dstephe9

I don't think the info is fake, just wrong.. a lot was happening in a short amount of time and no one was allowed back in, not even today.. So rumors started flying.. the Aquarium is one of the only places that was even allowed into the area, and only their emergency staff.. I have friends fighting the fires up there and even they had no idea at times what was burning and wasn't. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

We might get lucky and hillbilly golf will be ok! Everyone else that "burned" are reporting that the rumors were false.. of course I don't believe anyone really been in the city yet but we can all hope Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Park vista hotel is also reporting that it did not burn and is still standing tall Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

The mansion on their Facebook also said it might still stand! Another example of all the wrong information out there. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

A glimpse of hope for the Mysterious Mansion is that Edgewater Resort isn't publicly confirming any damage right now.. that is the hotel butt up against the Mansion.. But with the owners saying it is "confirmed" I'd imagine someone from the inside possibly contacted them? Who knows! I'd find it hard to believe the mansion has burned but the hotel is undamaged.. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

http://www.ripleyentertainment.com/ripleys-aquarium-smokies-reports-animals-safe-care/ Finally inside the Aquarium Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I'm also glad Ober posted an official update.. I had heard it was fine from a friend who had claimed to be up there then five mins later someone posted here that it wasn't.. so looks like people are on property at Ober and it's fine Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Aquarium just posted that their biologist are trying to get into the city for the animals and a recent radio interview with the GM said the building is fine But I have been keeping an eye on their live cams that did recently go down finally.. hopefully that just means their internet finally died and not the power Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Gatlinburg isn't going to be the same for a long time.. even if it didn't burn, smoke damage will leave what's not burnt, very damaged. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yes several hours ago it was evacuated but for smoke.. I know the aquarium is getting a lot of bad press for not trying to save animals but they are much safer inside.. the aquarium is built to run by itself as long as it's generators work.. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Here are confirmed burnings so far https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1j7dJNKio1QPbslWy4PDNMsQkUes&ll=35.718888758976625%2C-83.56831231547852&z=11 Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Not sure.. I know the area around the space needle is one of the areas unhurt on the strip (close to where you get on the sky lift) last news I heard about the aquarium was that the fire was 25 yards from it and everything was on internal life support but running fine and that the animals can live on their own for a while as long as the building doesn't catch fire.. it is built like a bunker.. if the generators go out, they have 24 hours.. I frequent the aquarium a lot.. I'd be willing to bet the sky lift is majorly hurt.. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

They have actually been on site for a few hours.. protecting things but nothing was on fire at that time. I still believe everything is outside the park Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

My buddies have confirmed it is at the edge of the park, the fire is but I believe it's on the other edge of the park from lightening rod Edit: being reported that there is a fire on the other end of Dollywood as well now. I'm more concerned about the mountains though I'm up there weekly hiking or camping Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

A few very recent reports are reporting the fire at the edge of Dollywood property right now as of a few mins ago. Also about 30 structures in Gatlinburg, including a 16 story hotel (I assume the vista which is 16 stories) are on fire. Nothing on the strip yet. I also confirmed this with some of my outdoor buddies that I hike with that are up there now helping with efforts Remember, Dollywood had a lot of land that is unused Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Heads up for anyone headed to Dollywood, 441, through the mountains is closed due to wildfires.. I know most probably come down the interstate though but just a heads up Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Looking at the early weather for the area, it looks like it won't get down below 40 until after 10pm Friday.. If that remains the same, id say it's safe to say rides will be running.. The low 40s does get iffy so ride your top rides Earle just to be on the safe side but I believe they will be open.. Keep in mind, weather this far out, especially hourly, is only about 10% accurate Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Due to the Holiday Weekend I think they extended the hours tomorrow, I believe this was one of the days they mentioned earlier in the season they had extended when they added a few extra operating days. I ended up not staying tonight, the operations were so bad it wasn't even enjoyable.. waited 50 mins for cinnamon bread and the lady at the counter took my gold pass and said "sir this is expired, can't use it" I politely said "mam you didn't even scan it" and she said "it says 2013 on it" so I explained to her that I renewed online like most people probably do and opted to keep the same card. I can't be the only one who does this can I? . She got snippy and said "I'll manually do it one time" Still never scanned my card to see it was good! After that instead of eating real food like I always do I just got a hotdog on the way out (who did scan it and it worked fine) and just left and went up to NOC to shop.. I'll eat the Cinnamon bread later tonight and I'll come back during the week for the parade, I was just fed up with them tonight ha-ha.. and yeah, the park was busy but not that busy.. they just seemed way understaffed, especially in food services. I mean heck, even getting into the park I waited 10 mins to park.. they had only 2 booths 3 or 4 windows open at that time at the parking lot. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Right now I'm here.. Parade Lines -- They do have painted blocks stuck to the ground for the parade path Operations -- Honestly pretty pathetic tonight.. Food operations mainly are as slow and understaffed as six flags. Crowds are moderate but F lot isn't but half way full.. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I haven't seen the Christmas parade in a few years, but the last parade I say they put up white (Dollywood logo) tape along the route. I think the paint was still on the pavement, but I think they were following a different route. Then again, I may be totally confused and wrong. As to good places to be, with young kids I'd go to the intersection of the main street (that runs past Showstreet, the bakery, and the candy shop) and the road to Chasing Rainbows and the Tour bus. Or the benches in front of the candy shop. The Dolly parade followed a different route and they did put tape out for it, but still put it out very early compared to other places.. last Christmas parade I watched followed the paint route but this was a few years ago! Now, I didn't watch any last year so with all the LR construction going on, they might had a different route, not sure. Some places do have tape still, but I think it's because the new pavement and road work they have done inside the park.. they didn't want to paint on it I guess haha Unless something changes in the next five minutes at work I should be off in time to go tonight I'll try and update anyone about the parade if no one does it before me Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

When I was that age, I liked Twas the Night and O Holy Night, but hated Christmas in the Smokies. So it really does depend on the kid and how long of an attention span they have. Exactly, some of the shows can reach 60 mins or so.. Some are shorter.. (I'd plan an hr and half for its a wonderful life.. show is right over 50 mins plus factor in arriving early for it and getting out after it). Thats a lot of time for kids at an amusement park. This time of year, all the shows have a very Religious Christian undertone to them (I have seen people get up and complain and leave due to this) so just a heads up on that! But then again, Dollywood has never sugar-coated Christianity in anything they do which has never bother me (even have a Bible verse as you enter wild eagle) but I know this type of stuff bothers some so just a warning to those who might not be into that type of thing.. Dollywoods shows aren't really Frosty The Snowman, Santa Clause, non religious type of stuff this time of year, they are shows about family with the "true meaning of Christmas" type stuff. Again, some stuff that kids might find boring just because they don't understand what's going on if they have a lot of "drama" in them. The Dollywood app has the lengths of shows and when they start but plan on arriving to most 15 - 20 mins early.. a show like it's a wonderful life (new this year) you might want to arrive even earlier.. when I saw it on a Sunday night, it filled up about 15 mins before it started. I arrived 30 mins early and was stuck sitting on the side towards the back. Excellent show but most families with younger kids got up and left halfway into the show. Not saying anything is wrong with that, but it does cause a distraction to those around.. I assume it was just because the show was so long and by that time most had been in the theater for an hr or so. As a tip, there is no sneaking out of a Dollywood show.. when a host sees you coming, they come get you with a flashlight and help you out.. I know some get embarrassed bc of this, especially if they are trying to sneak out lol Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Hard to find a gem of a spot on their old route, I'd imagine the new one is the same.. unlike Disney, they leave the route painted on the ground (or did in the past, where as Disney puts tape down shortly before the parade and then takes it up right after) so as you are on Main Street look for a white line on the edge of the road.. that is the line for guest to stand behind during a parade.. so just find you a nice spot early during the day, one that fits your needs, and try to come back before the parade and find a place.. That's a nice thing about Dollywoods parade! there are some spots where only a few people will fit but some spots that can get crowded.. again, if the lines are on the ground you can get a good idea how many people will fit in an area making it easier to plan out a spot.. Just like Disney Parades, the areas closest to the front are more crowded than areas further away.. again, watch and follow the line (if their is one, I'll see tonight) If all goes like planned and I get off work before 3:30 like I hope, I'll be there tonight so I'll let you know Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I'm not saying all kids are the same, just saying a lot seem antsy during the Christmas shows.. for example, during Christmas in the Smokies this year there was a girl, probably 5 or 6 in front of us.. Phones are not allowed due to them being bright.. the kid was very antsy and wanting to leave! Solution? The mom gave the girl a cell phone with distracted everyone around them more than the kid being antsy.. Finally someone complained and Dollywood made them turn it off.. They just got up and left saying they never seen a show that didn't allow cell phones (needless to say Dollywood announces it before every show) just like movie theaters do.. I even put my Android Wear watch on theater mode so it doesn't light up I know, all kids aren't the same but the Christmas shows seem geared for older crowds or young adults. Kids seem bored. Comedy barn is a whole different type of show and kids love it but it's not at Dollywood.. during the summer Dollywood also has a lot of shows kids love.. like bubble shows and others.. Christmas shows are just different there Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I haven't seen the new Christmas parade yet, so can't comment on that.. Hopefully I'll be able to see it this weekend or next week.. Aside from fire chaser express and a few small things here and there, most of the kid stuff will be located in the Country Fair area.. but do grab the car ride beside Lightening Rod (might do the cars early before Country Fair because it's line does get long) and do fire chaser early, it also gets long If they are tall enough, blazing fury isn't bad for kids and I see a lot Enjoy it all the time.. it's very smooth now.. watch it on YouTube to see if you think they would enjoy it, but most children, even young ones, do Also, make sure you make it up to see Rudolph and Friends at Holly Jolly Junction (unless your kids are told old for that).. I know Rudolph was in the old parade, not sure if they close Holly Jolly Junction during the parade or not for Rudolph to be in it if he is in the new parade (or shhh, they might have two Rudolph's) As for shows, I don't really feel any of the Christmas ones are good for kids.. I have seen them all this year, and kids seem bored and antsy.. but that's just what I have observed.. Kids do like the light show around the big tree though.. it's a quick show and I usually notice kids watching it while eating lumberjack pizza (one slice will feed like three kids lol) Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Rumor on the street is it is being refurbished (hopefully adding a light package) but no official word from anyone.. I do know they have been refurbishing rides in the fair area (dizy disc were down when the park opened this season I assume for refurbishing as well) Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk