Dollywood About This Page:

[DaisynDonald]

We are going to Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Tennessee in August for vacation, anyone been to Dollywood or any attractions in that area? Also, do you know of any discounts available? We also want to go the the aquarium, Ripley's, Dixie Stampede & a few other places. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mitzi&Kevin]

We are going on a family vacation to Gatlinburg on June 18th. My DH and I went to Dollywood when we were down there in April. It isn't a very big park and didn't seem overly crowded either. I believe we only waited about 5 minutes for any ride. They have an area for little ones, and a couple of roller coasters. The only discount I am aware of is the one we are using from AAA here in Indiana, it will save $5.00 per ticket. Have you checked out Gatlinburg.com? they have alot of information there. Also in your search engine type in, gatlinburg coupons, and it should pull up a couple of sites that offer coupons. Hope this helps you out.

[Straitlover]

Dollywood has a 3-day Splash & Play ticket that's a good deal. You get 3 days good at both Dollywood and Splash Country. You don't have to use them consecutively, and they are good for 7 days. On the DW website, prices are Adult (ages 12-up) $69.15 and child (ages 4-11) $53.50.

I liked Dollywood. it's not a huge park, but it's nice. It was raining the day i went, so I did not get to do much in the wya of rides, but I hope to go back next year and rectify that. I wnat to also get a S'more. They actually sell them in the park! They ahve a little fire going next to the cart, and you get to roast your own marshmallows. Definitely not your same old theme park snack!

[arielrocks]

How odd to be reading this post, we are also going to be in the area the last week of June to the first week of July. We want to do Chattanooga, Knoxville, Smokies and Pigeon Forge. Thanks for the info. I also heard there is a Disney Outlet there too. Could be fun folks.

[diznynut]

My DH and I go to the Smokies at least twice a year and love it. On your way down stop at the TN welcome center they have a coupon book there for Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It is the best coupons you will probably find. If you like nature, then make sure you get over to Cades Cove. Cades cove sets in the middle of the Mountains, is a driving loop where you will see deer and if you are lucky bear. Just ask at the Sugarlands vistor center, just outside Gatlinburg, how to get there.

The Dixie Stampede is truely worth the money! If you planning to going to the Aquarium there is a package deal you can get if visiting other Ripley's Attractions.

If you questions I would be happy to help. My email is diznynut@gibsoncounty.net

Have fun
Lisa

[lauren-roxy]

They just profiled Dollywood on the Travel Channel the other night. It looks like a really nice, clean place to go.

[christiejay]

Oh wow, this is one of my favorite places!

Coupons - in some instances you can find a better coupon on the attraction's individual website than what is offered in the coupon books you can pick up once you arrive. But in any case any of the visitor centers will have lots of coupon books for you.

Visitor Centers - one at the ballpark in Knoxville just off the interstate, one as you come into Pigeon Forge, one just before you get into Gatlinburg and one at traffic light #3 in Gatlinburg.

Discounts for Dollywood - try to get a combo ticket.

Discounts for Aquarium - this is the only place that does not offer a coupon. The only way to get a discount is to purchase a combo ticket - Ripley's operates several attractions in Gatlinburg. See which ones interest you, then purchase a combo ticket for that many attractions.

Dollywood - think of it as a Six Flags in terms of the rides - some kiddie rides, but mostly roller coasters and log flumes. In other words, no true "family" rides like WDW has. Except for the steam train and the little cars in the 50's section. There are several good shows that are worth checking out, especially the birds of prey show. They have a large crafts area and a few souvenir shops. This is a laid-back place, so take your time and enjoy.

Other attractions I would recommend:
Sevierville - Deer Farm & Petting Zoo
Rainforest Adventures

Pigeon Forge - Old Mill Village
Jurassic Jungle River - I haven't done this (it's new) but it sounds cool!

Gatlinburg - Cooter's Place (Dukes of Hazzard)
Ripley's Mini-golf
Ripley's Aquarium
Space Needle
Ripley's Museum
Chair Lift
Christus Gardens
Ober Gatlinburg (take the tram from downtown, and buy a wristband when you get up there - it's an awesome value)

National Park - Cades Cove
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Sugarlands Visitor Center
numerous trails to pick from - get info at visitor center
drive to Cherokee
Mingus Mill
Mountain Farm Museum - behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Can you tell I love this area?

[arielrocks]

I'm taking notes as we speak and your email address. Thanks. We are bringing bikes to go bike riding with, we have two small dogs and am noticing thru some tour books they aren't allowed in certain areas or trails. But we want to do a lot of the Smokies and some of Pigeon. Definitely we will take advantage of the TN visitor center. Thanks for that one tip. We have a campsite all staked out just north of Knoxville, so I am all set there. Now I am waiting for the day we can leave.

[christiejay]

You should take your bikes to Cades Cove. On certain days of the week they don't let cars in until later in the morning so that people can ride their bikes. There are a few steep places where there are caution signs that tell you to walk your bike, so this option might depend on the ages of your group. I think this is the only area in the national park that allows bikes, since it is a paved road.

Dogs are not allowed on the national park trails *BUT* dogs are welcome at Dollywood. That's the only theme park I know that allows dogs and yes, I did see a few while I was there. During the birds of prey show they warn you to keep your dogs out of sight of the birds! I would double-check before arriving just to make sure this is still the case.

[arielrocks]

I am reading our tourism book and they do say dogs are allowed on some trails but not all. I can attest to that. Bears would be the main issue.
As for hiding dogs with birds? I am giggling because we have a toy dog and well, he'd be lunch with one of them. Thanks for the tips. I think we may do Dollywood if dogs are allowed. Both are small and loveable. Thanks again for the tips.

[christiejay]

You're welcome.
Y'all feel free to PM or email me, we were up there last summer, then we planned my sister's trip last fall and my parents trip (they leave Saturday headed that way) so I've kept current on it since we've been. I'd be glad to go into more detail if necessary.

[arielrocks]

What can you tell me about Civil War sites. Or are they mostly in Kentucky. I do know about Cochamunga(?) and one other and also the path to Atlanta. This area I do know is rich in history and want to catch most of these sites. I do know we will try to visit Lincolns birthplace if possible on the way home. Thanks again and if I do have any more questions I'll definitely shoot them your way.

[christiejay]

The ones I am aware of are in the Chattanooga area, about 1 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg. There is the Chickamauga Battlefield, then on top of Lookout Mountain there is Point Park (the battle above the clouds), and a Civil War museum.

Sorry, I don't know of any in the immediate vicinity, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. Come to my house, though, and I'll take you to Vicksburg National Military Park!

As an aside, if you are interested in other historical events, you can drive through the national park to Cherokee, North Carolina (about 30 miles) and learn about the Trail of Tears. There is a Cherokee museum, a living history village and a nightly performance. They usually have brochures at the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg visitor centers.

Some of the areas in the park are rich in local history - if you go to Cades Cove, Roaring Fork or Mountain Farm Museum within the national park, be sure and buy the guide books. They are only about $1 each and give great pictures and explanations of the buildings you will see and the history of the land and its people before the national park existed.

This local history is kept alive and well at Dollywood as well. They have a glass blower, blacksmith, wood carver, leather crafter, soap makers, plus an old church and a replica of Dolly's childhood home.

[christiejay]

OK, I realized I forgot to mention something about Ober Gatlinburg. I suggested you ride the tram up, but when you see the price you will probably think I am crazy (especially since you can drive yourself up there).

First of all, you can get a $1 coupon in any of the coupon books they have there. But the real value comes in something that not many people know. When you get on the tram, your tram driver will tell you that your receipt for your tram ticket is good for all that day and the next day, for unlimited trips. So you could go up one day, take part in all the activities they have to offer, then go back up that night and see the lights. Or go back the next day or night. It is really cool to ride up and see all the chalets perched on the hillside - you can even see inside some of them you are so close!

[greystone98]

Only five hours from us, we try and visit Gatlinburg about once every 4 or 5 years. My in-laws go faithfully twice a year, in the spring and fall, to see the blossoms and leaves change color.

In addition to the many suggestions already listed - I'm impressed, Christie, you could be a tour guide - I'd like to chime in with one or two additional observations.

As previously stated, Dollywood is laid back, has enough activities to keep you busy, without being overwhelmed. It includes a water area that I thought we'd never get DS and DH out of, where you can climb onto ships and spray water cannons at each other - they actually had teams of kids Vs. the adults and both were soaked and laughing when they finally decided they'd had enough.

I highly recommend the Ripley Aquarium, just inside Gatlinburg on the Right. We've visited several aquariums throughout the SE, including New Orleans and Chattanooga and this one beats them hands down, IMHO. There is a wonderful kids hands-on area and both DS and DH loved handling some type of crab, and touching the sting rays. We even got to sit in a 30 min class on sharks and they passed around several sizes of actual jaws - very interesting.

Another great attraction in Pigeon Forge is the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving - you'll get a 30 min training class followed by an individual indoor flying session. The cylinder has a walkway with windows climbing all the way around so your friends and family can watch you "skydive".

Finally, a must see each time we visit is the Sweet Fannie Adams Theatre located on the main Parkway in Gatlinburg. A comedy show designed for the whole family, the theatre offers two shows each year, alternating nights, so catch them both if you can! Audience participation is highly encouraged. I've been going to this theatre since I was a teenager on family trips and still enjoy returning.

For dining, try the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge and The Peddler is a MUST in Gatlinburg overlooking a small creek running through the town.. this place stays crowded so go early or be prepared to wait.

Have a great time... this is making me want to go back soon!