Dollywood?

[SR]

I have found people on this site are so helpful and I have gotten many good tips for my trips to DL & WDW...so I am hoping you can help me with this too!

I am a die hard Disney fan, but a close friend has asked me if I would like to go on a "girls" vacation. She is a member of a time share that she wants to use and one of the places that she mentioned was close to Dollywood.

Since I have never been there I was hoping someone here could help me. I know it will be different from WDW, but I am a country music fan and a Dolly fan. Has anyone gone? I have looked at their website and I see several shows and rides. Is it a one day park? I didn't know if I should check into a multi-day pass or not.

She has mentioned going the first part of May. Does anyone know if that is a good time to go? I don't know about the weather as well as the crowds. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[susykt4]

We were in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg last year for our kids' spring break which was around Easter (Early April, I think.) At that time, the towns were a madhouse, with terrible traffic. We skipped Dollywood that trip because the lines from the main drag just to the road the park was on were ridiculous. We would have spent hours of the time the park was open just getting into their lot. I've gone in mid-May and comparatively, the traffic was non-existant. Early May would probably be good since school's still in, spring breaks are over and the families with school-age kids won't be there.

Someone else will be much more helpful with Dollywood, but to ME, it's a one day park. The rides are fun, but not spectacular. Most are things you can ride at the county fair. It's been a while, but what sticks in my mind are the exhibits, the glassblowing, etc., demonstrations and the eagles. We're not big country music fans, so if there were music shows inside the park we skipped them.

 

[pixiedustaholic]

We had season passes for 2010. Our family loves DW! WHILE YOU MAY TECHNICALLY BE ABLE TO RIDE All of the rides in one day, you will not be able to see all the shows and actually appreciate the park in just one day. As the pp mentioned there is one SECTION in the park called County Fair that has a lot of midway type rides but their roller coasters are better than WDW's IMO. Of course, there are Disney "snobs" that will say the park is junk but it really is a great park and beautiful as well. We also love the water park called Splash Country. You can actually get combo tickets called Splash and Play for 3 days to either/both parks if you are interested in that. I'm not sure about May but the main roads can get congested but we found lots of shortcuts on back roads on our summer trip. Bottom line: I do not think you will regret a visit to DW! I hope you love it as much as we do!

 

[lemondog]

We love Dollywood! It is definitely a 2-day park for us, so that we can enjoy everything the park has to offer, although it can easily be done in 1 day. We were there in late July and it was not overly crowded, nor were there long lines for any of the rides.

 

[roscoepc1]

LOVE Dollywood! Two days, I would say. Especially if you want to "do" the waterpark portion (which is an extra cost on your ticket)...

Lots of artisans, music, and lovely shaded paths....the train ride is a blast! You need to throw yourself into it for the best experience, imho.

I haven't been in May, but we went in June and the crowds weren't all that bad...similar to Disney in early May, I'd say. Mostly very polite, as a rule "country" people are pretty nice!

The other wonderful thing to do is to take the Artisans Trail up through the mountains around the two towns....it's gorgeous, and the crafts etc are phenominal!!

You can also easily spend days walking the downtowns of both....beautiful, plus awesome shopping, plus dinner shows etc....

 

[powellrj]

we went last year over spring break and had such a great time we bought season tickets! If you are only going for the rides, it would be a one day park, but we did all the shows and were there 3 days and honestly could have gone one more day!

We found that some of the shows had different performances depending on the times you went. I know that was true of the Cirque type show they had while we were there. We went twice and saw a different show each time we went.

We have zero interest in country music and southern gospel music, but the acts were so good it didn't matter. One of my very favorites was an African Acapella Gospel group. If you would have told me I would enjoy something like that, I would never have believed it, but they were fantastic!

My DD who is 14 said she would rather go back there this year instead of WDW. I think part of the reason is we can get there in less than a day and she enjoys the shops in Gatlinburg. I love it because its much cheaper than WDW. I just checked a few days ago and a season pass for all of us is close to the same price as one day at WDW. Add our condo rental and food and its a pretty cheap trip!

 

[Shmily1]

I'm one of those Disney snobs but I loved Dollywoody too. I would recommend it. We also did Splash Country and had a blast there too. It's not the same as WDW, but it's still lots of fun and it was worth it.

 

[minniebeth]

Loved Dollywood! Especially if you are a fan of her! I would say 2 days as well, the shows are great and they take time. You will also want to take time to tour her museum of her road to stardom, her outfits, etc. So much fun to see her journey.
It's a really pretty park, and will be beautiful at that time!

Crowds will still be low at that time, check the calendar to make sure which days it's open and hours. I don't think the water park is open at that time, I'm thinking the latter part in May and even then, usually just on the weekends.

There's not much information on Dollywood to be able to plan like WDW, but then it really doesn't call for the planning like WDW does.

Enjoy!

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We went to Dollywood last July and had a blast. We had just been in WDW in June and the one major difference we noticed was that there is very little shade. It is a very fun park. They have a splash pad that my DD5 would have stayed at all day long. Plus, they have a county fair section that has bumper cars, swings, etc.

I will tell you do not underestimate the heat and humidity of Tennessee. It will be mild early May, by late May, it will be HOT!!!!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you like country music, and appreciate Dolly, you will enjoy DollyWood!!!!

If you are closer to this area, then I would recommend it.
Traveling further to a timeshare in the Disney area would have to be something you would have to consider.

If you want to see Dolly, the HeartSong presentation is a must, as well as the Wilderness Adventure (if that is what is in the motion theater) I love both of these attractions that feature Dolly!

The other posters are right.
One day if you want to enjoy the shows...
One day for rides.
If members of your group want to experience both... Two Days.

Let me know which timeshares, and I might be able to let you know which ones are best...

Hope this helps!

 

[Wishing on a star]

She has mentioned going the first part of May. Does anyone know if that is a good time to go? I don't know about the weather as well as the crowds. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Early May...

Except, be aware that at least Mid-May for real swimming and water ride warm weather.... Summer usually hits around the first of June. Most schools here let out before Memorial Day.

 

[SR]

I appreciate all of your advise!
I agree that "country" people are pretty nice...since I am a "country girl"!

The time share is with Wyndham and the one she is talking about I think is called "Smokey Mountain" something.

There will be three of us "girls" (all in our 60's), including me, and I would love the water park, but I don't think the other two are that much into that part. So early May would be okay, especially if the weather is hot later in the month.

The suggestion of the drive through the area was great, I really enjoy checking out new areas.

I am from Oregon and I have been to WDW several times, but stayed on Disney property and never got a chance to "explore" when I was there, so I would love the shopping and just seeing the area.

Thank you all for your thoughts. And if anyone has any other suggests, I would appreciate them too!

 

[Mama-san]

We had our first trip to DW last July with the kids and really enjoyed it. We spent 2 days at DW and 1 day at the waterpark. I believe the 3 day tickets for adults were only around $90. May should be a really nice time to be there.

Just a note if you drink - Pigeon Forge is a dry town with the exception of beer and wine served at a few restaurants, so you will need to bring your own or make a trip to the liqour store in Gatlinburg.

 

[hucifer]

How often does Dolly make appearances there? Does anyone know?

 

[wdwiala]

I appreciate all of your advise!
I agree that "country" people are pretty nice...since I am a "country girl"!

The time share is with Wyndham and the one she is talking about I think is called "Smokey Mountain" something.

There will be three of us "girls" (all in our 60's), including me, and I would love the water park, but I don't think the other two are that much into that part. So early May would be okay, especially if the weather is hot later in the month.

The suggestion of the drive through the area was great, I really enjoy checking out new areas.

I am from Oregon and I have been to WDW several times, but stayed on Disney property and never got a chance to "explore" when I was there, so I would love the shopping and just seeing the area.

Thank you all for your thoughts. And if anyone has any other suggests, I would appreciate them too!

We have been going to Dollywood and the surrounding area for 10 years now. It is a great place for a girls getaway. Much has been said about Dollywood already.

One of the things that I appreciate about the park is that it has many many shade trees. Wonderful if the weather if a little too warm.

The rides at Dollywood are more simple than Disney but still fun. Their rollercoasters are top notch. Some of the best. If you don't like coasters and you don't like simple kid rides, you might not find many options in between. We have been on spring breaks (mid March), Easter weeks (brrr.), June, July, August and November. I have never seen unmanageable crowds.

Did someone mention the next day free plan? If you go after a certain time of day (3 or 5pm? cant remember), you get in "free" the next day. This adds an entire extra half day to your ticket. You should be able to do Dollywood in a day and a half.

The main towns, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are full of tourist traps and outlet malls. A little something for everyone. We enjoy the area for these contrasts. The ability to escape off the the main area to our cabin in the woods. Then, if we get bored, we come back into town for unlimited entertainment. We find something new to do every trip.

Have some extra time? Head over to Ashville for The Biltmore mansion. Something I have always wanted to do but the menfolk arent interested.

 

[live4christp1]

If you are going to be in the area for several days or a week definately check out The Apple Barn!!!! MMMMMM

Also one thing we like to do in Gatinburg is hop on the trolley and ride (You can do this in Pigeon Forge too). It's not expensive, gets you off your feet for a while and sometimes takes you to some areas you might not otherwise see.

When visiting Dollywood you can actually park at Patriot Park for free and ride the Dollywood trolley to the park which will drop you off and pick you up at the park entrance.......for far less than the cost of parking for the day at Dollywood and minus the hike from the parking lot.

In Gatlinburg one of our must visits is the Donut Friar.

 

[wdwiala]

How often does Dolly make appearances there? Does anyone know?

I'm not positive, but I believe that she is there for big celebrations. Opening dayparade (the day before the season opening), Christmas parade.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Their International Festival is going on from March 26 thru May 2nd. It is really cool -- they have acts from all around the world, some large that go in an inside auditorium. Some smaller that are outside. One year they had these cool Australians on HUGE LONG poles up in the air and then the pole would bend and they would practically be touching the ground. And they usually have chinese acrobats.

We really enjoy it -- but regardless of when you go the shows, etc. will be fun!

My advice on how much time to spend there would depend on how long you are going to be in the Smokys. If you had a week, then yes spend more time there. If you are spending a long weekend there is so much to see and do in the national park. Also there are TONS of great shows and dining in the area. You will have a great trip!!

ps -- they used to have a come after 3:00 get in the next day for free. If that is still going on it might be a great deal for you!

 

[Wishing on a star]

If you are getting a nice 2 Bedroom at Wilderness at the Smokeys, this will be nice. (they have other, hotel, accommodations, which do not compare)

This is actually at Sevierville, on the way in to Pigeon Forge... So, not right there where everything is at... But, just minutes away... So, you will want to drive further to see the sights.

If you want to see the area....
1. Drive thru Gatlinburg (do not stop yet), stopping to grab a picnic lunch... Check out the Sugarland Smoky Mountain visitor center... Drive halfway up the Smokys to Chimney Tops Picnic area, and have a wonderful picnic in the mountains on a big, gorgeous, mountain creek... go on up to Newfound Gap, at the top of the mountains... check out the views.... then turn around and head back down.... Then, this is a good time to check out Gatlinburg for the afternoon/evening... have supper... buy candy at the Smoky Mountain Candy Factory (none of the others compare)

2. Drive to Sugarlands again (you can take the Gatlinburg Bypass this time, as Gatlinburg is not your destination...) From there, take the scenic road over to Cades Cove. Cades Cove is beautiful... I would suggest heading over after an EARLY breakfast... You will probably see more deer and wildlife in the morning... less crowded... etc. (by noon, esp. on weekends... the Cades Cove Loop Road will be bumper to bumper)

To me, these two are musts!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

There are several country music shows in the area!!!
Black Bear Jamboree is good.

And, not as much Country Music, but I really recommend Dixie Stampede very highly!!!!!

You will want to buy tickets in advance for this.
Unless you really want front row seating, I recommend back row, center arena. This is not like nosebleed seats. as there are only a few rows.
But here, you will have your own chair, instead of squishing in the bench seating on all lower rows. Get there early, find a place to settle yourself in the saloon, and enjoy the pre-show.

You should print this off and forward it to your friend!

Let us know if you ladies do decide to plan this trip!