Dollywood Winter Festival parking

[horseshowmom]

I haven't been to Dollywood in years, but we'll be there the week leading up to Christmas, and I know that it's going to be very crowded (planning on getting the Q-bot thingy). I don't remember how big the parking lot is, but I was wondering whether it might be better to park at Patriot Park and take the trolley. I know it would be cheaper (although not even so to make a difference), but I'm also assuming it lets you off right at the front entrance. Does anybody know?

 

[Buckalew11]

I think I'm going over that week also (depending on the weather). I have no idea about parking though. Sorry. Have fun!!!!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I have season passes to Dollywood..so I'm there a little too often . If you are going to be there Sat/Sun, or the 4-5 days before Christmas, the parking will probably be as far back as F/G lot by then. But don't forget, there is a tram that runs, and runs often. I think parking has gone up again (not sure 5-7 dollars maybe?)...so I don't know the monetary difference for you. The one advantage to parking on site is if you were to have car problems when you get back to your car. The Dollywood employees will not leave at night until ALL cars have left, and will help you call AAA, towing services, etc. if you have problems.

Have fun...the lights are beautiful, and the parade is nice this year as well.

 

[horseshowmom]

I have season passes to Dollywood..so I'm there a little too often . If you are going to be there Sat/Sun, or the 4-5 days before Christmas, the parking will probably be as far back as F/G lot by then. But don't forget, there is a tram that runs, and runs often. I think parking has gone up again (not sure 5-7 dollars maybe?)...so I don't know the monetary difference for you. The one advantage to parking on site is if you were to have car problems when you get back to your car. The Dollywood employees will not leave at night until ALL cars have left, and will help you call AAA, towing services, etc. if you have problems.

Have fun...the lights are beautiful, and the parade is nice this year as well.

We'll be there the 19th-23rd. Right now, my plans are to go to Dollywood on Monday. My reasoning isn't very scientific, but Monday night was the one night that the Inn At Christmas Place wasn't sold out!

The trams sound like they would be fine. The difference in price would be negligible since we'd pay $2 to ride the trolley anyway. I wonder whether the trolley actually lets you off at the entrance?

Also, do you know whether they ever open a little early (prior to 2 p.m.)?

Thanks!

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

We'll be there the 19th-23rd. Right now, my plans are to go to Dollywood on Monday. My reasoning isn't very scientific, but Monday night was the one night that the Inn At Christmas Place wasn't sold out!

The trams sound like they would be fine. The difference in price would be negligible since we'd pay $2 to ride the trolley anyway. I wonder whether the trolley actually lets you off at the entrance?

Also, do you know whether they ever open a little early (prior to 2 p.m.)?

Thanks!

The trolley pick up/ drop off is right in front of the season pass entrance/Dolly's Emporium. So you are pretty much right at the entrance. You might have to walk 50 feet or so to get tickets or go thru the gates.

As for opening early...probably not a good chance. My DH worked there in college, and said he maybe remembered opening up 15 mins (or less) early when there was a large crowd at the gate. But that was summer.

I do know that sometimes they will stay open a little later depending on the crowd in the evening. I'm showing on my guide that the hours on the 21st are 2pm-9pm. They do have this little asterisk at the bottom of the guide that says "Dates and hours are subject to change without notice". You could always call the information line to be sure of the hours that day (1-800-Dollywood).

Have fun!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

We will also be in Gatlinburg the 20th thru the 23rd. We go every Christmas but last year was the first time that we went to Dollywood during the winter. We had so much fun, but it was COLD!

The day that we went, they opened early so we had the whole day to see and do everything. One thing that I didn't like was that the shows are not always open everyday, well, not all of them anyway. There was two that we wanted to see that were closed the day that we were there. I'm not sure how you could find out ahead of time what will be open or closed.

One thing that we really enjoyed was the light show at dark. It's set to music and it was really neat. It reminded me of Disney. Oh, and the candy covered popcorn is really good.

With the parking, I would think that it would be easier to just park there. They have trams if you don't want to walk very far. We got there about an hour before it opened had parked close to the front, so if you plan it right it shouldn't be a big problem.

I hope you all have fun on your trip. I can't wait!!

 

[Straitlover]

I ahv enot been ther ein the winter, but I will say this about parking at Patriot Park: If you are leaving DW aroudn closing, the line for the trolley gets' very, very long. If you go that rought either plan on leaving the park a little before closing or plan on waiting around a right good while. Whenw e were there in Fall 2008, It took us at least an hr before we got on the trolley/bus, maybe even longer.

 

[horseshowmom]

I ahv enot been ther ein the winter, but I will say this about parking at Patriot Park: If you are leaving DW aroudn closing, the line for the trolley gets' very, very long. If you go that rought either plan on leaving the park a little before closing or plan on waiting around a right good while. Whenw e were there in Fall 2008, It took us at least an hr before we got on the trolley/bus, maybe even longer.

Great point! We will be staying until closing so that resolves that issue. While getting off right at the front would be nice, I do NOT want to wait in line for the trolleys to leave (I feel the same way about Disney buses!).

 

[horseshowmom]

I've got another question for those of you who go at Christmas. I'm trying to decide whether we need the 2 day Play Another Day tickets or not. I'm planning on getting the Q-Bot so that should help with the shows, but I do want to do everything. The shortened day seems like it would make it hard to get everything in.

 

[ChristmasElf]

If you are headed to Dollywood there is currently a special running right now on tickets!!


Pay the $79 for a Season Pass to use now, and the pass is good for the entire 2010 season. If you spend the extra $30 for the Gold Pass, your parking is FREE plus you get a 20% discount on ALL food and drink, a 20% discount in all the shops and stands too.


Parking is $8 per car.

The Christmas shows this year are AWESOME. Every one of them is fantastic.

Wanted to add that if you don't want to pay the parking fee the first time you head over to buy a pass, do it online and print out the confirmation page. Show this page at the gate and they will let you in.

 

[horseshowmom]

If you are headed to Dollywood there is currently a special running right now on tickets!!


Pay the $79 for a Season Pass to use now, and the pass is good for the entire 2010 season. If you spend the extra $30 for the Gold Pass, your parking is FREE plus you get a 20% discount on ALL food and drink, a 20% discount in all the shops and stands too.


Parking is $8 per car.

The Christmas shows this year are AWESOME. Every one of them is fantastic.

Wanted to add that if you don't want to pay the parking fee the first time you head over to buy a pass, do it online and print out the confirmation page. Show this page at the gate and they will let you in.

I saw that deal and suggested it to my husband, but he said that we wouldn't be likely to go back during the upcoming year. More than likely, he's right. We're going back to Orlando next Christmas for Grinchmas.

Still, it's a great deal!

 

[pixiedustaholic]

If you are headed to Dollywood there is currently a special running right now on tickets!!


Pay the $79 for a Season Pass to use now, and the pass is good for the entire 2010 season. If you spend the extra $30 for the Gold Pass, your parking is FREE plus you get a 20% discount on ALL food and drink, a 20% discount in all the shops and stands too.


Parking is $8 per car.

The Christmas shows this year are AWESOME. Every one of them is fantastic.

Wanted to add that if you don't want to pay the parking fee the first time you head over to buy a pass, do it online and print out the confirmation page. Show this page at the gate and they will let you in.

I am thinking of doing this deal. Are the passes good for the entire year of 2010...including Christmas next year?

We are going next summer so I'm planning to purchase the super passes for three of us and the gold for only one of us so that we can still get the free parking and discounts. Will this work? Thanks

 

[ChristmasElf]

I am thinking of doing this deal. Are the passes good for the entire year of 2010...including Christmas next year?

We are going next summer so I'm planning to purchase the super passes for three of us and the gold for only one of us so that we can still get the free parking and discounts. Will this work? Thanks

Yes the passes are good for the entire 2010 season. And the Gold pass price difference of $30 gets made up so fast as the parking is free and the discount on meals and merchandise-I find I make up the difference in that first visit!