For decades, Dollywood has been known as a place where roller coasters meet Southern hospitality and nostalgia is served with a slice of pie. Tucked in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the park has earned a loyal following of theme park fans, many of whom view it as one of the country’s best-kept amusement secrets.
It’s not hard to see why. Since opening in 1986 through a partnership between Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Dollywood has expanded rapidly—introducing award-winning roller coasters, hotels, and themed festivals that celebrate Appalachian culture.
Even more impressively, Dollywood has topped industry rankings, sometimes beating out heavyweights like Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Studios. Earlier this year, Dollywood was crowned favorite theme park by the National Amusement Park Historical Association for the third year in a row. Dollywood also placed second in a ranking of the most beautiful amusement parks by the association’s 39th annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey.
It’s a rare feat for a regional theme park, and it speaks volumes about the love many visitors have for what’s become one of the country’s most beloved destinations. Its thrill lineup plays a big part in that reputation. From the blazing-fast Lightning Rod to the twisting thrills of Wild Eagle and the scenic views from the FireChaser Express, Dollywood’s coasters combine storytelling, innovation, and Southern flair. The park balances high-octane attractions with family-friendly rides and tranquil train journeys through the mountains, helping it appeal to a wide range of guests.
A Less-Than-Pleasant Discovery at Dollywood
But lately, a new wave of comments has emerged online—ones that clash sharply with the park’s polished image. The topic? An unpleasant smell.
One Dollywood visitor didn’t hold back. “Smells strongly like NYC subway garbage,” they wrote in a Reddit post, pinpointing the Main Street area under the kites and parts of the adjacent water park. “The entrance into the lazy river is terrible… I liked the parks but could not ignore the trash and stale urine smells.”
They weren’t alone. Another Reddit user who recently visited Dollywood’s Splash Country – the 35-acre water park home to the likes of Downbound Float Trip, Fire Tower Falls, and Raging River Rapids – echoed the concern. “The smell of urine was strong in many spots,” they noted. “Very gross and disconcerting.”
A third chimed in with similar sentiments, sparking a conversation about what could be behind the odor.
Some guests suggested the culprit could be chemical in nature. “I think it’s just the buildup of ammonia in the water,” one person speculated. “It was a really hot day, so it wouldn’t surprise me if all the sweat in the water started to create ammonia in the pools.”
Others looked beyond the park itself. “It’s the garbage dump/compost plant that is a few miles from the park,” another visitor said. “Depending on the wind you can smell it miles away even on the Tanger Mall side of Sevierville.”
Dollywood has not publicly addressed the complaints, and it’s unclear whether the issue is widespread or limited to specific weather and crowd conditions. Still, the growing number of posts suggests it’s more than just an isolated experience.
The park has plenty on its plate right now without contemplating potential odors. Construction is underway for a new Great Smoky Mountain themed attraction. Set to open in 2026, the five-story indoor attraction will reportedly be Dollywood’s largest and most expensive project so far.
Here is a look at construction for the new Dollywood ride! The building is pretty big!
Here is a look at construction for the new Dollywood ride! The building is pretty big! pic.twitter.com/IpXcWjktjL
— Theme Park Passion (@Christo49381093) July 6, 2025
Odor Problems Aren’t Just a Dollywood Issue
Dollywood isn’t the only park that’s faced criticism over unwanted smells.
Back in 2023, some guests at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim complained of a “sewage-like smell” around the perimeter of the park. “You cannot walk down a sidewalk for more than 20 feet without smelling raw sewage,” one Reddit user claimed. “We had to bring lavender oil to smell for most of the walk.”
Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, has also drawn concern for its proximity to a sewage treatment facility. Despite glowing reviews of the attractions themselves, some visitors have said the nearby odors can sometimes disrupt the immersive atmosphere.
Theme parks, like any major outdoor venue, are subject to factors beyond their control weather, infrastructure, and even local geography. Still, as expectations rise and admission prices soar, guests are increasingly less willing to overlook even the most subtle flaws.
Have you noticed the issues at Dollywood?
The post Bizarre Issue at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Sparks Wave of Guest Complaints appeared first on Inside the Magic.
