Heading to Dollywood in April...

[Todd H]

Couldn't afford Disney this year so we're going to take a quick trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We've been before and really enjoyed Dollywood. Lots of nice coasters and other attractions. Really want to check out their new coaster Wild Eagle. Looks fun.

 

[Steve-B]

My wife and I are currently planning a trip to that area (along with our daughter and son-in-law) for August. She's wanted to go there for a very long time and we even had hotel reservations in place last year - but then all the flooding happened and she was scared to cross bridges between here and there, so the trip got cancelled. This time, gas prices may do us in.

 

[Todd H]

My wife and I are currently planning a trip to that area (along with our daughter and son-in-law) for August. She's wanted to go there for a very long time and we even had hotel reservations in place last year - but then all the flooding happened and she was scared to cross bridges between here and there, so the trip got cancelled. This time, gas prices may do us in.

Yeah not looking forward to paying for gas for that trip.

If you do go, make sure to visit Cades Cove. It's a beautiful valley with fantastic scenery. Lots of wildlife and great opportunities for pictures.

 

[wdwmagic]

Couldn't afford Disney this year so we're going to take a quick trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We've been before and really enjoyed Dollywood. Lots of nice coasters and other attractions. Really want to check out their new coaster Wild Eagle. Looks fun.

Post some pics when you get back

 

[popsicletrees]

We live about an hour and a half away from there. It is a nice place to get away to for a quick trip. I didn't even know that they were building a new coaster there. That may call for a visit this spring. The Barnstormer was new when we went last year, and it was so much fun! I'm definitely glad to see this place continue to grow and evolve throughout the years.

 

[prberk]

Yeah, and Dolly and her friends continue to invest. They just announced a partnership between the Dollywood folks and the Opryland people to have them build a water and snow park next to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Not exactly on the old Opryland site (now a mall), but across the street.

Never been to Dollywood itself, but lots to do in Pigeon Forge.

Do you like country music?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Great place to visit. We went three summers ago. Kids loved it and still talk about going back.

 

[Todd H]

Post some pics when you get back

Will do.

Yeah, and Dolly and her friends continue to invest. They just announced a partnership between the Dollywood folks and the Opryland people to have them build a water and snow park next to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Not exactly on the old Opryland site (now a mall), but across the street.

Never been to Dollywood itself, but lots to do in Pigeon Forge.

Do you like country music?

I don't but my Mom does. This is more of a trip for her.

It's a nice area to spend a few days. Plus the drive through the mountains on the way is superb.

 

[unkadug]

Yeah, and Dolly and her friends continue to invest. They just announced a partnership between the Dollywood folks and the Opryland people to have them build a water and snow park next to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Not exactly on the old Opryland site (now a mall), but across the street.

Never been to Dollywood itself, but lots to do in Pigeon Forge.

Do you like country music?

I never did understand why they tore down Opryland to build a mall...It seems like the mall could have gone elsewhere instead of right on the banks of the Cumberland River. :shrug:

Last time I went to Dollywood it was called Goldrush Junction! :lookaroun :lol:

 

[popsicletrees]

I never did understand why they tore down Opryland to build a mall...It seems like the mall could have gone elsewhere instead of right on the banks of the Cumberland River. :shrug:

Last time I went to Dollywood it was called Goldrush Junction! :lookaroun :lol:

And they are paying for that now! It was sad walking from the mall to the hotel and seeing parts of an old water ride there.

 

[unkadug]

And they are paying for that now! It was sad walking from the mall to the hotel and seeing parts of an old water ride there.

I'd like to see a picture of that.

 

[Lee]

Love me some Dollywood! Mystery Mine is one of may all time favorites.

Actually, Dollywood will soon be the park closest to my home. Probably still go to WDW more...:lol:

 

[R W B]

Never been but I would really like to go. My g/f has been to the area a few times already and wants to go back. I think I would love the scenery there.

 

[Todd H]

Love me some Dollywood! Mystery Mine is one of may all time favorites.

Actually, Dollywood will soon be the park closest to my home. Probably still go to WDW more...:lol:

Mystery Mine is awesome! The new coaster opens in less than a month and looks like it's going to be a great ride as well.

 

[prberk]

And they are paying for that now! It was sad walking from the mall to the hotel and seeing parts of an old water ride there.

I cannot agree more. Gaylord (Opryland and Opry owner) even acknowledged so in interviews about the new association with Dollywood for the water park. He said that it was a mistake to have closed Opryland. Now they are trying to build an entertainment complex of some sort diagonally across Briley Parkway from their hotel and the Opry, starting with this water/snow park.

But in the meantime, the Opry Mills mall is only NOW reopening after the flood that took place in May 2010!! And while insurance was involved, I understand that some of that had to do with its mediocre performance as a mall. (The mall owner did not make it a priority to get through the red tape and re-open sooner.)

But Gaylord sold their interest.

I was wishing that after the flood and the problems with the mall they would simply make an offer to re-acquire it and re-build Opryland. Even, perhaps with Bass Pro (which did re-open on their own) as a partner.

Anyhow, it didn't happen. And I really agree that it was a stupid decision for the Opry and Nashville as a whole.

Opryland was wonderful and fun. And could be again! Before Gaylord took apart the empire that they had, they were almost being more Disney than Disney: they had a theme park, a hotel, and a television network (TNN) that cross-promoted like crazy. Then they took it all apart...

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

I'm thinking about going this month when it opens. Living in the county, we get "Sevier Count Days" and get in for $5. It's a nice park, but I wouldn't pay full price for it. I've lived here 2.5 years and live 10 minutes away and have only been I think 3 times. It's a beautiful park and I'm glad to see new rides being built.

Having said that, you're going to love the area! I'm proud to call it home, as much as I miss living in Orlando!

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

Love me some Dollywood! Mystery Mine is one of may all time favorites.

Actually, Dollywood will soon be the park closest to my home. Probably still go to WDW more...:lol:

Where abouts are you moving to Lee? May have to do a meet-up sometime.

 

[Lee]

Where abouts are you moving to Lee? May have to do a meet-up sometime.

Returning to the land of my birth, waaaaaayy over at the other end of the state.
Not close to Dollywood, really....but closer to it than any other park.
(Except for Six-Flags St. Louis, but I haven't done the math.)

 

[Todd H]

The tornado outbreak from a few days ago worried me. Had a tornado-warned cell pass right through the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Luckily I haven't heard of any damage in the area.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

The tornado outbreak from a few days ago worried me. Had a tornado-warned cell pass right through the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Luckily I haven't heard of any damage in the area.

Thankfully it never touched down, only stayed as a funnel. Went right over my work and just missed my house. No damage to the area.

Dollywood opens to the public tomorrow. Passholder day was today and my family/friends went to it today to ride Wild Eagle. No word on how it was though yet.