Great Smokies Lodge stay- suggestions?

[traveldaddy]

1st time going to Great Smokies lodge - 3 generation family trip with 12 of us from age 9 to 70. Only have 3 nights and then over to Nashville for 4 nights.

Any suggestions/tips for the trip?

I am guessing my 9 year old boy will have one/more of us in the waterpark and arcade for the whole time. Teens will like waterpark as well, along with the 20-something nephews. I might have to stay to 'take care' of the kids if others want to go visit other area attractions.

Anything you would say is 'must see/do"? Any $ saving tips? Things to avoid?

Only 3 days at the Smokies, so want to make the most of it. When I booked it, I thought it looked kinda neat...but have been looking online in a little more detail and I think I should have booked 4 nights at Smokies and 3 in Nashville. With extended family coming, it is going to go very quickly and be chaotic - SO much fun. I can hardly wait.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

 

[weems637]

Laurel Falls is about a mile hike, up, down, and around, but definitely worth the hike in the National Park. There is a single rider coaster in Gatlinburg that is fun. Our group members enjoyed the moonshine tastings, up to three shots each. Lots more in this tourist trap mecca to see and do!

 

[txpaulc]

Fun in the Smokies

We enjoyed riding ATVs up Bluff Mountain with Bluff Mountain ATVs. Enjoyed Hatfield and McCoy's dinner show. If looking for bears at Cade's Cove, go early in morning or late in evening. Use bypass to get into Gatlinburg. The Incredible Christmas Place store was impressive. Just driving through the park was amazing.

 

[Richardsdeals]

Tips:

Go to the waterpark M-F if you can, rather than Sa-Sun. It gets very crowded on weekends and as the day goes on. Go early, go weekdays, if you can. School has resumed in a lot of areas, so you should see smaller crowds on weekdays than on weekends (that has been our experience).

The Aquarium in Gatlinburg is pretty cool.

As far as Nashville:

If you have any Greek Mythology fans, the Parthenon in Nashville is a good visit. Make sure you do the tour underneath (look for the gift shop entrance).

We went to Nashville in June and found a Groupon for a Laser Tag place. It was a good deal, but the older kids got bored there. Too many little kids running around.

Enjoy!

RC

 

[DancingWaters]

The Island is a fairly close place to go. It has a huge Ferris wheel and unique shops. There is a beautiful fountain there with rocking chairs all around it. Plus there is a new Paula Deen restaurant ad store. We loved it all.. It is in Pigeon Forge.

 

[traveldaddy]

So many good suggestions...so little time.

Thank you all. Sincerely appreciate the advice.

I never would've thought I might be ATV'ing in the mountains, tasting moonshine, seeing bears and visiting the Pathenon all in the same week! I will pass the suggestions along to everyone - I'm sure it will be no problem for the 12 of us to agree, right? :hysterical:

Good tip on when to avoid the waterpark - its not nearly as much fun if you have to wait in long lines, especially in the heat.

Going underground in Nashville in August - not a bad idea either - forecast is for 97 next week. I'm from Canada - I could melt in that kind of heat!

 

[montygz]

1st time going to Great Smokies lodge - 3 generation family trip with 12 of us from age 9 to 70. Only have 3 nights and then over to Nashville for 4 nights.

Any suggestions/tips for the trip?

I am guessing my 9 year old boy will have one/more of us in the waterpark and arcade for the whole time. Teens will like waterpark as well, along with the 20-something nephews. I might have to stay to 'take care' of the kids if others want to go visit other area attractions.

Anything you would say is 'must see/do"? Any $ saving tips? Things to avoid?

Only 3 days at the Smokies, so want to make the most of it. When I booked it, I thought it looked kinda neat...but have been looking online in a little more detail and I think I should have booked 4 nights at Smokies and 3 in Nashville. With extended family coming, it is going to go very quickly and be chaotic - SO much fun. I can hardly wait.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Greatly appreciated.

I would plan on using the amenities of the resort as much as possible. There is also a golf course next door. They also sell a package for unlimited minigolf and some of the other games and things in the indoor theme park that can be worth it if you have kids like mine who want to do the bowling game 10 times in a row.


The resort itself is a bit of a drive from most of the attractions. For our last trip, we stayed at Wyndham Smoky Mountains, which is closer to all the touristy stuff.

We enjoyed eating here: http://www.applewoodfarmhouserestaurant.com/ and visiting this place http://www.old-mill.com/.

Have a great time!

 

[Bigrob]

So many good suggestions...so little time.

Thank you all. Sincerely appreciate the advice.

I never would've thought I might be ATV'ing in the mountains, tasting moonshine, seeing bears and visiting the Pathenon all in the same week! I will pass the suggestions along to everyone - I'm sure it will be no problem for the 12 of us to agree, right? :hysterical:

Good tip on when to avoid the waterpark - its not nearly as much fun if you have to wait in long lines, especially in the heat.

Going underground in Nashville in August - not a bad idea either - forecast is for 97 next week. I'm from Canada - I could melt in that kind of heat!

You need much more time here! There are tons of things to do in the area and if they haven't been to the waterpark before, they are going to want to spend a lot of time there. I have done split stays with 4 days at the water park and 3 days at Great Smoky Mountains resort, which is closer to the rest of the attractions and sights in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge areas. And still didn't have near enough time to do everything.

 

[Whoozr]

We just returned from this resort on Monday. As everyone has said, there is more than enough things to do in Pigeon Forge, Gatlingburg, and the resort itself to keep everyone happy. I would definitely check out the Island's big ferris wheel and the light show at night.

Since many schools are back in session, the resort wasn't that crowded. You have the indoor and outdoor water parks to split your time. That was our second time there and we still only scratched the surface of things to do.