver Dollar City follow Knoebels in the rankings [1]. Moreover, Whale's Tale Waterpark in New Hampshire cracked the top 10, nudging out Busch Gardens [1].
In a separate development, Dollywood vice president of human resources, Susan Loveday, expressed pride in the ways they've empowered women across their organization [4]. In recognition of this, Forbes named Dollywood as the top US employer for women based on surveys of over 140,000 women across large companies [4].
As the amusement park industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Dollywood, Disney World, and other parks adapt and compete in the coming years.
References: [1] TripAdvisor. (2022). TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Attractions-cTop-g294134 [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [2] The Orlando Sentinel. (2021). Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios to close permanently in September. [online] Available at: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-ne-muppet-vision-3d-closing-disney-hollywood-studios-20210713-5n52h6354jb6k77wk5w7576k7m-story.html [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [3] USA Today. (2022). Dollywood named best amusement park in the U.S. for second year in a row. [online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2022/03/03/dollywood-best-amusement-park-us-tripadvisor-2022/9392942002/ [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [4] Forbes. (2021). The Best Large Employers For Women 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/best-large-employers/list/the-best-large-employers-for-women/?list=2021-best-large-employers-for-women#16f2860c5b48 [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [5] Travel + Leisure. (2022). TripAdvisor's Best Amusement Parks in the U.S. 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/amusement-parks/best-amusement-parks-in-the-us [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [6] The Independent. (2022). Disney World prices: How much does it cost to go to Disney World in 2022? [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/disney-world-prices-cost-2022-b1970127.html [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022]. [7] Mickey Visit. (2021). Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which is better? [online] Available at: https://www.mickeyvisit.com/disneyland-vs-disney-world/ [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022].
- The rankings in the travel industry, including those for amusement parks, often consider 'reviews' from visitors when determining the best choices.
- In addition to amusement parks, Dollywood's focus on Southern hospitality and world-class entertainment extends to 'lifestyle' and 'home-and-garden' ventures, as demonstrated by their recognition as the top US employer for women.
- The travel industry news frequently covers changes in the rankings of various establishments, such as amusement parks, and discusses factors contributing to their success or challenges they face, like price hikes and ride removals, as seen with Disney World.
