Dollywood tips

[Tanks4me05]

During my Tuba Lesson, I overheard my teacher talking about hotels in Gatlinburg, so I asked if we are going to Dollywood along with the Marching Band trip, and she said yes, so I'm going to Dollywood for the first time. (I live in Central New York.) So, we are going to go in early October, so I have a few questions:

 

1: How bad are the lines in early October? (I'd say anywhere form the beginning of the month to a few days after Columbus Day - I don't know specifically what day we are going.) - I looked at their schedule, and it said that the park is closed on Thursdays in October, so I will let her know about that on Monday.

 

2: What are the best places to eat? I know the park is extremely famous for its food, so I need to know what's the best.

 

3: What are the best seats on Thunderhead and Tennessee Tornado?

 

4: Are there any good "secret" film and/or photo spots that anyone knows about from their own trips?

[Brad]

1) Crowds in October are generally light. If you want to make sure, go with the Q2Q system (REALLY cheap, like $8/person).

 

2) Aunt Granny's is a really good buffet for a decent (amusement park price)... I believe it is about $10.99. They have amazing 'snacks' especially in the area between the main entrance and Craftman's Valley (just walk by and you'll see what I mean). You really can't go wrong at Dollywood (although I would avoid 'regular' meals such as Hamburgers).

 

3) Thunderhead= Front for awesome air or Back for decent air and good forces). Tornado=very back. I prefer Mystery Mine's second row as it seems to not be as rough. Who knows though.

 

4) Not much into taking photos, but there are some rather nice views all over the park.

[BarryH]

I can't remember the name of the place, but I ate at a sit-down restaurant that served really good meatloaf.

[kraken613]

1.) Lines should be light

2.)Aunt Granny's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.)Hes right you got to ride the front for great air on Thunderhead back for a little wilder ride.

TT back is good front is smother but its a smooth Arrow anyways.

Mystery Mine is better in the front for all the theming and to see everything. Back is smoother and gets great ejector of the tressle.

4.)Well Wilderness Pass is opening this year so I think youll be able to get some good shots from there. The kid area that goes right up to Thunderhead is a great place to get shots of Thunderhead. You can also get good shots of Thunderhead and the ending of Mystery Mine from the top part of MM wait after climbing the stairs.

[DBru]

#3: The back on Thunderhead does absolutely nothing for me, so go for the front! (Even if it's a longer wait...)

 

For TT, go for the back. The drop into the mountain is AMAZING back there!

 

Try to get in the front for Mystery Mine, the themeing makes up for the tad bit of extra roughness... (airtime is the same in either row, IMO)

[nick106]

My mother works at Dollywood so I am there every week.

1. Lines in October shouldn't be bad because it will be harvest and gospel festival, and there will mainly be elderly people going to shows.

 

2.Thunderhead- backseat

Mysterymine-Front for view.

Back for air.

Tennessee Tornado- backseat

 

3.My personal favorite place to eat is Granny Ogle's Ham and Beans. It is much better than Aunt Granny's. Order either ham or meatloaf.

 

4. I don't have a picture spot because I never take pictures.

[CoasterGuy06]

My only visit to Dollywood was on a Wednesday in October of 2004. The place was PACKED, but as others have said 90-95% of the people there were elderly and not there for the rides. Most rides were walk ons. The only ride with a wait was the train.

[kraken613]

Im going in the next week!

Ill tell you how the new area is!

[astroworldfan1]

I would assume that it would be cold in the mountains in October.

 

I would eat at any place where they have one of those circle grills. (Philly Cheese Steak, etc.)

 

I would choose a seat near the front of Thunderhead.

 

-Tatum

[kraken613]

Its not that cold in Oct.

[ParkTrips]

October weather can be hit or miss... high 70s to the 40s. Its not easily predictable.

 

And personally, though Aunt Granny's is good, I'd totally rather eat all day by snacking of the skillets and such. Do try the cinnamon bread from the grist mill though, its quite awesome. The bakery up front provides a nice snack when exiting the park as well

[Tanks4me05]

^ I know Dollywood closes rides if it gets below a certain temperature, but what is that temperature specifically?

[kraken613]

36 degrees you wont have a problem in Oct most likely.

At 40 and below they only run one train on Thunderhead though.

[Tanks4me05]

After reading kraen613's PTR of Dollywood, I am slightly concerned about the reliability of the rides at DW. How often do the rides break down?