Hersheypark Apologizes After ‘Tactless’ Dollywood Ticket Comment Sparks Backlash Following Dolly Parton’s Death

Hershey park Dolly Parton Dollywood.

Hersheypark is apologizing after a social media response about ticket prices triggered criticism from fans mourning Dolly Parton, with some accusing the Pennsylvania amusement park of making an insensitive attempt to promote itself immediately following the country music legend’s death.

The controversy began after news broke on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton had died at the age of 80.

As fans reflected on the singer’s enormous cultural influence, philanthropy and business ventures, one social media user highlighted Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park Parton co-owned for more than four decades.

The user praised the park for keeping its admission prices relatively affordable, sharing a screenshot showing a $99 one-day ticket.

“And she kept the prices reasonable in this economy,” the person wrote on X.

The post was intended as a compliment to Parton and the way she had operated one of her most famous businesses.

However, the official account for Hersheypark, the amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, responded with a message that quickly attracted attention for an entirely different reason.

“Our summer tickets are $49.99,” Hersheypark wrote.

Although the comment appeared to be intended simply as a correction or comparison involving admission prices, its placement beneath a post honoring Parton made it appear to some readers as though Hersheypark was using the discussion surrounding her death to advertise its own cheaper tickets.

The response was subsequently deleted, but screenshots and reactions continued circulating online.

Fans Call the Response “Tactless”

Several users criticized Hersheypark over the post, questioning how such a message could have been published during a conversation centered on Parton’s death.

One X user directly confronted the park.

“Are you guys going to offer an official apology for this TACTLESS post or keep on ignoring it?” the user wrote.

Hersheypark responded publicly, explaining that the original comment had been posted without the social media team member understanding the broader context of the conversation.

“We certainly respect your concern,” the park wrote.

According to Hersheypark, the employee responsible had intended to clarify the park’s own ticket pricing in another discussion but did not realize that the reply would appear within a thread involving Dollywood and Parton.

“A reply clarifying our ticket price in another conversation was posted without seeing the context of the chain, so we removed it quickly to avoid any confusion or insensitivity over intent,” the account explained.

“We absolutely apologize for the error.”

Another user described the situation as “such a big yikes,” adding that they were shocked by the post.

Hersheypark again responded, emphasizing that disrespecting Parton had “absolutely not” been the intention.

The park also said it honors major figures in the amusement and entertainment industry.

Hersheypark Issues a Longer Explanation

As criticism continued, Hersheypark provided a more detailed statement to PEOPLE explaining how the mistake allegedly happened.

“We join the millions mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, whose generosity, talent and spirit touched so many,” the statement began.

The park said a member of its social media team had noticed what they believed was inaccurate information about Hersheypark’s ticket prices inside a post and intended to respond specifically to the individual who had mentioned it.

However, according to the park, the employee did not realize how the response would be displayed within the larger conversation.

“A member of our social media team noticed inaccurate pricing information about Hersheypark within a post and intended to respond directly just to that individual to correct it, not realizing the reply would appear as a response to a conversation about Dollywood,” Hersheypark said.

Once the context became clear, the comment was removed.

“It was removed as soon as we recognized the context,” the statement continued. “We sincerely apologize for any insensitivity.”

The explanation positioned the incident as an unintended social media mistake rather than a deliberate attempt to capitalize on Parton’s death.

Still, the episode demonstrated how quickly a relatively simple promotional message can take on an entirely different meaning when posted in the wrong context.

Dollywood Remains Open Following Parton’s Death

The controversy came as Dollywood itself was receiving significant attention following the death of its famous co-owner.

After Parton’s death was announced, PEOPLE confirmed that the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park would remain open rather than closing in mourning.

According to a statement from Dollywood, that decision reflected Parton’s own wishes.

“Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on,’” the park said in an emailed statement.

The decision was consistent with Parton’s longstanding relationship with the attraction.

Born and raised in Tennessee, she frequently spoke about the pride she felt watching Dollywood grow from a regional amusement park into one of the state’s best-known tourist destinations.

Parton had been a co-owner of Dollywood since the attraction officially opened under its current name in 1986.

Over the following four decades, the park expanded significantly.

Today, Dollywood stretches across approximately 165 acres in the Smoky Mountains region.

Its larger resort complex includes a 35-acre water park as well as two lodge-style resort hotels, making it much more than a traditional amusement park.

The property features more than 50 rides and attractions.

Among the best-known experiences associated with the broader Dollywood brand is the Dolly Parton Stampede, while the park has continued introducing new attractions decades after its opening.

Most recently, Dollywood debuted NightFlight Expedition, described as an amphibious roller coaster, on August 19, just days before news of Parton’s death.

A Connection to Parton’s Childhood

Dollywood has also long incorporated elements of Parton’s personal history into the guest experience.

Near the park’s entrance stands a replica of the modest home where she spent part of her childhood.

The one-bedroom log cabin recreates the type of home Parton shared with her large family while growing up in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.

For visitors, the cabin has served as a physical reminder of the enormous distance between Parton’s humble beginnings and the international success she eventually achieved as a singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

That personal connection is one reason Dollywood became such an important part of her public legacy.

While the park developed into a major commercial attraction, Parton repeatedly spoke about her affection for Tennessee and her desire to contribute economically to the region where she grew up.

Following her death, the park therefore became a natural focal point for fans reflecting on the different aspects of her life beyond music.

Dolly Parton at Dollywood in 1993.

An Unfortunate Moment During Widespread Mourning

Against that emotional backdrop, Hersheypark’s $49.99 ticket response struck some fans as particularly poorly timed.

What might ordinarily have been interpreted as a harmless piece of competitive marketing was instead read as a comparison between two theme parks during a conversation explicitly celebrating the life of a woman who had just died.

Hersheypark maintains that this was not intentional.

The park says its employee failed to see the context of the thread, removed the response quickly and apologized once the mistake became apparent.

Its subsequent statements also made clear that the organization viewed Parton as an important figure whose influence reached across the entertainment and amusement industries.

For Dollywood, meanwhile, operations are continuing according to Parton’s wishes.

Rather than shutting its gates following her death, the Tennessee destination is carrying forward the philosophy she reportedly emphasized throughout her career: “the show must go on.”

And as fans continue remembering Parton’s music, humor, generosity and entrepreneurial achievements, Dollywood remains one of the most visible physical reminders of her connection to Tennessee — a project that began more than 40 years ago and grew into a major part of her legacy.