pigeon forge

[luvmyfam444]

OOO more info! YAY! Thanks!

If we did the hotel it would be a Marriot property ( Fairfield I believe) that's who dh works for.

I want to pay more & have the outdoorsey feel instead of the usual hotel feel (we stay in hotels all the time & its not real exciting any more - well except for an indoor pool)

Is there a better day to do things? I'm assuming Sat/Sun would be the busyiest for Dollywood -but then again it may not matter it may all be ridiculously busy.

How is the water park? are the lines HORRENDOUS? we've been to little waterparks with only a few rides & the lines were horrible - you know 1 hr wait for a 30 second ride & miserably hot standing around holding your tube - or carrying the big ole thing up stairs - just curious - its been probably 15yrs since I've been to a big waterpark

 

[Wishing on a star]

With kids, yes, you should do the waterpark... Get a combo pass with Dollywood!
And, you are right... this area gets a lot of area weekend and short trip guest from the SouthEast and NorthEast.
It will still be BUSY in July... but I think it might make a difference to plan your trip thru the weekdays.

How much of a discount would you get on a hotel...
I am assuming that you have looked at all the Marriott/Fairfield properties in the area. I think there is a Fairfield at Sevierville/Pigeon Forge, I think where the apple orchard and the Apple Barn are, which seems very very nice. You must check out the Apple Barn restaurant! All meals are started with doughnut hole type Apple Fritters with fresh apple butter, and a shot of their apple cider. Free scoop of good ice cream with all kids meals.

Perhaps you could split your trip, three nights in a cabin, and three in a discount hotel?????

Personally, I would be more inclined to rent a cabin from a place that is a set cabin development.. Not just a cabin sitting out on some road... One with access to the pool, etc...

I am thinking that there is a place called Sunset Cottages that advertises and seems to be good.

And, there is one that I think is called Sherwood Forest that I might look into.

 

[luvmyfam444]

actually I've come across yogi beat campground - it looks like tons of fun & has less expensive cabins - rustic - but still nice (I think)

 

[2goofycampers]

We like this place.
http://www.stayriveredge.com/


If possible to avoid crowds try to go during the week. Have a GPS so you can take roads off the main strip.

 

[ccgirl]

Just a word on Ober Gatlinburg....it can get pricey as well. There are some rides and slides the kids can go down. You can either purchase a bracelet or tickets so they really add up. I was a little scared on the alpine slides myself but my DD 6 at the time loved them! She also did the skating...that was an extra charge as well. It seemed like everything was an extra charge. As far as the crowds and heat compared to WDW, I didn't think they were anywhere near as bad.

Definitely check out the Apple Barn. They also have a winery there, if you like wine, with wines that were simply delicious! The Old Mill Restaurant was another great place to eat. There was a Super Walmart where we got our groceries and other things we needed. Definitely do a search, there have been many discussions about this area lately.

Have fun! There is just so much to do.

 

[Jeafl]

Just another thought about Dollywood and Splash Country...

They both offer a deal where if you get there at 3:00 pm or later, your next day is free. That way you get a few extra hours there for the same price. This works well with Dollywood because you can pretty much see it all in that amount of time.

Also, they have a deal for $97.50 (I think) after May 21 where you get a 3-day "hopper" pass for the 2 parks. It saves you quite a bit of money if you think you need 3 days total there.

As far as Splash Country goes, if you get there after 3:00 the crowd is starting to thin out already. We've always gotten there right at opening because we like to sit in a certain area that offers some lounge chairs in a shaded area. By about 11:00 the slide lines are usually long, so we hit the lazy river and wave pool where there is no waiting. Try to do the slides the first thing in the morning if you can. Lines are shorter, and you are not standing in full sun for large amounts of time.

 

[ccgirl]

Just another thought about Dollywood and Splash Country...

They both offer a deal where if you get there at 3:00 pm or later, your next day is free. That way you get a few extra hours there for the same price. This works well with Dollywood because you can pretty much see it all in that amount of time.

Also, they have a deal for $97.50 (I think) after May 21 where you get a 3-day "hopper" pass for the 2 parks. It saves you quite a bit of money if you think you need 3 days total there.

As far as Splash Country goes, if you get there after 3:00 the crowd is starting to thin out already. We've always gotten there right at opening because we like to sit in a certain area that offers some lounge chairs in a shaded area. By about 11:00 the slide lines are usually long, so we hit the lazy river and wave pool where there is no waiting. Try to do the slides the first thing in the morning if you can. Lines are shorter, and you are not standing in full sun for large amounts of time.

Thanks for this tip. Maybe I will buy 1 annual pass for the free parking and discounts then go this "hopper" pass route for the other 3. It would save a bit of money and every bit helps. WHen you say slide lines are long...how long time wise do you think they are? We have never been and are going for the first time in July. Thanks!

 

[sweetpea29488]

We go almost every year and love Countrypines log cabins. We've stayed there at least 12 times. We love the area and know you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[live4christp1]

You may be able to find a good price at Westgate. Not sure, I've not priced it for that time of year. You don't have to own there. Just Google Westgate Smokey Mtns. On their page you will see a Reservations area, put in your dates and see what you come up with. We stayed there early May of last year and got a 3 bedroom unit (was actually 3 seperate lock off units) for $120 a night - we split it between 3 families and paid $40 a night - it slept 14 people, each unit had it's own kitchen, bathrooms, living room, fireplace, etc. Very nice. Didn't have to do a sales pitch or anything. You can buy the water park passes for $18 each. They have smaller/different units too. That just was the best deal for us as we were going on a Girl Scout trip to Dixie Stampede.

 

[ccgirl]

You may be able to find a good price at Westgate. Not sure, I've not priced it for that time of year. You don't have to own there. Just Google Westgate Smokey Mtns. On their page you will see a Reservations area, put in your dates and see what you come up with. We stayed there early May of last year and got a 3 bedroom unit (was actually 3 seperate lock off units) for $120 a night - we split it between 3 families and paid $40 a night - it slept 14 people, each unit had it's own kitchen, bathrooms, living room, fireplace, etc. Very nice. Didn't have to do a sales pitch or anything. You can buy the water park passes for $18 each. They have smaller/different units too. That just was the best deal for us as we were going on a Girl Scout trip to Dixie Stampede.

We own there and love it. As you said there is an indoor water park. My DD loves it! I believe you can also purchase a lenth of stay pass but I'm not sure on that one since we don't have to pay being owners. They usually try to get you to go to the sales pitch, sometimes they refer to it as the "tour". Just say no! Accommodations are lovely and the area is amazing!!! They have a trolley that will pick you up at the resort and take you into town so you don't have to worry about trying to find parking (and parking is expensive). The trolley is only a couple of dollars I think. Request a cabin. SOme are cabins but at the top of the mountain the units, although gorgeous, are in a hotel. All I could find the week of 7/9 was a studio. They are small and not a full kitchen. They are $100 a night and I wouldn't pay that much to stay in a studio. If you can find a 1BR or 2BR they are well worth the money though.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

I second Patriot Getaways. We've always been very happy with them. You can get a really good deal but it takes some time wading through the cabins on their website. Be sure to check out the specials. And when factoring the cost, remember with a cabin you can bring food for breakfast/snacks/lunch. We've even gone grocery shopping on a "momma's not cooking at all" trip, and grilled out because we were having fun at the cabin playing Pool and hanging on the deck in the Hot tub and we didn't want to go out to eat.

We LOVE Pigeon Forge and are going this weekend just DH and I . Hitting the Outlets. Our absolutely don't miss is Christmas Place. In the summer hiking in the park and playing in the water our some of our favorites.

 

[Jeafl]

Thanks for this tip. Maybe I will buy 1 annual pass for the free parking and discounts then go this "hopper" pass route for the other 3. It would save a bit of money and every bit helps. WHen you say slide lines are long...how long time wise do you think they are? We have never been and are going for the first time in July. Thanks!

We've been there in July before, and by around 1:00 in the afternoon on a hot, sunny day you can wait 30-40 minutes for the most popular slides, less for some of the less popular slides.

 

[Wishing on a star]

As in any park or vacation place like this... We have found that the early-bird gets the worm.... Be there when they open.... By the time you are having a nice lunch/break... you will have enjoyed 3 hours or so... before looking and up then noticing 'hey, it is getting packed.....'

 

[Jeafl]

As in any park or vacation place like this... We have found that the early-bird gets the worm.... Be there when they open.... By the time you are having a nice lunch/break... you will have enjoyed 3 hours or so... before looking and up then noticing 'hey, it is getting packed.....'

Same witrh us. We are usually ready to leave by 3:00 or so. You can get so much more done without lines first thing when they open.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks again for the tips, sorry to hijack OP. Looks like I will make Splash Country an early riser day!

 

[jgreco]

$24 for a Globe Ride at Zorb Smoky Mountains (Up to $48.95 Value)

http://www.groupon.com/knoxville/

 

[laurie31]

Oooh, thanks!! DD has always wanted to do that, but we've nixed it because of the expense! Half price is a great deal, though!