I went to Dollywood for the first time last summer, and I'm still thinking about it. I can't wait to go back.

I visited Dolly Parton's Dollywood last summer.

Ron Davis/Getty Images I'm a longtime Disney World fan, but last summer, I visited Dollywood for the first time.

The park in Tennessee was cheap, had few crowds, and had great snacks.

Dollywood pleasantly surprised me and taught me about Dolly Parton's lasting legacy.

Disney World has long been my dream vacation.

Since I was a kid, I've loved heading down to Florida and spending time in the parks, jumping on some of my favorite rides like "Soarin'" and " Pirates of the Caribbean ." Last summer, I decided to switch it up.

I've heard great things about Dollywood in Tennessee , but I was unsure if it would be worth the trip.

After talking with a few friends, we decided to bite the bullet and book the trip.

I was pleasantly surprised and learned a lot about Dolly Parton herself.

A year later, I'm still dreaming about my day in the park, and now with Dolly's passing, I'm eager to get back to the place that celebrates the musical legend.

I've long been a fan of her music, so I was excited when the grand entrance welcomed me into the Dolly-verse.

The entrance to Dollywood.

Frank Olito/Business Insider The buildings at the front of the park housed theaters, shops, and restaurants.

It was my first indication that Dollywood was about to transport me into the icon's world.