Volume 2, No. 23. December 13, 2002
New Arrivals
It’s
a dog kennel!
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, announces the arrival of Doggywood, November
9, 2002. Measurements: 1,600 square feet (148 square meters), four cottages,
12 dog runs.
Dollywood didn’t raise much of a ruckus about its fancy new dog kennels,
the first ever at the theme park. “We had kind of a quiet opening,”
said Pete Owens, the park’s public relations manager. For six months before
Doggywood’s debut, Dollywood handed out letters describing the new kennels
to anybody who entered the park with an animal and sent invitations to season
pass holders known to own animals inviting them to try out the new facility
themed to look like little homes (Dollywood had allowed pets in the park as
long as they were on a lead, but “after studying that procedure we decided
it would be better for the animals if we had a facility to provide for them,”
Owens said).
Ruckus not necessary. Doggywood has been filled almost to capacity since it
opened. “We’re routinely very close to being full almost every day
of operation,” Owens said. That's during a time when only part of the park
is open for its annual holiday festival. “During peak season I would imagine
demand might be higher. There’s lots of room to expand it. We wanted to
do it in phases to see what the reaction was going to be. It’s been overwhelming,
so we may have to expand it before we open for next season.”
Dogs don’t just get a pretty place to lie about. The kennels have beds
and water. Staff inspect the animals when they are booked into the hound hotel,
and owners check in to feed their dogs and give them a little loving during
the course of a visit. “Patrons who have traditionally brought animals
to the park are ecstatic by the quality of the facility and staff,” Owens
said. “It just exceeded their expectations. We really pampered the pooches.”
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