WHAT’S HAPPENING

Love every moment® March 31, 2017 1

C R E A T I N G M E M O R I E S W O R T H R E P E A T I N G®

Volume 41; Number 5 March 31, 2017

Introducing Dollywood’s SPRING BREAKNew in 2017, our Festival of Nations ends a little earlier so we can introduce Dollywood’s Spring Break (April 10 – 22)

to our Guests. This new celebration allows families the opportunity to squeeze a few more hours out of their spring break plans with our extended operating hours. We’re also excited to host enra, a cutting-edge performance group which appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2015. This Tokyo-based performing arts company utilizes on-screen computer graphics to accentuate live action performance including dance, martial arts, rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, juggling and club dance. The synchronized combination of motion graphics and on-stage performance creates an unprecedented treat for audiences. During Dollywood’s Spring Break, Park hours are extended each weekday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; weekend hours are 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Dollywood is closed on Easter Sunday (April 16). Learn more about Dollywood’s Spring Break by visiting Dollywood.com/Springwhere you can find sample itineraries, show information, lodging offers, dining options and more!

Our Dollywood Season Pass: it’s how we make The Year of the Family a reality!

What’s the best way for a Guest to experience The Year of the Family at Dollywood? By purchasing a Season Pass, of course!

When our Guests become Season Passholders they can experience each of the incredible elements of The Year of the Family at Dollywood—all year-long! Spring at Dollywood is only the beginning. We want our Guests to return again and again. From BBQ & Bluegrass and Summer at Dollywood to Harvest Festival featuring Great Pumpkin Luminights and so much more.

Dollywood’s Season Pass program is a wonderful example of how we achieve amazing things when we work together. Every team at every property of The Dollywood Company helps to contribute to the success of our Season Pass program. Thank you for always making Dollywood’s Season Pass a priority when connecting with our Guests!

Look for more exciting details via Red Board on our upcoming Season Pass Blitz – featuring fantastic rewards for all of our Hosts!

Year of the Family

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Empowering You WITH NEED TO KNOW INFO

Next What’s Happening Issue April 14, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Update As Guests return to our area, it is likely they may have questions about the outcome of the November fires

on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the region. Here are some quick facts to help answer those questions.

• No Pigeon Forge businesses were harmed by the fires.

• 11,410 acres within the park boundary were burned. This number represents approximately 2% of the total 522,076-acre park.

• Soil: Duff layers, root mats, and seed banks are mostly intact in more than 90% of the burned area.

• Vegetation: Fire occurred outside of the growing season and most vegetation was dormant. Trees and shrubs were affected in only 10% of the burned area.

• Fish: Fire occurred outside of the spawning season for all of the 19 species of fish found within the burn area. Effects are expected to be low.

• Wildlife: Most wildlife had the ability to escape by burrowing underground, fleeing, or flying away. There is no anticipated losses among the threatened and endangered species in the park.

• There is no fire damage to historical structures.

• The majority of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s 848 trail miles were outside of the burn perimeter and were unaffected.

• Only 31 trail miles, 3% of total park trails, were affected by the fires.

• Only four trails will likely have long-term closures. These are Chimney Tops Trail, Bull Head Trail, Sugarland Mountain Trail and Rough Creek Trail.

Merchandise Shop Opening PlanOn Saturdays, all shops will open at the scheduled Park opening time. The Blacksmith Shop, Old Flames

Candle Shop, and The Batter’s Box Bat Shop in Craftsman’s Valley will open one hour after Park opening Sunday-Friday.

April ERTEarly Ride Time (ERT) allows our Season Passholders to enter the Park one hour early to enjoy a select

attraction. The following schedule shows our ERT for the month of April (please note, rides are subject to change based upon weather and other factors):

Date RideApril 1 Lightning RodApril 8 Mystery MineApril 15 Lightning RodApril 22 Wild Eagle

Thank You The Merchandise Leadership Team sends a big “Thank You” to all our Merchandise, Amusements, and

Photo Team Hosts for their hard work during setup for Park opening.Your time and hard work is very much appreciated! The Merchandise locations look awesome due to your

dedication and hard work. Thank you also to Lease Operations that work with our Merchandise Team to add to the excellent Guest Experience.

Biltmore Trip RescheduledOur Tuesday, March 28 trip to Biltmore Estates has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 16. Registration

forms will be available in the HR Annex beginning Friday, March 31. Please call Karen Cornman at (865) 429-9787 if you have any questions.

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SERVING Others

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GREATLY Exceeding ExpectationsSpring has Sprung at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa!

Let our Guests know about these Easter events. Also, Hosts are welcome to attend the Easter offerings at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.*

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny April 8 & 15 from 9 - 11 a.m.Add spring to your step - have breakfast with the Easter Bunny! This special breakfast includes a selection of delectable pancakes with your choice of toppings! It’s a fun way to begin your day prior to strolling down the bunny trail and exploring the Smoky Mountains! Call 865-428-9696 to make your reservation today. Adults (12+) - $12.95 Children (4 - 11) - $7.95

Photos with the Easter Bunny April 10, 12 & 14 from 6 - 8:30 p.m.Meet the Easter Bunny at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. Professional photographers will be capturing your photo with the Easter Bunny this Easter! Packages begin at $25.

Easter Egg Hunt April 16 at 9:30 a.m.Join the Easter Bunny at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa for a traditional Easter Egg Hunt on the event lawn!

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service April 16 at 7 a.m.Join Dollywood Chaplain Joey Buck for Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa Easter Sunday Sunrise Service.

Easter Sunday Buffet April 16 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.Join us for an Easter Sunday celebration at Song & Hearth with servings of roasted turkey, honey baked ham and more! Call 865-428-9696 to make your reservation today! Adults (12+) - $44.95 Children (4 - 11) - $19.95

*To allow ample space for our Guests, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa will not be offering Host discounts on these special events.

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Dreamland Drive-In Still Dreaming for 11th Season

When the character of Danny Dugan is introduced at the beginning of the Dreamland Drive-In show, it is fitting that he immediately performs Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” As we know, Chuck Berry passed away at the age of 90 earlier this month, leaving behind the signature sound that pioneered the rock revolution. This legacy is performed and lived out daily in many ways on the stage of the Pines Theater in Dollywood’s iconic production – back for its 11th season! Chuck Berry’s songs, much like the story in Dreamland Drive-In, have narrative swagger and reflect the spirit of teenage angst depicting fast cars, drag races, a teenage love and plain old growing up.

“Johnny B. Goode,” the tale of a guitar-playing country boy whose mother tells him he’ll be a star, was Chuck Berry’s signature song. The same can be said for Danny and his desire to be “King of the Moondoggers,” be the toast of his friends and “get” the Girl in the green dress. As the story of Dreamland Drive-In progresses, the audience can’t help but think of Danny hardly being able to contain himself as the words hurry out – “Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans/Way back up in the woods among the evergreens!” Meanwhile, the Dreamland Band creates a downpour of guitar, drums and keyboard that amplifies every call of “Go, Johnny, Go!” It makes the audience want to root for Danny to be successful and realize all of his dreams. From that moment, we are hooked. Go, Danny, go!

As Dreamland progresses through the late 50’s and 60’s, the story is moved along by the songs, the hallmark of any great musical. We grow to love the other memorable characters in the show – Bertha (the owner of Dreamland Drive-In), Scooter (the short-order cook), Brainiac (the male “nerd”), Birdcage (the female “nerd”), Moose (the “jock”) and others. The Brechtian technique of having Danny being the only character that speaks helps us to enjoy the music while still remaining engaged with the narrative. So, we always come back to Danny.

From the perspective of a Dollywood performer, each of them has the conscious knowledge that they have the opportunity to perform in what they know is an excellent production that has been successful for many years. Dreamland Drive-In is well-conceived, expertly directed and choreographed and, most importantly, beloved by Dollywood’s audiences. In that sense, each of the singer/dancer/actors cast in Dreamland Drive-In is like Danny – working hard to build a dream of being a successful (or maybe famous) performer. Go, Danny, go!

For the audiences that experience Dreamland Drive-In, it is, first and foremost, about the songs. When watching the show you can see and hear people react when they hear their favorite tune, or hear one that recalls an important memory. But, it is also about the moments and the story. The disappointment when the girl in the green gress leaves for HER dream, the palpable shock from the audience when she catches Danny “cheating” on her, when Danny decides to join the military at the unspoken height of the Vietnam War. As the music matures, so do the characters, so does the audience. Go, Danny, go.

As the story ends, we become poignantly aware of what is really important in our lives. We become aware of what our true dreams are. Does Danny truly have “memories worth repeating”? No words are spoken as the piano riffs of “American Pie” play. Words are not needed. Is it a happy ending? Is it a “memory worth repeating” for our guests at Dollywood? The answer, after so many years of sustained success, is a resounding YES!

“Chances are, you have talent, Chuck Berry once wrote. “But, will the name and the light come to you? No. You have to go get it!”

Go, Danny, Go!

Dreamland Drive-In opensApril 29 at The Pines Theater.

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Celebration CentralCongratulations to the Foods Team that started the season with great mug sales. As a team, they exceeded their goals by 113% and thirteen cost centers exceeded their goals. The three winning cost centers that out-sold their goal by the highest percentage were the Front Porch Café, Lumber Jack’s Pizza and Village Concessions. Market Square also set a new team record for mug sales and the Sweet Shoppe Set a new spending per person record. The Foods Team is off to a great start this season.

Celebrating YOU

Opportunity OutlookCongratulations Please join us in congratulating Krista Tillman on her recent promotion to Merchandise Craft Shop Senior Team Lead.

Carol Krol is excited about her team’s accomplishment. Tim McGlaughlin smiles as he accepts the award on behalf of his hard-working team.

LIVING HEALTHY IN MIND | BODY | SPIRIT

WE L LN E S S

Mobile MammogramsUT Medical Center’s Mobile Mammography Unit will provide digital screening mammograms on-site at Dollywood April 26,

June 19 and Dec. 27 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointments are required.

Insurance is filed for each participant. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the UT Breast Health Outreach Program at (865) 305-9753.

Criteria for Screening Mammogram: Age 40+, no current breast problems, no personal history of breast cancer, no breast implants, at least one year since your last screening mammogram.

Host Church Services take place Sundays at 8:30 a.m. at Aunt Granny’s.

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CorporateBIRTHDAYSDMR - Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and SpaDSC - Dollywood’s Splash CountryDSMC - Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins

April 1 Barbara Baird Foods  Matthew Whiteley Ops  Melinda Hartsell DMR  Sara Wilsey OpsApril 2 Debbie Willemsen HR  Heather Blevins Foods  Jeremy Cook DMR  Pat Harris OpsApril 3 Chester McCollum Maintenance  Crystal Hensley Merch  Sharon Peffers OpsApril 4 Charles Belcher Jr Maintenance  Chelsey Boyd Security  Joey Bird MaintenanceApril 5 Patrick Johnson MaintenanceApril 6 Jarrell Standridge Ops  Sharon Baker FoodsApril 7 Caleb James Ops  Daryl Edgerton Foods  Joseph Johnson First Aid  Katheryn Pitts Ops  Sandy Capps First AidApril 8 Al Cunningham III Maintenance  Corey White Merch  Ellen Ramsey Marketing  Erin Ownby Marketing  Frances Corey Merch  Gary Branham Ops  Joel Sebring II Finance  Robert Lange OpsApril 10 Jacob Morie Foods  JR Morrow Maintenance  Kris Hull DSC  Ronnie Darrow Maintenance  Walter Bohanan MaintenanceApril 11 Julie Goodman Finance  Rein Kori OpsApril 12 Calista Yob DMR  James Burleyson DMR  Jeremy Maiden First Aid  Joseph Quinn DMRApril 13 Kay Wilson Foods  Myra Hill FoodsApril 14 David Myers Foods  Linda Goodnight Merch

CorporateANNIVERSARIES Years ofDate Department ServiceApril 1 Al Jenkins Safety 14   Brenda Davis DMR 2   Jerry Maxwell OPS 11   Julie Collins OPS 1   Tammy Ledbetter Foods 14 April 2 Betty Rowe HR 14   Dennye Aden Foods 5   Joan Taylor Merchandise 5   Joey Bird Maintenance 27   John Federenko Maintenance 10   Kenneth Eidson DMR 1   Mary Brinkley OPS 1   Mary Eddington Foods 12   Peter Shurr IV Maintenance 1   Ronald Mabire Jr Foods 1   Thomas Timmons DMR 1  Velma Culpepper OPS 10   Vicki Abbott Marketing 14 April 3 Amber Hancock Entertainment 3   Andrea Fontana Spec Events 28   Barry Stiltner Maintenance 20   Steven Michi OPS 3 April 4 Angela Flores OPS 1   Chester McCollum Const & Devel 33   Danielle Ferrante Marketing 14   Joyce Welsh Merchandise 14   Julie Goodman Finance 1   Kalia Wright OPS 2   Kay Wilson Foods 5   Lisa Rosenbalm OPS 3   Mary Quirk HR 17   Patricia Dean Foods 9   Rachel Reed OPS 2   Robert Johnson OPS 2   Ronald Driesslein OPS 1   Sandra Kinnick Safety 1   Susan Click Merchandise 4   Tammy Agnew Marketing 23 April 5 Crystal Hensley Merchandise 11   Joe Lindsey Foods 23   Melinda Kilgore OPS 6 April 6 Jack Flemming Security 1   James Anthony Maintenance 35   Renata Beckwith OPS 12

Continued on Page 8

Constantly Improving

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CorporateANNIVERSARIES Years ofDate Department Service

April 7 Chris Enyart Maintenance 8 April 8 Barbara Geitner Foods 17   Jeri Branham OPS 2 April 9 Brittney Ashley OPS 3   David King Merchandise 3   Deborah Harris Foods 1   Jarrell Standridge OPS 7   JoAn Standridge OPS 7   Joseph Schnell Security 1   Katheryn Pitts OPS 1   Krista Tillman Merchandise 1  Linda Walters DMR 1   Lisa Riddle OPS 2   Mike Smiley Maintenance 26   Shea Rice DMR 1   Tony Holcombe OPS 3 April 10 Betty Hall Foods 8   John Guzzetta Foods 6   Michelle Dillon Administration 24   Ray Thibault DSC 4   Steve Schettini Security 9

April 11 Carol Krol Foods 3   Jason Fernandez DMR 1   Judith Ziemianski Foods 4   Madison Furman Foods 8   Marian Pruitt OPS 27   Niccetta Monteleone Entertainment 4 April 12 Derek Daugherty OPS 2   Jimmie Mack Maintenance 3   Mario DeLucia Security 5   Roger White Entertainment 24   Teresa Browning Foods 11 April 13 Betty DeLong DMR 4   Emily Rosenbalm Merchandise 4   Eric McCarter Merchandise 6   Jacob Wachter OPS 2   Jennifer Hansen Folsom Merchandise 1  Jeremy Hemen DMR 2   Richard Shampine OPS 7   Stacey Mitchell DMR 1 April 14 Brenda Blevens OPS 4   Lisa Haislip Maintenance 13   Mark Bacon Maintenance 5   Paul Dunlap Const & Devel 31   Taylor Christian DSC 3This list reflects the Host’s current team.

Keep Clear Access to Fire Hydrants Never block a fire hydrant. Every year fires occur at Dollywood. Most of them are very minor but there are

occasions when the fire department may need to hook to our fire hydrants. If the hydrants are blocked, it can make it difficult or even impossible for firefighters to access the water they need.  Please do not park in front of them or otherwise block the access to them for any reason, even for just a short time.

SAFE Y Matters