Is Dollywood worth $50 and a 4-hour drive?

nerdboyrockstar

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I'm going to be visiting Charlotte, NC at the start of May and I looked up that Dollywood is a 4-hour drive away. I've always wanted to go but when I looked over some of the attractions and it doesn't seem like it has much that I can't experience somewhere else. I'm a passholder to Universal, Disney and Sea World.. so I love theme parks. But I don't know if this one is worth the drive and the $..

So have any of you been to Dollywood?
 
We went last summer, & my kids did not really like it. There were not a lot of rides, & the ones they had felt like they only lasted a minute. I guess we are spoiled to Disney. Some of the little shops were neat, but I was not real impressed. We did like the water park though.
 
Honestly, Dollywood is one of my favorite amusement parks. It is a very beautiful and well-maintained park.

Also, while it doesn't have a huge amount of rides, some of what they have is great. Thunderhead is my #1 wooden coaster, it is absolutely fantastic! Tennessee Tornado, for an Arrow-manufactured looper is actually pretty good too. Mountain Slidewidner is a fantastic attraction. You walk up a huge hill, board a rubber raft with 3-4 other people and go down a water-slide. Its honestly one of the scariest rides I have ridden. And then there is Blazing Fury! Blazing Fury is a dark ride with some coaster elements. Its cheesy and outdated, but thats why I love it. Its also loads of fun.

The park also has some great shows, some craftsmen you can watch doing their thing and some great food. I think Dollywood is a great park.
 
I live outside Charlotte and have never been to Dollywood. I'm not 100% sure you can there in four hours either.

Are you going to Carowinds? If you live near any other Paramount Park the season tickets are an incredible deal.
 

I went to Dollywood last fall, at the request of my mom. I was prepared to hate it, thinking it would be really trashy and touristy (like the rest of Pigeon Forge), but I loved it!! It's a very quaint, very clean park. I wouldn't call the rides thrilling by any means, but they're fun. What impressed me what the atmosphere. The crafty little shops were adorable, and you could see real artisans make their wares. Their is lots of terrific country and bluegrass music - not cheesy at all. The landscaping was really well done too. And the food was good. Give it a try!!
 
You do get to listen to this. :woohoo: And watch some clog dancing too. :cool1:

We went years ago, but did enjoy it.
 
/
If it's rides you're most interested in, I'd go to Carowinds instead.
 
I thought it was in Tennessee .

Is it true that the roller coaster has two hills that is supposed to represent Dolly's ugh,, chest?

not trying to make a joke, someone said this in the past.
 
drakethib said:
I thought it was in Tennessee .

Is it true that the roller coaster has two hills that is supposed to represent Dolly's ugh,, chest?

not trying to make a joke, someone said this in the past.

:lmao: :lmao: If so I bet those are some big hills!! :lmao: :lmao:

My dad and brother went a few years ago and Dolly happened to be there.. They videotaped her.. My dad tries to tell everyone that he likes her music!! ahem.. :rolleyes:
 
drakethib said:
I thought it was in Tennessee .

Is it true that the roller coaster has two hills that is supposed to represent Dolly's ugh,, chest?

not trying to make a joke, someone said this in the past.


LOL! :lmao: Gosh, those hills must be scary....big :lmao:
 
For all of your Dollywood info to to

http://www.pigeonforgeforum.com/forums/

My trip report for Sneak Preview day

From the opening line from LOTR “It begins”. A new Dollywood season that is!! Just got back for the Sneak Preview to Dollywood and it was great. I have several pictures I will be putting up on a few different areas in the Forum so look for them. But first things first.
First was breakfast at Cracker Barrel, good as always. Then on to Sevierville which was crowded and traffic backed up as usual. They are working on a lot of different areas and that does not help things. One major improvement, that is coming, will be the new bridge across the river as you head into Sevierville. Right now there is only one bridge and everyone going anywhere in Sevierville has to cross it. Once you get through Sevierville it is pretty smooth sailing.
On to Dollywood… We parked in section D-E which is pretty far out. One tip: just park out far from the park but near a trolley stop, you have to ride the parking lot trolley so there is no real advantage to parking close to the park entrance. We have a season pass so we went straight in. If it is your first trip this year in with a season pass you will need to get a photo made. They will let you in once without the photo (just your paper season pass) but you need to get a photo while you are there.
We went straight to the new Timber Tower ride. It is not open right now and will not open until next week I think. We just wanted to get a look at it (photos on another post in this forum so look for them). We road the Thunderhead wooden roller coaster while we were there. I also saw a guy with a “Possum Creek Tennessee” shirt on. If you know where Possum Creek is you are a real NE Tennessean, if you don’t just be thankful.
On to the Pines Theater area which is a 1950’s area. I have some pretty good photos from there.
County Fair area next. This area has changed a lot over the past few years. More photos from here. In that same area is the show called Heartsong. I think this is one of the best shows in Dollywood. It is a movie with songs and some visual effects such as it actually rains on you. See it if you can.
I also have some pictures of one of my favorite things in the park…. Food. They are in other post here in the forum also.
Saw a couple of the Festival of Nations shows. They are all pretty good. I did not thing that the Moscow Circus was all that great though. Quiet a few “slow” spots. The theater that it is in is huge and was full.
Saw the Bald Eagles and since it was a warm day they were very active.
For lunch just ate at one of the what I call “stir fry” places. There are several around and it is basically onions, green peppers, potatoes, chicken, sausage, etc. with any and/or all of them on a large cast iron skillet. Once you smell all of that stuff cooking you will be hungry.
I will write some more later…getting sleepy and need to post some pictures.
 
Our family went to DW last year. It was the middle of June and HOT. We didn't like the amusement park. It is layed out odd and you back track a lot. With crowds it makes for huge bottle locks. The shops are fun, but pricey. The shows are good but hot. The rides they had were fun, but overall...we didn't like it. Now the waterpark...that was fun.
 
I'm not sure you can get from Charlotte NC to Pigeon Forge TN in 4 hrs. but like some of the other posters said you have carowinds right there. I haven't been to Carowinds in years and wasn't even sure if it was still there. I have never been to Dollywood but have been to Silver Dollar City in Branson which is suppose to be very similar. We think Silver Dollar city is a great park. It's different from Dis or Us but it is really neat in its own way. So I would imagine Dollywood would be too.
 
I think it will take much longer than 4 hours for you to get to Pigeon Forge from Charlotte. I live in Virginia and it takes me 4 hours. Charlotte is a good 2 hours away from me.

Personally, I love Dollywood. I love the atmosphere, the rides, the people, the food, etc Don't get me wrong, it's not Disney by any stretch of the imagination but its a slight alternative.

Since you are going to be in Charlotte, try Carowinds. I've only been once but I hear that its great.
 
I hope the park is good as we are visiting this summer!!
I do know for coaster lovers they have the top rated wooden roller coasters of last year-Power Keg.
I have heard alot of good things about this park, that it isnt your typical Six Flaags type park, that it offers alot of shows/dining/shopping besides some decent rides.
 

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