Dollywood's Splash Country Budget Tips

[tina.tina]

DD is receiving Dollywood & Splash Country season passes for the whole family as a birthday gift from her grandparents.

We have been to Dollywood a bunch of times but never Splash Country. We live about 2.5 hours from Dollywood and plan to visit Dollywood & Splash Country a few times this summer instead of taking a vacation this year.

We are definitely on a very strict budget and I was wondering if anyone has any budget (or other) tips to help us out.

I have not really been able to find lots of Splash Country info online so if anyone knows a source that I've missed, I would really appreciate it.

One thing I thought about was tent camping in the Smoky Mountains park to stay overnight yet still save money because gas is so expensive. Would we be able to shower at Splash Country? We're not really campers but my parents have a tent we could use. My husband says I'm nuts but I am willing to forsake some creature comforts to save money.

 

[garnetandblack]

Have you thought about renting a timeshare? I think I would prefer to stay at a crappy motel over camping with no running water! We are also on a strict budget for vacation this year (or is that every year?) and we are most likely going to rent a timeshare on ebay.

 

[garnetandblack]

...and if you rent a timeshare you can cook in the room. With camping you would have to eat out every meal. Family of 4 on fast food 3 times a day would be around $50-60 per day. Then you have to budget in snacks and drinks. A 1 bedroom for 7 nights would probably be $300-400.

July 1-5 in a 1 bedroom for $239 - that includes taxes...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/239-99-TOTA...90874009059?pt=US_Lodging&hash=item43b97125e3

 

[pixiedustaholic]

You should really consider upgrading one of the passes to a "Super Gold Pass", especially if you will visit more than once this year. It is only about a $40 difference and it will get you free parking ($10/day) and 20% off food/merchandise in the parks. We did this a couple of years ago and it saved us a lot of $. We just had the regular Super Pass for everyone else but DH had the Super Gold Pass. Just make sure that whichever person you choose to upgrade will be there on each trip to take advantage of the savings and that person has to show their pass to get the savings on food and merchandise. Both Dollywood and Splash Country offer free ice water at counter service places just like at WDW so that will save you some money.
You can absolutely go tent camping without having to go out to eat every meal. Coolers and a small grill if you have room will save money. Check out Rivers Edge and Twin Mountain campgrounds. They shouldn't be too expensive and they probably both have bath houses for you to shower...and each site has running water at Twin Mountain and I believe a power outlet. You don't have to spend extra money on a hotel or timeshare.
Also be sure to grab a couple of those tourist coupon books that are available at welcome centers, stores, hotel lobbies. We found an awesome coupon for the buffet restaurant Aunt Granny's at DW a couple of years ago and they let me pair it with my our Super Gold discount.
Hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[powellrj]

I agree about the gold pass. What we saved on parking paid for the upgrade. They also sell refillable mugs and popcorn containers. We were able to get refills with the gold card discount and it was really a good deal. I think we bought the mugs at one of the buffets and it was cheaper, plus we got the gold card discount.