First Visit To Dollywood Advice

[live2tell75]

Hi everyone,

 

I will be visiting Dollywood for the first time next week, Thursday the 17th. Our group will consist of 6 adults and a 3 year old. We will be coming from the Chattanooga area. We are definitely planning on arriving for park opening at 10am. According to mapquest, it takes about 2 and 1/2 hours to get to Dollywood from Chattanooga. So I am going to try to get the group out the door between 7-7:30am. I downloaded the park map. I was thinking to hit Mystery Mine, Thunderhead & Timber Tower first thing. From there I'm not sure. We are going to be spending a whole day at the park. We want to hit most of the rides, coasters, thrill rides and quite a few of the smaller rides for the three year old with us. We also want to check out a few of the shows. Basically a well rounded day. Here are some questions:

 

1. I have heard the roads leading up to Dollywood can really get congested. Any recommendations on less traveled roads or easy ways to get to the park?

 

2. Because it will be a Thursday in the spring and there aren't any type of festivals going on, I am expecting the crowds not tobe bad. Because of this, I'm probally not going to get the Q2Q. Is this going to be a big mistake?

 

3. My best friend's 3-year old has a severe nut allergy. The park's web-site says that snacks may not be brought into the park, which is understandable. I would think the park would make an exception if a guest has a food allergy. The Florida parks are very accommodating with issues like these. Anyone know how Dollywood handles this?

 

4. After arrviving and hitting the Timber Canyon attractions, I'm not sure the order to hit the rest of the park. Should we head to Craftman's Valley or The County Fair area?

 

5. Do you get super wet on Daredevil Falls, Mountain Slidewinder and Blazing Fury? I assume Smokey Mountain Rampage is like most rapids ride, no one is guaranteed to stay dry or wet.

 

6. We plan to check out a few shows, probally the birds of prey show and a few of the musical shows. Anyone ever check out the David Tallent Magic Show? Any recommendations on shows not to be missed?

 

7. I have seen a lot of photos of the skillet type food place that looks yummy. What is this placed called? Any other recommendations on good places to eat for lunch?

 

Any advise will be very helpful and much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

EJ

[Swimace]

Sorry I can't answer all of your questions, I've only been to the park once but I'll tell you the ones I know

 

2) I'd go for the Q-bots if you're planning on going to any of the big shows. The Q-bots are really well priced so I think it's worth it.

 

4)Timber Canyon is pretty isolated from the rest of the park. After getting in the rides there Craftsman's Valley and the County Fair area are a pretty good walk. We headed to Craftman's next, I think it was a little bit closer.

 

5) Blazing Fury and Daredevil Falls gave a little bit of a spray, but neither got me too wet. Mountain Sidewinder is supposed to get you soaked.

 

7) Those skillets are at multiple places, just head to Craftman's Valley area and you'll be set.

[xericx]

1.On a Thursday, there shouldnt be much congestion at all.

2.Thursday, you'll not need a Q2Q(personally, unless you're from pretty far away and come on a Saturday, I really see no reason why you would ever need one at Dollywood).

3.Its easy to pack snacks into Dollywood, I always take a few granola bars in my pocket.But im sure if you were to ask, Dollywood would make a exception.

4.I suggest instead of going straight to Mystery Mine, go to the back of the first, and work your well forward.If you time it right, by the time you get to the front lines will be almost non existent.

5.Daredevil Falls, can vary depending on where you sit.Blazing Fury can get you pretty wet if you sit in the front, I suggest the main back for keeping dry, plus there is some surprising air time in the back too. Mountain Sidewinder will pretty much get you soaked every time.Its also, IMO one of the best non coaster rides anywhere.

7.A good majority of food vendors use the giant skillets to cook food.I highly suggest papa's flat bread near the train station.

[Tomizzle For Rizzle]

Don't forget to get a corn dog!

[jarmor]

Get to the park as early as possible. Mountian sidewinder will get you soaked, blazin fury will splash you, daredevil falls will get you wet. I suggest you email the park about the kid situation they dont pat you down or anything like that so I assume if it can fit in your pocket your ok. I have never used a qbot but this year the crowds have been pretty heavy lately. I suggest eating at aunt grannys because its a buffet for like 10.50 and lots of food choices (ask for jan!). As far as pacing just take your time and go with the flow. The back of the park never fills up because its really nothing back there other than tenn tornado.

[live2tell75]

^Thanks everyone for all the responses! It all sounds helpful!

[I love DW]

I've not read other's comments so sorry if they have already stated some of this. I'm just going to answer the questions to the best of my knowledge.

 

 

1. I have heard the roads leading up to Dollywood can really get congested. Any recommendations on less traveled roads or easy ways to get to the park?

 

Yes the roads can get congested but with going on a Thursday either way will be about the same. Although If you have not been in a while the Veterans Boulevard entrance (the one by Dollywood's Splash Country) had two booths now and can accommodate up to four cars at a time and has a possible usage of two lanes going in. Either way coming in it doesn't really matter what will really save you time is when you exit, exit through the Dollywood's Splash Country entrance because they have a red light at it and have two lanes exiting at a time. While the Dollywood Lane entrance only has one lane exiting at a time and has no red light.

 

 

 

2. Because it will be a Thursday in the spring and there aren't any type of festivals going on, I am expecting the crowds not tobe bad. Because of this, I'm probally not going to get the Q2Q. Is this going to be a big mistake?

 

Nope there won't be any festivals going on Festival of Nations ended May 7th and KidsFest doesn't start until June 15th. No the crowds shouldn't be to bad (don't kill me if they are please.) I would say if you get into the parking lot at 9:30 to 9:45 and you are parking half way between C and D I would go ahead and get a Q-bot because it will probably be worth it (maximum of six people on a single bot but if the three year old sits on someone's lap no extra charge.)

 

 

 

3. My best friend's 3-year old has a severe nut allergy. The park's web-site says that snacks may not be brought into the park, which is understandable. I would think the park would make an exception if a guest has a food allergy. The Florida parks are very accommodating with issues like these. Anyone know how Dollywood handles this?

 

No snacks are not allowed into the park due to health reasons but since the girl does have a allergy they will allow it. And usually for kids they allow really any kind of snack because most will not eat "big people" food.

 

 

4. After arrviving and hitting the Timber Canyon attractions, I'm not sure the order to hit the rest of the park. Should we head to Craftman's Valley or The County Fair area?

 

I would head up to Craftsmen's Valley first after Timber Canyon and hit Tennessee Tornado, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, and Mountain Slidwinder.

 

 

5. Do you get super wet on Daredevil Falls, Mountain Slidewinder and Blazing Fury? I assume Smokey Mountain Rampage is like most rapids ride, no one is guaranteed to stay dry or wet.

 

The wettest seats on Daredevil Falls are usually the front other than that you don't get much. Mountain Slidewinder if you know how to you can get extremely wet (and I mean my group has weighed several pounds more after getting off and going to re-ride it) or if not you can get mildly wet. Blazing Fury not much at all it is more a indoor coaster featuring water not a water ride featuring a coaster. And your right about the River Rampage no one can tell you if your going to get wet or not because the person next to you may get soaked and you may not get hardly a drop.

 

 

 

6. We plan to check out a few shows, probally the birds of prey show and a few of the musical shows. Anyone ever check out the David Tallent Magic Show? Any recommendations on shows not to be missed?

 

If you like 50's and 60's music Dreamland Drive-In is a must!!! I loved this show I at least saw it seven or eight times last year.

 

It has also won the IAAPA 2006 Heartbeat award and an honorable mention in the show with a budget of $500,001 - $1,000,000 category.

 

 

 

7. I have seen a lot of photos of the skillet type food place that looks yummy. What is this placed called? Any other recommendations on good places to eat for lunch?

 

Well trust me unless you are completely blind no matter where you go in Dollywood you will see these skillet's. They cook footlong hot dogs in them in Timber Canyon. They have sausage works in the Market Square area by the fountain, along with cheese steaks being made in skittles in Market Square. Up in the Village they have flatbreads in them. So really they are every where.

 

The best "skillet food" I think Dollywood has is at PaPaw's Flatbread in the Village area. It is your choice of either chicken or steak with pepper's, onions, cheese, tomatoes, lettece, sour cream (you choose from the toppings they put on.) It is delicious. Plus near there is Victoria's Pizza and the three year old would like it and you could all go eat in there and sit down while you get the three year old's food. If you eat here for lunch I would go to the Country Fair area afterwards for the rides in that area.

 

Another place I like to eat is Red's Diner in the Jukebox Junction area. It has good hamburger and GREAT shakes.

 

Hope that helps if you need any more help just post and I will be happy to reply.

[live2tell75]

^ Thanks for all the tips, they should really help.

 

I can't wait to go! A week from tomorrow, Dollywood here I come!

[gnewton34]

I've got a couple questions about Dollywood and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg too. Didn't really see the point of making a new thread since there's one floating around

 

Is the park very busy during the weekdays in mid-July?

 

Is there enough to keep a 7, 10 and 13 year-old entertained for a two-day visit? The youngest hates anything to do with coasters she cried on the Beastie at King's Island. I'm trying to get the 13 year-old to ride the bigger coasters, the biggest he's ridden is The Beast at King's Island and Apollo's Chariot at BGE.

 

Any advice on good hotels in the area that are not too overpriced?

 

Is there anything else in the area that is a must do?

[restoca]

Is the park very busy during the weekdays in mid-July?

 

Is there enough to keep a 7, 10 and 13 year-old entertained for a two-day visit? The youngest hates anything to do with coasters she cried on the Beastie at King's Island. I'm trying to get the 13 year-old to ride the bigger coasters, the biggest he's ridden is The Beast at King's Island and Apollo's Chariot at BGE.

 

Any advice on good hotels in the area that are not too overpriced?

 

Is there anything else in the area that is a must do?

 

My first visit to DW was in 2005 and we stayed in Pigeon Forge. Meh. Second visit was two weeks ago and this time stayed at a Hampton Inn about five miles south of DW in Gatlinburg, which is a beautiful area. Much more to see and do within walking distance of the hotel. Pick up a Gatlinburg brochure and you'll see all there is to do.

 

Regarding the crowds: like Silver Dollar City, it always seems crowded to me, most everywhere but the rides. I opted for their Q2Q system, as recommended by others in this forum. Just remember if you schedule a show, then change your mind, you have to return to the Q2Q "shop" to delete it. (It won't let you reserve a ride during a time it thinks you're in a show.)

 

This year I tried to notice all the unique food offerings at DW. Don't miss the bakery near the entrance!

 

Have fun!

Gatlinburg sky lift - nice view, but nothing up there

DW bakery - everything is huge!

[Zen Coaster]

Awesome, I'm excited for you. Can't wait to go myself.

 

1. Can anyone recommend a place to stay? Are there any with some kind of park perk deal?

 

2. I'll be hitting Dollywood on August 14 after the Midwest Trip. That's actually a Thursday and I know someone mentioned that's a good day normally but assume that it will be your average busy summer day when I'm there. How difficult will it be to hit the rides? I'm going mainly for Mystery Mine and Thunderhead. What itinerary do you all suggest given when I'm going?

[Brad]

Can someone tell me what the pricing for Q2Q is with a gold season pass?