In 1986 one of the Smokies most loved natives fulfilled a goal that she had been hoping to achieve. Dolly Parton was once quoted saying that if she ever made it big and her career turned out to be successful, that she would return to her roots in the Smoky Mountains and use her success to do something great for the community by creating jobs in the area that she once called home. When the gates to a Silver Dollar City opened for the season in 1986, it began its transition with a new name, Dollywood. Today, in 2019, Dollywood welcomes millions of people from all over the world. For decades now, countless memories with friends and family have been made within the park. For many, Dollywood is an annual tradition and once you’ve experienced a day of fun at Tennessee’s most loved amusement park, you’ll certainly understand why they return time and time again. We wanted to share with you 3 reasons that we think you’ll enjoy spending the day at Dollywood on your next trip to the Smokies!
Rides, Ride and More Rides!
From thrill rides to kiddie rides, you’ll find never-ending options at Dollywood! You’ll find rides like the Dragonflier in the new Wildwood Grove area of the park, along with the Great Tree Swing that will take you for a swinging ride through the sky or take in the panoramic views from the Treetop Tower. To take a walk along nostalgia lane, head over to the Country Fair and take a spin on the Lemon Twist, the Scrambler and of course you can’t leave without a peaceful but fun ride on the Waltzing Swinger! If you’re in town on a hot and humid summer day, Dollywood has rides as well that will keep you cool! The Smoky Mountain River Rampage has been a favorite among guests for years and you can enjoy a splash from Daredevil Falls in the boat or even just standing at the base of the ride. The Tennessee Tornado, Barnstormer and Drop Line are just a few that will get you heart pumping! If that’s not enough, hop in line for the Lightning Rod where you’ll be launched from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories up to where the thrills really begin! The possibilities are endless! Do yourself a favor and come up with a game plan for the rides you want to experience before arriving at the park. You may also want to check out the details for Dollywood’s TimeSaver Pass if you’re visiting on a busy day. Bonus Tip: A quick google search for “Dollywood crowd calendar” will pull up a very helpful tool, a calendar that shows you the predicted crowds for each day of operation!
The Shows and Entertainment are Fantastic!
Guests of all ages will enjoy taking a break from the rides and taking in a live show instead during a trip to Dollywood. You’ll find everything from shows like My People, My Music that tells of Dolly’s incredible journey and story to fun acts like Joe The Juggler. Heartsong is a wonderful multi-sensory film experience that takes you through on an incredible journey in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s a perfect show to combine with a Wildwood Grove Characters Meet & Greet! Some of the best up and coming country music artists are featured in Dollywood’s New Faces of Country series throughout August 1st and as summer moves out, the Southern Gospel Performers move in! Holidays are some of the best times to visit the park and experience the magical shows that add to the spirit of the season. Timber Canyon becomes illuminated during the Great Pumpkin LumiNights and the summer is filled with nightly fireworks! Christmas, well, it’s the most enchanting! An acoustic Appalachian Christmas show sets the tone for the Smokies culture that can be found throughout the hills here in Tennessee. Shows like O’Holy Night and Christmas in the Smokies tells of the reason for the season. And, the kiddos will absolutely love the Parade of Many Colors and meeting their favorite reindeer at Meet Rudolph and His Friends! You’ll find shows all year long and are sure to find a few favorites that you want to see again and again!
Dollywood is a Foodie’s Paradise!
Till and Harvest is located in the new Wildwood Grove section of the park and they can hook you up with a healthy fresh bowl from their Smoky Mountain Mexican menu. You can load up on veggies at Aunt Granny’s Restaurant or even at Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner or Smokehouse. However, you don’t need to roll into Dollywood with plans to count your calories or avoid sugar, there are far too many treats available to not splurge a little! Spotlight Bakery, Sweet Shoppe and the Midway Market are filled with favorite childhood foods and sweet treats that you’ll swear your Granny made! You’ll find pizza, slushies, snacks and even the classics throughout the park! Want to get your fix for some southern cooking? Stop in at Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans in the Craftsman’s Valley! Choose to enjoy the eats and treats that you want, but there is one rule about visiting Dollywood… You can’t go home without having one of the park’s most favorite foods – a funnel cake. Dollywood is a funnel cake dreamland and you’re going to want one before heading back to the hotel to crash for the night!
Are you ready to pack up the family and head to the Smoky Mountains and adventure time at Dollywood?
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Browse our guest rooms, our amenities and even our family suite and start planning your trip now! We’ll see you soon!
