Three Cheers for Dollywood’s Triple National Honor

Dollywood Parks & Resorts has stacked up an impressive set of national recognitions in 2026, earning spots on three major lists that highlight both the way it treats its employees and the experience it delivers to guests. The Pigeon Forge destination is the only theme park to appear on two of the rankings, adding another layer of distinction to an already strong year.

America’s Best Employers for Women

Forbes recently named Dollywood to its America’s Best Employers for Women 2026 list, the second consecutive year the company has earned the honor. It is the sole theme park among the 700 companies recognized nationwide.

The ranking draws from surveys of more than 140,000 women who work for U.S. employers with at least 1,000 employees. Respondents rated factors such as pay equity, opportunities for career advancement, parental leave policies, work-life balance, access to childcare and eldercare support, how companies handle discrimination and misconduct concerns, and the percentage of women serving in executive and board roles. Dollywood was grouped in the Travel & Leisure category alongside major hotel and cruise brands.

TIME’s Best Private Companies

Earlier in the summer, TIME magazine placed Dollywood on its inaugural list of America’s Best Private Companies 2026. The park ranked No. 49 overall among 500 privately held companies and fourth in the Hospitality, Travel & Leisure category. Once again, it was the only theme park included.

TIME’s analysis focused on two main areas: employee satisfaction and the company’s broader positive impact on society, knowledge, health, and the environment. Independent survey data and other measures of workplace culture and community contribution fed into the final scores.

Best in Customer Service

Completing the trio, Dollywood landed at No. 50 on Forbes’ Best Customer Service 2026 list. It ranked as the highest theme park overall and the second-highest company in the Hotels/Recreation category. The list was compiled from a consumer survey of roughly 158,000 people who rated the service they received while buying and using products and experiences.

A Familiar Strength in the Smokies

These recognitions arrive as no surprise to anyone who has spent time at Dollywood. The park has long been known for its warm hospitality, consistent guest experience, and the way it invests in the people who make the magic happen, its hosts. Benefits such as tuition assistance, on-site healthcare access, and complimentary park admission for family and friends help create a workplace culture that shows up in both employee feedback and guest reviews.

Located at the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood continues to blend Appalachian storytelling, world-class entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. The latest awards simply put an official stamp on what many visitors and team members have said for years: the place treats people well—whether they are clocking in for a shift or spending a day riding coasters and catching shows.

For travelers heading to the Smokies this season, the news offers an extra layer of confidence. The same focus that earns national workplace and service honors is the same focus that shapes every guest interaction on the grounds.