Dolly Parton to Miss Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition Preview in Person, But Will Join Celebration Virtually
By Website Content Manager
“Unfortunately, our ‘Dreamer-in-Chief’ won’t be able to be there with us in person…”
Dolly Parton will not personally attend Friday’s preview event for Dollywood’s highly anticipated NightFlight Expedition, though she will still have a presence at the celebration.
A representative for Dollywood confirmed to WVLT that Parton will participate through a prerecorded video appearance rather than attending the event in person.
“Unfortunately, our Dreamer-in-Chief is unable to join us for tomorrow’s festivities,” Dollywood spokesperson Wes Ramey said in an emailed statement. He added that Parton would still be involved in the celebration through video and welcomed guests to the event marking the park’s newest attraction.
NightFlight Expedition is preparing to open after its highly anticipated debut was pushed back. The attraction had initially been expected to launch in the spring, but construction and preparation work resulted in the opening being moved to August.
Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks and Resorts, previously acknowledged that the park needed additional time to prepare the massive new attraction for guests.
According to Dollywood, NightFlight Expedition is an indoor adventure coaster designed to blend storytelling, high-tech effects and thrilling coaster elements into an immersive journey inspired by the Smoky Mountains. Riders will travel through scenes featuring mountain vistas, rushing rapids, rugged peaks and glowing bioluminescent waters — all inside a climate-controlled setting.
The attraction is intended to offer a moderate level of thrills, making it accessible to families while still providing an exciting experience for more adventurous visitors.
Dollywood is scheduled to hold a special preview of NightFlight Expedition on Aug. 14, with the attraction set to officially open to the public on Aug. 19.
Parton’s absence comes as the singer continues to deal with health-related issues. Earlier this year, she announced that her planned Las Vegas residency would not move forward after previously being postponed from 2025.
At the time, Parton told fans that she was responding positively to medication and treatment and gradually improving. However, she explained that some of the treatments had left her feeling lightheaded and that she needed more time before she would be physically ready to return to performing onstage.
The country icon also joked about the physical demands of performing, pointing to everything from playing instruments while wearing high heels to managing elaborate rhinestone costumes, her signature hairstyle and her famously energetic personality.