PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Despite economic uncertainty, Dolly Parton calls this year the biggest entertainment year ever for her theme park. Parton says the park's being cautious with spending, but with two new shows opening this year and a new motion ride, she's confident it will be a successful year for the park.

Jill Boshears has come to Dollywood since she was a little girl. She was considering a Disney world trip for her family, but says continuing to come to Dollywood instead could save her thousands, as it's a road trip from LaFollate instead of being a flight away.

"It's been a lot better economically for us to choose here instead of going anywhere else to a resort, just staying kind of local", says Boshears.

"We of course are a little apprehensive like everyone in business. We hope it does good", says Dolly Parton.

Park leaders say last year, attendance went down 6% from a record year of 2.5 million visitors in 2007. However, the park says last year was still the third best year for Dollywood in attendance.

"When times are bad business tends to be good because we're close to 2/3 of the population in the United States", says Dollywood Public Relations Manager Pete Owens.

Owens says this year, economic indicators are good. Season pass sales are up 7% from last year.

New shows include Imagine and Shakonohey.
"That's the biggest production we've ever had in house. I got to write all the songs for that so we've got a lot of wonderful things for the people", says Parton.

Lindsey Sharp was one of the first to ride the new motion ride, a 4-D attraction from the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth.

"It was really good and interesting. It was very up in your face. I like it", says Sharp.

Owens says one attraction, Adventure Mountain, was put on hold this year, but says the park still plans to open it at a later date.

Season passes are $77 per person this year. A day pass is $50.