'I Had A Little Problem': Why Dolly Parton Couldn't Attend Dollywood Event

Dolly Parton recorded a video to share why she was unable to attend an event in-person at Dollywood on Wednesday (September 17). 

The beloved music legend shared that she “had a little problem,” and could not travel from Nashville to the amusement park in East Tennessee to announce a new ride. Parton said in the video, shared by WGN Morning News reporter Marcus Leshock on X, formerly Twitter: “Well, I had a little problem. I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problem. Turned out, it’d given me an infection, and the doctor said, ‘you don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’ So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, and I’m there with you in spirit and I was looking so forward to it.”

Parton, 79, said the new Night Flight Expedition, opening next year, has taken a years-long process to bring to life at the park. Parton said “there’s nothing like it in the whole wide world, certainly not in East Tennessee. They say it’s the most expensive thing we’ve ever done, so it better be good,” she said with a smile, getting a laugh from the audience.

“I’m sorry that I can’t be there in person, but you have a great time today,” Parton said. “You just enjoy it and know that I’ll be back just quick as I can. Don’t worry about me. I’m gonna be OK. Just can’t do it today.”

Parton has maintained a full schedule throughout the year with new collaborations (most recently, with Zac Brown Band), the debut of her autobiographical Broadway musical in Nashville, work on her upcoming museum and SongTeller Hotel, chronicling her life and career in an exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame, planning her first Las Vegas headlining run in more than three decades, and more. The East Tennessee attraction officially became Dollywood nearly 40 years ago in 1986.