The Nightly – “Dollywood or Bust!”
Podcast: The Nightly (Hatch Podcasts)
Episode Release Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Kristen and Jacquees
Episode Overview
In this cozy, late-night edition of The Nightly, hosts Kristen and Jacquees embark on an imaginative deep-dive into their dream theme park vacations—zeroing in on Dollywood, the Smoky Mountain theme park owned by Dolly Parton. The conversation is equal parts joyful, personal, and informative, seamlessly blending pop culture nostalgia, insider tips, and travel fantasies. Listeners are treated to playful banter, shared stories, and practical insights, all with a chill, bedtime-friendly vibe.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Pets and Sleep Spaces
- The episode opens with playful banter about sharing beds with pets. Jacquees is adamantly pro-pet, but not when it comes to giving up his bed:
- “Get your ass off the bed. Like, get off the bed. You got an entire house to sleep on.” (Jacquees, 01:09)
- Kristen remarks on the common struggle pet owners face and commends Jacquees for his boundary-setting.
2. Theme Park Cred & Dream Vacation Set-Up
- Kristen prompts Jacquees to describe his ideal theme park vacation, and Jacquees reveals his extensive experience:
- “I am a bonafide theme park person.” (Jacquees, 03:44)
- He’s been to nearly every major Disney park in the world, save for Disney Hong Kong, plus a plethora of other renowned amusement parks (Six Flags, Universal Studios, Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, etc.).
- His previous dream was an epic 30-day Disney world tour—now displaced by a new wish: visiting Dollywood.
3. Dollywood Memories and Descriptions
- Kristen, a self-professed Dolly Parton fan, shares heartfelt Dollywood stories, including honeymooning there and attending a special holiday performance:
- “Every year, she lights up all the buildings...everything's covered in like, 8 trillion Christmas lights.” (Kristen, 06:33)
- Dollywood is described as much more than a Dolly shrine: a legit full-scale theme park with extreme roller coasters, Smoky Mountain crafts, and family-friendly attractions.
Dollywood Highlights:
- Exhilarating wooden roller coaster (the world’s only of its kind): “After you get locked into the seat...boom, it shoots you out at 70 miles per hour.” (Kristen, 07:57)
- Classic Americana: cobbler and cowboy hat making, craft demonstrations, and old-timey Smoky Mountain experiences.
4. Theme Park Experiences and Preferences
- Jacquees confesses his selective, “slightly bougie” approach: he tries new activities but can instantly spot what he’ll enjoy.
- Both hosts praise Dollywood’s short lines and affordable admission:
- “The lines are just a fraction of the length...Dollywood costs way less than Disney or Universal.” (Kristen, 09:10)
- Dollywood's setting in the Great Smoky Mountains is a draw itself, offering natural beauty even for non-ride-goers.
5. Dollywood as a “Hangout” Destination
- Season pass holders sometimes visit Dollywood just to stroll, people-watch, eat, or relax in beautiful surroundings, paralleling Jacquees’ own Disney habits.
6. Attire and Shopping Philosophy
- Jacquees’ take on theme park fashion:
- “I don’t go all out and dress like a character or anything. I might buy a Disney hoodie or shirt, but that’s about it.” (Jacquees, 11:37)
- His modern merch rule: only buy souvenirs he’ll wear “as a fit” in real life, preferably stylish graphic tees or hoodies featuring iconic Dolly pictures (19:11).
Notable Exchange:
- Kristen shares her love of a Dollywood-bought sequined jacket:
- “I got it for $20 in Dollywood and I wear this jacket every time I dress up.” (Kristen, 19:28)
7. Dollywood Lodging and Surrounding Attractions
- Where to stay: Dreammore Resort for a luxe experience or Dollywood log cabins for the authentic Smoky Mountain vibe.
- Nearby fun: Adjacent Gatlinburg offers quirky museums (Titanic Museum, upside-down building), shops, and offbeat shows (like Dolly’s lumberjack and pirate spectaculars).
Planning Group vs. Solo Trips:
- Jacquees: “I have to go with someone who will get on rides. I can’t go with someone who’s not gonna get on rides because...half our day we’re either not gonna be together or I’m gonna be annoyed.” (Jacquees, 15:11)
- For groups, a log cabin can be ideal (“that would be fun”). For a partner, he’d opt for the resort.
8. Getting There: Road Trip vs. Airplane
- Jacquees: “There is no part of me that wants to road trip anywhere...I’m on a plane and...I’m flying first class.” (Jacquees, 20:30)
- Kristen prefers the classic American road trip, imaging a playlist of Dolly songs, weird roadside attractions, and friends doing the driving.
- “The playlist is entirely Dolly Parton. And that’s what’s gonna happen on the road trip.” (Kristen, 21:08)
- The compromise: road-trippers pick up Jacquees at the airport and unite for a singalong.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On pets in the bed:
- “I love them like children...Get off the bed. Get off the couch.” (Jacquees, 02:19)
- On theme park mastery:
- “I have passes to Six Flags, Disney. I have been to other theme parks...I'm a theme park person.” (Jacquees, 04:09)
- On Dollywood’s surprises:
- “I think a lot of people just think, oh, it's gonna be just a tribute to Dolly Parton and there’s not much else to do there. But that's not true at all.” (Kristen, 07:14)
- On souvenir philosophy:
- “Back in the day, in my 20s, I was a buy merch, buy shirts...And then my fashion sense started to change...if I’m gonna buy merch, it has to be something I can go out and wear as a fit.” (Jacquees, 17:39)
- Dollywood fashion dreams:
- “That picture that circulates online of Dolly Parton when she was young...that would be a fun shirt to wear.” (Jacquees, 19:12)
- On travel preferences:
- “Why would I spend six hours in a car when I can get there in 45 minutes?” (Jacquees, 20:45)
- “I'm gonna road trip, but I'm not gonna drive. The people in my car are gonna do all the driving, and I'm just gonna pick out the playlist and the playlist is entirely Dolly Parton.” (Kristen, 21:05)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:45 – Pets in the bed
- 03:44 – Jacquees’ theme park resume
- 05:55 – Dollywood: “the dream”
- 06:31 – Kristen’s Dollywood honeymoon & the holiday spectacle
- 07:40 – Roller coasters & old-time crafts
- 09:10 – Short lines and affordable tickets at Dollywood
- 11:21 – Theme park fashion habits
- 12:36 – All about Dollywood lodging and regional attractions
- 15:12 – Choosing the right travel companions
- 17:39 – Souvenir shopping strategy
- 20:30 – Travel mode debate (road trip vs. fly-in)
- 21:08 – Dolly Parton road trip playlist & arrival plan
Tone & Style
True to The Nightly’s mission, the episode is gentle, warm, and meandering—like a late night chat in a pillow fort with friends who know a thing or two about theme parks. The hosts’ genuine affection for Dolly Parton and well-traveled amusement park expertise shines throughout, making the episode both soothing and surprisingly informative.
Listeners won’t just leave wanting to plan a Dollywood vacation; they’ll feel like they’ve already shared one with two enthusiastic, witty friends.
Final Note
This episode is perfect for theme park dreamers, Dolly Parton devotees, and anyone seeking a joyfully drowsy bedtime escape.