I didn’t have high expectations going in. After all, we only extended and picked this place due to other parks having staffing issues, being closed and the location of this one. It is hard to get excited over theme parks when you live in Florida and have access to some awesome ones. However, I recommend anyone heading near the area go to Dollywood. It is surrounded by nature so pretty park and some shade. It definitely gives you a workout with some steep hills, especially pushing a stroller. The rides are fun and there is something for everyone. They designed the park with family in mind as you can stay together and right around the corner will be something for the one who didn’t love the ride you are currently at. They have a parent swap. They also have time saver passes. We could not get them as they were sold out but, I would have paid a lot more to have them as it was a bit crowded. (You can buy 60 days in advance from your trip)
Tips
go early – like 30-45 min before opening. If you can spend the money, get preferred parking. They were sold out online but, we were still able to upgrade at window since we were early. They had valet but, it wasn’t running since staff shortage (neither were photos from rides or a few other things).
Park opens early so you can get through security and partially inside. You need to decide left or right once in. We had kids measured first day upon arrival (to the right) then went left and let the kids ride a small kid coaster (Whistle Punk Chaser – our 3 year old loved it!!) that was going before opening. Once they dropped the rope, Kenzie and I went straight for the Mine roller coaster. I watched several tip videos and found a good one from Okaycoasters called The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood. His tips for coasters were spot on, even with the crowd. Download the app as it helped us learn which rides to skip and do the 2nd morning. On crowded days, you get the most done first hour open. We debated 1 day, 2 or 3. Went with 2. You could honestly spend a week here to see everything (And maybe still wouldn’t). We never made it to any shows, and still had some rides we didn’t do. We were there open to close first day and 4.5 hours second day. Their firework and drone show was well worth staying. The kids even liked it a lot.
If you are going to be there more than a day, do the refillable cups and popcorn. Just maybe bring some different color hair ties or something to put around the strap so you know which belongs to whom. If you buy 3, it brings them to 10 each so same cost doing 3 as 2. Refills for another day are only .99 each (or I think you can buy the unlimited band). We found 2 places that had all different flavor icees – they were only slightly more to get as your refill. We shared 3 cups for our family of 5. But, if you are doing this on a budget, bring a bottle water or two (unopened) into park and they have refill stations throughout. You can also get a free cup for ice and water at any of the soda places.
Food
we ate at two quick places. The award winning Aunt Granny’s had an hour and half wait at 5 pm so we skipped it. For lunch, avoid most anywhere from 11:30-2:30 so plan ahead as you can’t bring in food. (A few places were closed due to staffing issues like ham and beans and Miss Lillians BBQ). The places we ate were not great at all but, they worked. Let’s talk Cinnamon bread from The Grist Mill. A lot of blogs and videos mention this so we decided to check it out. Do it. It is worth it. Honestly, you don’t need the icing or apple butter but the kids did like the icing. The bottom of the pan has so much extra cinnamon goodness that Craig and I were just dipping ours in it. We almost skipped this stop. There is apparently a side entrance near Barnstormer but, we never looked for it.
Coasters and Our family
– our 10 year old decided this was the trip to try out the adult coasters. She did all but Lightning Rod. She was fine with all the coasters but, didn’t love the drops. She decided a steeper, longer drop wasn’t quite worth doing this trip. I easily found videos on YouTube of the various coasters and was able to show her ahead of time so she could know what to expect. Mystery Mine was her favorite though, to me it was nerve wrecking when we went 90 degrees straight up (twice) – more so than the ride itself. My 8 year old cried on Firechaser the first time, when it went backwards. The 2nd day, she asked to do it again and liked it – so maybe warn your kids it will go backwards and quickly do so. I was impressed with this family coaster as it was exciting enough that someone who likes coasters could also have fun. Our 3 year old didn’t love it but, did ok both times. Tennessee Tornado was a bit rough on the body but, we both liked it. Wild Eagle was the one that pushed her over the edge. A little too much with the drop and feet hanging for her. I tried to get her a shirt after but, the store was sold out of her size. If you do it, the shirts say “be an Eagle not a chicken” I loved them and thought she earned it. Sadly, the guy explained he was out of a lot of stuff and you can’t buy them online.
Kid rides
There were plenty for every age! I was so impressed by the versatility of this park. My 3/8 year old had the most fun in the Carnival area and Wildwood Grove. They had fair type rides and the cutest little kid rides.
So much we couldn’t do and a few random things we did
I wanted to do a show, go to Chasing Rainbows, see the chapel and the old tour bus (94 custom precise she toured in). However, the RV was closed due to lack of staff and the others, well, we ran out of time. But, we did manage to do the train. The kids didn’t love the occasional soot that would fall on us and they really didn’t love the loud horn/whistle. But, my husband and I enjoyed having a break and seeing the actual park. We were told it holds 550 and you wouldn’t have any issue getting on. But, at end of first day when we were turned away, the guy told us every ride that day was completely full. We did it our second day and got there way too early – it probably didn’t help the kids mood toward it. Maybe get there 15-20 minutes before it departs, even less if not a crowded day. We did go to the replica cottage her brother built. We also saw some of the birds but, didn’t spend much time there, sadly.
More tips
Be aware the carnival games are extremely pricey (in my opinion). It is $5 a game and there are several that only 3-5 people win a day per the staff, as we asked after spending a decent bit of money… You buy vouchers at a stand and use those at the games.
Bring sunblock, even though shaded areas, some is still in sun and lines can definitely stick you in the sun. Though, they do a good job with fans. If you can, bring a change of clothes for kids. They do have some splash type parks or little slides with water and the rapids ride will most likely get you really wet. 4 out of 5 of us were soaked from waist to socks and shoes. Somehow the 10 year old managed to stay decently dry but, the 8 year old right next to her was sitting in a huge lot of water in her seat.
You can leave the park and come back, just get hand stamped. However, the first day we were there was so crowded we didn’t want to deal with parking so never did. After the drone and firework show, we were so thankful to have that preferred parking. Quick walk whereas others were lined up in huge lines for the trams and we made it out before most of them even were near their cars. We sat in zero traffic as well. In my opinion, well worth the splurge.
Dollywood Dream More Resort.
We only drove through as we have our RV. However, the property was pretty and they had shuttles running to the park. Also, free time saver passes for staying here!
Drone Show and Season Passes
I did not talk about season passes since we don’t live close. If we lived closer, I would 100% do this as I want to see the park in each season. I loved the drone show. They did dance parties before it with a DJ. I just imagine Christmas time is beautiful. Also, the umbrella path for spring and flowers have me so curious! Fall is just pretty in TN to begin with, add in tons of pumpkins and lights…
dewbus 