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    Dolly Parton and Gaylord Teaming Up for New Theme Park

    By Jason Gallagher | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, Jan 23, 2012
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    After partnering with DreamWorks Animation to bring characters like Shrek, Po and Alex to its hotels and convention centers last year, as The Washington Post reported, Gaylord Entertainment has announced plans to build an amusement park adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., according to the USA Today. As the report mentions, the partner in the Opryland venture will be another name that has some experience running theme parks, Dolly Parton. As the Tennessean reports, the new theme park could be a way for Gaylord to make-up for closing the Opryland USA amusement park in 1997.

    What type of theme park will be built?

    According to the Wall Street Journal, the park will feature water attractions but will also include a snow play section that feature areas for sledding and building snowmen. Parton is also involved with Dollywood in Eastern Tennessee, and the same company that runs that park will also be operating the new Opryland park.

    When with the park be complete?

    Taste of Country is reporting the park, which does not have a name yet, is hoping to break ground late in 2012 or early in 2013 to have a 2014 grand opening. The report also mentions the $50 million water and snow park would be unique among amusement and theme park complexes in America. The article also mentions that other phases for the tourist attraction could be brought online after the snow and water park open to the public.

    Why does Gaylord want to build a theme park next to a convention center?

    As the USA Today article reports, the new theme park could be instrumental in attracting more families to the Nashville area as the presence of the Opryland Resort and Convention Center does a pretty good job of keeping the business and convention markets in line. Gaylord is hoping the DreamWorks partnership combined with the theme park will help the property become a year-round family vacation option.

    Will the old Opryland rides and attractions be part of the new theme park?

    As the Tennessean reports, the old roller coasters and other attractions from Opryland USA will not be a part of the new theme park. However, as the article clarifies, it gives guests a winter or summer reason to visit the Nashville area, which could be more beneficial to the tourism market of the city in the long run.

    Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional with a decade of experience in the industry. He remains an avid traveler and hotel fan with exposure to technology and trends in properties across the United States.

     

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