Pigeon Forge budget ideas

[cjnix29]

Just made reservations for a long weekend in September. Any good discounts or good recommendations for things to do/places to see?

 

[breagirl]

We are going in a few weeks and I would love to see responses to this as well. I've been meaning to search for Dollywood discount tickets, etc. I just forgetting to do it.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

I have never had any luck finding discounts there. We did however find a SPOTLESS hotel there that's cheaper than any one I've ever stayed in (and we go often). It's called Mtn. Aire Motor Inn. They don't have a website or anything. It's a christian family owned hotel. If anyone wants their number, just let me know.

 

[ceecee]

We went in late September once and enjoyed just looking at the fall decorations. Shopping is fun too, but not so much a budget activity!

 

[Little Bit]

I'm going in June. I went to smokeymountainnavigator.com and requested a coupon book. There's coupons in it for Dixie Stampede, most of the Ripley's attractions, and lots of other things. I think you can print coupons from that website, too. I haven't had any luck finding coupons for Dollywood, so am interested if anyone else has found any.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

For any military families I found on dollywoods website yesterday tickets for 39.10per adult. We leave tomarrow!!! I am so excited we have been every year for the past 12 years and last year was the first year that we had to miss it b/c of lack of money and DH had just changed jobs. I am SOOO excited to go. As far as budget... not so much, but it is SOOO much fun and so many outlets, so I guess that would be considered budget?!

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

We are planning a trip for Gatlinburg /Pigeon Forge and I was just searching on her site and she has a combo ticket for dollywood, dixie stampede and lodging. If you book through her site you get your tickets for Dollywood and Dixie Stampeded included as well as your food for the each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner with a snack. Tons of options you can choose a cabin or hotel. We are looking at going the Hotel route.

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

We went last yr and had a very nice time. Stop in at the visitors center I think it was the sugerlands one but don't totaly remember. They had a movie on the history (in the AC was nice) and small musum that was interesting. Also had lots of flyers and coupons etc. Also they sell daily pass's for the trolly there you can park in there lot and ride the trolly throuh Gaitlinburg all day.

In Cade Cove we went on a really nice Hay ride. But they require that you have 10 people out or you can't go. But I'm not sure they'll be running it this yr as they are doing road construction on the Cade Cove road. They also had horse back riding and carriage rides. They weren't too bad price wise. Also if the Cade Cove road is open its a nice trip because they have lots of house's and churchs that you can stop at and look around but it is a one way loop.

With Ripleys you can go to the web site that they have linked and they sell discount txts for several activities at a discount rate. Just take time to sit back and enjoy the views. Also the Chirstmas shop was really neat. Several shops and little place to sit outside that was lots of fun too. Hope you have a great time.

 

[LoriNSC]

My inlaws just bought a cabin right near the entrance of Dollywood. So I just subcribed to Dollywood email & they send me discounts often. I know TN residents can get discounts as well (my brother in laws lives in Sevierville). Not sure if my inlaws qualify for a discount or not. Other than that I dont know of any discounts.

 

[ksl5f123]

I love Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge! We go at least once every 2 years. My favorite things to do there are all free! I love to go hiking in the park! There are so many trails!! My favorites are the ones that go to waterfalls and the quiet walkways. In the evenings, bring a lawn chair and go sit out and listen to one of the many free concerts in the parking lots all over Pigeon Forge. Lots of bluegrass, but other music too. I also enjoy "shopping" (I almost never buy anything) in Gatlinburg. My kids love to watch the taffy making (free and they often give out samples). If we are staying more than 2 or 3 days, we will also take a day to drive through the park to Cherokee, NC - there is even better shopping there!

 

[dzneelvr]

Absolutely make plans to go to DollywoodIt is really unbelievable what she's done with an old out-of-date theme park (Silver Dollar City). I LOVE Dolly (as you can tell by my name)There is usually a combo that you buy a ticket after 3pm and get to go the entire next day...or something like that. Well Worth ItBalance out Dollywood with a drive through the Smokey Mountains. Get out of your vehicle. Hike a bit. Breathe in that wonderful clear and crisp air. You'll definitely want to head back for more next year

 

[girlsx2]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pigeon Forge!! I try to go every year for someone's birthday (ususally mine!!). I agree with the other posters, not much in the 'budget' area at all. However, do take the loop around Cade's Cove. It's beautiful and free. Last year we saw a momma bear and a cub walking across the road. Always LOTS of wildlife and you can explore the old bulidings that are there as well. They all have a little plaque that tells the story of each structure. Also, some friends of ours tells me that you can go tubing down the river. Not sure where they get into the river at, but it's free as well. Have a great time!!

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

We love that area. We have a little place down there finally because we love it so much. Dollywood is pretty nice. We go every time we are down there. Dollywood does have deal that if you buy your ticket online through the end of June (I think...double check me, it's on their site) you get a free meal for each ticket purchased. The meals aren't bad at all. We actually got ours to go last time and took it back to our house with us and made an excellent quick dinner after a tiring day. We also love to go to the little place near the Christmas Store that has rides and stuff and play around there (not sure of the road name, I always forget). It's one of DD's favorite places. You can find coupons for it nearly everywhere in those little book. We also adore the outlet mall (who doesn't).

 

[mommymeg]

Really wanting to visit this area also in the near future... BFF is in AL, I am in PA, so this would be the perfect halfway point to finally have our kids meet!

Any recommendations on lodging??? Cabins are an option, but hotels w/ free breakfast are very appealing too... Between us we will have 4 adults and 7 kids. We also need something relatively budget friendly.

Definitally wanting to do Dollywood...maybe a few other sites, over a 4 day weekend.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lovemygoofy]

http://gatlinburg.ripleys.com/

You can go to this website and purchase tickets ahead of time for activity. You can just pick a specific number of activities and pay one flat rate per person. The website also list the amount for entrance to anything with the name Ripleys on it. I personally think the combo tickets are worth it because you do end up saving a little money and already prepaid to do a few things.

Be prepared for crazy traffic. Lots of stoplights and only 3 lanes in some places. We always rent a cabin and stop for a grocery stockup. It's nice to have somewhere to relax with plenty of space and snacks and making a simple breakfast in the morning but we also don't do alot of dinner shows.

My favorite place to eat is the Old Mill. Good southern comfort food with HUGE portions. We either share an entree or automatically have half boxed up. I also stock up on the soup mixes and other things from the store. Love the corn chowder and the potato soup!

There is also an Apple Barn there that is good. Lots of people love it there and it was good. More southern comfort food. I just thought it was a bit expensive.

Don't forget you can buy tickets fro Dollywood after 3pm and get in free the next day. I think it's worth it in the summer time because of the late hours and it is alot cooler in the evening as well.

Have a great trip. I love the mountains there.

 

[taylorcpa]

You have already gotten good ideas. My suggestion is to make lunch your big meal of the day if possible. Places like the Apple Barn and Old Mill have more reasonable lunch prices and portions. Then, you can pick up something cheaper for dinner.

I second going to Cades Cove and exploring the mountains.

We love going to Pigeon Forge! Where are you staying?

 

[disney ny]

If you are going in their off seasons you can find some great deals on hotels. Being from NY we found everything there to be quite affordable. We have stayed at The Inn at Christmas Place and Music Road Inn and got great deals at both. They were beautiful hotels and both had free breaskfast. Dollywood and The Dixie Stampede are both fun and so are some of the dinner shows like The Blackbear Jamboree. There are fantastic places to eat- someone mentioned the Old Mill which is great and we loved The Smoky Mountain Brewery and Calhoun's. Just thinking about it makes me wish I was there. It is a great place to vacation and very relaxing.

 

[cjnix29]

You have already gotten good ideas. My suggestion is to make lunch your big meal of the day if possible. Places like the Apple Barn and Old Mill have more reasonable lunch prices and portions. Then, you can pick up something cheaper for dinner.

I second going to Cades Cove and exploring the mountains.

We love going to Pigeon Forge! Where are you staying?

We are staying at Laurel Crest....we have a timeshare. Haven't been there yet. Looking forward to the trip! Getting great ideas! We have been to Branson several times, am I right to think the two are similar? How far is the aquarium in gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge?

 

[taylorcpa]

Do you have kids? If so, how old are they?

 

[cjnix29]

I have a son, he's 7.