Pigeon Forge then Orlando??

[carj]

My parents have long wanted my family to come with them to the Smokey Mountains and Pigeon Forge. Next summer, I think that I might be ready to make that trip with the kids. (They will be 8 and 5).

It will be a 14-15 hour drive for us from the DFW area which we break up over 2 days. I have been reading up on Pigeon Forge and I think that it will be fun.

I am trying to decide if we should just drive another 12 hours after we leave Pigeon Forge and head down to Orlando. It isn't exactly close though! We went to WDW in June and stayed 7 days, never leaving the property except to go to the airport!

My kids are really interested in going to the Nick Hotel and I could go for that too, then maybe 3-4 days of WDW. My step-father has family in Ocala so they would stay there for most of our theme park days, maybe go once or twice or for some meals.

Coming home, we would then have a 20 hour drive from Orlando. (This is the part that is scaring me.) We won't be in a hurry because I am off during the summer, teacher. My husband would probably fly in either to Knoxville or Orlando and spend a week as he can't take off that much time.

I am thinking that this is probably a 2 week trip. It sounds like fun except for all the driving. Also, because we will have to make reservations, we will have to adhere to at least a tentative plan.

If you are still reading, thanks! Should we make a long trip, going to Pigeon Forge and Orlando or should I just plan the Pigeon Forge trip and save Orlando for the following year?

Thanks!

 

[FastpitchMom]

My thought would be to just do the Pigeon Forge trip. That is ALOT of driving and you will be very tired. Save Disney for later.

We go to PF every year and there is alot to do between there and Gatlinburg. Don't miss the Aquarium in Gatlinburg or DollyWood in PF!

 

[TinaLala]

I almost fell off my chair when I saw your post. We're going to Pigeon Forge next year to go to Dollywood!

Honestly you have to think about whether or not you're up for driving another 12+ hours down to Disney. We're taking two days in TN and then driving through WV overnight and then we might stop in PA. I'm trying to get west and this is a start.

 

[carj]

Well...I guess since some impartial observers agree with my husband, I will too.

I think that I know that it is too much but I just hate to be halfway to WDW and not go all the way!

 

[mncherokee]

Last summer we drove straight to Orlando from MN stayed over night on the way in Nashville... on the way back we drove through Cherokee, NC and saw things there (we opted for the Cherokee stuff rather than Gatlinburg - although we drove through there on the way back)... overnight in IL - went to St. Louis Arch, Springfield (to see Lincoln stuff) and back to MN.

Dollywood - WDW is DOABLE... but be sure you give yourself enough travel days and don't plan too many stops on the return trip (you just want to get home ).

 

[ChristusG]

I sooooooo HATE HATE HATE road trips LOL! Seriously, we made a 10 hour drive (one way) to Tennessee at the beginning of June. I dreaded it every single day up until the moment that we left. In all reality, it wasnt that bad, but I still hated it LOL. I just dont like being in the car that long.

I'm not sure that I could do 12+ hours to the mountains, then 12+ hours to Disney, and then 20+ hours back home. I think I would lose it LOL!

My parents want us to go to the Pigeon Forge/Gatlingburg area with them. They wanted to go this Christmas, but since it is a 12 hour drive.....and my kids are only 4 and 1, I told them maybe at a later time. While my 1 year old did surprisingly well on our trip to TN earlier this summer, I really dont want to push my luck with another trip at 1 years old LOL.

As much as I love Disney, I think I would probably just do the Pigeon Forge trip. However, then again.....since you guys are already doing a lot of driving, why not do a little more and get it over with for a while? LOL!

 

[ChristusG]

Oh, and if you do decide to do it.....I would definitely make sure you allow enough days to break up your trip. We did our 10 hour drive to TN broken up into 2 days. We did that going there and back. Hubby did not want to do it, but I told him that was the only way I was making that long trekk to visit his family LOL! Especailly with a 1 year old.....although I know your kiddos are not that young.

 

[McKelly]

We did this two summers ago. We rented a cabin in the mountain in the Smokey Mountains with my parents, but it was killing me not to go to Disney that year. So I told my DH, let's just drive to Orlando after the mountains, we are halfway there already!! He agreed!! So we were in Gatlinburg for six nights, drove to Orlando for four nights and then drove home with a stopover one night. The drive home stunk, but I got to go to Disney!!

 

[Poohbug]

I have done it. It was a great trip. But that was before we had kids and the Smokey's are on the way to FL. I don't really love long road trips, I like to drive it in one shot and get it over with but this trip was doable. If everyone is up for it I would do it.

 

[ShannonN]

Just wanted to say that we love PF and Gatlinburg. We have to go there at least once a year. A couple of years ago we flew to WDW and stayed for a week, then a couple of weeks later we went with my parents to PF/Gatlinburg and it was the best summer vacations we ever had!!!! I know you will have a great time whatever you decide to do!!! We're hoping to do both vacations again next year.

DH DS ME

 

[DisneyBrat]

I vote to do both!!!! Some of my best memories were when I traveled 3 months with my parents after my divorce. My son was homeschooled so we had a blast exploring the east coast. It is alot of driving but the memories made will be far more valuable My son to this day talks about that trip. He was 8 or 9 and will turn 21 in a few months. Good luck with whatever you decide... Pigeon Forge is my favorite place to go besides Disney. I actually got remarried there 9 years ago come Sept

Have fun,
Lew

 

[carj]

Thank you for your replies. I will definitely have to really think about what we should do. Luckily, I have some time.

For those of you who have been to Pigeon Forge, what were some of your favorite things for kids? (8 and 5)

How long would we want to spend there? Right now I am thinking 5 nights. Does that sound like enough, too long? My parents LOVE it there but I know that the kids will want to do some different things.

Also, what are the prices for food, eating out etc? Are we talking typical dinner out prices or Disney type prices?

 

[DisneyBrat]

4 or 5 nights is good Attractions to see and do are PLENTIFUL. Our kids really enjoyed Dollywood. If you go after 3 pm one day you get the next day free. They have a waterpark seperate from Dollywood too. Gaitlinburg which is about a 20 minute drive(only about 5 country miles) has a great Ripley's Aquarium. The Ober is near there too and has alot for kids and adults. They have a website too! Back in Pigeon Forge there is a Nascar Speedpark, rainforest adventure or something like that with lots of live exhibits. A must do for eating is The Old Mill, Apple Barn and Log Cabin Pancake House. Food inside Dollywood is similar to Disney's prices. There are many restaurants along the strip of Pigeon Forge and Gaitlinburg too. We enjoyed the 50's restaurant at dollywood. They have burgers and such with shakes. If you like puttputt make a point to play Hillbilly Golf. It doesn't look like much from the street but its a COOL course. You have a tram pull you up the side of a big hill or small mountain When you get to the stop point you have a choice of 2 courses either is great! We usually stay at the Country Inn and Suites. They have a nice conteniental breakfast, indoor or outdoor pool with jacuzzis. Park Inn has an indoor pool with lazyriver. It was nice too! If you want to know anything PM or email me. I have been to Pigeon Forge MANY times! The only part I have no clue is the cabins/chalets. We always stay in a Hotel.

Have fun,
Lew
PS what if you rented a car to drive to Pigeon Forge then fly to Disney from Knoxville? Knox is only 1/2 away

 

[left210]

We went to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge last Oct. DS7 loved all the different mini golf places, Wonderworks, Dixie Stampede, Comedy Barn, Magic Show, and Ripleys Aquarium.

 

[robin09]

This is what I love about the Disboards... People having the same question as me!

I promised hubby that august's vacation would be our last to Disney for awhile. Obviously if you look at my siggy you will know that my promise is broken.

I do want to do something different, but with Free Dining, how can I go wrong? DD will be 10 next month. This was the reason I was able to go this year... Last year as a child.. blah blah blah!

I am so afraid of not enjoying a different place, not alot to do, where to eat.. how much will it cost... At least with Disney, we know what we like, what we will eat, we can relax at the pool. How do you know what to expect somewhere else? I looked into Wisconsin Dells... 900 miles or so from where we live (upstate NY).. But DH does not do water well... Lets just say we were at Disney this AUgust and he wore his Jeans EVERY Day ! DD and I use the pools, while she liked the slide at POFQ.. SHE LOVED the slide at POR, and we spent a day there!

I always wanted to see Tennessee and Dollywood.. Is there really alot to do? How are the costs?

 

[wdwmom0f3]

That's funny, I just booked our Gatlinburg trip today. We go every Christmas and I love it.

Now, if I were in your shoes, of course I would do both!!! If I had the time and money, heck yea, I would do it all!! The drive would stink but I would never pass up a chance to go to Disney.

 

[lulubelle6188]

I live about an hour and 15 minutes from Dollywood. We have passes to Dollywood and the aquarium. You'll have a lot of fun. I would do it. Of couse, as other people said I would never turn down Disney. I like road trips though. I have a 2 1/2 DS and a 1 DS. As long as we make stops and don't rush ourselves it's fun. Oh and the aquaium has mugs (not really mugs but like sports bottles) for $6 and you can get all the refills you want. You can even bring it back with you and get refills. I think it's the best deal ever.
Tiffany