OT: Dollywood
- Thread starter tom1944
- Start date
I did a trade show down there but never got into Dollywood- but a very strange part of the country. Beautiful country but not sure how to explain the area. Just wasn't my cup of tea.
Dollywood was a very fun park. It’s worth a visit. My kids were probably around 6 and 10 at the time and they had a blast.
Usually visit family on the area once a year. Fun area to visit. You've got the Smoky Mtn National Park (Cades Cove drive or laurel falls hikes are what we've done). Dollywood is fun. Douglas lake is huge and a nice place to get a cabin or rent a boat. Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg have all the redneck rides you could want (go carts alpinecoasters Indoor waterparks etc.) My wife likes tbe Oasis area. Not the fanciest place but my son loves it there. He is planning a trip to the new dig n zone park there. Just don't get in a fight as it could be a gunfight.
We went years ago. If you are used to Disney or Universal or even Hershey, Dollywood will be disappointing. It is closer to Dorney Park. We experienced closed rides, closed gift shops, ride lines that crossed each other, and a general Carny atmosphere. That being said, Pigeon Forge and the "greater" Gatlinburg area was a hoot. There are dozens of antique shops, several distilleries, a ski resort, a bunch of Medieval Times type dinner/contest areas with varying themes, luxury cabin rentals, a minor league baseball team in Kodak, and a quick trip to Asheville; to be had.
Just watch the traffic lights. They are all numbered. People will give you directions by saying go to traffic light number 9 and turn. If you count nine traffic lights, you will be in North Carolina.
Just watch the traffic lights. They are all numbered. People will give you directions by saying go to traffic light number 9 and turn. If you count nine traffic lights, you will be in North Carolina.
I am a big Dollywood fan. It has a nice mix of thrill rides with family rides, lots of live entertainment, some craftsmen type displays, and good food. It was rated the #1 theme park in America this year (not for the first time) by TripAdvisor. I would suggest the two day ticket is worth it if your family would like the entertainment, too.
Pigeon Forge itself has a lot of tourist-trappy things and won't be for everyone.
Pigeon Forge itself has a lot of tourist-trappy things and won't be for everyone.
Haven't been to DW in many years but the area is fun and we go every winter (only live 4 hours away). There are many hotels but we prefer to rent a cabin/house within 10-15 mins of Pigeon Forge. Many are very elaborate with arcades, theater rooms and some even have indoor pools in the lower level which the kids love. Skip VRBO/Airbnb and book through one of the many local rental companies to save on fees