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Dollywood worth the $$??

S

scooooter

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Messages
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Location
NH
Wow, just looked at Dollywood and was surprised to see the prices to get in! :eek: I have been reading reviews online and it seems like people either love it or hate it. We do like country music, but more of the new country. Our kids are 19, 8 and 6. Would it really be worth us paying over $250 just to get in?

Is there an alternative that you would recommend in that area as a fun family activity?
 
I don't know that I would pay that much for one day. We were season ticket holders for more than 20 years and took our first break this year. Glad we did because we wouldn't have gone much with the heat. Second most days on record over 90 degrees. Their season passes are great deals. They cost about what two days would cost.

My 16 yo doesn't care much for it, but he's been going his whole life and even worked there one Christmas season. DD24 worked there several years and is no longer interested.

Our 11yo still loves it and there are always several different shows a day that I enjoy. DH just goes along for the ride for the most part. I'd be more likely to pay that much money if I could hit one of the special events like Kidsfest in the summer, the Festival of Nations in the Spring, or the Christmas season.

You can find some discounts at the local resorts, but I'm not sure how much. Also Coke cans often have $10 off on them.

Sheila
 
We went a few years ago and loved it. We saw a few shows, exhibits, and rode the rides. We found it scenic. It's a lot calmer than Disney or Busch Gardens. Be aware that there is a lot of walking involved, and a lot of hills.
 
Yeah, I've read about the walking and the hills. I'm just not sure it is worth that much money to see?
 
Take a tour for some timeshare for free or discounted tickets. There are some new roller coaster ride your kids would enjoy.
 
I went with my Mom quite a while ago. We had a good time. It sounds a bit pricy now.

One of the highlights of our trip to the area was seeing a show at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in Gatlinburg. I've been twice and both times the show was hilarious. Here' the link:

http://www.sweetfannyadams.com/
 
What time of year are you going to be there? And for how long? We like Dolly's Splash Country water park -- have gone there a few times for DGS's birthday. You could fill up a day at Dollywood and different members of the family would find at least one or two things to enjoy, probably several. That does sound like a lot of money, tho, plus food. We haven't gone for a few years now that DGS is not as interested in trains.

There are tons of the usual tourist-y things to do (mini-golf, go-karts, simulators, Titanic Museum, etc.). MagiQuest would be fun for the kids (maybe even the 19 yo) for a couple of hours. There's a good aquarium in Gatlinburg. Tons of shopping in both towns (actually, it's kind of three towns run together now -- Sevierville, PF, and G'burg). River raft rides?

If you like to visit National Parks, the Great Smokey NP is next door, but it might not offer you much since you're from NH -- unless you just like the Parks and want to check off one of the most visited ones on your list.

If you make a day trip to Asheville for the Biltmore Estate, be sure to leave PF really early in the morning; it takes at least 4-5 hours (or more) to enjoy what the Estate has to offer. (It's also very expensive).
 
We are looking at going in July. I know the crowds are crazy then but we would be going with another family and that is when they will be there. Based on reviews I'm reading it seems like there could be something there for everyone, but not sure it's worth what we would be paying.

Thank you for all of the suggestions, wow. We are definitely visiting the smokey mountains while there and I am going to start to check out some of these other things, too.
 
scooooter said:
We are looking at going in July. I know the crowds are crazy then but we would be going with another family and that is when they will be there. Based on reviews I'm reading it seems like there could be something there for everyone, but not sure it's worth what we would be paying.

Thank you for all of the suggestions, wow. We are definitely visiting the smokey mountains while there and I am going to start to check out some of these other things, too.
Click to expand...

Hi Scooter,

We have been to the Smoky Mountains several times. In case you didn't know, they do have an option where if you enter after 3pm, you can return the next operating day with the same ticket (except during their Christmas festival). Also, their annual pass costs less than 2 single day admissions. If you are needing to keep COSTS down, that doesn't help you, but if you want to keep VALUE up, it's a big boost.

They also offer a 30% discount at the gate for military folk and their immediate family/dependents if that applies to you (appropriate ID required for all).

Have a great time in the Smokies!

They also
 
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Is ANY park worth the high cost??

We go to alot of parks when vacationing. I think most of them are priced WAY to high for the few rides you canget on given the lines and amount of walking between the rides. But that's the way it is. I don't think anyone can tell you if it'll be worth the $$ for your family.

That said, we went this past early June (DH, me and DD11). We had a good time. DD11 and DH loved the various roller coasters. I generally hold stuff and wave but had to go on one coaster with DD as DH didn't fit in the seat... something to keep in mind if you have bigger people - they may not be able to ride all the rides. We all enjoyed the steam engine train ride.

We took advantage of the enter after 3pm and go back the next day offer. This made ALOT of sense as the we were able to see most of the shows as well as ride all the rides desired. There's too much time overlaps and conflicts to see everything in one day. There also was a buy one, get one free dinner offer (after 3pm entrance to restaurant) at the buffet restaurant on site. That helped with food costs - which are also high. Food was decent but not stellar.
 
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