Follow the Butterflies

“Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing.”

It’s no secret that Dolly is a big fan of butterflies and Dollywood is full of butterfly inspiration. From signs and treats, to actual butterflies fluttering around! And before you even arrive to Dollywood, the butterflies start to appear.

This is how you will know you’re on the right path!

Each season brings new and exciting sweet treats, so it’s good to keep an eye out for any butterfly-inspired desserts. This colorful butterfly delight not only looked beautiful, but tasted delicious.

As you wander through the different shops in Dollywood, there are butterfly decorations as well as plenty of merchandise with butterfly details. From keychains, to clothes, to coffee mugs and toys, there are plenty of ways you can take home your own butterfly memory.

There are many photo opportunities throughout Dollywood and some of them come and go depending on the colorful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. There are many beautiful butterfly murals located all around Wildwood Grove, giving you beautiful photo opportunities throughout the year.

There are incredible displays clearly inspired by butterflies during the different festivals.

One of my favorites is this amazing butterfly created using pumpkins during Harvest Festival. At night, the pumpkins begin to illuminate, giving nocturnal life to the butterfly vignette.

Insider Tip

If you find yourself needing some direction while you are in the park, look up and find the butterfly marked signs. They will direct you to where you need to go!

Insider Tip

Wildwood Grove even has its own butterfly ambassadors—Flit and Flutter!

During a very special moment at Dollywood, you may even spot a real-life butterfly!

At Dollywood’s Splash Country, the traditional butterfly is a splash butterfly! There’s even a slide named The Butterfly.

Next door, at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, the butterfly inspiration continues:

I’m sure there are many butterflies that I missed. So, next time you’re at Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country or the resort, make sure you keep an eye out and follow those butterflies!

About the Author: Megan Doran

Megan Doran (Dollywood Insider 2019-Now) grew up in Ohio and attended college in Illinois where she met her husband Seth and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. In 2011, she and her husband moved to East Tennessee to work as houseparents at Wears Valley Ranch, a children’s home at the base of the Smoky Mountains. Megan now stays home with her two young daughters and enjoys recording their Smoky Mountain experiences on her instagram @mountainmamamegan. Her love for Dollywood and Dolly Parton’s Stampede started young as her family made frequent visits to Pigeon Forge growing up. When she’s at the park, if she isn’t feasting on some cinnamon bread, you can probably find her singing along to some live music or chasing her kids around trying to get them to smile for a picture. She is really excited for this new opportunity and looking forward to sharing all of her Dollywood experiences with you!