Any opinions about Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TN

[Magalex]

WOW Thanks for all the great replies. I knew I can count on my fellow DISers It would be a June vacation probably in 2007 or 2008( a year we don't go to WDW). I read in one of the brochures that Wonder Works(the museum on International Dr.) will be opening up in that area this summer. So it seems the area keeps growing with attractions. I told my DH about the replies and he is very excited to visit

 

[3Phase]

My problem with PF is all the little attractions and touristy trap kinda place. Go carts, mini golf game rooms ect... Downtown Gatlinburg is a 1/2 of mile of tee-shirt and gift shops but a fun walk and something to do for a day. That said, We did not go there for the roadside traps but for the National park. It's wonderful in there. My kids picked going there over Disney this year. But with my son turning 17 I'm making him go with us for one more grand adventure with the mouse. We were in Gatlinburg early last June and it was beauitiful. We went into the park almost everyday and did diferent hikes and road tours. 1 day we drove 60 miles to North Carolina to white water raft. What a gas. I'm telling you if you want something new to do this is it.

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[disneyfan551]

I tend to agree...I would stay in Gatlinburg, before PF in a heartbeat. The drive between the two is normally 10 minutes, but can be up to an hour if stuck there during a car show. And since I live in the Great Smoky Mtns. in NC, (other side of the mtn!), I HIGHLY recommend visiting our area for great outdoor attractions. Whitewater rafting in the Nantahala Gorge is not to be missed. Harrah's Cherokee Casino is probably 3 miles from the GSM park entrance. A day trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville is very interesting. Tubing in Deep Creek (GSM Park), in Bryson City is ALOT of fun and cheap! Gem mining in Franklin, NC. Sorry to harp on the NC things to do, but I am a little biased! We do go to PF for outlet shopping, but that's about it! The drive through the Great Smoky Mtns National Park is the best part of the trip!

Hope you have a great time!

 

[tigger2005]

From http://www.pigeonforgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129

and with more Photos

http://www.pigeonforgeforum.com/forums/

From the opening line from LOTR “It begins”. A new Dollywood season that is!! Just got back for the Sneak Preview to Dollywood and it was great. I have several pictures I will be putting up on a few different areas in the Forum so look for them. But first things first.
First was breakfast at Cracker Barrel, good as always. Then on to Sevierville which was crowded and traffic backed up as usual. They are working on a lot of different areas and that does not help things. One major improvement, that is coming, will be the new bridge across the river as you head into Sevierville. Right now there is only one bridge and everyone going anywhere in Sevierville has to cross it. Once you get through Sevierville it is pretty smooth sailing.
On to Dollywood… We parked in section D-E which is pretty far out. One tip: just park out far from the park but near a trolley stop, you have to ride the parking lot trolley so there is no real advantage to parking close to the park entrance. We have a season pass so we went straight in. If it is your first trip this year in with a season pass you will need to get a photo made. They will let you in once without the photo (just your paper season pass) but you need to get a photo while you are there.
We went straight to the new Timber Tower ride. It is not open right now and will not open until next week I think. We just wanted to get a look at it (photos on another post in this forum so look for them). We road the Thunderhead wooden roller coaster while we were there. I also saw a guy with a “Possum Creek Tennessee” shirt on. If you know where Possum Creek is you are a real NE Tennessean, if you don’t just be thankful.
On to the Pines Theater area which is a 1950’s area. I have some pretty good photos from there.
County Fair area next. This area has changed a lot over the past few years. More photos from here. In that same area is the show called Heartsong. I think this is one of the best shows in Dollywood. It is a movie with songs and some visual effects such as it actually rains on you. See it if you can.
I also have some pictures of one of my favorite things in the park…. Food. They are in other post here in the forum also.
Saw a couple of the Festival of Nations shows. They are all pretty good. I did not thing that the Moscow Circus was all that great though. Quiet a few “slow” spots. The theater that it is in is huge and was full.
Saw the Bald Eagles and since it was a warm day they were very active.
For lunch just ate at one of the what I call “stir fry” places. There are several around and it is basically onions, green peppers, potatoes, chicken, sausage, etc. with any and/or all of them on a large cast iron skillet. Once you smell all of that stuff cooking you will be hungry.
I will write some more later…getting sleepy and need to post some pictures.