Gatlinburg followup

[VWL'sownBeastn'Belle]

ATTN ALL DVC traveling vets. Should I stay in Gatlinburg or Pigeon forge? Again I have 3 young kids. We want to stay in a cabin. Any help is appreciated

Beast

 

[fink26]

We went there last summer and stayed in Gatlinburg, although we stayed at the very end of Gatlinburg closest to Pigeon Forge. They are very close together. It onl took a few minutes to drive from Gatlinburg to Dollywood. Gatlinburg is busier . . . a lot of boardwalk type places, i.e. mini golf, Ripley's etc. It was fairly crowded but a lot of walking locations. I'd probably stay in Gatlinburg again.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're empty nesters. We stay in Pigeon Forge when the focus of the vacation is on Dollywood, and Gatlinburg when the focus is on the Great Smokey Mountain NP. There's a Disney Outlet store in Pigeon Forge.

I wouldn't want to have to drive from one or the other too many times.

Bobbi

 

[laceemouse]

We went to the Smokies last summer and stayed in Pigeon Forge because that is where we got a condo through RCI. It worked out great for us!!! We did 2 days at Dollywood and one day at her water park. We drove into Gatlinburg twice, once to do the aquarium of the Smokies ( a MUST SEE) and walk around and once to go into the National Park for a hike. We also drove to Knoxville one day to go to the zoo and stopped at Forbidden Caverns on the way back (our 4 kids LOVE caves!) We found the drive to Gatlinburg short and scenic. Pigeon Forge was a great location for us and the things we wanted to do. It was a wonderful family vacation for us, fun and educational. You will have a GREAT time where ever you stay!!! Much as we love WDW, we do at least one other trip every year, we own another TS that we trade through RCI and it is ideal for us. Have FUN!!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Gatlinburg is more a (somewhat perverted by cheap commercialism) quaint alpine village. Pigeon Forge is flat out cheap commercialism.

Gatlinburg feels like the mountains. Pigeon Forge does not but has lots more to do for kids.

STay close to where you want to be because the traffic is horrible at times. I mean unbelievably horrible at times.

 

[Lisa P.]

It's really a toss-up, for a first visit. You'll likely want to visit both places for something... Gatlinburg's shops, aquarium, pedestrian areas & the Nat'l Park... Dollywood, water parks, shows and outlet shopping in Pigeon Forge. So either way, you may need to brave the traffic (do ask at your lodging for a good roadmap with back roads and directions). The only advantage to staying in Gatlinburg is found if your lodging is actually within walking distance of the downtown area, IMHO.

If you want to stay in a nice cabin, see what's available to suit your needs and don't worry too much about which town is closer. We love staying at a nice resort in Sevierville, just past Pigeon Forge. Having a nice place to stay is worth a little drive away from the congestion for us. But we've been to the area several times now. HTH.