With about five weeks until opening for the 2026 season: I will admit it, wholeheartedly: I was critical, perhaps even harsh, about Silverwood last season…which you can read about in prior posts. I’d seen a decline in quality and perceived care, especially as it related to Evanna and accessibility. My thoughts were also clouded by things I’d learned about that were going on or had gone on behind the scenes that were flat-out wrong.
In regard to the behind the scenes stuff, January’s sudden and unexpected death of former Silverwood magician Isaiah Daniels put the exposé of those stories on the back burner, in large part because Isaiah’s experiences were kind of the impetus for that. Those aren’t my stories to tell (broadcast and amplify when they come out, for sure though) since I was not directly involved. That does not in the least affect the truth, the depth, or the effects of those experiences, however.
But with the Herschend acquisition of Silverwood*, it deserves a second chance. A clean(ish) slate. A new beginning, if you will.
I’ll still point out issues if experienced this season, because the issues deserve to be highlighted so that they can–hopefully–be addressed.
–S.
*Last season would have been our last as season pass holders had it not been for the Herschend acquisition, because of the issues experienced.
Additionally, my thoughts on the structure of the contract–relying on just experiences with my own clients–is that the 2026 season is likely to be a transitional season, meaning Herschend is likely to be mostly observing this season and planning out changes. But that’s just my personal thoughts. So I’ll probably be slightly more forgiving in criticism this season. As I wrote last season, I fully expect that the changes brought in by Herschend will be good ones, based on the rankings of Dollywood and on the experiences of previous Silverwood cast members that went on to work at Dollywood.
