Dollywood About This Page:

[arielrocks]

Making a note here....visit Christie in about a year or two.
I didn't realize we would be so close to the Trail Of Tears. It was big read during hi school. What we did to those people would make anyone cry. I am making a mental note to visit that area. I am not sure I want to visit Atlanta though. Might save that trip for later. Thanks again for the info.
We did Gettysburg 2 years ago and man when it came time to leave that place? I felt like I was leaving a part of me behind. My husband rolled his eyes, but I cried when we left. That place is very emotional. Want history? That place will make you think about wanting the south to win big time. The men we lost. Wow.

[DaisynDonald]

What is there to do at Ober Gatlinburg?
Thanks for all the info!

[Mitzi&Kevin]

there is a ski lift that will take you to the top of mountain, also on that ski lift you can choose to get off halfway up and do some kind of tobaggon thingie, looked cool when we were there. They have some water rides also. There is an indoor ice skating rink, a game room.
Mitzi

[arielrocks]

So I am beginning to think of skipping Chattanooga, except for the Civil War stuff and scoot over to Pigeon Forge. Sounds like a lot to do in one day. I need to print this all out. Too much to remember. Thanks for all the info. So, Christie? LOL Want to tour guide MS for us? Thanks again.
The lift reminds me of the one in Pittsburgh, the Monaghalla and Allegheny. That is one sweet ride. Been wanting to take DD there. Might make up for it.

[christiejay]

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I'm impressed, Christie, you could be a tour guide

[/ QUOTE ] Thanks, I absolutely love planning trips!

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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.

[/ QUOTE ] I've been to those other aquariums, also, and I was thinking the same thing that Gatlinburg is better. Maybe it's just the whole atmosphere, I don't know. I do like how it is physically laid out - just bypass the gift shop at the end, and you can go back to your favorite parts again. Like after we ate at the snack bar, we went back through the shark tunnel. Really cool.

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
What is there to do at Ober Gatlinburg?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here is the link for their web site:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/

They list all their activities and prices. Go early enough to take part in everything (get the wristband!). Just make sure it isn't going to rain all day the day you want to go, because everything is outside and they have to shut down during rain. Which reminds me: use sunscreen! This was the only time I got sunburned on our trip that year.

One additional note: kids who aren't old enough for the child's wristband can do everything FREE as long as they are accompanied by a parent who has a wristband. That turned out great for us since Joshua rode the train and cars about 3 or 4 times each!

[arielrocks]

I got sick just looking at that tram. Need to get some queasy stuff and quick. My DD would go nuts for something like that. Me? I'd be like, OK, when do I get my feet back on land? Wow. Our main concern is our two dogs. They will be with us. I am thinking tram and maybe the water park. 2.9 G's eh? LOL I have to laugh thinking of DD and the 4 G ride she did at Kennedy. They made her wait 30 minutes before she could board that one again. 7 years old and out gunned a ROTC newbie on a 4 G ride. The newbie didn't chicken but she sure looked like she should have. Now we know ours is ready for NASA. Thanks for a great link. Now I know I am ready for TN.

[DaisynDonald]

Is Dollywood a 1 day park, or should I plan more time there? We aren't into the waterparks much, so I think we'll skip Splash Country. Do you know what Willowbrooke Lodge is like?

[christiejay]

Unless you intend to see all the shows at the park and ride all the rides, you can see Dollywood in just one day. They used to have a deal where if you arrived late (say after 3 or after 4) you could come back the next day free. I don't know if they still offer it, so I would call first to check on it.

Check out their website and read about the shows and rides so you'll know how much of it interests you. The rides typically don't have very long lines for them, so I think you would be OK for just one day. Because there definitely isn't enough to do for 2 whole days.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Willowbrooke Lodge.

[arielrocks]

I am looking at a packet of stuff from Chattanooga and they are claiming that you can do hands on stuff with their animals as well as from what you said, the aquarium at Pigeon Forge. Which one is better or are they both equal? I am trying to keep down the expense here, but also want to do the better of the two aquariums. What would be best to do in Chattanooga? I am definitely looking at the park, the look out point and trail of tears. Should we save our money and do the historic points in Chattanooga and spend the money in Pigeon Forge? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

[christiejay]

Hmmm ...

I would say do the aquarium in Gatlinburg. Both me and my sister (who tend to have differing opinions) think that the Gatlinburg aquarium is better than the one in Chattanooga.

For Chattanooga, this would allow you more time to spend on Lookout Mountain (if you are also doing Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway, there is enough there to keep you busy for a full day). Plus the Lookout Mountain parking tends to be free in most cases. (Can you tell we always look for a good bargain also?!) The exception is at Point Park - there is a very small free parking lot behind the Civil War museum, otherwise it is metered parking, but not that expensive. On the other hand, to go to the aquarium there, you have to pay for a parking garage.

On the Gatlinburg end, you can use the Ripley's aquarium combined with other Ripley's attractions and get a discount combo ticket. If you are looking for free parking in Gatlinburg, go before the main supper rush (late afternoon or early evening), then try to park on River Road - turn at light #5, then after a block or so you will come across a block or two of free parking spaces, and you will only be one block's walk from the Parkway.

Hands-on stuff for the kids? I really can't remember any at the Chattanooga aquarium, but that might be because Joshua wasn't born yet (although I was 2 months pregnant with him!) and we weren't looking for kids stuff on that trip. The aquarium in Gatlinburg has a really nice kids area, though, so you won't miss out on anything by skipping Chattanooga.

[arielrocks]

That is what we will do then. Historic points in Chattanooga, Smokey Mtn stuff and then heading over to Pigeon Forge aka Gatlinburg. This should fill up the days we will be there. Also, what can you tell me about Knoxville? We will be campng just north of there and will have to go thru the area. I am going to be printing out stuff that is written here. What a lot to absorb. Thanks again for the help.

[bradyloganmom]

As you can see I live in Knoxville, TN--40 minutes from Dollywood and my parents live near Chattanooga. I've been to both aquariums and we MUCH prefer the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. It is laid out much better, has a great relaxing atmosphere and we LOVE the tunnel that moves you through the sharks and other salt water creatures!! We are season pass holders to Dollywood so when we go we only stay 3-5 hours at a time. BUT if I only had one day to see it, you CAN do it in one day IF you don't expect to see every show--the way the shows are scheduled plus the length of the shows really don't allow for that if you also want to ride too. Try to be there when they open, remember they usually close around 8 p.m.-ish and try to avoid going on weekends as they host A LOT of company picnics on Sat and Sun. As far as Chattanooga--Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline are cool and they also have a special price if you buy tickets to all three. Point Park is neat too. HAVE FUN and any other questions about specifics in the area just let me know!!

[arielrocks]

We may do Gatlinburg on Friday then and head to Chattanooga on Saturday and the Smokies on Monday. Sunday is the 4th and I'm not one to try to fight crowds. Since you live in Knoxville, what can one expect to do there? Thanks for all the TN info. It is much appreciated.

[christiejay]

On our trip to Gatlinburg last summer we stopped at the zoo in Knoxville. We thought it was very nice - they have several outstanding exhibit areas and were just about to open up a new kid's area that I'm sure will be (oops, already is) a big hit. They also have several animal encounters scheduled throughout the day, in case you have a favorite animal you could try to make it for the zookeeper talk for that animal.

If you are a member of your local zoo friends association, you can get in free, which is what happened to us. Even if you have to pay full price it would be well worth it. Oh, and if you have to park in the lower parking lot a tram will pick you up and deliver you to the entrance.

Their web site is
http://www.knoxville-zoo.org/
and it is full of lots of information for planning your visit.