Dollywood!

[GA-MBIT]

we’re staying in a cabin in sevierville and we’re looking forward to being totally immersed in tourist hell

Honestly, the thought of Pigeon Forge a moment ago has given me an idea for a whole thread. I hope it takes off cause I'd love to learn about new crappy tourist traps from this community.

 

[Mad Dog]

It's a very nice park! I last went in 2022, and it retained a lot of its' more charming small-park vibes and infrastructure, while also being surprisingly sprawling and filled with great new attractions.

It is definitely leaning towards being a total coaster park. Unsure on how you feel exactly about coasters, but if you're into them, the lineup at Dollywood is honestly really great. Lots of variety, and a great sense of levelling (like a kid building up in intensity from Big Thunder to Space to RNRC) across each one so everyone can enjoy at least a couple.

I'm not a foodie, especially at theme parks, but I've heard they've got some nice stops for that too.

I gotta say though, that Pigeon Forge area around Dollywood is like if the tenants of 192 in Orlando decided they were being too tasteful. Definitely some fun stuff over there, but man, it is so tacky and tourist-y over there haha! I kinda love it.

My coaster days are behind me. I've rode so many over the years that only the heavily themed outdoor ones like Hagrids or VC interest
me....or any old wooden coasters, which to me, are the best. But Dollywood's' live entertainment is what Alene and I will enjoy....and
you can't beat the ambiance of the Appalachians. I live in another more northern area, in the foothills, about 15-20 minutes from the
mountains, and they never cease to amaze me with their ambiance and beauty.

 

[SkiBum]

And, unlike Six Flags and United parks, they still have lots of live entertainment. A winning formula to attract all demographics, especially
the ones that have money to spend.

Never been there, but I think we'll visit within the next two years. They've taken a real run of the mill small park and completely
turned it around, while keeping a lot of the stuff, like live entertainment, that the United and Six Flags park systems abandoned.
And it's a much shorter drive from where I live than Orlando, and it's basically the same hilly mountainous terrain that I love, since that's
like my own backyard. Get a cabin and spend a week touring the area and stopping at the Vanderbilt mansion in the NC mountains nearby..

It is a great park. The theme, the entertainment, and the rides are all really nicely done. The setting is beautiful in the mountains, and the rides are enjoyable and not too aggressive. Plus, as you said, you can drive to Asheville and go see the Biltmore, which I think is basically a must do. Seeing it in May when the flowers are out is breathtaking.

 

[lowbudget]

Over the past few years we've been averaging about a trip a year to Dollywood. My wife has family in the area so we go see them, and take the kids to Dollywood. The mix of attractions cant be beat for a family, plenty of things for the smaller kids to do, whole family attractions, thrill coasters for the teens/adults, and shows and exhibits galore. And the train, the sound of that train rumbling through the hills will stick with you long after you leave. To me its as quintessential an experience as turning the corner and seeing the castle at MK, or walking through the Hogsmeade gate and seeing Hogwarts.

I really think its a far better whole family experience than anything Orlando has to offer. This sounds like its going to fit right in on the whole family level experience.

 

[SkiBum]

Over the past few years we've been averaging about a trip a year to Dollywood. My wife has family in the area so we go see them, and take the kids to Dollywood. The mix of attractions cant be beat for a family, plenty of things for the smaller kids to do, whole family attractions, thrill coasters for the teens/adults, and shows and exhibits galore. And the train, the sound of that train rumbling through the hills will stick with you long after you leave. To me its as quintessential an experience as turning the corner and seeing the castle at MK, or walking through the Hogsmeade gate and seeing Hogwarts.

I really think its a far better whole family experience than anything Orlando has to offer. This sounds like its going to fit right in on the whole family level experience.

Going in October for the fall/Halloween decorations was really nice. Though no haunts (which I don't mind at all), the decorations and lights were awesome. The only funky thing is the layout. Due to the terrain, they basically have you walk in a loop and so there isn't an easy way to get from Big Bear Mountain to Lightning Rod. I want to go for the Christmas lights one time. I can definitely see a trip next year to hit this new ride which looks like a lot of fun.

 

[lowbudget]

Going in October for the fall/Halloween decorations was really nice. Though no haunts (which I don't mind at all), the decorations and lights were awesome. The only funky thing is the layout. Due to the terrain, they basically have you walk in a loop and so there isn't an easy way to get from Big Bear Mountain to Lightning Rod. I want to go for the Christmas lights one time. I can definitely see a trip next year to hit this new ride which looks like a lot of fun.

We went during Christmas Last year, the train loop was decorated, lights everywhere, Christmas themed shows, it was really well done.

We stayed at the Dream More resort and it was decorated as well. The resort also had activities for the kids throughout the day, like cookie decorating with an Elf, writing letters to Santa, Ornament painting, etc. Hit the park in the morning for some rides and shows, back to the hotel for the kids to have some down time doing a relaxing activity, then back to the park after dark for the lights.

Having to walk uphill both ways to get anywhere does take a toll on you, but if you plan ahead and keep you day headed in one direction its not too bad.