The DreamSong Theater is one of Dollywood’s premier live entertainment venues. However, it wasn’t always a music venue, but actually housed several iterations of a motion simulator ride. The attraction opened in 1996 and used seat movement synced to the films to create an immersive experience. The two films that were primarily played were first Thunder Road followed by Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure Ride with Polar Express interspersed during the holidays. The attraction closed in 2008 and the facility was then converted to a live performance theater that today is called the DreamSong Theater. Today the Dreamsong Theater is primarily home to the Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends show. Heidi Parton is Dolly’s niece and the show largely serves as a tribute to Dolly. It features Heidi Parton along with her family and friends performing hit songs across a variety of genres and celebrating the Parton family gift of music. The recent addition of NightFlight has been applauded for giving Dollywood a much needed “all-weather” attraction, but years ago it actually had an indoor simulator ride.
Thunder Road, opened in 1996 featuring moving seats synchronized with an action-packed car chase video that reportedly cost $5 million to build. It was moonshine-themed story (ironic given Dollywood is a “dry” park) and was inspired by the 1957 film of the same name. Thunder Road operated for 6 years before it was replaced by a more family friendly video called the Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure Ride. This version of the ride opened in 2002 and the story featured a helicopter and sight-seeing tour of the Great Smoky Mountains with Dolly Parton and her fictional cousin. The Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure Ride also lasted 6 years until it closed in January 2008.
Dolly’s cousin Clovis has invented a brand new all terrain vehicle with you in mind. His wild and wacky tour of the Smokies is like no other, especially when he drafts Dolly to be his tour guide. But, no one is more surprised than Dolly to discover that she is also his co-pilot. Ride along with these two as you conquer land, air and water, not to mention a really big bear, as well as a train, and one really steep waterfall. It’s one hilarious adventure after another, but the breathtaking views of the Smokies and the surrounding countryside make for a trip that you won’t soon forget.
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The theme park industry can be a frugal and is known for its ability to recycle facilities from one attraction to the next. It’s great to see that a theater that once housed a ride now houses one of its most popular shows. The theater will also screen the Heartsong film when the live Heidi Parton show is on hiatus. The Heartsong film is a multi-sensory film experience where Dolly Parton takes you on a breathtaking journey through the Great Smoky Mountains which actually harkens back to the Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure Ride. The next time you head to Dollywood and see the DreamSong Theater, know there’s a lot of history in that building with it being home to several motion simulator films featuring moonshine, car chases, the Smokey Mountains and even Dolly herself!
