Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees

It’s a fact that there is no shortage of Christmas lights in Pigeon Forge this year, especially when you take in the millions of lights that make up the town’s Winterfest celebration each year. While it’s truly an amazing sight, there’s just something about Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees that makes it stand out among all the lights in the area every year.

Carol of the Trees begins at dusk among the millions of Christmas lights hung in and around Dollywood. Look for the trees surrounding Rivertown Lake as they take center stage in the evening. Thousands of lights on the trees join lighted toy soldiers and more in a celebration of music and lights. It’s a 15 minute show that you don’t want to miss at Dollywood.

During the Carol of the Trees show, holiday lights are synchronized with Christmas music and really creates a holiday show for the senses as some would say.

Dollywood’s Carol of the Trees is a part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 10 – Dec. 30), an annual event put on at Dollywood that features  over 4 million Christmas lights and includes shows you’ll remember from years past. Of course, one of the most talked about is Dolly Parton’s all-time favorite Christmas in the Smokies. Dollywood is a safe and fun place to bring the kids or the whole family this Christmas season. Stop by and take in a few, or even all of the performances put on by Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Sugar Maple Luxury Log Cabins

Find out why Sugar Maple Luxury Log Cabins is the perfect choice of cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains. They feature luxury cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN with numerous modern amenities.

Sugar Maple Luxury Log Cabins offers Gatlinburg Cabins and Pigeon Forge Cabins

Everyone deserves a vacation and why not make it the best. Stay in a Sugar Maple cabin and enjoy unsurpassed luxury amenities. Starting with location Sugar Maple offers your Pigeon Forge Cabins choice of resort setting; a Romantic Secluded or Semi Secluded cabin and cabin rentals are available in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, including Ski Mountain. Spectacular mountain views or city views set the background for a perfect Smoky Mountain Vacation in Luxury.

Sugar Maple Cabins offers cabins that sleep 2-50 so if you are wanting that perfect couples getaway or plan a Smoky Mountain Family Reunion planning is easy with one call to Sugar Maple Cabins customer services lines open 7 days a week.

All Sugar Maple cabins have hot tub, washer, dryer and fully-equipped kitchen. What sets Sugar Maple Cabins Luxury Cabins apart from the ordinary are the upscale amenities like, big-screen TVs, DVD Player, and Wi-FI. Still not impressed? How about letting your family spend all day watching movies in a theatre room? Sugar Maple cabins define luxury.

Sugar Maple offers nearly 200 cabins from a perfect romantic retreat to a beautiful lodge that sleeps 50. Your choice is simple: You can stay in an ordinary cabin or you can stay in extraordinary luxury with Sugar Maple Cabins.

Visit the website and book online at:
http://www.sugarmaplecabins.com
Or
Visit Sugar Maple Cabins on Facebook to see reviews, testimonials, and guest feedback! Sugar Maple Cabins Reviews on Facebook

The Hatfields and McCoys Christmas Disaster Show

Sometimes the holidays can bring out best in families, though if you’re part of the Hatfield or McCoy clan, Christmas takes a backseat to family hijinks. You’ll see it all at the Hatfields and McCoys Christmas Dinner Show titled, “Christmas Disaster Show.” Both families don’t even stop their feud for Christmas. In all, it’s the perfect holiday show packed with new material and so much fun. Your entire family will love it.

The Hatfields and McCoys Christmas Disaster Show tells the tale of both families as they decide to suspend their feuding ways in order to celebrate the Christmas holiday. This despite the kidnapping of Pa Hatfield’s daughter by a McCoy boy and subsequent elopement. While the Hatfields will claim she was kidnapped, she apparently ran out to the McCoy pickup truck, jumped in and screamed “I’m free! I’m free! My family is crazy and I ain’t never comin’ back.”

Still, they’re willing let things lie for awhile to celebrate the Christmas season. Maybe a little competition won’t hurt – participating in a Christmas decorating contest in hopes of winning a big cash prize from the mayor. What they don’t know is that the mayor has set the contest up to benefit himself and the families risk losing their farms. Sprinkle in a few liberties taken from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and the mayor just might see the error of his ways thanks to a few old friends that come back to pay him a visit.

But what about the kidnapped Hatfield daughter and her McCoy lover? You’ll see them again, but might be surprised by the circumstances surrounding the couple and their return. Meanwhile, sing along to the familiar music and Christmas carols as both families celebrate the true meaning of the season. You’ll definitely want to witness the singing of “Oh, Holy Night.”

Oh, and let us not forget Maw McCoy’s delicious Christmas dinner – a 4 course meal of fried chicken, country pulled pork shoulder barbecue, smashed taters, creamy cole slaw, pinto beans, cornbread, creamy vegetable soup and chocolate pudding. It’s tempting to just head on over there right now.

Before long the Hatfield & McCoy’s Christmas Dinner Show will be a holiday favorite in the Smoky Mountains and a must-see for visitors coming to the area.

For more information on the show call 800-985-5494 or visit their site at www.hatfieldmccoydinnerfeud.com.

Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show
119 Music Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 908-7469

A Dixie Stampede Christmas

The Dixie Stampede Christmas spectacular is THE show to see this holiday season if you’re in Pigeon Forge or the Smoky Mountains.

The combination of great food and a holiday show you’ll never forget will literally leave you speechless and make you feel good all over. Delight in the snow as it falls around the arena. It’s a true fantasyland as The Dixie Stampede is transformed before your very eyes. Twinkling lights, evergreens, poinsettias, old-fashioned holiday costumes and familiar holiday music make the place come alive.

You’ve probably heard about the Dixie Stampede’s live nativity. It’s a powerful sight to behold. If you’ve ever wondered about the true meaning of Christmas, here’s your answer. You’ll bear witness as the three kings ride atop camels on their way to Bethlehem. Angels ascending from above will leave you in awe as you listen to the songs of the season. Come with an open mind and an open heart and truly be amazed at Dixie Stampede as they celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

And don’t think they’re going to just do a show without a little fun and games sprinkled in. Elves from the North Pole and South Pole compete in a friendly rivalry while serving up a festive four-course feast! Pick your favorite Elf and join in in all the fun. You may even be chosen to take part in the actual show.

Now, don’t you worry because Santa Claus will be there too. Young and old alike await the arrival of Santa at the Dixie Stampede riding in on his sleigh full of toys for good girls and boys. The entire Dixie Stampede cast including 32 horses is waiting to take you on a memorable Christmas adventure complete with the holiday songs you remember growing up.

Be sure to get there early as one hour before the main arena show, the Dixie Belle Saloon is home to some of the best Christmas music just to get everyone in a festive mood. It’s an opening act included in the price of your ticket that you won’t want to miss.

Take in the Dixie Stampede this Christmas a relive the wonder of the holiday season again and again.

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede
3849 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-4400

New Years Eve in Pigeon Forge, or Gatlinburg

There are a couple of options for those of us who will be spending New Years in and around Pigeon Forge, Tn.

If enjoying fireworks is what you’re longing for this New Year’s, trot on over to Gatlinburg for its annual New Year’s Eve festivities downtown. The space needle in the middle of downtown is the place to be around 11 p.m. as many vendors hand out free party favors such as streamers, whistles, hats, and funny glasses to you and thousands of your new, closest friends. The action builds up until midnight when the ball drops at the top of the space needle and fireworks fly into the night as New Years comes alive in Gatlinburg, TN.

If your lucky enough to secure one of the balconies from one of the hotels on the opposite side of the street from the space needle, you’ll be privy to an exceptional fireworks display. There are also some parking garages located nearby that are good viewing spots if you can get up top. In essence, just make sure you can clearly see the top of the space needle and you’ll be fine. Park along River Road or on either end of town if you’re planning on leaving town that night… just stay away from downtown. The closer you are to the space needle, the more likely you’ll stay the night. Besides, that might be more fun anyway!!!

More Gatlinburg info:
Local Phone: (865) 430-4148
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-1817

Have a blast and HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us in Pigeon Forge, TN!

Dollywood’s Christmas On Ice

Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice! is back again this year as a part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, which includes such popular shows as Carol of The Trees, Appalachian Christmas, and The Polar Express 4-D Experience.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas features a dazzling display of over 4 million colorful Christmas lights, holiday shows, and events aimed at highlighting such a magical time in the Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice! presents the Ice Theater of New York, the nation’s premier ice dance ensemble. The cast also includes six singers who perform a variety of Christmas favorites—“Snow,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” and much more.

This festive indoor ice skating production showcases skaters performing daring spins, spirals and fancy footwork in a genuine ice rink that will be created and frozen on the stage of DP’s Celebrity Theatre. With colorful costumes, Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice evokes a magical sense of Christmastime pageantry and celebration.

Smoky Mountain Christmas invites guests to also enjoy more than 20 rides and attractions, from Dollywood’s award-winning Thunderhead and Mystery Mine coasters to Country Fair’s family rides.

Santa and his hardworking elves can be found in Santa’s Workshop until Dec. 23. Stop by and tell him what you really want for Christmas. In Santa’s Workshop, guests also find an incredible display of larger-than-life-sized toys! A very busy guy this time of year, Santa makes his way through the park each evening (weather permitting) in the much-loved Parade of Lights, where brightly colored floats are accompanied by a cast of fun characters. Plus, Aunt Granny’s restaurant hosts daily dining with Coca-Cola Santa through Dec. 23.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park located in Pigeon Forge, Tn at the footsteps of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood itself is open 9 months out of the year from late March through December. The theme park offers guests over 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a number of East Tennessee crafters.

For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.

Mel’s Diner

For some of you, Mel’s Diner in Pigeon Forge is a step back in time to when you were a kid, hanging out after school at the local diner, sipping sodas, eating a banana split, and listening to classic tunes from the Beatles, Elvis, and The Temptations. You’ll find that not much has changed here.

Located just off the Parkway on Wears Valley Road, Mel’s Diner is wonderful place to grab a bite to eat in the heart of Pigeon Forge. Start off with Mel’s breakfast which features eggs any way you like them and whatever side your stomach craves – sausage, ham, steak. They also offer a number of delicious omelets, french toast, pancakes, and as many combinations as you could imagine. If you want an omelet, pancakes, and biscuits and gravy, order it up! At Mel’s, they’ll do whatever it takes to please their customers.

If you’re planning on sticking around for lunch and dinner, they feature some of the best burgers and hot dogs around. From Cajun to chili to mushroom burgers and everything in between, their burgers are juicy and made to your specifications. One the hot dog front, Wayne’s Foot Long Doggie is just what the name implies – a foot long hot dog covered in chili, slaw, cheese, whatever toppings you prefer. If it’s a sandwich that you prefer, just not a burger, try Pam’s Patty Melt, or Matt’s Meatloaf Sandwich, they’re mouth-watering.

For dinner, Smoky’s Pulled Pork BBQ and Miss Stella’s Country Fried Steak are two personal favorites. You really can’t go wrong with either. You really can’t go wrong with Sudlows Homemade Meatloaf either. Each dinner comes with your choice of two sides and Texas toast.

Now that you’ve polished off lunch and dinner, don’t leave without ordering one of Mel’s famous sundaes from the desert menu. Between the milkshakes, cobblers, and various cakes, it can be a pretty tough decision. Just know that whichever you choose, it’ll be oh-so good! Check out Mel’s Diner next time you’re in Pigeon Forge and let us know how it was.

Mel’s Diner
119 Wears Valley Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 429-2184

Hollywood Wax Museum

Come Play With the Stars!

Talk about a building that is hard to miss!  The Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge is one of the most decorated and one of the newest buildings on the Parkway and it is also one of the easiest to find.  Look for King Kong climbing on the outside of the building and you will know that you have arrived, that you are there to see wax versions of some of your favorite celebrities and what’s more – you get to get in the picture with them.  You can stand up close and take a picture that you can then make your friends jealous with.

The Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge is new.  This business used to be located in Gatlinburg, but they have relocated to the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.  They are in the same building that used to house the Dinosaur Walk Museum but all semblance of that building is gone and the building itself is where the fun starts.  The front of the venue is a throwback to the days of yore and Mount Rushmore with faces from Hollywood’s past decorating one side and of course King Kong climbing it from the back.  But if you think all the fun is on the outside, you are wrong.  Step through the door and make sure you brought a camera.

Here is the difference with the Hollywood Wax Museum and some other wax museums.  In the Hollywood Wax Museum, you can get right up next tot he wax figure.  You can step into the scene with your favorite celebrity.  You can get your picture taken with the celebrity of your choice and take that picture home with you, post it on Facebook, whatever, the folks at this wax museum don’t care. They have employees that go around to the exhibits to make sure that they look great and that each figure is ready for its next closeup.  And if you think you messed up one of the figures hair or their clothes, just let someone know and they will have someone run by and give that exhibit a touch up.

Here are some of the figures that you will get to see at the Hollywood Wax Museum:

  • Charlie Chaplin
  • Bradley Cooper
  • Anne Hathaway
  • Marilyn Monroe
  • Brad Pitt
  • Natalie Portman
  • Elvis Presley
  • John Wayne
Like I said, bring a camera.  Line your kids up with their favorite star.  Get into the action yourself.  Strike a pose with a celebrity, all be it a wax one and have a good time hamming it up for the camera.  Let the Hollywood Wax Museum get you into the scene.

Hollywood Wax Museum
106 Showplace Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-428-5228
http://www.hollywoodwaxmuseum.com/pigeonforge/

Christmas at the Lumberjack Feud

Hilarity ensues when you combine elves and lumberjacks in Pigeon Forge’s Lumberjack Feud Christmas show. Not only do these little holidays helpers and the lumberjacks get involved in the act, the dogs do too. It’s an entirely new show just in time for the Christmas season.

This year there are two ways to enjoy the Lumberjack Feud’s Christmas Show: you can buy tickets to the dinner and the show, or you can buy tickets to the show only and kids tickets are only $9.95! And it all takes place in a new state-of-the-art theater built specifically for lumberjack events, with stadium-style seating, and concession stands throughout.

Located on the parkway in Pigeon Forge between traffic lights 3 and 4, guests are treated to the best in lumberjacking with a Christmas twist including the hot saw, cross-cut saw pull, log rolling, the standing chop, and all the comedy, animal acts including timber dogs and horses. Add to that, if you decide to purchase the dinner to go along with the show, you get a lumberjack-style picnic dinner of slow roasted pork loin, gravy, cornbread dressing, mesquite chicken breast, mac & cheese, green beans, rolls and some oh-so-good Smoky Mountain blueberry cobbler. Makes you almost want to take in a show right now just to get a piece of that cobbler.

Tickets to watch the lumberjack action and their special Christmas show are as follows:

Premium Dinner and Show Seating (Rows 1-2)

$47.95 Adult plus tax

$24.95 Child (3-11) plus tax

Children 2 and under are FREE

_____

Dinner and Show Seating

$42.95 Adult plus tax

$19.95 Child (3-11) plus tax

Children 2 and under are FREE

_____

Show Only Seating

$29.95 Adult plus tax

$9.95 Child (3-11) plus tax

Children 2 and under are FREE

Lumberjack Feud
2713 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Local: (865) 428-8688
Toll Free: 855-BIG-FEUD (855-244-3383)

Dollywood’s Adventure Mountain

America’s Largest Challenge Course

In 2010, Dollywood took adventure and their attractions in an entirely different direction when it opened Adventure Mountain.  Adventure Mountain is part ropes course, part obstacle course with three different course and varying degrees of difficulty.  It is one of the few attractions in Dollywood that is different each and every time you go through the course, choosing your path depending on if you think you are up to the challenge.

Here is the basic idea behind Adventure Mountain.  You step into line, you get fitted for a harness, this harness has a lead rope that will be hooked into the rail system that runs over all of the course, you then get to pick your course and you slide the rope along with you.  The rope and harness keep you safe and makes choosing the harder challenges much easier – because you know that you are safe and secure.  As you walk through each course, you will find that there is always a sturdy, though narrow walkway that is fixed and un-moving – this is for the less-adventurous out there.  But you can also choose the more difficult way to cross that section of the course.  This might be on lilypad like steps that are suspended in the air with no handrail, tires that you have to step across or a tightrope like walk from one side of a ledge to another.  But remember that you are always securely tethered to the course itself.

Adventure Mountain is divided into three distinct courses.  From easy to expert, the challenges that you face not only get more difficult, but they also go higher up the side of the valley in which Dollywood resides.

Courses

  • Geyser Gorge – This is the lowest portion of Adventure Mountain.  This is a great place to start, and it is also a good place to get your feet wet… literally.  One of the main features of this particular course is a geyser that goes off periodically as you try to traverse the gorge.  Imagine, you are walking along a narrow pathway, and all of sudden you get drenched with gallons of water.  This is the easiest course of the three and has the least climb in elevation.
  • Black Bear Cliff – This is the mid range course.  Set between Geyser Gorge and Rocky Top Trail, this course has, as its main feature, a vertigo inducing cliff that you can choose to surmount to get to the next portion of the course.  Remember that you are always in complete safety but, you can choose the easier route as well if the idea of the ledge is a little too much for you.
  • Rocky Top Trail – This is the expert trail.  You are are literally 90 feet above the ground, walking along shaky rope bridges, attached to the steel structure of Adventure Mountain.  Not for the faint of heart but the view from the top is out of this world so it is recommended to give it a try.

Adventure Mountain is a great stop during your day at Dollywood.  Turn the kids loose, knowing that they are in one area and that they are completely secured the entire time.  Or maybe you attempt to take on the tallest trail as a family, cheering each other on as you climb higher and higher.  Spend 15 minutes or spend hours as you explore all three of the courses and get your heart rate up as you take on Adventure Mountain.