April Fool’s Joke 2019 – Kanye West Buys Dollywood Theme Park for $130 Million
(As our last paragraph has stated since April 1st, this was fortunately an April fool’s Day joke. We love Dolly, and Dollywood is staying just as we all love it! We’ve left this original post up as a reference for people to see that this was just a silly April Fool’s Day joke and Dolly is NOT selling Dollywood.)
This morning, it was confirmed that Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment have reached an agreement to sell the Dollywood theme park to rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West. The critically acclaimed artist took to Twitter to announce the news, sharing a link to the official press release with the text, “Y’all ready for YEEZYWOOD???”
According to the press release, the popular theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN will transition from Dollywood to Yeezywood in the spring of 2020. West will also assume control of Dollywood’s Splash Country, the waterpark located adjacent to Dollywood, which will be rebranded as Ye’s Splash Pad. While the official announcement did not disclose the financial details of the deal, the Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that West paid $130 million for both the theme park and waterpark via his company DONDA.
Dolly’s Departure
In a statement to the press, Dolly Parton explained why she decided to part ways with her beloved Smoky Mountain theme park:
“Building up Dollywood into what it is today has been one of the proudest accomplishments in my life. But like my momma always said, ‘All things have their season.’ I know I look good for my age, but I’m no spring chicken anymore – I’m probably more of an ‘autumn turkey!’ There are so many things I still want to do, and stepping away from Dollywood will give me the time to do them.”
Parton went on to say that West made “a very generous offer” for the park, and she plans on using much of the proceeds from the sale to expand the Imagination Library, her signature literacy charity. Praising West as “a smart businessman and a brilliant musician,” the country superstar said that she is confident that she is leaving the theme park in good hands.
Dollywood first opened its doors in 1986, after Parton joined forces with Herschend Family Entertainment to revamp Silver Dollar City. The new theme park was an immediate success, and it has since grown to become the biggest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and the largest employer in Sevier County.
Big Plans for Yeezywood
As detailed in the official press release, Kanye West has ambitious plans for his new venture in Pigeon Forge. The 21-time Grammy winner told the media, “Yeezywood is going to be the most incredible theme park on the planet. Period. It’s going to be like Willy Wonka and Space Jam had a baby that was injected with raw plutonium. It’s going to be a religious experience. People will literally never sleep again after they leave. We’re going to burn Disney World to the ground.”
According to industry insiders, many of Dollywood’s existing rides will be rebranded to include references to West’s hit songs. The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that the Wild Eagle will be renamed “Touch the Sky,” Drop Line will be known as “All Falls Down,” Thunderhead will be called “Runaway,” and Mystery Mine will become “Gold Digger.”
Fans of West’s wife, Kim Kardashian, will be excited to learn that the reality TV star will have her own section of the theme park. Notably, Dolly’s Closet, a fashion boutique inspired by Dolly Parton’s unique style, will be transformed into Kim’s Kloset, where theme park guests will have the chance to buy Kardashian-approved clothing and fragrances.
In addition to reimagining the theme park’s current offerings, Kanye West and his team plan to add a number of brand new attractions to Yeezywood. Without providing many details, West promised that the theme park would include sumo wrestling, hang-gliding, a river of chocolate, a full-scale replica of the Taj Mahal, and “actual Transformers that can turn into cars and fight each other.”
While Dollywood is famous for its country, Southern gospel, and bluegrass music, West plans to make Yeezywood a launching pad for up-and-coming hip-hop artists. Sources close to West told the News Sentinel that the theme park’s existing entertainment will be scrapped in favor of new shows that feature rap battles, beatboxing, break dancing, and Trap EDM (electronic dance music).
More details on Yeezywood are expected to be released in the coming weeks. For the latest updates, don’t check back here. This entire story has been an April Fools’ Day joke! You can breathe a big sigh of relief; Dolly Parton has no plans to sell Dollywood to Kanye West (or any other celebrities). The South’s favorite theme park is perfect just the way it is. Plus, no one can compete with Dolly. If this article has gotten you in the mood to visit Dollywood, be sure to click here for Dollywood coupons and discounts!
Wow
Y’all almost got me. I was hoping it would say April Fools at the end.
Thankyou Dolly
130 MILLION WOULDNT BUY THE GATES WAKE UP PEOPLE
Exactly- this has to be April fools for certain….. I don’t see Dolly sale in Dollywood anytime to anyone be in one hour from Dollywood and knowing Dollys family —not going to happen!!!!
Is this a April fools joke I hope so
Says clearly in the article that it’s an April fool’s joke.
Not funny my heart fell
Please God I hope that will
NEVER EVER happen
Thank God.
Almost fell through the floor & I live on the 1st floor. If all this could have been true, they might have closed up Pigeon Forge.
Got me
You got me. Hook, line and sinker.
Yal got me too!
April fools day right?
I would never go there again!!!
I thought if that is true they would never see us again!!! 🙂
My wife and I were seriously sick to our stomach when we first read this. What made this Sooo believable was knowing all the other changes that the 21st Century has brought to this world, some of which make us want to live on a deserted island somewhere. Fortunately while watching the Weather Channel discuss “April Fools”weather events of the past, we realized that hopefully this was an April’s Fool joke!!! Very thankful that it was. Now at least for the time being, we won’t have to look for a time machine to take us back to the 80s/90s!!!
It says clearly in the article that it’s an April fool’s joke.
How saden I was to read this article. We have lived in Georgia almost of thirty two year’s now. We are visiting East Tenn. today my hometown for a few days planning on going to Pigeon Forge while we are here. We never get to visit Dollywood like we use to because of the miles. We sure miss going there in the summer. As I was totally blown away & literally made my heart beat faster as I read this article today thinking no please this is not happening. First of all I kept thinking about the money figure was not even in the ballpark. Why so little that wouldn’t even of paided for the parking lot. Lol’ then of all people to sell the Park to. After Kayne West had a big blow up on stage at the CMA’s with Taylor Swift. I just couldn’t imagine! So glad to hear that Ms . Dolly did not sell the theme park today. As I know lots of people look forward to going there to have great fun year after year. East Tenn. is so very proud to call this a little piece of their heart to. She has worked so very hard to build this amazing Park. Being so family oriented in every aspect. So glad to know she loves this park so very much that she would never consider to sell a piece of her heart. Haha’ you got me!!
True words spoken.Thie ppl in this world are changing for the worst.There is not much left from the old days.We love Tennessee.All of the true mountain things are leaving,to much wild things.Would be ashame for Dollywood to be sold to someone who wanted to destroy Southern Gospel and the country look Dollywood has.
This is a BIG WOW AND A BAG OF SH**
This has to be the most well written and cover all the bases April Fools Joke I have seen. I give you a slow golf clap as I fade away and watch people that get so mad and don’t finish the article. You think their customer service line lit up? I am still laughing,
I agree! And me too!
Shew, I was worried there for a minute, but I kept telling myself it had to be a April Fools joke I am glad I was right
This was great! One of the best April fools jokes I’ve ever heard or read.
In reading some of the replies to this article it’s obvious many people didn’t read the whole article. I wonder how many people they’ve contacted and told about this not realizing it’s an April fools joke.
To whoever’s idea this was and to whoever wrote the article, congratulations. That was great! What a relief to find out it was a joke.
That scared me for a second there. Really had me going.
Wow! i SURE HOPE THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE !!! IT WOULD E SO SAD TO SEE THIS PARK DECLINE INTO THIS OWNERSHIP!!
that was a bit cruel…
Got me good!!! I was there when it was Silver Dollar City!!! I never thought about April Fool’s joke????!!!’
OH LORD!!!! I was praying that this was an horrible April Fools joke. I will be so glad when this day is over. We are going to Dollywood this weekend with my Family for a Friends and Family day and my heart was breaking.
PLEASE DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!!
Thank you Lord!
Lol good one. Anyone that knows Dolly would know she’d never let this hsppen.. good one tho.
OMG! So glad it is a joke! I was getting very upset as I was reading but I kept telling myself it is a April fools joke! Love you Dolly!
I just breathed a sigh of relief. I had already made up my mind that this would be my last gold season ticket. I would NEVER go back again if this was true!
that’s too bad cuz I really like Dollywood unfortunately don’t like the new name or anything else about it so I will not go back in 2020 thank you anyway
Made me not want to visit
He will make it a joke. Good bye to the smoky mountains
Oh my goodness !!! I was flabbergasted ! I knew it was way worth more than 130 million, but fell for it anyway ! It pays to read the whole story !!
SO GLAD IT ISN’T TRUE !!
I have been coming here for 30 years. The day the Kasdashians come to Pigeon forge is the day I will no longer come there. Not a very funny joke !
Wow….this is the biggest mistake, the reason dolly wood is so successful is because of dolly’s background “becoming something from nothing” that’s the dream of a lot of us. Aot of people are tired of this Kardashians drama and that’s all the park going to become. And what happens when they divorce, as we know it’s only a matter of time. This year we just bought our season passes and I guess it’s the last. We just can’t be part of the drama…so sorry dolly there will be a lot of people leaving this park. Please start something else we can be part of from your life.
Nice April Fool!
Thank god it was a joke That area would never be the same lose a lot of good customers a gain the wrong customers
OMG 😮
I was shocked is a undertament
Sure hope this is a joke, Rapper will destroy a family park , it has no alchol anyway , made for family entertainment, been going since it was called Silver Dollar City, and now Dollywood. , Dolly what r u thinking God Bless This Park and u
It says April fools at the end of the article.
Is this a APRIL FOOL’S JOKE?????
Read the entire article….
It says it at the end.. lol
Omg that is crazy had me going for a minute! Lol
Not funny ! I am glad Dolly still owns it and I am not a fan of Kim and all their goals . I think Dolly would be a better person and care about poor people like me than Kim K. She would do more with her money to make children blessed and happy. I would like to have a dozen tickets just to visit Dollywood with family , I sure do not care about the other people . I am sure she could care less about people who live on a teachers retirment and save to try to take all 12 of family members to Dollywood. I am glad she still owns it . I hope to go there this summer and stay at Margaritaville Hotel bear Paul Deens restaurant , another favorite person of mine. Just having money for 12 relatives to stay there for a week , go to Dollywood things and PailaDeens would be a dream come true. Love Dolly and Paula !!
That’s sad. No one will accept this. Dolly’s image will be tarnished forever. So sad
It was an April fool’s day joke
It’s all a April Fools joke!!
Thank goodness this was a joke! People love Dollywood just like it is and changing all the music and shows to hip hop, etc. would kill it. People love Dolly and other than being so expensive, Dollywood is great just like it is!
I sure hope this is an April.Fools joke. it sounds like a horrible idea. we like the music and things the way they are.
read the whole article. It says April fools at the end.
Will NEVER go to Dollywood again. Loved the attraction, been going since 1990, season tickets(gold pass) for years.
You should read the whole article
It says on the bottom of the article it’s an April Fools Joke.
Y’all need to read the last paragraph. It’s April Fools. Good lord.
It is April fools. Read last paragraph
It’s an April Fool’s joke!!
This is an April fools joke. It’s in the last paragraph. Continue to go!
Read the last paragraph.
This was a joke for April Fools
That is what I was saying as well. I go every summer with the grandchildren and I would not go anymore if she sold it to him
It was an April Fools joke
Read the entire article to the END.
Hey, Penny. In case no one else has told you this is an April Fools joke. Be blest
Oh my goodness you sure did have me going so glad it wasn’t true
The more I read the madder I got. I could not believe that Dolly would ever consider that. I had always thought of Pigeon Forge as my 2nd home but I was beginning not to EVER want to go back.
It has to be April fools!!!
Y’all need to read the last paragraph. It’s April Fools. Good lord.
Good Lord folks. Read article to the end. btw. Comment not a letter or ur life history. lol
Good April fool’s prank you got me…
So glad this is a joke. Ha Ha !
This was terrible, so glad it a joke. I thought I could never come there again, what a relief
April Fools Joke
I gave been coming ti Dollywood since 1987 for our family vacation. This has been a teadition which we will continue in May of this year. This will probably be our last visit.
Glad I read the whole thing. I was ready to cancel our Tennessee vacation we do every year and head to the beach 😂😂😂
That was frightening news, I family retreat that would turn to a potential all trash with touch of Kardashian’s! Good April fool’s joke!
You really got me upset. I love Dollywood and Pigeon Forge! Just told my husband we would have to find another area to vacation to. Possibly Kentucky.
🤢🤮🤢 I almost barffed! COULD SEE IT GOING UNDER! THE WORST PERSON ON THE PLANET TO EVEN STEP FOOT ON THAT PRECIOUS GROUND! 🥰🥰🥰
U got me on that one
You got me! So relieved this was just a joke 😳
How about reading the WHOLE article before starting your pouting and bashing Dolly and saying how you will never go there again. As stated…this is an April fools joke. U people are unbelievable. Only $130 million?? YEEZYWOOD? I mean come on… y’all THAT gullible?? SMH….
Holy cow!! I was about to have a freak out!!
APRIL FOOLS!!!!!
This would have been more believable if someone like Blake Shelton bought it or Disney, or even Chic-fil-A. Clearly an April Fools joke. Too obvious. Good try tho.
I just purchased season tickets for this year and figured it was my last time.
So glad to hear this is a joke. I think this would have been the end of Dollywood.
Ha ha ha..I know it’s an April Fools Joke
.. but that shore woke me up. DANG …been to sevierville three times and something always happens to keep us from getting to it…we are trying once more near end of may and I didn’t wanna go to yeezyworld. Lol….Dang..I’m imagining an inappropriate bouncy house…and a souvineer stores with gift rap…
This made me so sad then i was like….april fools😊
Well I won’t be going back
Just a Joke ….April April
Sounds like it’s headed for a crash! I can understand the sale but I think all them changes in that direction will end my interest in going there .
You got me. Good one.
KNow it is a joke, April Fools…..Dollywood is to dear and near to Dolly’s heart….actually it’s worth more than stated especially to many people and children who go to the parks.
My heart sank for a minute! So glad this was a joke! ❤️
Wow a few good April Fools joke!
Wow I was like this is got to be a joke because I would not be going back if this happened. But good April fools joke
OMG, I was tearing up!! My heart skipped a few beats! Whew!! Good one though!
Not funny Dolly not coming back
Freakin hilarious!! Weezyland!! Best April Fool’s Day joke of the morning. And the comments, it got some fools too!!
The Mount Rushmore April Fool about Dolly being one of he figures was still the most believable one yet!
Should known was joke when she said she was autumn turkey Dolly will always be spring chicken
OH My !
Thank you Jesus !
I was absolutely getting sick to my stomach as I was reading this !
I can’t even begin to tell you the RELIEF I felt when I got to the end of the article and realized it was a prank!
I just wonder how many people didn’t finish reading it and now are believing that this is true ???? Have to admit this was one heck of an April Fools Prank !
Got me. I was furious. Lol my son had to tell me to read it in its entirety. And it dawned on me what today is. Ha ha good one!!!
Look forward to your April Fool joke. Very thankful for Dolly.
All I can say…… Thank goodness this is a April Fool’s JOKE.
I love my Pigeon Forge, TN just the way it is.
The friendly people, the Mountain air makes me never want to leave.
We want be going to dollywood or galinbury again we enjoy the family atmosphere not the rapper’s atmosphere can’t stand the way kanye west’s fashion or his wife we believe in clean fun and my family will never be back
Ever heard of April Fools?
It was an April Fools joke, read to the end.
I knew it was an April Fools joke! Dolly would never do that to the community she loves!
This was awesome! My mom shared it on FB from your FB page because she knows we are planning a trip to DW this fall. Some of my older relative fell for it, but I knew better and had a great laugh! Love it! You got ’em!!
😂😂😂 To funny I was almost in tears!! My husband and I have season tickets and visit Dollywood every season In fact we are coming this weekend I love Kenya but No Dolly it would not be the same
Happy April Fools Day
Got me…..so glad it was a joke….Dollywood is the best…..
I was litterally heart broken about to cry my eyes out to think Dolly would sell Dollywood I’m thinking there’s no reason for me to go even to the Smokies anymore…this was a good one I was so heartsick geesh!!!!
BEST and worse April Fool’s joke ever!!!!
I love it.
Best April Fool’s joke I have read in a long time!! I was outburst laughing just picturing the long dresses being replaced by matching sweat suits and gold chains. What does the kettle corn and taffy get replaced with???? And the Gold Digger Mine!!!!! Hahahaaaaa. Good one !!
Not laughing!! Not Funny!! My heart just about stopped!! I honestly thought I was gonna have to break this news to my husband. It would not have been a fun task!! Dollywood is my children’s favorite place to visit.
Over April Fool’s pranks.
YOU GOT OUR CLASS…..
We went on a crazy yeezy ride of disbelief and boycotting…then a sigh of relief…it’s Monday people..we can’t handle much more emotional turmoil,lol
signed…
Dooped Teacher lol
p.s. the gold digger song…was our fav!
p.s.s…..Thank you Dolly for not selling,lol
Thank goodness, this was a joke!
Whew almost fell for that one. Almost as bad funny as last years location of a Grand Canyon in the smokies.
If it’s not an April Fools’ joke then Dolly has lost more than her mind. A lot of fans too
Just saying, Dolly and a bunch of people may not be happy with your little April Fool’s joke here, waay too many people thought this was really happening. Giving people heart and panic attacks and conniption fits.🤣
I was heartbroken when I started reading. Should of realized it was April fool. You got me pretty good I’ll have to say. On the flip side I am grateful for the park and it’s family atmosphere. We have taken our children there and are looking forward to taking our grandchildren.
Ohhhhh my goodness, that was such a relief to read this is a joke because Kenya sure is and this would have been Day 1 of the demise of a beloved place on earth. Gold Digger….funny stuff!
Boy am I a fool. We are going the last week in April and was ready to cancel everything. Good joke, but old people cant affford to have their blood pressure that high. LOL
Wow,I hope it’s April fools joke!
We are planning a trip there in one month ..I was planning this moment to cancel!
Wow, sigh of relief. YOU GOT ME! I was getting so mad reading this. I couldn’t believe Dolly would do this!!! So glad it is a joke. What a joke that park would be if Kayne had any hand in it.
That’s not funny! You should be ashamed of yourself for hurting Dolly’s fans.
Lord-a-mercy!! I figured it was April fools but that ain’t nothing to kid about. Woo-lort!!
I say my heart dropped. I had forgot it was april fools. So glad it’s stay Dollywood
OMG…almost got me to cry as I kept reading more of this Fabulous April Fools joke!! We go every year with the 3 Grandkids and looking forward to going again this August! Dolly, best April Fools ever!!!!
This was making my heart sink!! I couldn’t get to the end fast enough!! Thank goodness it was only a joke! DW is one of our favorite places to visit in the Mtns. The style of music is also one of my favorite parts. Truly a highlight of our vacation!
Great joke, people need to calm down. What is sad is how certain people reacted in ways that were hurtful. Dolly has a great sense of humor. Lighten up people.
Lol that was a good one. I really thought Ye bought Dollywood. I am so tickled.
Glad it’s not true, would have cancelled my season passes and never went again
Would all those who really believed that Dolly Parton & Herschend Family Entertainment had sold Dollywood for $130 million to Kanye West, including my own mother, please take Bill Engvall’s advice & wear a sign that says “I’m Stupid.” Really people! Kanye West doesn’t have $130 million. He’s broke. As I recall, the man visited Mein Führer Donald Trump at The White House shortly after he became President and begged him for a huge loan to bail him out of his bad business debts. Be careful what you read on the Internet. Especially today. As Mein Führer Donald Trump likes to say, it’s probably Fake News. Always verify through by private messaging the target. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at Dollywood’s call centre today as to how many calls they’re getting over this Fake News deal. Heil Trump.
A lot of people here cannot take a joke! This is hilarious! I had a lady at my church in tears, totally believing it. Epic April Fools!!!
I live a mile away so I wouldn’t mind if it closed period. I always have to remind myself though of the job loss there would be. The traffic I can totally live without!
OMG as I was reading this all I could say was oh no plz don’t let this be true I live in Chattanooga as my kids were growing up we would take them to Dollywood every yr along with my neices and nephews we love Dollywood just the way it it is my hubby passed in 2012 and I have been wanting for me our kids and now grandbabies to get the chance to go I want them to experience the magic we experienced a few yrs back y’all really got me with this post I thought I was going to have panic attack Good One Y’all
O Please! I have tears in my eyes! That is not a funny joke! We are from Pennsylvania Seniors who love love love Dollywood. We have been going to Dollywood for many, many years. And we promote it to all young families as well as Seniors everywhere. It is the best! Thanking God for Dollywood!
NOT ONE BIT FUNNY. WOULD HAVE RUINED PIGEON FORGE!
Oh my gosh-I was almost in tesrs! Dolly would never do her people that way!!!!!
I was thinking oh heck no! I haven’t been yet and i would never go to a place called Yeezywood! Im a black woman who hates Kanye West and his music! Although i like hip hop..i LOVE country and Dolly Parton is amazing! Plz dont ever tarnish this park with the likes of anyone JUST DOLLY!!
This is so funny. I was so ready to get my money back. Best April fools joke ever
Thank you God, we would never go again. Keep Dollywood…….
WHEW!!!!!!!!!! Only a April Fools joke! WHEW!!!!!!!!
Wow, I pretty excited about this. Let down.
All I can say is there is a GOD in heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!