Opinions on Dollywood?

[amg35]

Next year we are thinking of taking a smaller vacation so we can save for a bigger one the year after.

We were thinking of the Smokey Mountains and Dollywood? No airfare since we can drive the 8 or so hours from Chicago. Thinking of fall, maybe a Thursday-Monday.

We like the looks of the DreamMore Resort - will be all adults going. Not interested in a cabin really, I like resort amenities.

Tickets are two for one (at park itself) with some front of line bonuses. Then we can do another day trip around the mountains/trails/etc.

Anyone have any experience, thoughts, tips?

We are kind of excited about it, we don't normally do driving trips!

 

[cabanafrau]

It's a fun park and a beautiful area. Maybe take a look at the operating hours of the season this year, as I know they aren't open every day beyond late August when the kids in that area return to school.

 

[mandy200587]

Dollywood is amazing, I'd allow two days at least to take in everything at the park. If you can swing a trip to the Apple Barn that's right on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge. My mouth is watering just thinking about the apple cider and cinnamon donuts.

 

[amg35]

Thanks guys!

If we arrive on Thursday was thinking park days either Friday/Saturday, mountains Sunday or mountains Friday and park days Saturday and Sunday. Are their any tours we can sign up for trails or something of the sort? Anything you would recommend?

 

[mandy200587]

Friday/Saturday would be better for parks. I don't know much about trails but once you get there, definitely look into taking the trolley where you can, so you don't have to deal with traffic. Gatlinburg shopping area can be a little hokey but some of the views you'll see are amazing.

 

[JaxDad]

We went to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg in July. It was our first trip there, and we had a blast. We actually did not do Dollywood, but I have heard good things, and the new resort there looks very nice.

The National Park has lots of drives and trails. The trails vary by difficulty. We did Clingmans Dome, Chimney Tops, Laurel Falls, and Grotto Falls trails, and Cades Cove and Roaring Fork drives (plus generally driving to get around). The Sugarland Visitor Center near Gatlinburg is a great place to start your visit.

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have a large selection of tourist attractions. You may just need to go to Trip Advisor and pick ones that interest you. We did a couple dinner shows, the Ripleys Aquarium, plus go-carts, mountain coasters, arcades, and general shopping. We also did the Escape Room in Pigeon Forge which was a fun time. I'm sure I am leaving some stuff out.

Finally, we also did whitewater rafting up in the Hartford area. That was awesome too. If you go early in the Fall, this may be a good option.

 

[cvjw]

We stayed in a family suite at the Dreammore resort in July on their 2nd day of business. We had a few "opening day" glitches, but overall, we loved the resort.

The family suite was very spacious and comfortable. It was beautifully decorated.

We enjoyed Dollywood. It is a great themepark. Very clean, with nice cast members.

Staying at the Dreammore gives you front of line access to all rides and shows. That is a great perk

 

[amg35]

Thanks! You guys are getting me excited for this!

 

[scdak]

Once you go to the Pigeon Forge area you will want to go back, there is simply too much to do in a short period of time! Dollywood is a lot of fun, there are so many hiking opportunities for every skill level that you will find the perfect one for you, Cades Cove is a neat area to explore but it takes quite a few hours to accomplish between the drive to get there and the "loop" that you take to see the various sights. There are dinner shows, musical shows, comedy shows, entertainment of all types, dining to suit any of your tastes, shopping..........the list goes on and on!

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I will be the voice of descent.

I posted this awhile back concerning our visit.

We did not particularly enjoy the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.

The home we rented was beautiful and the mountains were gorgeous, but Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge needs some serious zoning laws enforced. So cheesy, so over run with "Ripley's Believe it or Not" type of junk. Here you have this fabulous landscape of glorious mountains, and at the bottom of them sits all of this cluttered visual pollution. It wasn't for us.

We did enjoy Cades Cove. It's basically a loop that you drive, but we were able to stop and have a picnic lunch and enjoy the breeze with a fantastic view "up".

Dollywood was very clean and we did enjoy it for the day.

Other than that, the trip to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area was not as enjoyable as we had hoped.

 

[Southernmiss]

We went 5 years ago in July with our 4 kids. We all loved it! Was thinking about that trip this morning and would love to go back. We did Dollywood the evening we got there and went back the next day. Promo to do it that way. Having been there the evening before, we had an idea of the layout and what we wanted to do the next day. We finished all we wanted to do there early and had the evening to begin hiking, etc.

We hiked several trails mentioned above in the national park, waded in a stream, toured Cades cove and Tuxaleechee(sp) cavern. Loved it all. I'd say go to the Sugarland Visitors center when you arrive to get information and figure out what you want to do in the park.

In fact my kids said if we do it again, let's skip Dollywood and do more outdoor activities.

 

[amg35]

Thanks! I appreciate differing opinions.

We would really just be concentrating on Dollywood itself (we've never been and I love a theme park!) and a day doing trails, etc., enjoying the mountains.

The DreamMore resort looks nice, I didn't realize it just opened recently!

 

[tinatark]

I live here... if you come in October, mid month will be crazy busy. Leaves peak mid-October usually. Weather is great right now - we're still in shorts! So much to do. It is a tourist area, so you will see many tourist attractions - go-cart tracks, mountain coasters, wax museum, Ripley's Aquarium... several outlet malls to keep you busy, and the most-visited National park in the US for when you are ready for some quiet time!

 

[NewRVLady]

I will be the voice of descent.

I posted this awhile back concerning our visit.

We did not particularly enjoy the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.

The home we rented was beautiful and the mountains were gorgeous, but Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge needs some serious zoning laws enforced. So cheesy, so over run with "Ripley's Believe it or Not" type of junk. Here you have this fabulous landscape of glorious mountains, and at the bottom of them sits all of this cluttered visual pollution. It wasn't for us.

We did enjoy Cades Cove. It's basically a loop that you drive, but we were able to stop and have a picnic lunch and enjoy the breeze with a fantastic view "up".

Dollywood was very clean and we did enjoy it for the day.

Other than that, the trip to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area was not as enjoyable as we had hoped.

I agree with Chocolate Cake
Too touristy.. Last time was in Oct and the roads were gridlocked
I prefer spending 2 days in mnts- Cades Cove is beautiful...go to all the cabins
cling mans done
We got brochure on all th waterfalls and hiked to the easiest ones

 

[lakelandgal70]

Dollywood is a great park. Be prepared for the hills lol. Not flat like Walt Disney World. And I second Apple Barn! If you have never been to Gatlinburg you should go at least once. My aunt who lives up in TN calls it tshirt alley haha And she is right. There is the not so touristy artist part that we also went to that we liked better. Sad that I am missing the fall up in that part of the world this year.

 

[Andrea]

My friend and I did not like Dollywood at all. We went to Gatlinburg for a week. We spent about an hour in the park and then we went to leave and got our money back ( didn't even ask). To me it was just like our local six flags. As far as the Dinner shows we LOVED them. The Hatfield-McCoy dinner show was my favorite.

Just a few weekends ago, my husband and I drove to Gatlinburg just for a small day trip ( we live in Georgia) and had a blast at the ripley's aquarium.

 

[amg35]

I live here... if you come in October, mid month will be crazy busy. Leaves peak mid-October usually. Weather is great right now - we're still in shorts! So much to do. It is a tourist area, so you will see many tourist attractions - go-cart tracks, mountain coasters, wax museum, Ripley's Aquarium... several outlet malls to keep you busy, and the most-visited National park in the US for when you are ready for some quiet time!

We are planning first weekend of October (end of September) Thurs to Monday. Staying at DreamMore Resort. Tickets for dollywood are two days for one and the resort has trolley ride to park. Resort also has a front of line type program. Our other day we can drive to the trails, etc or other tourist stuff.

Our trips aren't normally to places like this (usually beach/cruise destinations or Disney), so we are excited!

 

[amg35]

My friend and I did not like Dollywood at all. We went to Gatlinburg for a week. We spent about an hour in the park and then we went to leave and got our money back ( didn't even ask). To me it was just like our local six flags. As far as the Dinner shows we LOVED them. The Hatfield-McCoy dinner show was my favorite.

Just a few weekends ago, my husband and I drove to Gatlinburg just for a small day trip ( we live in Georgia) and had a blast at the ripley's aquarium.

Thanks! We are kind of expecting a Six Flags feel with beautiful surroundings, so that's okay!

 

[Julie's Haircut]

We thoroughly enjoyed Dollywood park itself. Clean, with lots of things to do. I'd say it's a step above Six Flags.

The home we rented was beautiful and the mountains were gorgeous, but Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge needs some serious zoning laws enforced. So cheesy, so over run with "Ripley's Believe it or Not" type of junk. Here you have this fabulous landscape of glorious mountains, and at the bottom of them sits all of this cluttered visual pollution. It wasn't for us.
.

Yeah, a lot of the area is tacky, cheesy, and gaudy, but sometimes that's exactly what I want in a vacation.

Thanks! We are kind of expecting a Six Flags feel with beautiful surroundings, so that's okay!

Then you should enjoy Dollywood.

 

[old feller]

Titanic museum....Dollywood was very nice........a good bit of uphill walking ....just in case that is a factor for someone....def trip advisor too