Tell me about Dollywood!

[cruisnfamily]

My husband and I are renting a cabin near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge next month. We have never been to the area. We have a long list of things we want to do but we are unsure whether Dollywood should be on our list. Can you help us decide?

It's just the 2 of us, 2 adults in our 50s. We are not into thrill rides. Will there be enough shows or calmer type rides to entertain us for the day?

any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[shoney]

We went last month. Very nice park. We concentrated on thrill rides since we were with our teens but there are lots of shows museums and other things to do. I think it is worth a day! Enjoy!!!!!

 

[okeydokey]

There are rides, but also shows. When we went there were fireworks at night. We watched the glass blower, and really enjoyed it.

 

[goofyernmost]

Dollywood is a music lovers paradise. There are constant musical shows happening throughout the park, but, calm rides are not really plentiful. There is the train ride with the "real" coal burning locomotive and a few other things, but, in my memory there isn't much other then shows for someone that doesn't want to ride the thrill rides. I also had a problem because I had some knee issues and I swear that Dollywood is built directly on the side of a mountain. A lot of climbing, if you have no joint problems it isn't terrible, but, it seemed like a lot to me even though I did manage the whole park. I also had the advantage of going just before Christmas and the place was nicely decorated. If you are a Disney fan, it is also worth going to look around the kids sections where you will find things that look suspiciously like the tea cups and Dumbo. Interesting to see and it certainly will make you realize the quality that Disney provides in that area. It is a nice friendly park and the food was really good.

 

[JLiz]

It’s very clean, has a lot of neat museum type exhibits about Dolly Parton’s life, had some nice music and demonstrations, and has a lot of good food (especially the cinnamon bread). I’m not sure it’s a “must-do” but it was certainly a pleasant day. Most of the rides are thrill rides though.

 

[mousefan73]

My husband and I are renting a cabin near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge next month. We have never been to the area. We have a long list of things we want to do but we are unsure whether Dollywood should be on our list. Can you help us decide?

It's just the 2 of us, 2 adults in our 50s. We are not into thrill rides. Will there be enough shows or calmer type rides to entertain us for the day?

any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Calmer rides like at WDW no. Nothing where you sit in a moving vehicle and simply watch. IASW, POC, people mover, HM, CoP, frozen, spaceship earth etc. style. this is how WDW is great. As long as you can deal with a moving walkway and transfer you are good. We went with my mom and to be honest there simply was not enough to do for multiple days. She saw the few shows ( country/ dolly themed so if you arent a country fan might be boring) and walked and looked around. For 1.5 days she enjoyed herself. We ride the rides and are awesome if you love thrill rides. Made RnR boring.

But the park is beatiful and for one day I would not miss it. Price is half of WDW. So do it. There is alot to see on the park. Shaddy and a bit hilly. Bald eagle thing to look at. Nice shops. Dining ok.

Me personally not a fan of country, blue grass, hill billy music. The shows for me were corny. But most enjoyed it. Did like the indoor Dolly show on her life. Though.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Thanks everybody! We are still undecided.

Anything special going on there in the fall? I thought I read about Harvest festival or something.

Keep the feedback coming!

 

[powellrj]

I rented an ECV when I went because it is very hilly. We really enjoyed it and I want to get back at Christmas time next time.

Its clean and the people are really nice and we enjoyed the food.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are in our 70’s and have been Season Passholders at Dollywood for 20 years. We enjoy the shows especially, but do enjoy the craft demonstrations and some rides.

We love to rent a cabin, bring our dog and also enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain NP.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I haven't been yet, but it's definitely on our list of places to go! I've heard it's a very nice, well-maintained park, in a beautiful setting.

It looks like they're doing a cool jack-o-lantern thing for the fall:

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark

 

[cinnaminny]

I read that they have a really good water park! Not sure the temps there next month, but something to think about also.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I read that they have a really good water park! Not sure the temps there next month, but something to think about also.

It's really fun with a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, the water park has closed for the season. It opens again in mid may usually.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

My husband and I are renting a cabin near Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge next month. We have never been to the area. We have a long list of things we want to do but we are unsure whether Dollywood should be on our list. Can you help us decide?

It's just the 2 of us, 2 adults in our 50s. We are not into thrill rides. Will there be enough shows or calmer type rides to entertain us for the day?

any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

The Harvest festival runs in October. They have mostly thrill rides and kiddie rides. But of the thrill rides, there are some on the tamer side like the river rampage and the slide winder. Of course those are water rides so if it is cold, you probably won't be going on them. There are a couple of coasters that aren't any worse than say space mountain or big thunder. But for the most part, the coasters are big thrills. Of course there are the shows which are numerous. You'll find that most of the food is "kountry Kookin" type stuff or county fair offerings along with the usual burgers pizza, sweets, and the like. For the most part, you'll find that it is kept clean, and the crowds manageable. If you're already tripping to the area, I'd say check it out.

 

[RedAngie]

We're thinking of going in early December on the way back from Florida. The website says it's open weekdays from 2 to 9pm. Do the rides operate in December? I'd expect the water rides to be closed, but how about the coasters? I heard one coaster has been having problems since the day it opened a few years ago.

Ride aren't essential, since we'd be mostly going for the shows and see the lights in the evening.