Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Budget Buster

[southern_redhead]

We live an hour and a half from there, and we have learned in general to stay away from Gatlinburg unless we haven't done the aquarium in a long time,and then we found the Ripleys combo pass with 3 attractions to be a decent deal...the traffic there is also often a nightmare...and we avoid car show weekends too,due to hotel prices....in general we research a few hotels we like in PF and Sevierville...rarely pay more than $55 even in summer.We get coupon books and ask for AAA discounts, and get the free outlet coupon books with AAA. We do the shows when they are running a special.We rarely do Dollywood, but the Food City's here generally sell a discounted season pass, as well as one for the aquarium. There is a free Bush Beans museum nearby in Chestnut Hill that is great,we like Rainforest Adventures zoo(although a bit stinky),Miracle Theatre...we eat at NoWay Jose's (meals start at around $6) and Bennets BBQ. We usually do one big thing like a show, and a couple of little things and shop...our kids just love the pool mainly...lol...Red Roof in PF has an awesome kids suite(bunk bed,video games,kitchenette and a Jacuzzi bedroom for mom and dad)

Whoa....what AAA coupon books for outlets? I have been dallying with a fall trip to the mountains (and, yup, one of the things that is a "con" is how pricey it is to "do" things) but we are AAA members and I'm loving getting discounts and stuff. Where do you find coupon books? I had no idea about those

 

[aprhj]

We live pretty close and have season passes to Dollywood and Splash Country, luckily my hubby's work buys the Dollywood passes for the family and we add on the Splash Country. Figure if we go twice to each they have saved us money. My son is 7 and I don't think he has been on the strip in Pigeon Forge but once, we take the back way in to Dollywood so he does not see all of the go-carts, putt-putt, etc. There are some free and budget friendly things to do in the area. Both Sevierville and Pigeon Forge have nice outdoor public pools, Sevierville one has two water slides. There are also some nice playgrounds, check on each City's Parks and Recreation Department site. Gatlinburg has a youth and ADA fishing area.

I can see how people vacationing there spend a ton, but we stay away from the money traps and save that for Disney. My hubby is not from here and the first time we went up for an overnight stay at Valentines Day and he saw the Christmas, well Winter Fest, lights were still up he dubbed the area as "tackeyville USA"

We're lucky enough to be close so we can take advantage of Splash Country and Dollywood and then come back home. I would not trade Dollywood for anything though, it was my son's training ground for standing in line at Disney

 

[MSSANDRA]

We call Gatlinburg the Myrtle beach of the Mountains!!!

We live between the two and come out better at the beach. Most resorts at the beach have nice pools and lazy rivers and the beach is FREE.

At the beach we get a condo with a kitchen and at Galtinburg we get a cabin with a kitchen and cook at lot. Last trip we got a good multi-day pass to dollywood/splash country and came out pretty good.

 

[Leajess99]

Thank you OP for the post and everyone else for the replies. I had actually considered this for Spring break and have now changed my mind. We want to do Disney later in the year and don't want to spend a fortune during spring break.

Hmmmmm, off to once again rethink Spring Break.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I live about 45 minutes from Pigeon Forge. I venture up there 2-3 times a year to hit the outlets. My son's 3rd grade class had a field trip to the aquarium last fall. Our church kids' group has been "Sleeping with the Sharks," staying overnight in the shark tunnel at the aquarium. (Now that is cool!) I work with 4th grade at a local elementary school, and we've been to Wonder Works on field trips.

Last summer I was given free admission for my family to Wonder Works and a substantial discount on their dinner show, Hoot 'n Holler. We did have a great time, but it would have been a very expensive day had we paid full price. I did comment to my husband that you could easily pay for a Disney vacation with what some people spend in a week in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. I guess you always want what you don't have. I live in the mountains, and I want to go to the beach or to WDW.

 

[cinnamon-sugah]

Whoa....what AAA coupon books for outlets? I have been dallying with a fall trip to the mountains (and, yup, one of the things that is a "con" is how pricey it is to "do" things) but we are AAA members and I'm loving getting discounts and stuff. Where do you find coupon books? I had no idea about those

At Tanger outlets, you can show your AAA card at the mall office for a free coupon book (regular price $5). There are mostly coupons for $10 off of a $50 purchase or 20% off when you purchase $xx. The other outlet malls may offer something similar.

 

[FLA NUT]

We call Gatlinburg the Myrtle beach of the Mountains!!!

We live between the two and come out better at the beach. Most resorts at the beach have nice pools and lazy rivers and the beach is FREE.

At the beach we get a condo with a kitchen and at Galtinburg we get a cabin with a kitchen and cook at lot. Last trip we got a good multi-day pass to dollywood/splash country and came out pretty good.

That's exactly what we said It is Myrtle Beach without the ocean!!!!

 

[kymma]

Usually when we go to that area, it isn't too expensive. We spend most of our time in the national park and it's free. We do like to walk around downtown and visit the shops but we stay away from all the stuff that costs extra.

 

[mom0299]

We live about three hours from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. We've been to Dollywood a couple of times for a day trip. It is a nice little park to have close enough to go to for the day. I try to stay away from the area as a general rule. We have friends who used to always spend their week's vacation in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge because they "wanted to go to WDW but it was too expensive." We finally convinced them to give WDW a try and they are going back this summer for their third year in a row.

 

[merekc]

At Tanger outlets, you can show your AAA card at the mall office for a free coupon book (regular price $5). There are mostly coupons for $10 off of a $50 purchase or 20% off when you purchase $xx. The other outlet malls may offer something similar.

Just an fyi to everyone...It has been my experience across the country that if you show the mall office you are from out of town, they usually have some sort of coupon book they will give you. I'm guessing it is the same one they give AAA members, but don't know because I'm not AAA members. But the coupons are similar to what you describe.

We are traveling through this area this summer. Has anyone been to both Dollywood and Silver Dollar City and can you tell me how Dollywood compares to SDC? Trying to decide whether to do Dollywood.

 

[swilshire]

Just an fyi to everyone...It has been my experience across the country that if you show the mall office you are from out of town, they usually have some sort of coupon book they will give you. I'm guessing it is the same one they give AAA members, but don't know because I'm not AAA members. But the coupons are similar to what you describe.

We are traveling through this area this summer. Has anyone been to both Dollywood and Silver Dollar City and can you tell me how Dollywood compares to SDC? Trying to decide whether to do Dollywood.

Dollywood was formerly a SDC, but they have added a lot in the 25 years since the switch. They have the same owner. I've never visited the other park, so I can't really compare.

Sheila

 

[MSSANDRA]

I did Silver Dollar city as a child and Dollywood later soooo kind of hard to compare but we like Dollywood for what it is. If you expect WDW, you are going to be unhappy there. It is however a fun country- style park. Lots of county music shows. We have seen some really good entertainment. The food is REALLY good country cooking. Not like most theme parks. Prices are lower than what you expect at a theme park. Last trip we did a three day combo with the water park and that was good. You really could do the park in one day but we were there for several days and wanted to avoid a lot of the junky attractions in the area and the second day gave us as change to catch some missed shows. The last day we spent at the water park. It was REALLY crowded but we had fun anyway.

 

[swilshire]

Also, if you hit Dollywood during one of their Festivals, it may be hard to catch all the shows in day. The Festival of Nations, for example, is better divided into two days. Same for KidsFest.

Sheila

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

At Tanger outlets, you can show your AAA card at the mall office for a free coupon book (regular price $5). There are mostly coupons for $10 off of a $50 purchase or 20% off when you purchase $xx. The other outlet malls may offer something similar.

If you are ever at a Premium Outlets (i.e. Orlando) they do the same, show your AAA card at Customer Service and get a coupon book.

I also go on the outlet's website before I go away, sometimes there are coupons that are not in the books.