Dollywood 2026 Season Pass Guide
Quick Takeaway: Dollywood’s 2026 Season Passes offer strong value for frequent visitors, with discounts, resort perks, and the exclusive NightFlight Expedition preview for renewing passholders. While the season includes fewer Bring-A-Friend tickets than in past years, families can still save big—especially if they visit two or more times or take advantage of the free Pre-K Pass.
Dollywood has officially released its 2026 Season Pass details, and there are some exciting updates for both renewing and new passholders. With a brand-new attraction, exclusive perks, and special discounts, now is the time to decide if a Dollywood Season Pass is right for your family.
Here’s your complete guide to Dollywood’s 2026 Season Pass program.
Key 2026 Season Pass Dates
Dollywood offers different sales windows depending on whether you’re a current passholder or a new guest:
- Renewal Window for Current Passholders – Renew your 2025 Season Pass by October 12, 2025 to lock in the lowest prices and access exclusive perks. Renewing guests in good standing (no outstanding balances on payment plans) will also get early access to the park’s brand-new attraction, NightFlight Expedition, before it opens to the public. They will also receive 3 discounted Bring-A Friend tickets. Diamond Passholder renewals will also receive free monthly cinnamon bread vouchers and a NightFlight sticker set/tumbler.
- New Passholder Pre-Sale – Guests without a 2025 pass can register by October 5, 2025 for early access to the pre-sale beginning October 13, 2025. This is the best chance to secure a pass before prices rise during general sales.
- Public Sale – All 2026 Dollywood Season Passes go on sale to the general public starting November 1, 2025.
What’s New for 2026
NightFlight Expedition
The biggest highlight of the 2026 season is the debut of NightFlight Expedition, a first-of-its-kind hybrid coaster and whitewater adventure. Renewing passholders get the special perk of attending an exclusive preview ride event, making early renewal even more valuable.
Pre-K Imagination Pass
For families with little ones, Dollywood continues its free Pre-K Imagination Season Pass program. Children born in 2021 or 2022 qualify for a complimentary pass, which grants them admission to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country for the entire 2026 season. Get the breakdown of how to receive this pass in our season pass guide.
Passholder Perks by Tier
Dollywood offers three main season pass options—Summer Fun, Silver, Gold, and Diamond—with different levels of benefits. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:
Summer Fun Pass
- Unlimited visits from April 18, 2026- September 13, 2026
- No other available Perks available for this pass
Silver Pass
- Bring-A-Friend ticket offers
- Admission all season long (with some blackout dates) If visiting during the Christmas season is important, check the dates to make sure this pass will work for you!
- Discounts on dining and shopping (10%)
Gold Pass
- All Silver benefits plus:
- Free standard parking
- Larger discounts (up to 15%)
- Golden Hour Access
- Discounts at Dollywood resorts
- All Season Mug
Diamond Pass
- Early Ride Time on select days
- Priority seating at select shows
- All Gold benefits plus:
- Up to 20% discounts on dining/merchandise
- Multiple Bring-A-Friend tickets
Fewer Bring-A-Friend Tickets in 2026
One change guests will notice for 2026 is that Dollywood is offering fewer Bring-A-Friend tickets than in previous years. These complimentary or discounted tickets have always been a popular perk for passholders, allowing them to bring along friends or family at little to no extra cost.
While passes still include Bring-A-Friend benefits, the reduction means families who rely on these extras may need to budget for additional single-day tickets if they plan to bring guests more often. If maximizing Bring-A-Friend tickets is important to you, be sure to review the details for your pass tier before purchasing.
Military Discounts
Dollywood honors military families by offering discounted 2026 Season Passes to active duty members, veterans, retirees, and dependents. Discounts are verified through ID.me at checkout. Check out the chart below to see how these discounts will save you money on your pass!
Payment Plan Options
Guests can spread out the cost of their 2026 passes using Dollywood’s monthly payment plan. Be aware that taxes and a small service fee are added, and current passholders must complete all 2025 payment installments before they can renew for 2026.
Is a 2026 Dollywood Season Pass Worth It?
For most families, the answer depends on how often you plan to visit:
- Two to three visits per year typically make the cost of a pass worthwhile.
- Parking savings and dining/merchandise discounts can add up quickly, especially for larger families.
- If you plan to stay at DreamMore Resort or HeartSong Lodge, passholder discounts on lodging provide even more value.
- For preschoolers, the free Pre-K Pass is an unbeatable deal.
The 2026 season is especially appealing to current 2025 passholders because of the NightFlight Expedition early access perk, available only to renewing passholders.
Final Thoughts
Dollywood’s 2026 Season Pass program is packed with value, flexibility, and new perks. Whether you’re a loyal passholder or considering your first pass, acting during the pre-sale or renewal window in October 2025 is the best way to lock in savings and secure early ride access to Dollywood’s newest adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do 2026 Dollywood Season Passes go on sale?
-Current passholders can renew now through October 12, 2025.
-New passholders can register by October 5 for pre-sale access starting October 13, 2025.
-General Public sales begin November 1, 2025.
What’s new for 2026 passholders?
The big news is the opening of NightFlight Expedition, Dollywood’s newest attraction. Renewing passholders get early access through an exclusive ride preview event.
Who qualifies for the free Pre-K Imagination Pass?
Children born in 2021 or 2022 qualify for the free 2026 Pre-K Imagination Season Pass, giving them unlimited admission to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country.
How many Bring-A-Friend tickets do passholders get in 2026?
While Bring-A-Friend tickets are still included, Dollywood has reduced the number compared to previous years. The exact number depends on your pass tier, so review benefits carefully before purchasing.
Do Silver passes have blackout dates?
Yes. Silver passholders will have restricted admission on certain peak dates in 2026. Always check Dollywood’s official calendar for blackout dates before planning your trip.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. Dollywood offers an online monthly payment plan for 2026 passes. Taxes and a small service fee apply. Current passholders must have all 2025 payments completed before renewing.
Are there military discounts on season passes?
Yes. Active duty, veterans, retirees, and their dependents can purchase discounted passes through verification with ID.me.
Is a Dollywood Season Pass worth it in 2026?
If you plan to visit Dollywood at least two or three times, a pass can quickly pay for itself—especially when factoring in free parking, resort discounts, dining/merchandise savings, and special perks like the NightFlight Expedition preview for returning passholders. Families with young kids or military members can save even more.
