Dollywood Help!!

[Mellie2162]

Ok I need help as only the great minds on the budget board can.

We are going to make a short but sweet surprise trip for the kids to Dollywood this June and have not a clue where to stay while we are there. We will be there for 3 full nights total. I have been checking out the Pidgeon Forge website and poking around at the hotels on there but really I would love to hear from someone who has stayed there and can give a recommendation. The ones we were interested in were Willow Brook Lodge and Music Road Hotel, but would love to hear about other places.

Please, please, please tell me where you stayed and what things you did that made it a great trip and tell me things to avoid. Any help at all is greatly appreciated!

 

[earthyfamily]

We live about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge, in Knoxville. There's one in Gatlinburg that is really nice, it's a bit more expensive, but it's situated in the smoky mountains and it's really beautiful there. It's called the Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center. There's another one that we've stayed at quite a few times, it's the Heartlander Country Star Resort. This one is very nicely priced most of the time and it's nice and has a really nice indoor pool. The one at the Park Vista is better though, but the one at the Heartlander is still nice. You have to be pretty careful when choosing a hotel in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg....there are ALOT of not so nice ones. Hope that helps.

Nicole

 

[DianeV]

We stayed at Park Vista twice a few years ago and it was ok however most reviews I have read recently say its getting run down and the employees are rude. I dont know if that is accurate but thats what I have read

We are staying 2 nights in July and got the Fairfield Inn in Pigeon Forge for $58 a night through www.easyclicktravel.com ITs one of their opaque hotels but you can easily figure it out by doing a web search for the description. Anyway it gets good reviews on www.tripadvisor.com and sounds pretty nice and a good deal from what I have been checking

 

[Mellie2162]

You have to be pretty careful when choosing a hotel in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg....there are ALOT of not so nice ones. Hope that helps.

This helps a lot and this is the very reason why im asking around and not relying on websites alone. Hotels tend to put up the best pictures of their resorts on their websites and then when you get there you actually will find a dump. We have several friends/family members who have been and I am going to call them and get some referrals as well. I dont need to stay top of the line but I would like a nice place to stay that is comfortable. Most of the hotels are advertising continental breakfast but im wondering if its just a thrown together cheesy buffett. Also some of the places offer getting your tickets for you, is this something that is advised or am I better off buying them online myself?

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I also live about 45minutes from Dollywood, in Maryville, TN. Since we're so close, we don't spend the night there. However, we have family who do occasssionally. My family likes the Best Western in Pigeon Forge -- it has an indoor pool. It's older, but is kept in great condition. My in-laws like the Heartlander. My parents also like the Comfort Inn in Pigeon Forge that is on the river. I would stay away from the Grand Hotel (I think that's the name). I stayed there many years ago, before I lived in this area. It was old & run down then. It doesn't look like anything has changed from the outside!

Another option is to rent a cabin or chalet. They are plentiful in the area! Some friends of ours manage a cabin rental agency. Their website is www.bearlyrusticcabins.com.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[MouseHouse14]

We go to Pigeon Forge quite often. We just got back and stayed at the Best Western. It was older, but nice. Great breakfast and indoor pool. We stayed at the Music Road a couple of years ago, and it was great! Cool pool for the kids. We also like the Mainstay Suites. Nice lazy river by the pool (also an indoor pool). They have kitchenettes, so you can keep some food in your room. Grand Hotel is REALLY run down. Lots of mom and pop places there, ...some nice, so really not so nice. Be sure to take the kids to Mr. Gattis pizza. It is a buffet. You can get a coupon where all four of you can eat for $21, and the kids get little credit cards to play games in the game room. We HAVE to go there every time we go, and my kids are 11 and 14. Have fun!!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

We go to Pigeon Forge alot! Last trip we stayed at the Comfort Inn. Nice hotel for not alot of money. And a continental breakfast was included.

You should send away for the free info if you haven't already. The main road in Pigeon Forge is long, and you could end up in a hotel that is not in town.

Have a great trip and eat a funnel cake for me!

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[disneyfansx5]

The Red Roof Inn in Pigeon Forge is very nice. It is new with an indoor swimming pool. The rooms are large, and I think they have small refrigerators.

The Edgewater and the Sleep Inn are good places to stay in Gatlinburg. Both of these have indoor pools as well. We go to the Smoky Mountains about 2-3 times a year. Contact me personally if you would like more information about restaurants and things to do while there.

 

[musicotb]

I live in Knoxville, and when my family comes out, we rent a cabin. It's a great idea, and most have hot tubs, and some pool tables & such.
We've gone through Cove Mountain Realty twice... and sometimes they'll run "Buy 2 nights, get third free" deals. You can go to their website and see pics of the cabins/chalets. Just an idea.
We've also stayed in the Howard Johnson... its ok, I guess. Within walking distance in Gatlinburg. But I wouldn't recommend it
Fair warning - there is a LOT of traffic on the parkway (main strip), so don't be surprised by that. And if you venture into Gatlinburg, a few tips. Try Kilwin's Fudge Shoppe - they have GREAT home made ice cream, fudge, treats, caramel apples. Go up to Ober Gatlinburg - it's a ski village, but still great even if it's not ski season. Google it! And the traffic, if you stay on the Pigeon Forge side, is awful getting into Gatlinburg (esp. not, since they're closed a lane on the main strip) so count on a while in the car - take potty breaks before you venture out!
Ummmm... that's all!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We stayed at a cabin with cabinfevervacations.com. It was gorgeous and we ate most of our meals at our rooms. We're going back this year to the same place. I don't know about this year but last year at Dollywood they had a thing that wasn't heavily advertised where if you came to the park after three you got to come to the park the next day for free, which was great.

 

[bradleysnana]

There are 2 Best Westerns that we really like. We go to Pigeon Forge 3 times a year or so. Both the Best Western Plaza and the Best Western Toni are very nice. They have a small but adequate continental breakfast, nice indoor pools, they are both clean and reasonably priced. I am pretty picky about my hotel rooms and I have found especially the Plaza to be great. Last year we had a family reunion and booked 5 rooms there and everyone thought it was great (especially for the money).

 

[mallcat]

We went in November and stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Pigeon Forge. It was very nice and the price was good. It's the first time I had stayed in a Red Roof because I hadn't heard many good reviews about them in general. I was surprised that it was a decent place to stay. It was also in a very good location.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Hi we just came back from Spring Break in Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is about 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge. I think Gatlinburg has a more picturesque feel about it. It is more "pretty" and Pigeon Forge is more "glitz". Gatlinburg has more to walk to, Pigeon Forge is more driving.

We stay at my Mom's condo which she purchaded last year - but she told me the favorite spot they have stayed before is the Fairfield Inn in Gatlinburg. It looks very nice from the outside, the outside pool has a curvy slide, it is within walking distance of Mini golf and downtown Gatlinburg. It is also on the Trolley Stop route which can take you to Downtown, the art district, even Dollywood! Parking and traffic is nasty in Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge.

If you can, take some time in the Smoky National Park - even if you just park near the entrance and take a walk near the river. It is so beutiful.

My main piece of advice - decide what "other" stuff you are willing to do and let the kids know. Last year, our first time, the girls eyes got sooo big and greedy as we drove by mini-golf, go carts, arcades, etc. (A game of mini-golf 2 adults 2 kids averages $28)

Have lots of fun at Dollywood - you might want to take their swimsuits, lots of water rides and they do get wet! My girls had a blast there this week.

 

[fabfive]

We stayed at the Willowbrook hotel when we went to Dollywood. It is okay. We were not in our room much. We enjoyed the pool (it was July when we went). Also, as a suggestion, Dollywood tickets are a little expensive however, when we went, we arrived at 3:00 p.m. and got the rest of that day and the whole next day for the cost of a 1 day ticket.

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

Enjoy Dollywood! I was pleasantly surprised during my visit in 2004. It is a beautifully-themed and well-maintained park.

 

[dadto1]

Dollywood season passholder here! We go 6-8 times a summer!

I recommend:

Mainstay Suites
Ramada Limited Suites - On Dollywood Lane very close to Dollywood
EconoLodge Riverside
Music Road Inn
Music Road Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites - across road from Dollywood Lane
Heartlander Country Star - Not a luxury hotel but priced right
Red Roof Inn
Ramada Limited Music Road


We really like the two hotels highlighted if we are going specifically for Dollywood as they are maybe 1-2 miles from the entrance!

Also get a Pigeon Forge map and utilize a back road called Teaster Lane (runs parallel with the main drag) as it allows you to bypass the main strip in pigeon forge and go in the backway to Dollywood! PM me if you want more info!

 

[mousiemom]

We stay in one of the chalets between Gatlin/Pigeon Forge. But I wanted to share some things we do when we go: *Dollywood is a lot of fun.
-Dixie Stampede(Dolly's dinner & show) The show is great with the horses and other animals, the dinner is really good. We all had a good time, we are doing it again this Nov.
-They have a really nice acquarium in Gatlinburg
-We always ride the ski lift to Ober Gatlinburg and they have an ice skating rink and it's just fun riding up there.
-We always take our picture at one of the old timey photo places.
Have fun! We can't wait to go in Nov.

 

[Straitlover]

I went in Sept 2002 and stayed at the Shular Inn. I thought it was very nice for the price. Here's the website:

http://www.shularinn-pigeonforge.com/index.php

They have an indoor pool as well as an outdoor one. We stayed in just the regular 2 queen room. They ahve rooms w/ jacuzzis and fireplaces, too. It's right on the trolley line.

If you have a little time, you can take the trolley right to Dollywood (I think you have to switch trolleys at Patriot Park). We had a car, so we drove to Patriot park and caught the trolley. it was 25 cents each way, you don't have to pay the parking fee at DW, and they drop you off right at the front gate. I assume that's still the case. You cna also catch the trolley at PP to Gatlinburg and avoid the traffic. That took awhile, though, and next time, I think we'll just drive.

Have fun! I'm hoping to make it back soon. The weather was kinda rainy on our DW day, so we didn't get to ride much.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We visited Dollywood for the 1st time last summer, and opted for a cabin. After much research...we felt we were getting more for our money with a cabin. After seeing hundreds of cabins on various websites, we went with Sugar Maple Cabins because of positive reviews on www.tripadvisor.com
Here is the cabin we rented...it was exactly as advertised...and IMMACULATE!! www.sugarmaplecabins.com/cabin.asp?property_id=886

 

[Mellie2162]

Wow so many great responses and opinions. Thank you all so much. I do really appreciate the help because we are only going for a few days so time will be limited and I would really like to make the most of it while we are there. Now I guess I need to sit down with DH and go over all the posts and suggestions and decide on a place to stay and get it booked. Please if you have any more ideas on ways to save time or ideas let me know.