Need Pigeon Forge info help

[jkmmah]

We're planning a quick trip through this area in late July and I'm clueless about where to book us to stay. I've read through the huge thread on this subject but most of the replies the poster got was about cabin rentals. We're only going to be staying two nights and not really interested in a cabin. I've searched on the web but without firsthand knowledge of which hotels are clean and in a good area I'm getting lost!

We are two adults (my Mom and I) and my two daughters, ages 7 and 3. We'd like a hotel that is clean, offers a pool, and has a free breakfast. Something close to a trolley pickup location would be fantastic so we could trolley ourselves to Dollywood. Also, I've tried searching for hotels that offer a military rate/discount as my dh is active duty, but currently deployed. I'd love to find something that would give me a great rate with my dependant ID card.

Do you all have any recommendations? We don't want to spend a fortune!

If you all know of a message board (similar to DIS) that's devoted to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg tourism that would be awesome. So far I've not come across one.

 

[luvthatdisney]

We go to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area all of the time. We live about 2 - 2.5 hours away. I actually like to stay in Gatlinburg myself. I just like the ambiance (sp?) better. It is more like a small mountain town feel to me - more so than Pigeon Forge. We have stayed many different places in Gatlinburg, but our favorites are the Best Western Zoders Inn and the FairField Inn and Suites North. It is a newer hotel from the Best Western and the kids enjoyed it more as it has a real nice out door pool with a big slide. There is also a Ripley's miniature golf place in the parking lot (it is expensive - but the kids really liked it).

We have also stayed in Pigeon Forge as my DH is into old cars and they have an annual car show around Labor day and it is held in Pigeon Forge. Most of the hotels in Pigeon Forge are older - but are clean - there are a few newer ones, but we have not stayed there. I would recommend the Valley Forge Inn in Pigeon Forge - we have stayed their many times - it is clean and the people who run it are nice. Dollywood is not really our style, we have been twice, but it is a little to "country" for me!!!

Hope this helps!!!

 

[dzneelvr]

We alternate Tennessee with WDW and stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Pigeon Forge. We like that because it includes a really nice breakfast buffet every morning. Past years we've also stayed at Hampton Inns--same deal for breakfast. You can get on their national websites and then click on the location you want to make the ressie for or get their toll free number. There's almost all the major chains in that area, so you'll come away with something. I'd hold out for the ones that include a full breakfast. Prices for peak season will probably run you $100+. Our rates change from weekday to weekend (cheaper on the weekday). You can ask about a military discount when you have them on the phone.
We'll be down there for our vacation starting July 1. We get season passes to Dollywood and Splash Country and have a ball.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We too like staying in Gatlinburg better. We like the hampton Inn. In is on the far end and sits off the main street and is rather quite. It has a pool and a free breakfast that the last trip or two included biscuit and gravy!! One note on the trolly, don't expect WDW! We use it once or twice and it was VERY crowed and SLOW. WE refused to ride again. Gatlinburg can be walked. Don't forget to do Dollywood and consider the Dixie Stampeed. Both winners with kids!!

 

[indigoxtreme]

We also enjoy Gatlinburg better, we stay at the Johnson's Inn, It has a continental breakfast, muffins fruit, cereal etc. Gtalinburg is a little easier to walk in as it is all together, Pigeon Forge is really spread out and it is hard to walk around. Much easier to drive around in Pigeon Forge though. Both places are great. go to www.tripadvisors.com and read the reviews of hotels in the area. I have found that they are 90% right. When you get to the website type in the name of the hotel and look for reviews.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

We, too, like to stay in Gatlinburg. We always stay at Leconte View Motor Inn. We stayed there on our honeymoon in 1983 and we still visit 2 or 3 times a year. It is right on the main street, just about everything in Gatlinburg is within walking distance and it's right by the trolly stop. They have two pools, one indoor and one outdoor. They do have a continental breakfast but it's not the greatest (cereal, donuts and danish). The toll-free number is 1-800-842-5767 and the website is:

http://www.leconteview.com/

We will actully be staying at Leconte 6/26-6/30!!!!

If you decide to stay in Pigeon Forge I would recommend Best Western Toni Inn or Music Road Hotel. BW Toni in has both an indoor and outdoor pool and a very nice conitinental breakfast. It is located on the main street very close to the traffic light for Dollywood. The website for them is:

http://www.bwtoniinn.com/

Music Road is REALLY nice but can also run on the high end as far as rates go. They have a wonderful continental breakfast which even includes biscuits and gravy! It's right on a creek and you can have breakfast on the patio watching the creek. They have a 24 hour indoor pool and an outdoor pool that includes a lazy river! Their website is at:

http://www.musicroadhotel.com/

I can't tell you about any government discounts, though. Sorry.

If you plan to do any outlet shopping make sure you check out the websites for the outlet malls before you go because they often have coupons that you can print off!

Hope you have a fantastic time there!!

 

[JudyS]

I've never been there, but I know that there is a lot of information at www.tug2.net If you are interested in staying in a timeshare, there are many in the area.

 

[n2mm]

Don't forget to visit the Disney Catalog Outlet while you're there. This way you can get a Disney fix at the same time. (I couldn't resist a plug for my hubby's sister store.)

 

[tigger2005]

We live about 1.5 hours from Pigeon Forge and go there all of the time. Season tickets to Dollywood and Splash country. I have actually started a webpage about Pigeon Forge and need to get it up and running. Two places we like really well are Clarion Inn Willow River and Park Grove Inn. Both have breakfast. Clarion Inn Willow River is Beautiful, and has a lazy river. Willow River is out from Pigeon Forge a little bit and not on the trolley. A lot of people ride into Pigeon Forge at the trolley station (next to the Old Mill) and then ride into Dollywood. That way you pay $0.50 for the trolley but don't have to pay $6 for the parking at Dollywood. Park Grove inn is family own and very nice. Check out the $15 dollar discount under special at Willow River. All hotels in Pigeon Forge are going to be high in the summer. Music Road hotel is very nice but expensive. Any other questions just ask me....

http://www.clarioninnwillowriver.com/index.html

http://www.parkgroveinn.com/


Also check out Hotwire. I looked and they have some good deals especially Sun-Thur.

 

[Straitlover]

When I went, I stayed at the Shular Inn. It was very clean, nice and had a decent breakfast. Here is the website:

www.shularinn-pigeonforge.com

Did not use the pool, so I can't comment on that. Per their website, the 2 Queen room (which is what I stayed in) is 79.95 per night Sun - Thurs and 109.95 Fri and Sat. Didn't know which days you were going, so I checked them all. I went in September and payed a lot less than that (45.95/night), but I don't think the 79.95 is unreasonable considering the condition and location of the place. There is a trolley stop at the hotel, but if you have a car, I would drive down to Patriot Park and catch the trolley there for Dollywood and/or Gatlinburg.

Hope you have a good time! I'm hoping to go back myself sometime next year.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

Bump....
My husband thought this was my post. I have been trying to find a great place for our family of 5 to stay for a cheap vacation. I am checking all the above hotels out, but have been looking at cabins. We only want to spent about $500 on lodging for 4 nights.

 

[bgirldeb]

I've never stayed in Pigeon Forge. We prefer to stay in Gatlinburg and drive over to PF. If you want a spectacular view, and aren't afraid to drive up the mountain to where you're looking DOWN on Ober Gatlinburg, I'd recommend the Gatlinburg Summit. These are condominiums. We've been there twice over 4th of July weekend and for a 2 br condo with a loft w/ bed and a sofa bed its around 100.00 per night. It has a full kitchen w/ 2 baths. I think they have smaller rooms too. They have an indoor and outdoor pool. No breakfast, but you can pick up some things at the corner grocery before heading up and you could even cook breakfast in your room.

We've also stayed here: http://www.mckaysinn.com/ which is right in the middle of the Gatlinburg strip. We had a problem withour a/c freezing up, which lets just say wasn't very fun when you're 6 months pregnant and there in August.

 

[melissa5583]

We just got back from PF on Memorial Day weekend. We stayed in PF at the Grand Resort. It's nice. They just remodeled it and there is a fridge and microwave in the room. We also had a view of the river from our room. It also includes breakfast every morning ( biscuit/gravy or pancakes) w/purchase of a drink. So basically u get breakfast for $1.50. Cheap for a stack of pancakes!!!! It's in the middle of PF. Great location

 

[totallydisney]

Just returned from the area a few days ago. We stayed to the Microtell Inn in Pigeon Forge. Will not stay there again, very small room, and very dirty, had to ask for clean sheets everyday. You May want to check out the Govenors inn in Seiverville.

 

[lovemygoofy]

To the OP: do you have a ITR or ITT near you that you can stop and buy discount tickets for Dollywood. Right now you can buy tixs at a 33% discount. I know that our ITR at Campbell which is about 4 hours from PF they sell these packages for the mini golf and aqaurium and the 3-D ride and some others. The whole package through the military ticket office is about $9/ticket and saves you a bundle. I would just look online through mypigeonforge.com or pigeonforge.com It list different places for you to stay and I would say that with two little ones I would stay in Pigeon Forge instead of Gatlinburg because you'll probably spend more time there. Also look into some packages to save money also. At one time you could buy package tixs to Dixie Stampede and Dollywood and save money that way. There are several free coupon booklets floating around when you reach town. It has buy one get one free mini golf or buy one get one half dinners and buy a lb of fudge get a 1/2lb free. I highly reccommend eating at the Old Mill. They are sooo good.

For anyone looking for a good cabin rental company, we always use Diamon Moutain Rental www.diamondrentals.com We have always been completely happy with them and have stayed in beautiful cabins.

If anyone has more questions please feel free to PM me with anymore questions.

 

[ncgolfer]

We travel to PF about 7-8 times per year.

Out top hotel choices:

PF:
Music Road Hotel
Music Road Inn
Econo Lodge Riverside
Ramada Limited Suites - Dollywood Blvd

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

To the OP ~ First of all, just remember that we're all trying to help, even if we don't all agree on the advise! I'm sure all this information coming at you can get confusing!! Just take everyone's advise and decide what's best for you and your family.

That said...I disagree with lovemygoofy on where to stay. (Please no flames here, it's just my opinion.) Anyway, just about anywhere you go in Pigeon Forge, whether it is out to eat, shopping or to an attraction you have to drive. That means putting little ones into a hot vehicle and getting them buckled in, etc. Gatlinburg has so many options for eating, attractions, etc. that it is possible not to have to use your vehicle all day. They have the Aquarium, Davy Crokett Golf (and other fun golf adventures), Haunted Mansion, and many, many restaurants to choose from. There is also a nice city park in Gatlinburg with swings for the little ones, a picnic area and a little stream. We often get lunch and take the kids up there to run off some energy! (Their energy, of course, not ours. We don't have enough as it is!) We do usually drive to the park, though, because it's up a hill a little farther than I like to walk. You may want to go into Pigeon Forge for Dollywood or some outlet shopping but it's only a short drive. The traffic isn't usually bad coming back into Gatlinburg unless you're coming back in on a Friday or Saturday evening.

I guess it really comes down to looking at what attractions you plan to visit and then decide where most of those are. If they're in PF stay in PF. If they're in Gatlinburg, stay there.

I do agree completely with ncgolfer about Music Road Hotel. That's two of us that have suggested that one (I mentioned it in a previous post) and I think that's the only one I've seen recommended more than once. Could be that we're onto something here! If you decide to stay in PF I'd say definitely look into that one.

Whatever you decide I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

Don't forget to visit the Disney Catalog Outlet while you're there. This way you can get a Disney fix at the same time. (I couldn't resist a plug for my hubby's sister store.)

Where is this store? I would love to visit it.
I just booked a kid suite at the Red Roof in Pigeon Forge for $94 a night. We will be getting a king sized bed and a bunk bed for the boys, 2 rooms and free breakfast. A better deal than the cabins we were checking out. We are planning on going to the Aquarium and the National Park (picnics, wading and hikes) and maybe over to Cherokee. This is a cheap trip for us - no Dollywood or Dixie Stampede. Any other money saving ideas?
Janell

 

[tigger2005]

One thing that we like to do is get a picnic lunch in Gatlinburg (KFC etc...) and go into the National Park. There is a picnic area called Chimney Rock Park. It is on the way from Gatlinburg to Cherokee NC. There are also some "quiet walkways" along the way.

Also the Disney Catalog Outlet is in the Five Oaks Outlet Shopping Mall. It is near the back. Five Oaks is a huge Outlet Shopping area.

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

Five Oaks is a Tanger Outlet. So, if you're considering doing some shopping there check out the Tanger Outlet website for some on-line coupons.

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/

Also, Five Oaks is actually in Sevierville, not Pigeon Forge. (Only about a mile out of PF.) If you go to the Tanger website make sure you look up the one in Sevierville, not PF.

If you have AAA you can usually get a coupon book at the Tanger Outlet mall office, too!

Have fun!