Dollywood Parks & Resorts Crowned #1 Theme Park for Customer Service in US

Dollywood Christmas

Dollywood Named America’s Best Theme Park Customer Service by Newsweek

Newsweek has named Dollywood Parks & Resorts the top theme park company in the United States for customer service in its “America’s Best Customer Service 2025” rankings. This accolade is the latest in a string of honors for the Smoky Mountain destination, solidifying its reputation for providing exceptional guest experiences.

The rankings were determined through an independent survey of over 28,000 U.S. customers who had interacted with various brands in the past three years. The survey collected over 200,000 evaluations, with customers asked about their experiences with companies across areas like communication, competence, service range, customer focus, and accessibility.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts achieved an impressive score of 93.22 out of 100, securing the top spot in the Amusement Park Experience category. The remaining top five included Disney Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld Parks, Busch Gardens Theme Parks, and Universal Parks & Resorts.

Remarkably, Dollywood’s score also placed it among the top ten in the broader Transportation and Travel category, ranking eighth overall. This category encompasses airlines, car rentals, cruise operators, and various hotel types. The top ten included renowned brands like Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria, and The Ritz-Carlton, highlighting Dollywood’s exceptional performance in customer service.


This recognition underscores Dollywood’s commitment to creating a welcoming and memorable experience for its guests. The park’s dedication to customer service has consistently earned it accolades, solidifying its position as a leader in the theme park industry.

Related – Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Returns with New Shows and Festive Cheer

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“We’re honored to win these awards,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton, “because it reflects the hard work our entire staff does to ensure our guests have the best possible experience while they are here. Customer service is key to creating the welcoming environment our guests talk about the most after a visit to our theme parks and resorts. We often say we don’t do what we do to win awards; we do it because it is the right thing to do. We appreciate these honors, but after a full day of experiences at one of our properties, we want our guests to leave thankful for the memories and more connected to one another than when they first came. If that happens, it means we all did our jobs well.”

Dollywood Parks & Resorts’ score also ranked it #26 out of the more than 700 brands across 163 categories represented in the survey. The top 10 companies on the overall list are Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria, Staybridge Suites, James Avery, B&H, Westin, Lancome, Kilwins, The Lodge at Woodloch and Aflac. 

According to Nancy Cooper, Newsweek Global Editor in Chief, “Customer service is a cornerstone of a great shopping experience. Whether shopping online or in store, customers want to feel valued, heard and supported… With customer expectations higher than ever, businesses are finding new ways to meet those demands… We hope these rankings help you make informed decisions about the places to shop where you will have the best experience and feel most valued.” 

View the entire list here

"Smoky Mountain Christmas"
“Smoky Mountain Christmas” and Dollywood celebrates the official start of the Christmas season at the Celebrity Theater at Dollywood on November 4, 2023 in Pigeon Forge, TN. © Curtis Hilbun / Dollywood

The Newsweek award is another in Dollywood’s growing list of accolades. According to Tripadvisor, Dollywood ranked #1 in both 2024 and 2022 as the best park in the United States based on feedback from actual guest reviews and it is the only North American theme park in the worldwide Top 10 this year. Earlier this year, Dollywood earned Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best Guest Experience, Best Christmas Event, Best Kids Area, Most Beautiful Park, Best New Show and Best Family Coaster. Dollywood Parks & Resorts has earned a number of additional awards in 2024, including:

  • Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort named one of National Geographic’s 22 “Hotels we love in 2024”;
  • Southern Living named Dollywood the Best Attraction in the South;
  • A study by travel insurance company Insureandgo named Dollywood the #1 attraction in the world “Guests Want to Return To”;
  • Dollywood Parks & Resorts named a top regional workplace by Gannett;
  • The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) named Dollywood the favorite theme park in the country.

For anyone wishing to share the magic of creating cherished family memories at one of the world’s best theme park destinations, a Dollywood Season Pass is the best gift to give loved ones. Diamond and Gold Season Passes purchased during Dollywood’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana allow admission to this year’s festival and Dollywood during the entire 2025 operating season. Guests can purchase their 2025 Season Pass now or upgrade their regular admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward a 2025 Season Pass. Smoky Mountain Christmas begins Friday, and next year marks Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season. With so many surprises in store to celebrate the milestone, it will be a year to remember.

For more information, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site

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Chip is the owner, editor, and writer of Chip and Company. When he is not writing about Disney News or Planning Tips, you will find him counting down the days to his next Disney Vacation.
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