Dollywood Discussion Thread

[coasterbill]

coasterbill, care to join me?

 

Absolutely. I can't take much more of this.

[Nrthwnd]

Well, I'm having one, right now!

 

Vodka and....something.

[Philrad71]

And I'm not including the numerous times where I've been punched in the face, stomach, arm, etc. while working around drunk people at a park. I've even heard cases of sexual assault and rape at parks because someone had a little bit too much to drink that day. Let's not pretend like alcohol has nothing but positive effects on Theme Parks.

 

 

I would be curious to know the name of this park where you got punched in the face, stomach and arm numerous times by drunk people (more so that I can avoid it) - or the parks where people were sexually assaulted or raped.

 

Can't say that I have ever read about this type of problem at theme/amusement parks here at TPR or anywhere else. Gang violence and teen fighting? Yep, but I can't recall one instance of reading about someone being assaulted or raped by a drunken theme park visitor.

 

I'm with the others that want to go out for a drink...oh wait, I'm already having one!

[dstephe9]

Here's the thing, as Dollywood transforms (like it's doing now) I do see alcohol possibly in the future BUT I don't ever think it's going to be like some think. I don't think it'll be like Epcot where you can walk around with it.. I don't believe you will be able to enjoy alcohol on a bench people watching.. I bet they will regulate it like SFOG and Magic Kingdom.. maybe build a nice indoor restaurant with a bar or something. But I bet they won't let you leave with it.. SFOG has a security officer in both restaurants that offer alcohol (at least when I'm there) so there is no way of it doing much harm.. Not sure about Magic Kingdom, I know when I was there I only ate at one restaurant that offered it and honestly, no one I saw had alcohol.. it was all soda or tea so not sure how well it's going there.. but there would be no way to get the alcohol out .. I did see a lot of people try to order alcohol at quick service restaurants and then get mad because they couldn't, but that's a different story.

 

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[dstephe9]

Dollywood would make a killing if they brought in some local distilleries and sold some drinks made with local Moonshine / Whiskey/ Craft Beer (sort of like Trail Tavern at Cedar Point). Like most parks, they could have a one drink per person policy and cut people off if it was ever an issue. People would bitch, but they'd get over it and the vibe of the park wouldn't change a bit. I can't think of a single example of a park that's "vibe" was ruined because they started selling alcohol. I'm really sick of this argument because I can't think of a single example of this ever happening.

 

They might make some incremental money but I don't think it would be a killing. But who knows, no one wold know unless it happens.

 

I don't know if there are financial implications to add a liquor license to business the size of Dollywood, but I don't think Herschend would want to deal with the hassle, stray from their core values or worry about a possible public outcry from their core constituency. The park is not struggling for new revenue streams especially after just opening Dreammore.

Dreammore already has alcohol so the liquor license shouldn't be an issue. Also they allow you to drink alcohol around the pool and anywhere on property at dreammore.. so I don't think HFE is afraid of doing it BUT I do think they are afraid of hurting their older crowd and upsetting them.. during the fall the older southern crowd makes up 75% of their attendance at Dollywood I'd be willing to bet

 

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[larrygator]

^Sorry, I should have been clearer regarding the liquor license comment. I meant in relation to liquor liability insurance which would greatly increase if expanded to the theme park.

[BigBad]

There's a Christian element at Dollywood. There have a Christian church. The winter festival is, explicitly, about Christmas. Certainly having alcohol at a hotel restaurant or in a private room would be very reasonable, but I don't think we can be surprised that they wouldn't sell alcohol within the park, nor do I think we should expect them to deviate from the policy. There's food, sure, but it's not a restaurant or a bar. You're not going to a theme park to eat and drink. (I mean, a Six Flags is my home park and I go there all the time.)

 

I have no stake in the debate, and if I do, it's that drink sales could bring in more money and result in something like a giga being built there, but as long as there is a traditional-values, religious Southern vibe, I can't imagine them selling alcohol.

[dstephe9]

Pretty much Early Fall - Winter is geared for Christians.. the Gospel Festival is right before the winter one.

 

Here's another way to look at the, the hotel, Dreammore isn't catering to the local crowd and the older local crowd, is the crowd that would pitch the biggest fit if the Theme Park starts serving alcohol..

 

Again though, I don't think it would be unreasonable for Dollywood to open a nicer restaurant in the future (like some of Disney's) that might offer alcohol

 

I don't think we will ever see it outside of a restaurant though

 

 

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[CaptainUnknown]

You're not going to a theme park to eat and drink.

 

The cinnamon bread might disagree with you.

[DoinItForTheFame]

Well, I'm having one, right now!

 

Vodka and....something.

 

 

I'll join you with that one!

[dstephe9]

I actually go to Dollywood to eat all the time and only eat haha

 

During the fall the park is dead, food is great, and makes for a nice evening out.. just walk and eat, might catch a ride or two but mainly walk and eat

 

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Edited February 5, 2017 by dstephe9

[BigBad]

Well my home park is a Six Flags, so it's more like, "Sure, I guess I'll have some grub while I'm here," than it is, "OMG CINNAMON BREAD!"

[STDog]

Well my home park is a Six Flags, so it's more like, "Sure, I guess I'll have some grub while I'm here," than it is, "OMG CINNAMON BREAD!"

 

Well, Six Flags (at least the few I've visited) treat food as an afterthought.

 

DW has 4 sit down restaurants, 2 are buffets (all you care to eat).

Add in the Mill (Cinnamon bread) and the bakery and you see they take food a bit more seriously than most theme parks.

They also add in special food for the Festival of Nations and BBQ & Bluegrass.

[coasterbill]

You're not going to a theme park to eat

 

The longest line we waited in all day on a Smoky Mountain Christmas Saturday last year was for Cinnamon bread (45 mins after the park closed for the night). The longest line we waited in all day on a Smoky Mountain Christmas Saturday the year before was for Lillian's. Also, do you even Knoebels?

 

Nobody is pretending alcohol will be the reason anyone will go to the park (which further proves my point that over consumption wouldn't be an issue with semi-competent bartenders). It's just a way to turn that $5 soda sale with lunch into a $10 - $15 sale.

[Philrad71]

You're not going to a theme park to eat and drink.

 

The cinnamon bread might disagree with you.

 

As would the delicious skillet dinners.

[dstephe9]

You're not going to a theme park to eat and drink.

 

The cinnamon bread might disagree with you.

 

As would the delicious skillet dinners.

Exactly! My favorite are the skillet dinners (steak and cheese is my favorite I'd say), the speciality foods during festivals, and Lumberjack Pizza. I try to eat the buffets once a year but I don't really go for them. Desert is always cinnamon bread or a bakery item. (Whichever I choose for desert I go to the other and get something for breakfast that I take home the next day) (a lot of times both the bakery and the mill have buy one get one free at closing so I get two things to take home)

 

Of and don't forget the food truck! Those chicken sandwiches are the bomb haha but it's not open often in the evenings when I'm there.

 

And when it comes down to it, with a gold pass, food is very very reasonable!! Especially for Theme Park food!

 

My number one complaint is that I wish they had more specialty foods during festivals.. yeah festival of Nations has some good food but I'd like more unique food than Asian, Tacos, and the normal. I also wish the BBQ festival went on longer because that's some of the best BBQ around.. it's much better than the normal BBQ from the park

 

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Edited February 5, 2017 by dstephe9

[STDog]

And when it comes down to it, with a. Gold pass, food is very very reasonable!! Especially for Theme Park food!

 

 

It's cheaper than a lot of places in town with comparable quality.

 

No, it's not Paula's or Applewood or Alamo or JT Hannah's, but it's as good as other $10-15/person places.

 

I also wish the BBQ festival went on longer because that's some of the best BBQ around.. it's much better than the normal BBQ from the park

 

[Nrthwnd]

You're not going to a theme park to eat and drink.

 

See: EPCOT Food and Wine Festivals.

[dstephe9]

And when it comes down to it, with a. Gold pass, food is very very reasonable!! Especially for Theme Park food!

 

 

It's cheaper than a lot of places in town with comparable quality.

 

No, it's not Paula's or Applewood or Alamo or JT Hannah's, but it's as good as other $10-15/person places.

 

I also wish the BBQ festival went on longer because that's some of the best BBQ around.. it's much better than the normal BBQ from the park

 

Yeah, what with a gold pass the buffets are like $12 - 13 (roughly) and that includes drink and desert bar.. less expensive than Ryan's or Golden Corral (unless you have a coupon) and I like Dollywoods better..

 

The BBQ sampler during BBQ fest was only slightly more than a dinner at Buddy's BBQ (Tennessee owned fast food joint for those who might not be local) but plenty of food for 2! Was fresher (smoking it right beside the restaurant booth), their own special sauce and more

 

And most skillet plates + drink (if you have a mug) are under $10 with gold pass for one person. Lumberjack is under $10 and that slice of pizza is plenty for two.. Just ask them to cut it in half and they will so two can eat at lumberjacks for $10 total!

 

During festival of Nations last year, the plates with gold pass cost under $5 (or right around $6 for some plates) just keep in mind they are small but that allows you to sample more foods which is the goal I believe

 

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[LukeFlynn]

A few days late to the "Dollywood's Next Coaster" conversation..

 

I have always thought a B&M Invert would be a hit for the park, something on the scale of Banshee, but as a terrain invert.

 

I'm sure the park has spent more than the estimated 22 million on Lightning Rod just due to the issues. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a break in 2018, which would disrupt the 2 year timeline they've had going since 2012. I'm hoping for 2018, but I think 2020 will be the year. I guess we'll find out in Q2-3 of 2017.

[Vonni]

^ I'd like to see something like Nemesis

[A.J.]

A few days late to the "Dollywood's Next Coaster" conversation..

 

I have always thought a B&M Invert would be a hit for the park, something on the scale of Banshee, but as a terrain invert.

What are you talking about? Dollywood's next coaster is a Zamperla kids' coaster.

[Guy T. Koepp]

^It's probably pretty much in place and built. Opening weekend is in like 6 weeks.

[Vonni]

^^ I completely forgot about that lol!

[dstephe9]

^It's probably pretty much in place and built. Opening weekend is in like 6 weeks.

Wasn't that being built offsite like the drop tower? I know drop line isn't opening with the park.. Pete said that in a video posted on here about a month ago. I thought he mentioned the coaster was also being built late but I might be wrong..

 

I know most of the off season construction was actually refurbishing of a lot of buildings such as restaurants (backstage restaurant and lumberjack pizza), a new Human Resources building and other general refurbishing of the park while the new rides (Drop Tower for sure) wouldn't open until late spring early summer.

 

Again, this was also mentioned in that video

 

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