Hi from TN everyone!

[Bobo912]

Nice to see all you folks from Tennessee! My family will be taking our first family vacation to Tennessee starting on 4th of July. We'll be visiting Gatlinburgh/Pidgeon Forge area using our time share for a week. We're really excited about it. Any suggestions?

The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is packed with touristy type things to do which can be a lot of fun. If you haven't been to a Ripley's Aquarium, I would suggest that. Dollywood is a very nice theme park. I'm taking my son there for his birthday on July 7 this year. I'm also thinking about taking him to the Dixie Stampede dinner show, which isn't the kind of thing I usually go in for, but I think it will be fun. There are helicopter rides, bungee jumping, miniature golf. And of course, you have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park there, which is beautiful. So there are lots of outdoorsy things like fishing, white water rafting, cycling, etc. And I believe they have more pancake restaurants per square mile than anyplace else in the country. Have fun!

 

[biscuitgirl]

Welcome! I am from Nashville! It's nice to know other Tennesseans are hanging around here! I am a newbie as well and will be embarking on my first Disney trip this Sept!

 

[CheshireCat3]

Hi! I'm also a newbie and from TN. I live in CO now, but I tell you what--- there is just something about TN.

I'm originally from Northeast TN though- Tri-Cities area.

 

[CheshireCat3]

Nice to see all you folks from Tennessee! My family will be taking our first family vacation to Tennessee starting on 4th of July. We'll be visiting Gatlinburgh/Pidgeon Forge area using our time share for a week. We're really excited about it. Any suggestions?

Maggie

You MUST do the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park. I believe it is the only National Park which is free.

 

[pipermae]

It seems everyone on here is from East TN, I don't blame you. When I graduate from college I'm not staying near King Willie.

 

[PudgetteD]

We're from Clarksville. My family will be there this October with a newbie family.

Clarksville here as well! We'll be there Oct 11-18.

 

[ilovediznee2]

I'm sort of new around here (I've been lurking for a while). 3 friends, my DBF, and I will be going down to the happiest place on earth June of 2009. 2 friends, and DBF are all newbies (NEVER BEEN!!!!) so I'm trying to make this trip awesome! Being college students, we're on a bit of a tight budget but I've managed to make it affordable for everyone. If you have any tips on making this trip AWESOME I'm free to suggestions.

I'm off to go read some of the fabulous threads! You guys rock!

One thing that I can tell you that will save you lots of money is to stay off-site. There are plenty of hotels in the area. There are also plenty of condos, townhouses, etc. on www.vrbo.com. I'm all about the Disney magic, but when you're on a tight budget, staying off-site is the way to go. If you get a condo or even a suite with a kitchen-ette, you can save money by eating there instead of at the parks.
Also, if you're doing Universal, AAA has a deal going on right now for those tix.
Take a small backpack with snacks and water. Buying bottles of water in the parks gets expensive.
If you eat a meal in the parks, try to eat lunch. It's a few dollars cheaper than the dinners. If you prefer to eat later, you can still get the lunch prices until around 4 pm.
Have a great time!!

 

[ilovediznee2]

By the way, I was born in Nashville, and I WANT TO GO BACK!!!! (No offense to Pennsylvania, but I prefer Tennessee!!)

 

[cameyer85]

Middle TN (Sumner Co.) by way of upstate NY.

 

[embgrl]

DH was born and raised in Memphis and I lived there for 5 years. We moved to Coeur d' Alene, ID(where I grew up) 3 years ago when we found out I was expecting so hello from Idaho also, first time DH has ever lived anywhere outside of Memphis. We love to go back for a visit anytime we can as all of DH's family is still there. We're headed to DW for trip #5 this September for free dining with DH's TN family!!

 

[tndisneyfan]

I'm originally from Northeast TN though- Tri-Cities area.

That's where I live

 

[pipermae]

You guys rock!

 

[bonna girl]

Nice to see all you folks from Tennessee! My family will be taking our first family vacation to Tennessee starting on 4th of July. We'll be visiting Gatlinburgh/Pidgeon Forge area using our time share for a week. We're really excited about it. Any suggestions?

Maggie

Just thought of another Pigeon Forge destination... The Apple Barn - they have good restaurants, a winery, homemade candies/fudge, general store, etc. Just a pleasant place to spend some time.

 

[CheshireCat3]

That's where I live

Fantastic! Actually, my parents still live right outside of Jonesboro.

 

[CheshireCat3]

Just thought of another Pigeon Forge destination... The Apple Barn - they have good restaurants, a winery, homemade candies/fudge, general store, etc. Just a pleasant place to spend some time.

I second that! I wasn't sure if it was still open or not... it's been a while since I've been there. Do they still have the porch swing tables? Those rock.

 

[Ka-chow!]

As a newbie myself and a Memphis State, errr... I mean University of Memphis and UT-Memphis alum, welcome!

I envy people who are near Huey's for their oh so good burger. Yum!

 

[bonna girl]

I second that! I wasn't sure if it was still open or not... it's been a while since I've been there. Do they still have the porch swing tables? Those rock.

It sure is - I'm lucky enough to live in Nashville where they have a store at Opry Mills - I even worked in the candy kitchen for about a year (believe it or not I lost weight working there). So whenever I get the itch for a fried apple pie, homemade fudge, taffy or candy stick - I can go there. The people that own the Applebarn are WONDERFUL people to work with. I felt like I was part of their family and I was only a part time worker.

 

[pipermae]

As a newbie myself and a Memphis State, errr... I mean University of Memphis and UT-Memphis alum, welcome!

I envy people who are near Huey's for their oh so good burger. Yum!

Haha, I love how ESPN and Sports Center kept calling us Memphis State during our WONDERFUL basketball season, like it hurt our feelings.

I'm currently a student at the good ol' U of M. I'm an Integrative Studies: Grades 4-8 Social Studies & Language Arts major & I'm considering a minor in Music, as I'm in that building more than any other. (I'm the box office manager. One of the many wonderful faces that represents the School of Music.) I'm also a proud member of the Mighty Sound of the South. (Marching band & Men's pep band) If you've watched any of our games, I can guarantee that you've seen me. I try to hide from the camera man, but he always seems to find me.

I do love a good Huey's burger, but I think I must admit I love their shrimp more. It is soooo good!

 

[MayButterfly]

hi everyone!! I live in Knoxville. Raised in Kingsport! My DH is from Memphis so we're a big TN family!! LOL
It's nice to see there are fellow disney obsessed people around us!

 

[Vickie46]

I am from the Nashville area too!!! We should get a pin trading meet going! That would be fun!