Trip Report Readers Chick Chat and Guy Gabbing Thread!

[Tuvalu]

Then we drove to the reason for the trip. We arrived around 1:30. Dollywood hours were 11am-9pm.

The parking lot is huge - like Disney’s - but Dollywood has compassion on its guests and provides TRAMS!!!



Trams (with comfortable, individual seats not benches) that are so quiet in comparison to WDW’s.

Security was a breeze (same scanners as Disney) and we walked right up to a team member at the entrance who scanned our tickets and we were in!



The selfie is off-center because there was a photo spot for a Dollywood photographer in front. (The people behind us are standing in it.)

It was at this moment that Em and I felt like complete newbies. We didn’t know where to go first, where attractions were located, where the restrooms were….everything we know at WDW we were clueless about here. Our pre-trip research was minimal, since we had heard Dollywood is a laid-back, go with the flow park.

An anti-WDW, if you will.

We began by taking in the Christmas.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em noticed a coaster and pointed it out to me.

“Noticed a coaster” may sound funny, since coasters are typically behemoth in size, but with Dollywood being ON A MOUNTAIN (another surprise for us, we expected it would be in a valley ) surrounded by trees, ride tracks are not easily seen.

“This one has an accelerated launch like Rock ‘n Roller Coaster,” she said. We watched the launch of one of the trains.



“I can do an accelerated launch,” I said to Em. “As long as the coaster doesn’t go upside down, I’m game.”

We climbed the stairs to the loading platform.

We had no idea what we were in for and we were laughing in ignorance.

The launch (zero to 45 mph up a lift hill more than 20 stories tall) was exhilarating. The initial drop was short due to the twin summit airtime hills. (Train circled in red)



Then came the surprise. We went down a 165 ft drop and were propelled along 3,800 feet of track at a top speed of 73 mph! This coaster was waayyy longer - and waayyy more intense- than we expected!

We hadn’t seen this portion of the coaster when we entered the queue.



It wasn’t until we got off the coaster that we realized we had ridden Lightning Rod - at one time the world’s fastest wooden roller coaster.

What a way for two usually non-thrill riders to begin their park visit!

 

[Tuvalu]

We needed something calmer next.

Which happened to be something we had not done in an amusement park (looking at you, MK!) in 4 years.







A moving park bench!



The selfie was for Woody, of course.



We climbed the mountain on this (stinky)
locomotive….





….and were covered in coal ash when the ride was through.

We did not ride it again.

 

[Tuvalu]

We looked but never found this.



Something you’ll never see at WDW.

 

[Tuvalu]

Lots of hills in Dollywood. Over the two days our legs (thighs and calves especially) got quite the workout! Often it felt like we were always walking uphill!

But there was always a reward for the trek. In this case a charming mountain village.





Which happened to house a kitschy attraction from the 70s.



Forever known to all riders as “Fire in the Hole!”





Yes, these animatronic fireman’s legs moved up and down the pole!





There is no way to accurately describe what this ride is exactly. Part dark ride, part kiddie coaster with a ridiculously campy story.

If you’ve ridden you understand.

We loved it. Did it three times.

 

[Tuvalu]

Everything adorned with holiday lights is illuminated even during daylight hours. While the park shines in a brilliant glow at night, it’s also pretty during the day.





Em had read about Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread and was a must-do for her. The line for bread at the Grist Mill rivaled the line for Jungle Cruise at WDW. Thankfully we discovered the bread is also sold at the bakery at the front of the park.

Where you can also buy this -



I didn’t know cast iron skillets came in XXL!





@LAKid53 are you up for baking one of these apple pie beauties? @Nunu could you eat one?

But we didn’t come for pie.





The cinnamon bread loaf could easily feed a family of 4.

Or 2 junkies with no self control.



We are not proud of this feat. Especially since it was accomplished within a few hours after our Paula Deen’s lunch.

 

[Tuvalu]

I did not take many night photos. I was enjoying just being in the moment. Everything was so beautiful.



We watched the light show on the 50 ft. Christmas tree.







There was plenty of snow snoap.

 

[LAKid53]

Everything adorned with holiday lights is illuminated even during daylight hours. While the park shines in a brilliant glow at night, it’s also pretty during the day.

View attachment 683483

View attachment 683490

Em had read about Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread and was a must-do for her. The line for bread at the Grist Mill rivaled the line for Jungle Cruise at WDW. Thankfully we discovered the bread is also sold at the bakery at the front of the park.

Where you can also buy this -

View attachment 683485

I didn’t know cast iron skillets came in XXL!

View attachment 683484

View attachment 683486

@LAKid53 are you up for baking one of these apple pie beauties? @Nunu could you eat one?

But we didn’t come for pie.

View attachment 683487

View attachment 683488

The cinnamon bread loaf could easily feed a family of 4.

Or 2 junkies with no self control.

View attachment 683489

We are not proud of this feat. Especially since it was accomplished within a few hours after our Paula Deen’s lunch.

I do have a cast iron skillet at the townhouse. Never thought of baking an apple pie in one.

 

[Swissmiss]

I do have a cast iron skillet at the townhouse. Never thought of baking an apple pie in one.

I think that it what is used to make Tarte Tatin

 

[Tuvalu]

Two Noobs in the Wood, con’t

I am so accustomed to advance online check in at Disney resorts that I was worried we might lose our room at Inn on the River if we didn’t check in before dark.

My credit card was on file - which the confirmation email I received said would be charged at 9pm on arrival day - but I didn’t want to risk being charged AND not have a room if we showed up late.

So before going to Paula’s we stopped at the hotel to check in. Which we weren’t allowed to do because our room wasn’t ready.

“Check in is at 4,” we were told. Ok, that’s fine, I didn’t expect our room to be ready. At least the Front Desk knew we were in town and wouldn’t give our room away.

The lobby was lovely.





Imagine my surprise when I received an email AND a panicked voice message at 7 pm asking if we were still coming and wanted our room.

Apparently there was no record of our early arrival.

If only there’d been online check in…..

(For the record we really enjoyed our stay at Inn on the River and would go back in a heartbeat.)

 

[Tuvalu]

On Day 2 we rope dropped Dollywood!



Em wanted to hit a couple coasters first. It was a Saturday and she figured the lines would get long pretty early. (Spoiler alert: waits for the big attractions never exceeded 15 minutes all day. Most rides were walk-ons.)







Can you spot Em waving at me?





Look at that black smoke from the train over the wooden coaster of death. The coaster’s official name is Thunderhead. She passed.



Em also passed on Wild Eagle. You can see it in the background of the picture below.



Dollywood has the largest collection of bald eagles in the world. There were dozens roaming freely in an enclosed area on the hillside near the wild bird exhibit.



Dolly ducks!

 

[Tuvalu]

Dolly ears!

 

[Tuvalu]

The butterfly is to Dollywood as Mickey is to WDW.



The park has several theaters. The DP (get it?) Celebrity Theater is the largest.



The Christmas in the Smokies show is Disney caliber.

“A lot of fluff but it’s fun.”

Seriously though - if you don’t leave the theater with Christmas spirit, you’re a big ol’ grinch!



We left the park before dusk. There was another light display we wanted to see. We knew we wouldn’t have the energy to do both.

 

[93boomer]

On Day 2 we rope dropped Dollywood!

View attachment 683512

Em wanted to hit a couple coasters first. It was a Saturday and she figured the lines would get long pretty early. (Spoiler alert: waits for the big attractions never exceeded 15 minutes all day. Most rides were walk-ons.)

View attachment 683513

View attachment 683514

View attachment 683515

Can you spot Em waving at me?

View attachment 683516

View attachment 683518

Look at that black smoke from the train over the wooden coaster of death. The coaster’s official name is Thunderhead. She passed.

View attachment 683519

Em also passed on Wild Eagle. You can see it in the background of the picture below.

View attachment 683517

Dollywood has the largest collection of bald eagles in the world. There were dozens roaming freely in an enclosed area on the hillside near the wild bird exhibit.

View attachment 683521

Dolly ducks!

View attachment 683520

I am really surprised. I assumed it would be packed all weekend.
Aww how cute she waved.

 

[Tuvalu]

Two Noobs in the Wood, con’t

The annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest Celebration drapes the city in 6 million holiday lights (the same number of lights as Dollywood.) There are illuminated decorations and displays throughout the city. Just driving along the roads is a sight to behold!

Em and I wanted to experience the Wonders of Light walking trail which is adjacent to the river. Here are a few pics from our stroll.















Meanwhile, in another part of the city, King Kong was wreaking havoc.

 

[Tuvalu]

Breakfast the next day was at Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin. There are 3 in the Pigeon Forge area.

There are numerous other pancake places along the main drag (Tennesseans must love their flapjacks like New Yorkers love their pizza) and we were told this place is the best.



It’s a well themed restaurant (like old school Disney) and is literal log cabin on the inside. I wish I had taken a picture. You’ll have to settle for one of Em.



The food was great! The cheesy hash brown casserole was amazing.



We’d been given good advice.

 

[93boomer]

Two Noobs in the Wood, con’t

The annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest Celebration drapes the city in 6 million holiday lights (the same number of lights as Dollywood.) There are illuminated decorations and displays throughout the city. Just driving along the roads is a sight to behold!

Em and I wanted to experience the Wonders of Light walking trail which is adjacent to the river. Here are a few pics from our stroll.

View attachment 683542

View attachment 683539

View attachment 683540

View attachment 683541

View attachment 683543

View attachment 683544

View attachment 683545

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, King Kong was wreaking havoc.

View attachment 683546

I love the trail pictures. So pretty!

 

[Tuvalu]

Two Noobs in the Wood, con’t

Besides Dollywood, Em had one other request for her birthday weekend. She wanted to visit the Titanic museum.

Funny story - while on our way into Pigeon Forge (Em was driving) she remarked, “There’s the Titanic museum.”

I was distracted with my phone and said, “Oh, did we pass it?” (I assumed she had seen a sign or something.)

“Not yet,” she chuckled as she pointed out the windshield.

I looked up and saw this -



Yep, there’s no mistaking the Titanic museum!





The Captain’s hat was a poinsettia planter.



Such detail!





We were given random passenger cards at the start of our tour. We would find out at the end if we survived. This was me.


(Ahhh, to be 48 again!)

Em was a 31 year old woman with TB. Serendipitous because Em just turned 31!

I don’t want to spoil the tour for anyone who may visit, but the displays are very well done with authentic items from the doomed ship. There is a ton of information and a variety of exhibits which cater to both adults and children.
Em and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

Photos are restricted but allowed at the Grand Staircase (from the upper level only.) I’m happy we got to see it adorned for the holidays!







How did our passengers fare?

We both survived. In fact, I lived to be 80-something.

Em, on the other hand, passed 5 years later from the TB.

 

[Tuvalu]

Overall thoughts -

It was wonderful to visit a theme park without any pre-planning and be able to roam free without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

To walk on attractions and pick where we wanted to sit, without being directed to a particular row by a team member. To re-ride with ease.

To not be in a hurry to make it to restaurant for an ADR or to an attraction for a Fastpass.

Dollywood is a quaint park with a charming atmosphere. Each team member we encountered couldn’t have been friendlier. Our only complaint was that it is not a smoke-free park and the designated smoking areas were often ignored.

Truly, Em got Christmas for her birthday.

 

[93boomer]

Overall thoughts -

It was wonderful to visit a theme park without any pre-planning and be able to roam free without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

To walk on attractions and pick where we wanted to sit, without being directed to a particular row by a team member. To re-ride with ease.

To not be in a hurry to make it to restaurant for an ADR or to an attraction for a Fastpass.

Dollywood is a quaint park with a charming atmosphere. Each team member we encountered couldn’t have been friendlier. Our only complaint was that it is not a smoke-free park and the designated smoking areas were often ignored.

Truly, Em got Christmas for her birthday.

I am so glad you liked it. I may have to think about going sometime since we are so close. I definitely want to see the Titanic museum!!