Last Updated on June 27, 2023
Planning out a trip, whether with friends or family, can be exhausting and confusing. And that is why Dollywood is the perfect place to spend more time socializing with your crew.
Pigeon Forge is a town surrounded by mountains in east Tennessee, United States. The township has a permanent population of around 6,300 people and attracts millions of tourists each year. If you are planning a vacation to Pigeon Forge, you must visit Dollywood while you’re there!
When did Dollywood come into being?
There were three previous parks on this site before came into existence Dollywood. The park first opened in 1961 as Rebel Railroad in Pigeon Forge. To assist the market and run their theme park, the Herschends brothers prepared a proposal for collaborating with Dolly Parton. She eventually agreed to the arrangement, renamed the park Dollywood, and launched an effective marketing effort. The retail turned out to be a success in 1986, and since the park is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country today.
There is a course of fun opportunities with indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages, somewhat from infants to seniors. Dollywood is well recognized as one of the most famous vacation destinations in the country and spreads across more than 150 acres of land. Apart from the fact that the place itself is lushly designed and has a beautiful landscape, it provides all sorts of relaxation and thrill. From rollercoasters to luxurious rental cabins to reside in during your stay.
Visit Dollywood to take advantage and explore everything the theme park has to offer. This must-see Pigeon Forge destination features adventurous activities, the city’s rich heritage, award-winning shows, delicious eateries in the famous Dollywood restaurants, and a lot more. It is simple to get around the park as it splits into eleven themed zones, each with a unique atmosphere and entertainment. However, if you still struggle to navigate your way through, the recreation ground provides free maps at every distance.
The chain of attractions in Dollywood include the following:
The Dollywood Amusement Park
Although the park is still extending, it is currently home to more than fifty rides. Among the most favorite of most guests are:
- Dragon-flier
The ride is present in the Wildwood Grove section of the park, mainly appealing to youngsters by its layout, aesthetics, and riding experience. This new addition ride can reach a maximum height of 63.3 feet and has a top speed of 46.6 miles per hour.
- Barnstormer
Barnstormer is a thrill coaster located in Owen’s Farm area of the park. The ride lasts for around one minute and can carry more than four hundred people every hour. Nevertheless, to experience the ride, you must be at least 48 inches (120 cm) tall.
- Lightning Rod
Lightning Rod was the world’s first wooden roller coaster to employ a launch method rather than a typical chain lift slope. Because of this reason, the ride gained popularity when it originally debuted. It was also the world’s fastest wooden coaster, dashing at a speed of 73 miles per hour. The train features six carriages, each of which seats four passengers for a total capacity of twenty-four riders. On the contrary, the roller coaster ranks among the top ten finest in the world.
Dollywood Splash Country
Constructed on a 35-acre of land is the Dollywood Splash Country. It is a water park residing adjacent to the Dollywood Amusement Park. The Splash Country offers summertime fun for all ages, from the excitement and venture of water slides to a tranquil poolside retreat. For safety purposes, you are given a complimentary life jacket before engaging in any water ride. A few attractions within the resort consist of:
- RiverRush
Riverrush has a 25-foot drop and a more than a thousand feet track length. This outdoor water ride swifts you through trees with gushing water and into hairpin curves. It is also the very first and only water coaster in all of Tennessee.
- The Butterfly
It is a twin waterslide that safely drops at 55 feet, making it the second-fastest ride of the Splash Country. The slide plunges you into a butterfly-shaped pool and hence known as The Butterfly.
- Mountain Waves
Mountain Waves is a 25,000 square-foot wave pool that mimics the ripples of ocean waves. The parents usually have a good time bonding with their kids because of the mutual sense of joy.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa
The resort recently earned the name for being one of the finest hotels and one of the best resorts for families in the Southern part of the country. Aside from that, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort’s spa offers complete sauna and salon services. You may also select from a variety of customized treatments to indulge yourself in an actual Southern setting.
Moreover, the resort allows you to reside in one of the luxurious homes, making it a trip of your lifetime. The Dollywood Cabins in the Smoky Mountains offers vacation accommodations in several locations across the area. The rentals give all of the comforts of home, as well as several excellent amenities, including a magnificent pool with a pouring cascade, shopping, and dining at one of the best Dollywood restaurants in Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
Luckily the rental cabins are pet-friendly! So now you can even bring your fluff-ball along without being worried. The resort offers some entertainment for young travelers, whether playing in the family gaming room or listening to stories around the fireplace. A fitness center is available that allows you to keep your exercise regimen and stay on track with your healthy lifestyle while also benefiting from the extra well-being that comes from fun activities.
Dollywood also holds six of the major seasonal festivals in the South. For instance:
- The flower and food festivals
- A nine-time award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas, having seven holiday shows, five million Christmas lights, a nightly parade, and Glacier Ridge.
- A cultural event that ventures performers from all around the world.
Admission Fee of the Theme Park
As of the year 2021, Dollywood’s standard one-day adult pass is for $79. However, the Dollywood rental cabins may facilitate you with a discounted ticket depending on the area you choose to reside. Furthermore, visiting the amusement park in a festive season can positively affect the actual prices.
The park has announced a $500 million expansion, constructing a new resort dubbed as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. The new place plans to inaugurate in 2023.
Other Fascinations
If you are here on a prolonged vacation and wondering, ‘what are other possible amusement parks near me‘ then you don’t have to worry. Pigeon Forge has many captivating places apart from Dollywood that await you. These may be:
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Over here, you will find a wide range of attractions that require at least three to four days spent. A few of the best sights are Cades Cove, Clingman’s Dome, and the botanical gardens.
- The Titanic Museum Attraction
It is a two-story museum constructed half the size of the original ship.
- The Pigeon Forge Island
The Island in Pigeon Forge is full of activities, shops, restaurants, live music, and a 200-foot Ferris wheel.
Best time to visit Dollywood
The best time of the year to visit Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, in particular, is from mid-April at the arrival of the spring season till the summertime in September.