The beloved theme park, Dollywood, owned in part by the legendary Dolly Parton, has opened its doors again for its 40th season in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While the vibrant rides and outstanding entertainment repertoire are unquestionably thrilling, a famed cinnamon bread attracts many visitors magically. This tasty indulgence is so beloved that it could rival Parton's popularity herself at her very theme park.

The story of this legendary cinnamon bread has its roots at Silver Dollar City, a theme park in Branson, Missouri, where it became a perennial favorite among visitors. The Herschend family, who currently co-own Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, purchased the park on which Dollywood now resides in 1977, changing its name to Silver Dollar City, Tennessee. This changed in 1986 when Parton joined as an owner, and the park adopted its current name - Dollywood.

The highly-prized cinnamon bread began to be served in both the Missouri and Tennessee theme parks around the same period, according to representatives from both theme parks. Both parks claim quite a similar recipe, leading to enthusiastic discussions among ardent theme park visitors about which park serves the best version.

Cinnamon bread at Dollywood showcases culinary creativity, featuring a delightful cross between a cinnamon roll and monkey bread. Before hitting the oven, unbaked bread loaves are sliced at the top and smothered in an enticing mix of butter, sugar, and cinnamon. The baked delicacies are then served, and guests can choose between icing or Dollywood's highly acclaimed apple butter as a topping. In the park's off season, from January to March, more than 200 jars of apple butter are freshly made in-house daily to ensure a year-long supply.

Cinnamon bread enthusiasts have two spots within Dollywood to satiate their cravings. The Grist Mill allows guests to watch the bread being prepared while they queue up to place their order, and the Spotlight Bakery near the park's entrance also offers the delicacy. Queues are common at both locations, but their swift movement rewards patient visitors with a box of warm, aromatic cinnamon bread topped by their preferred topping.

Resort guests at Dollywood's HeartSong and DreamMore can find the cinnamon bread at various grab-and-go cafes or can even order it to their rooms almost any time via room service. In all these locations, the same cherished recipe is used, hence the taste remains consistent wherever it's ordered from.

When it comes to enjoying this delightful treat, there's no wrong way or place to enjoy cinnamon bread. The genuine contest lies in picking the best topping. When asked about her topping preference for cinnamon bread- icing or apple butter, Parton elegantly answered ‘Yeah’, implying she likes it both ways.

Referring to the bread, Parton mentioned, “I do love it all, and everyone talks about the cinnamon bread. I even took some back to the folks in Nashville working on my Broadway musical.”

Transporting the cinnamon bread is convenient for visitors wishing to take a few loaves home. Visitors can refrigerate the loaves in their hotel rooms and later cool them in cooler bags for the journey. Each box has a QR code providing reheating instructions for an oven or microwave. Furthermore, those flying to Dollywood should not worry - cinnamon bread is fit for carry-on luggage. However, it should be kept in a zip-close bag to prevent the sweet cinnamon butter syrup from making a sticky mess in the suitcase.