They fudged up big time.
Hershey Park in Pennsylvania is facing the music online after boasting that their prices were lower than Dollywood just hours after Dolly Parton’s death at age 80. The faux pas came to light via an X post with over 1.7 million views
The post showed a screenshot of an X exchange from August 25 — the date of Parton’s tragic passing following a battle with cancer — in which a devastated fan had praised the “Jolene” singer for keeping the theme park’s prices “reasonable in this economy” and pledged to “support the estate.”
In a since-deleted response, the Hershey Park account had boasted that “our summer tickets are just $49.99,” which is cheaper than Dollywood’s $94.99 one-day pass.
Viewers were outraged by the tone-deaf reply with one incensed fan writing, “Not right now Hershey… not right now…”
“I’m genuinely shocked they did that,” said another, while a third exclaimed, “That was a big NO-NO!”
Many blamed the Hershey-based theme park’s social media team for being oblivious to the star’s death.
“They’re gonna skin that intern alive LMFAO,” wrote one.
“They put that intern on the euthanasia coaster, they are NOT making it out of the building alive,” said another.
Hershey Park’s official account addressed the incident after an X user demanded an apology for the “TACTLESS post.”
“We certainly respect your concern,” they replied. “A reply clarifying our ticket price in another conversation was posted without seeing the context of the chain so we removed quickly to avoid any confusion or insensitivity over intent. We absolutely apologize for the error.”
On Tuesday, Dollywood management announced on Facebook that the Tennessee theme park would remain open on Wednesday in line with the Country Music Hall Of Famer’s wishes.
“In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on,’” they wrote. “Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.
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