Dollywood

[oldgram1]

My fiance' and I spent a few days in Pigeon Forge last summer and had a great time at Dollywood. Since we are not young, it was great to be able to buy a ticket to go into the park after 3 and that ticket allowed us to also go in the next day. Since there is a lot of walking involved, that allowed us to split up the park and do half each day.

We happened to go on a couple of very hot days. Fortunately, there is a lot of shade in the park which helps. It is best to walk through the park when you first arrive before it gets real hot and try to save the shows/museum for midday. They are all air conditioned and comfortable. Don't miss Dolly's museum which I found very interesting and covered a lot of her early life with her family at home.

Another tip: There is a very inexpensive trolly service that leaves from an area near the Old Mill. It runs to Dollywood on a regular basis and is worth riding in comfortable air conditioning and not having to walk from the parking lot. The trolly drops you right at the entrance.

We stayed at Mainstay Suites and found them to be very comfortable and the price reasonable.

We are hoping to spend our honeymoon in the Pigeon Forge area this summer. Its really a booming area with lots to see and do. Be prepared for lots of traffic though. That is, if the gas prices don't discourage the tourists this year.

Gail from Michigan

[BradMac]

Gail,

Glad you had a good time at Dollywood. The "arrive after 3, then next day is free" option is a big help if you don't have season passes.

During the summer, ice water is free at all of the food vending stations, too. It's a BIG help when the sun is beating down on you.

The trolly is very good advice, too. You can be picked up in Patriot Park behind the Old Mill resturant. The cost is 50¢ each. Here's a map:

http://www.pigeonforgetrolley.org/dollywood.html

http://www.pigeonforgetrolley.org/rideguide.html