? re: family trip to Gatlinburg.

[ccgirl]

Thank you everyone! We are going in July for the 2nd time and I am definitely printing out this thread. I started a thread two years ago when we went and got some great ideas; Cades Cove, Apple Barn, Old Mill Restaurant. But, there are so many more here. Can't wait to try them. The Titanic Museum was still being built when we were there. My DD8 is obsessed with it so I know she will LOVE it! I am even more excited than I was before. If you like wine, I found the Winery by the Apple Barn Restaurant last time. They had some yummy, fruity wine. Can't wait to get more. So glad we're driving so we can bring some back.

 

[2boysnme]

Hi- I am a Tennesee native and have been to the Gatlinburg area numerous times. A couple of years ago we got season passes to Dollywood. It was fun but we probably will wait about 5 years before we get them again.
We normally stay in Pigeon Forge. Last spring break we paid 75.00 a night for a 2 bedroom Wyndham that I got on ebay. PM me if you are interested. We stayed in a timeshare but didn't have to sit through the spill. I think basically the people that sell them use their points to get them. Anyway it wound up being the cheapest we have stayed in.
My boys loved Wonderworks and Hoot n Holler was their favorite show. They also liked the Magic Show.
We have experienced MagiQuest. You can spread it over a couple of days if you want. It was rather boring for the adults. Although it was an excellent mirror maze.
We haven't been to Ober Gatlinburg in years because it seems so overpriced. We are considering it this year because I can buy the wrist bands here cheaply... http://www.nashvillegreatdeals.com/intro.php

Enjoy your trip.

 

[RumpleMom]

There is a Hard Rock in Gatlinburg, in case you are collecting pins and t-shirts.

After a Hard Rock dinner, it is an easy walk to an old-time style stage show called Sweet Fanny Adams. It was hilarious and great for the whole family. You can see an example on You tube.

 

[2boysnme]

Oh I forgot to add. We did a zipline that was lots of fun and also the Zorb. The zipline took a couple hours but the zorb was great for an adrenaline junkie. I loved them both.

 

[iteach7th]

We were in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville last October for fall break - 6 adults, 5 children ages 7 - 14. Lots of great suggestions that I would echo that have already been mentioned.

We spent one night at Wilderness at the Smokies. Kids LOVED the water park. I would not recommend the restaurants that are on site - very expensive and even though kids "eat free" adult meals are priced to make up for it. Call in an order to Pizza Hut right up the road - $10 large pizzas, slip through the drive thru and pick it up. One night was all we needed - rooms were extremely nice, we stayed in one of the suites with multiple areas to sleep and it had an extremely nice kitchen.

The rest of the time we had a great cabin - we used Eden Crest Vacation Rentals, rented a large cabin and stayed in Bear Creek Crossing. Very nice community of log cabins about 15 minutes out of Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg Falls is also a good log cabin community. Satellite TV, hot tub, pool table etc kept kids entertained while we "relaxed".

One tip on eating - especially at the Old Mill (wonderful food) - go for lunch. We would eat early afternoon around 1 - 2 - tried to get right at the cut off to end lunch, prices were much cheaper and portions were very large. It would save my family of 5 about $20 each meal. Then we would grab a sandwich for supper or eat back in the cabin. We did Cades Cove, shopping, horseback riding and go carts. Again - go in the morning before noon, much cheaper. Look for coupons - just about every store/attraction has coupons on display at the welcome center, on display racks outside motels and restaurants, online etc... It can get extremely expensive if you don't watch it - I did a lot of screening online with the kids so they knew what was up there and knew that we wouldn't be doing everything they passed on the road.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Just wanted to post I cam across dirty hotels new clip on yahoo and they mentioned the Grand Hotel Resort and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge as number 1. they have bed bugs however the hotel responded say they are under new management and they are working hard to have issues taken care of.

 

[shortbun]

We've been to Gatlinburg twice and we liked it. We got nice cabins up in the mountains, off the beaten path. If it was me, I'd take that money and put it in a CD that would grow a little so I could use it for WDW next year. I think the attractions at Gatlinburg are similarly priced with WDW and the quality does not compare. Just sayin.