Best Route from Pigeon Forge

[goofygrandparents]

We will be camping a week in Pigeon Forge at Riversedge campground on our way to WDW and wondered what the best route would be from there to Disney World. We have taken the I-75 straight through the last two times but I was wondering if going along the coast would be faster and how long it would take and some best routes to go.

Also being the Smokies is our second favourite place to be, we have been to the Dixie Stampede (twice), The Comedy Barn. and Sweet Fanny Adams in Gatlinburg. I would like any recommendations for another show in the area that anybody took in and enjoyed.

Thanks in advance from on happy camper.

 

[Thekidsmom]

We were at dolly wood over the summer and drove back to florida. We live about an hour south of disney. The best way back is 75, the coast would take much longer much longer.

 

[MMLong3996]

We were at dolly wood over the summer and drove back to florida. We live about an hour south of disney. The best way back is 75, the coast would take much longer much longer.

We live just east of Orlando and have family just outside of Pigeon Forge. My husband haveing traveled several time a year as a child and when we get the chance to go now, and we've never taken I-75, not once.

If I recall correctly, we take 95N, 26W, 40W. It's roughly a 10-12 hour drive for us. For always stop in Columbia, SC to sleep overnight and finish the next morning.

 

[goofygrandparents]

Thank you for the replies, I think we will try out Michelle's way. We have also only taken the I-75 previously, so I think it would be nice to see more of your lovely states. I am hoping it should be a scenic ride....am I right in thinking this?

 

[SandrA9810]

Cant grant Florida is a lovely state from I-95, but... if you insist.
And if you miss the I-4 exit, you can always get off at exit 180 and take 192 straight across, it's about an hour. I know it's hell on earth getting through downtown Orlando during rush hour.
And if you want to remember the exit, "a straight line is a 180 degrees... so you get off at exit 180 to go straight to Disney!" Kari came up with it a few trips back when we missed the exit cause I thought it was exit 192. Never forgot it since.

 

[MMLong3996]

Thank you for the replies, I think we will try out Michelle's way. We have also only taken the I-75 previously, so I think it would be nice to see more of your lovely states. I am hoping it should be a scenic ride....am I right in thinking this?

Yes, other than my lovely state of Florda : (~, this is a GREAT drive.

 

[Caskbill]

If you want to go a different route just for the fun of it, that's fine. Just keep these points in mind.

• I-75 is the shortest route. Any other way is longer.
• Taking I-40 takes you through a lot more mountaneous roads than I-75. You'll have much higher grades both up and down, have a few tunnels to go through, and a lot more miles of mountains than I-75 has.
• I-95 will have much more traffic on it than I-75 ever has, although I-26 will be nice with a lot less traffic.
• Avoid Jacksonville at all costs during rush hour. It's much worse than Atlanta ever is.
• I-4 is no piece of cake either.

If you do go the East Coast route, and you're not going non-stop, there are some nice places to stop on the way.

• The Biltmore estate
• Hilton Head
• Amelia Island
• St. Augustine
• NASA and the Space Center

I assume you're familiar with the I-75 route. One of our favorite stops there is Stone Mountain, GA.

BTW, driving the lower section of Georgia and the northern section of Florida is just as boring, whether you're going down I-75 or I-95.

 

[MMLong3996]

<<Avoid Jacksonville at all costs during rush hour. It's much worse than Atlanta ever is.>>

Oh wow, we've never experienced this at all! I know Jax can be jam packed, but we've always been very lucky. Of course, you can also take the I-295 junction to go around the Downtown Jax area. But, we never od. We just plan ahead for what time we'll be going hrough Jax and do just that, go right through!

 

[Caskbill]

<<Avoid Jacksonville at all costs during rush hour. It's much worse than Atlanta ever is.>>

Oh wow, we've never experienced this at all! I know Jax can be jam packed, but we've always been very lucky. Of course, you can also take the I-295 junction to go around the Downtown Jax area. But, we never od. We just plan ahead for what time we'll be going hrough Jax and do just that, go right through!

You're correct in that if you time it to miss the rush it's a breeze. We do the same thing.

I should point out that total miles, Jacksonville is not near as big as the Atlanta area, and Atlanta use to be a lot worse, before they had the Olympics there and upgraded the roads. Atlanta isn't too bad if you qualify for the HOV lanes (2-person minimum).

The worse I've seen Jacksonville is when it's stop/go traffic, especially around the bridges.

We live in Indiana and have been driving to Disney for years, and since retirement, several times a year. Being DVC members we will sometimes combine WDW with Disney's Hilton Head resort. So in those cases it's I-74 to I-75 to I-40 to I-26 to I-95 to HH, and from there I-95 to I-4 to Disney. Sometimes we'll do WDW first, and HH on the return trip so it's the other direction. If we're not going to or from HH enroute to WDW, then it's I-74/I-75 all the way. So we're very familiar with both routes.

Mostly it's just the car (when it's a DVC vacation). We've only taken the RV a few times.

 

[ShannonRT]

I live in Knoxville which is about an hour from Pigeon Forge and we visit many, many times a year. We have also been to Dixie Stampede several times. If you have kids, I would recommend the Black Bear Jamboree show. Lots of singing and dancing and funny bears to go along with a pretty decent dinner. Also, last year we went to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater for my daughter's 9th birthday. It's a very small room with some tables and you eat dinner first. Then the actors perform this murder mystery show while they walk around amongst the tables. There is lots of audience participation and it was great fun. You have to try and figure out who did it.

Any more questions about Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area, I'd be glad to help.

 

[MMLong3996]

<<The worse I've seen Jacksonville is when it's stop/go traffic, especially around the bridges.>>

Amen! That is the worst part of Jax, the bridges!

 

[MMLong3996]

Any more questions about Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area, I'd be glad to help.

Another place we enjoyed visiting was Forbidden Caverns. I think it's actually in Sevierville. We went once and wanted to take the kids with us this past Spring, but they were still closed for the Winter. They opened back up April 1st.

www.forbiddencaverns.com

 

[Caskbill]

Don't forget to plan to spend some time in the Smoky mountains National Park. It's one of the few parks left that doesn't have an entrance fee (due to some kind of deed restriction when the park was originally built)

There are tons of trails to walk, interesting historical places such as Cades Cove which was an early settlement area. Walk up to Clingman's Dome which is the highest point in the park, and you'll 'see' why they're called the 'Smoky Mountains'

You might even want to drive all the way across the gap and go to the other side of the mountains, and come back.

Gatlinburg is a fun place to visit, and lots of 'tourist' shopping available there. You might ride the cable car up to Ober Gatlinburg just for the fun of it. Once on top though, there's not a lot to do during the summer months. (It's more for winter skiing).

Pigeon Forge is loaded with tourist stuff from typical 'Carnival' type stuff to Go-Carts, to Dinner Theatres, to small water parks, or Dollywood. If you've never been to one of the Dixie Stampede shows, it's well worth it. We go at least once each trip we make there. We've also been to the Dixie Stampede in Branson MO, and the newer one in Florida, just across from the outlet mall, and only a couple of miles from WDW. The Dixie Stampede Christmas show is outstanding if you're ever near one during the Christmas season.

As others have said, post back with any specific questions.

 

[goofygrandparents]

I am really pleased with all the responses to my post . We have done most of the above metioned attractions and do take lots of rides through the mountains. For the last three years we usually go twice a year, once in May and again in October. We have stayed in Little River Village Campground in Townsend (nice and peaceful) and Riversedge in PF.
I was reading some of the previous posts of PF and Gatlinburg and noticed that the Apple Barn Cider Mill has a nice meal, so we will be sure to try that one.
Can anyone recommend any other shows other than Dixie Stampede, Comedy Barn, and Fanny Adams. We really like to take in some shows while we are there, and look forward to hearing some of your favourites.
Thinking of trying Black Bear Jambore as suggested.
It should be a fun week before heading to WDW.

 

[MMLong3996]

<<Apple Barn Cider Mill has a nice meal,>>

I LOVE this place! Although, we've never eaten a "meal" here, I can't drive past without stopping for apple turnovers and a hot apple cider. YUMMY!

 

[swilshire]

Can anyone recommend any other shows other than Dixie Stampede, Comedy Barn, and Fanny Adams.

The new Fiddler's Feast was highly recommended by one of my coworkers. It is in Pigeon Forge, on the left just before the turn to the Belz Mall.

I live in the area and have always gone down I-75 to Disney. Sometimes the traffic is a bear. Other times it's an OK drive. We get off and go down Hwy 27 instead of going all the way to I-4 on the Turnpike. I'm not sure it's any quicker, but it's more interesting. Years ago there were lots of orange groves on that route, but now it's mostly subdivisions.

Sheila

 

[ShannonRT]

I have eaten at the Apple Barn several times. It's WONDERFUL!!! Bring your appetite, though. They will absolutely stuff you. They also have some neat shops around that area that sell all kinds of apple stuff. My kitchen is done in apples and I found lots of stuff to decorate with.

 

[goofygrandparents]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions, I will be sure to try both restauants when we go
I think we will take the I-75 as suggested by many to get to Disney, since we will be so excited and will want to get there ASAP, and then take the other route on our return since we will be in no hurry to go home