Dolly Parton Misses Dollywood Ride Reveal Due to Kidney Stone

• Dolly Parton missed Dollywood’s Night Flight Expedition announcement due to kidney stone recovery.
• She shared a personal video explaining the situation and reassured fans about her health.
• This is not her first kidney stone experience, and it followed a challenging year personally.
• The new Dollywood ride is set to be a groundbreaking adventure opening in 2026.
• Dolly remains optimistic and grateful for fan support during her recovery.

Country music icon Dolly Parton recently missed a major event at her Dollywood theme park, where a new attraction called Night Flight Expedition was unveiled. At 79 years old, the legendary star was unable to attend in person due to recovering from a kidney stone that developed into an infection. This health setback forced her to stay home as per her doctor’s advice, who recommended no traveling until she was fully healed.

Dolly Parton’s Video Message at Dollywood Event Explained Absence

Instead of a physical appearance at the unveiling event in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dolly Parton shared a heartfelt video message with fans. In it, she warmly addressed Dollywood visitors and expressed regret over missing the announcement. She explained, “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, 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.’” She reassured fans that although she couldn’t be there, she was “there in spirit” and promised to be back soon.

Kidney Stone Recovery Challenges for Dolly Parton

This latest health episode is not Dolly’s first encounter with kidney stones. Back in 2015, she revealed the removal of three kidney stones and now faces another struggle that came at a challenging emotional time. Earlier in 2025, she experienced the loss of her husband, Carl Dean. The infection caused by the kidney stone necessitated rest and a pause in her active schedule, including foregoing this highly anticipated Dollywood event.

The Exciting Night Flight Expedition Ride Debut

Despite her absence, the unveiling of the new Night Flight Expedition ride was a highlight for Dollywood fans and visitors. The ride, scheduled to open in 2026, is described as an immersive adventure combining soaring, plunging, climbing, and navigating — heralded as the first ride of its kind worldwide. The theme park teased this unprecedented attraction on social media, capturing the excitement of what happens in the Smoky Mountains after dark.

Dolly Parton’s Commitment to Fans and Future Appearances

Dolly’s quick video message shows her dedication to keeping fans informed and connected. She thanked everyone for their understanding and encouraged them not to worry about her health. Although temporarily sidelined, she conveyed optimism about her recovery, saying, “I’m gonna be okay. Just can’t do it today.” Fans can look forward to catching her at future Dollywood events once she has fully recovered.

Health Lessons from Dolly Parton’s Experience

Dolly Parton’s kidney stone episode serves as a reminder of the importance of timely health care and following medical advice. Kidney stones can cause significant pain and complications like infections, which require rest and sometimes lifestyle adjustments. The star’s openness about her condition also helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help early.

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