Question About Dollywood

[topcop400]

Is there any reason why a 50-yr-old couple would want to go to Dollywood while vacationing in Gatlinburg? I keep hearing people say "You can't miss it", but I don't understand what we'd be missing besides amusement rides. We'll be in Gatlinburg in October, and I've heard there's a lot of craft shows in town without going to the theme park.

Anything else we'd be missing?

 

[labguides]

We are older than you... and went to Dollywood 1x.. mainly to give our guide dog in training that experience. We enjoyed it, but probably would not return. There are free shows, which we enjoyed.

Mindy in HOT southern CA

 

[dougp26364]

We went when we were in Gatlinburg. Yes they have shows but, IMO, it's not worth the price of admission to endure the crowds or see the shows. Unlike it's sister resort Silver Dollar City in Branson, this is more of an amuesment park than a them park IMHO. We went once. That's enough for our lifetime unless we're taking someone who loves amuesment parks and their rides.

 

[Lisa P]

I guess it depends on what you enjoy. We've gone to Dollywood many, many times. When we're with younger people, we fill the day with rides. When we're with folks who prefer shows, musical performances and seeing craftsmen at work, we fill the day with those. There's plenty to see and do besides rides, if you enjoy a wide variety.

But if you're only looking for a certain type of entertainment, then make sure it's offered while you're there. They have special guest performers for various festivals throughout the year, changing the entertainment offerings dramatically. For example, a visit during the International Festival is completely different from a visit during the Christmas season - and we enjoy both as our favorite times, for the diverse entertainment. If you like neither country music nor gospel music, it will cut the number of interesting shows by about half, at other times of the year. We happen to enjoy the variety.

If you enter the park after 3pm, stop at Guest Services before leaving and get your next day's admission free. Check their website for other discount deals or ask at your timeshare.

 

[grest]

We ended up with free Dollywood tickets in exchange for a timeshare presentation in Pigeon Forge...so we went, expecting little, and boy were we surprised! We really liked it. There were several musical shows, many displays related to country music's history and Dolly's own history, lots for kids and adults to do other than the amusements. We'd go again in a flash, and even pay for it ourselves. Nice meandering paths in there, just lovely.
Connie

 

[lprstn]

I would skip it...its a lot of walking and not much to do...

 

[Tom52]

We go to Gatlinburg every year. Many activities we repeat every year or every few years. We went to Dollywood in 2004 using free tickets from a timeshare sales pitch. It was O.K. but not worth the price of admission to go back. I wouldn't go back even if the tickets were free again. But that's just me. You should probably go once just so you know for sure.

 

[mecllap]

Sounds like you would enjoy a day trip over to Asheville (2 hours away) more than a day at Dollywood. If you want to visit the Biltmore Estate (biltmore.com) in Asheville, leave G'burg early in the morning -- you can see the "house" and some of the Estate in 3 hours, but 4-6 (or more) is better. Avl also has crafts and art galleries and lots of other things (but not an amusement park). Dollywood won't be crowded in Oct (is it even open?).

 

[vkrn]

Personally, I'd skip Dollywood and do the craft loop. I loved all the craft venues and spent way too much money!!