For those ages 15 to 49, alcohol was the leading risk factor for death and disability worldwide. This family-friendly water park is dedicated to providing a safe, fun, and enjoyable environment for everyone. Still, its probably worth keeping your eyes peeled for a little Wheres Waldo action Dollywood style. Over the years, I have become friendly with several people who work at the park, both on the operations side and on the entertainment side. All of these rules are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests. On Dollywood's opening day in May 1986, traffic to the park reached a standstill when hoards of hungry Dolly fans were backed up for six miles down US 441. It was founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, and it has a great assortment of rides, shows, shops, and so much more. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I have tried everything I Happy Hour at Dollywood? Maggie Valley's Ghost Town in the Sky has been closed since the late 2000s (photo submitted to TheSmokies.com with permission by Gary and Carol Cox, circa 2007), Find out which popular steakhouse prepared each of these delicious bites of steak below (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com). Adrenaline pumping twists and turns aboard the Lightning Rod, show-stopping Smoky Mountain String Band music, and the mesmerizing skill of leather workers and woodcarvers. This homemade flour bakes up sweet sugary delights such as the world-famous Cinnamon bread and cookies. But, much like the Leading Lady of Country, Dollywood has had a lengthy and colorful career. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Related: The best travel credit cards for 2021. In 2011, a lesbian at Splash Country, the water park at Dollywood, was asked to turn her T-shirt inside out because it read, "Marriage Is So Gay." Park officials said at the time that they often. From majestic Bald Eagles to massive pies, so many unbelievable facts make Dollywood special. Cabins provide the luxury of letting your family spread out and feel like youre at home (and also save money on some home-cooked meals if thats your thing). My trip to Tennessee was my first visit to the "Bible Belt," where religion plays an outsize role in the region's culture and politics. Take your time going around the park. You will not be charged for parking if you purchase a Gold or Diamond Season Pass. The Dollywood theme park, a joint venture of Herschend Family Entertainment and Dolly Parton, is owned by them. Today we know and love the Dollywood Express as the park's iconic locomotive ride, but did you know this historic train engine played an integral role in WWII? In the summer, guests can attend Dollywood's Summer Celebration between June 25 and July 31. is previously TPG's Director of Social Media, and now leads the Social Media team at sister company Lonely Planet. The reason these sandwiches are so good is all because of one secret ingredient: pickle juice! Water fountains can be found near restrooms, or bottled water can be purchased in most food establishments. Wildwood Grove opened last year as part of a $300 million dollar investment in the park that began six years ago and is expected to last for several more. Because there are so many other better things to see and it's kind of weird. Indeed, after a mere five months of being open, Dollywood had already welcomed one million people. The parks website states that no outside food and drink is permitted; however, we had a couple of small snacks and fruit with us in my backpack and security didnt have a problem with it. I highly recommend taking a ride during the fall months to admire the beautiful foliage of the Smoky Mountains. When it comes to lodging in Pigeon Forge, there's no shortage of options. Passholders are required to have a My Dollywood Account when purchasing online. To fast-track the wait times on most of the rides, visitors may want to take advantage of TimeSaver Pass options. One of Dolly's wigs is in her old bus. Beyond the roller coasters, there are plenty of other rides to experience. You can contact us if you continue to have problems, and we will look into it. It's a store dedicated to to Dolly's clothing. This pull-apart cinnamon loaf, so pillowy and glorious, will cost you $8.99 and will feed one really hungry person or multiple people as a snack (five of us ate it as a treat after lunch). If youre only going for one or two days, a weekday in the spring or fall would be your best bet for shorter lines and easier parking. If your idea of the perfect theme park visit includes a lot of bluegrass, country, and gospel music, you will quickly fall in love with this music-oriented theme park, where the sounds of the Smoky Mountains take center stage. Gold, Super Gold Passholders and Smoky Mountain Cabin guests receive a $5 discount. Alcohol made me feel good only in that it satisfied the craving for alcohol. Standard parking is $20. Related: How to skip lines at America's favorite theme parks. During peak hours, traffic in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg can steal tiny pieces of your soul. The park will adopt later nighttime hours, which means there are lots more chances for guests to ride . It's part of our heritage, it's part of who we are. Walking tacos, Nashville Chicken Hot Sliders, salads, wraps, burgers, and pizza are just a few of the great options available at Dollywoods Splash Country. During the show, she also celebrates season passholders and makes several appearances in the park (weather permitting) including riding in the daily parade. We do not have a limited activity ticket. Outside food and beverages are prohibited at the park. Exploring The Craft Beer Scene In The Pacific Northwest: Where Is Badass Beer Made? If you inadvertently leave something at home, you can also buy the majority of the items you require at the park. Way more fun than I thought it was gonna be. Dollywood has received a Golden Ticket award in the Best Food category from Amusement Today, a leading trade publication for the amusement park industry, four times. A four-pack of those sandwiches costs $3.19 at Target, but thats the price you pay for convenience during a day of quality family fun. At best, slight heart-health benefits are associated with moderate drinking, and most health experts say you shouldn't start drinking for the health benefits if you don't drink already. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Visitors to Dollywood can expect a more secure entrance and strict enforcement of the parks no-food policy. Water at any fountain location is free, and you can check for puddles if it rains. We noticed that the park is very accessible and you can rent electric scooters on site. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort near the park does serve alcohol at its Song & Hearth restaurant. Dollywood would have only been a year old at the time having converted from Silver Dollar City in 1985. Dolly was a big star, but she wasnt exactly Walt Disney. Tennessee Tornado: This triple spiral-looping coaster takes riders through an actual mountain at speeds close to 70 miles per hour. So if your family is considering season passes this year, consider making at least one of those passes a gold pass to enjoy the free parking benefit plus a variety of lodging, ticket and in-park discounts including food. There are a few different options for TimeSaver Passes, so heres how Dollywoods website breaks it down: TimeSaver: For rides, enjoy using expedited entrances 10 times throughout the day at your choice of TimeSaver attractions. The park offers a variety of attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and live shows. While we do our best to bring you the most up-to-date information, TheSmokies.com LLC makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content contained within. It is strictly prohibited to smoke in any ride, queue line, indoor theater, attraction, shop, or restaurant. If the weather is unfavorable, you can present your one-day admission ticket at the Groups Booth and receive a rain check regardless of how long your visit lasts. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Non-points options include Margaritaville and a year-round Christmas-themed hotel. 2525 DreamMore Way Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Reservations: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD (Option 2) Resort Front Desk: 865-365-1900. MUST. Tennessees golden child, Miss Dolly Rebecca Parton, and her partners, also added an adjacent waterpark -- Dollywoods Splash Country -- and the DreamMore Resort and Spa across the street. At Dollywoods Baby Care Center in Showstreet, there is a private feeding and diapering area. Tease that hair to the heavens, and settle in for a wild ride through the history, heritage, and tantalizing trivia of everyone's beloved, Ready to experience the eternal enchantment of the Smoky Mountains? Obsessed with travel? Please double-check your billing address and zip code if your renewal payment is not being credited to your account. The winter holiday months are also really crowded, as Tennessee winters are typically milder than in the northern parts of the country, and season pass holders often make one final visit for the year before their passes expire. ), but in general, it's great for the young and the young-at-heart. Members of our group rode the Lightning Rod and the Wild Eagle roller coasters and were able to walk right up without any wait at all. Bartenders feel the pandemic has accelerated the trend, with consumers more open . Smoky Mountain River Rampage: This has been my favorite ride at Dollywood since I was little, and continues to be a must-do for families. lockers that you can rent as well. Your trip will only get worse if you forget something you might need on the trip. So, if you selected Will Call, you will need to stop by the ticket booths at the park to retrieve your tickets when you visit. Our revered Jolene singer is certainly a showstopper, but did you know she can also stop traffic? As such, the park offers complimentary cups of water at all park restaurants and most food outlets. (There are also "mask-free break zones" but social distancing is still enforced.). However, for an additional fee, you can purchase the TimeSaver Pass. Dollywood's newest expansion Wildwood Grove is one of its most highly-themed lands. Parking is limited to registered guests at our Pigeon Forge resort. A 12-year-old Hoosier, I came to the South with my aunt and uncle. If the linked pass is NOT eligible for renewal, the pass will not be selectable on the Link Passes page. All have told me it is the gospel truth that Dolly has been able to take off her persona wig, makeup and fancy outfits and take in the park without being noticed. As a family-friendly theme park with wholesome values, Dollywood does not allow the purchase of alcohol anywhere on the park premises. We got very lucky and the rain held off all day, which meant we basically had the park to ourselves. The park consisted of a coal-fired steam engine, a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a saloon. This crazy rumor was launched almost three years ago on April Fools Day 2019 when the Pigeon Forge website duped unsuspecting fans with a funny clickbait article. On Mobile, the Sign In or Register and Account links are in the hamburger menu in the upper LEFT. Employees and guests who are not yet vaccinated are not required to wear masks at the moment. DO: Look at all the pictures of Dolly with celebrities in her museum. Visiting Dollywood during a sweltering Pigeon Forge summer? The bear ride isn't just for kids. Lastly, Id be remiss if I didnt mention the most iconic food found at Dollywood: the world-famous cinnamon bread from the Grist Mill. Experts also agree that alcohol is a proven cause of several kinds of cancer, including breast. If youre staying in Pigeon Forge, with a $3 wristband, you can also catch a trolley to Patriot Park and then transfer to a trolley to Dollywood. I visited Dollywood in June, also known as Pride Month. If youre wondering whether or not to bring your chair or rent one, Id say bring it. You can find this sandwich at Frannie's Food Truck, located in Jukebox Junction. And so, Dollywood offers ride cubbies places where you can store your stuff. Enter the park through designated entrances during operating hours only. Yes, Dollywood offers lockers in which you can store your valuables for a price near the entrance like every other park in the world. If youre going to be wearing footwear, make it comfortable by wearing sandals or sneakers. The replica cabin, by contrast, strives to give visitors a glimpse into Dolly's impoverished childhood, which underpins the park's nostalgic vision of Tennessee. If so, you should see an orange button on your order confirmation page that says "View Your Tickets Now" and an orange button in your order confirmation email that says "Get Tickets." Normally, theres a media day at which Dolly (schedule permitting) kicks off the new year with a little show and song. Dolly will occasionally make appearances at the park to announce the latest big show or ride or something. (Note that some festivals may be canceled or postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.). The park has also received Golden Tickets for Best Shows, Friendliest Park and Best Christmas Event (more on all of those below). If you live in the U.S., cider refers to a non-alcoholic, unfiltered, unsweetened apple juice beverage. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort near the park does serve alcohol at its Song & Hearth restaurant. But that has changed in recent years, thanks to new technology that lets . Thats the beauty of the South. FireChaser Express (limit one ride per person), 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. A symbol that says intensity appears at each Dollywood ride and attraction. In terms of safety and health, Splash Country at Dollywood is one of the most well-known attractions. This mammoth meal of buttery, flaky crust and tender apples cooked down with cinnamon sugar is made entirely from scratch. From there you can click/tap "View" for your digital ticket pass. While there are a few bars and restaurants in nearby Pigeon Forge that serve alcoholic beverages, the resort itself does not. So, whether youre looking to cool off on a hot summer day or take a stroll through the parks Splash Country, Dollywood and Splash Country are both excellent places to go. On Desktop, you can navigate to the account section of the website via Sign In (if they already have an account) or Register (if they need to create an account) in the upper RIGHT of the navigation. If you're wondering "Does Dolly Parton Stampede serve alcohol," keep in mind that alcohol is not served. Go early in the day to ensure they dont run out and expect a line. You can even bring in souvenir mugs from previous seasons, but the discount isnt quite as good. The biggest downside is price. You might want to consider visiting during an overcast day if you want a quieter experience. For this particular stay, my family and I rented a cabin about 10 minutes down the road from the theme park. I grew up idolizing Dolly, as many young girls in the South do, and not just because of her iconic style or because Dollywood was the highlight of my summer vacation every year of my childhood. 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.Pigeon Forge, TN 378631-800-DOLLYWOOD, 2525 DreamMore WayPigeon Forge, TN 37863Reservations: 1-800-DOLLYWOOD (Option 2)Resort Front Desk: 865-365-1900. Overall, Dollywood is truly great for park-goers of all ages -- we saw families with young children, teenagers and many grandparents during our visit. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Here are eight things I found surprising about Dollywood during my first visit. I visited Dollywood for the first time. Unfortunately, trauma is a major risk factor that contributes to why some people become alcoholics. Throughout Partons career, framed instruments with her name on them have adorned the lobby of her hotel. Seriously. ), I was shocked to learn that many of my colleagues had never heard of the national treasure that is Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and its shining gem, Dollywood.