Overview

• The on-site reveal introduced Night Flight Expedition, a 2026 attraction that the park billed as a first-of-its-kind nighttime adventure.
• Parton appeared in a pre-recorded video, explaining a kidney stone led to an infection and that her physician advised against travel.
• She reassured fans that the issue was not serious and said she expects to be back soon.
• Dollywood had announced her absence a day earlier via Instagram and proceeded with the 11 a.m. event as planned.
• Company president Eugene Naughton called the project the park’s biggest and most ambitious to date, with teasers using “soar, plunge, climb” and nods to the Hidden Hollow Aviation theme.