Partons deep love and appreciation for her Great Smoky Mountain home inspired HeartSongs modern interpretation of a rustic lodge.
Travel + Leisure:Today we’re celebrating the opening of HeartSong Lodge and Resort.
What can you tell us about the inspiration behind the creation of the new resort?
Credit:Courtesy of Dollywood
How does HeartSong fit into the overall Dollywood plan?
Now what will that theme be?
So we thought, well, why not have a lodge?
Courtesy of Dollywood
And I’ve always loved a lodge, anyway.
With Dolly Parton
Whats a beauty product that you’ve got the option to’t travel without?
All of my makeup!
Courtesy of Dollywood
My makeup kit, would that fit?
Your favorite ride or food item at Dollywood?
Oh, the funnel cakes.
Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure
Aisle or window seat when you’re flying?
Is there a location that has inspired you the most to write music?
My Tennessee mountain home, my old Tennessee mountain home.
And what is the biggest lesson you’ve learned traveling over the years?
That I’m the luckiest person in the world to be from Tennessee.
That it’s still the most beautiful place - the Great Smoky Mountains - that I’ve ever been.
So I’m just grateful that I’m a Tennessee girl, and an American girl.
And then I’ve watched it grow all through the years, and it’s just been amazing.
Can you speak about that and how you feel about that opening soon?
So what do you hope for the legacy of Dollywood?
So we just watch it grow, and we’re just all very proud of it.
And when you do, where do you go?
What is Dolly Partons happy place?
No, actually my own house is my perfect place.
That’s my idea of a great vacation.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
