Claim:
Disney bought country singer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park.
Rating:
<input type="hidden" id="article_url" value="/fact-check/disney-buy-dollywood-false/"/>
<p dir="ltr">Following the passing of legendary icon Dolly Parton in August 2026, an online <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DckJbrxtPFK/">rumor</a> (<a href="https://perma.cc/NS4W-XZ9A">archived</a>) surfaced claiming that Disney had acquired her famous Dollywood theme park.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The claim gained traction when the social media channel Mouse Trap News published a video <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DckJbrxtPFK/">asking</a>, "What do you think of Disney taking over Dollywood?!"</p>
<img class="img-lg" src="https://mediaproxy.snopes.com/width/600?url=https://media.snopes.com/2026/08/dollywood_disney_satire_instagram.png" alt=""/>
<p><strong>(@mousetrapnews, accessed via Instagram)</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The same claim was shared across Mouse Trap News' <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1072187575738090">Facebook</a> (<a href="https://perma.cc/T348-HYJL">archived</a>) and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mousetrapnews/video/7678881643494477086">TikTok</a> (<a href="https://perma.cc/EZA3-T2YL">archived</a>) profiles. Many social media users expressed confusion over whether the post was factual, prompting readers to <a href="https://www.snopes.com/contact/">reach out</a> to verify its accuracy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In truth, the report is entirely fabricated. Mouse Trap News is a satirical platform focused on amusement park humor. Their official bios on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/themousetrapnews/about">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mousetrapnews/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mousetrapnews">TikTok</a> explicitly state that their content is "100% Fake."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Furthermore, an article published on their official website <a href="https://www.mousetrapnews.com/about">states</a> that they specialize in "100% made-up parody and satire stories about Disney Parks." Consequently, the claim has been classified as satire.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Major search platforms including <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?ia=news&origin=funnel_home_website&t=h_&q=disney+bought+dollywood&chip-select=search&iar=news">DuckDuckGo</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=5074c3e5433fd5a9&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&sxsrf=APpeQnsu5Vnh4wcETyPRUnUnPWKewWLaxg:1787939237485&q=disney+bought+dollywood&tbm=nws&source=lnms&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832QGGMdFXpDyzkQgEdtB8w9y513h_dJNevWM0LJgfK9j1onbTVpWwrFHwdU22tNLLV2RpETVjA21xhKReiguBcl0O355HFaLzYriaROXkux6B_Ygjf5D7j8q9cJtsH4CxG0NChEJ9F-gEWKP5XMlr0LMhXThESfj8EOIO6K-rAgFSxbB7pA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-_4TZ8MOWAxXBUkEAHXfnG5YQ0pQJegQIHhAB&biw=1920&bih=845&dpr=2">Google</a>, and <a href="https://uk.news.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrkNayJyZFqUQIASMdLBQx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=disney+bought+dollywood&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t">Yahoo</a> contained no legitimate coverage supporting the acquisition rumor (<a href="https://perma.cc/74Y5-EQZL?type=image">archived</a>, <a href="https://perma.cc/TG5L-VAF9">archived</a>, <a href="https://perma.cc/5XXZ-BFGG">archived</a>). Given the immense global celebrity status of both Parton and Disney, any actual buyout would have made major headline news worldwide.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The fictional report emerged around August 28, 2026, just three days following Parton's passing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The promotional video utilized a mix of actual footage from Dollywood and Disney locations, alongside repurposed clips from separate, authentic videos. Certain segments featured Parton discussing the upcoming debut of her "My Life of Many Colors Museum," slated for a fall 2026 opening. Other parts incorporated a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcgTryIResO/">video</a> featuring Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton discussing plans to preserve Parton's lasting impact.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Addressing the park's foundational icon, Naughton shared the following message with the public:</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">I know a lot of people are concerned that things are going to change without Dolly being present here and I want to assure you that it's not. Just know that we're all going to keep her alive here.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">For additional context, past satirical posts from Mouse Trap News have previously been addressed. For instance, a June 2025 report falsely claiming that Disney was banning <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/disney-ban-maga-hats-parks/">MAGA hats</a> was similarly identified and debunked.</p>
<p><i>Since the effectiveness of <a href="https://www.snopes.com/notes/snopes-satire-parody/">satire is subjective</a>, we use "</i><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/rating/originated_as_satire/"><i>originated as satire</i></a><i>" or "</i><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/rating/labeled_satire/"><i>labeled satire</i></a><i>" ratings based on creators' description of their work. It's your call on whether you agree.</i></p>