Dollywood forced to close for the day an hour after opening. Here’s why

UPDATE: Dollywood is back in business Thursday, July 18. The park will open for normal hours. What theme park guests need to know after abrupt closure.

Barely an hour after opening July 17, Dollywood was forced to close for the rest of the day, the theme park announced.

“Due to a water main break, Dollywood theme park is closed for the day. Dollywood maintenance teams and City of Pigeon Forge crews are on scene to repair the break,” Dollywood shared in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Dollywood spokesperson Wes Ramey confirmed to Knox News the water main break occurred after park gates opened in the morning, but he did not have additional details to share.

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"Crews are still assessing the area. Once we have more information, we will post everything on social and on our website," Ramey said.

Dollywood’s Splash Country water park and the two Dollywood resort properties, DreamMore Resort and HeartSong Lodge are not affected, according to the statement.

More details will be provided once available.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why is Dollywood closed? Reason behind abrupt July 17 closure