ajrwdwgirl
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Trip Report Readers Chick Chat and Guy Gabbing Thread!
- Thread starter MickeyCB
- Start date
sheriffwoody
Well-Known Member
Just read your Dollywood report @Tuvalu (and found this thread!), and I felt the same after our visit this summer. We were only there half a day, but it was such a breath of fresh air! We're not as close as y'all are, but I do think we might visit more often. I somehow made it 34 years as a Tennessean without ever going, so I need to make up for it!
Tuvalu
Premium Member
It is single ticket entry. We purchased a two day ticket. Em figured out that the cost of the lowest level season pass is cheaper than a three day ticket. Season pass offers discounts on parking (currently $25/day), merchandise and food.
Dollywood also has a “skip the line” Timesaver pass. For everyone complaining about the price of Genie+, a Dollywood 8 ride Timesaver is $60/person; unlimited Timesaver is $80/person.
The lines would have to get really long in summer to fork over that much cash!
I appreciate your research on all of our behalfs, and I enjoyed the photos of your excursion to Dollywood.
If you drive enough traffic to the park, Dolly might have to recognize you!
LeighM
Well-Known Member
Loco_driver
Well-Known Member
@Tuvalu , did we take the same trip?! 
Fun fact, Branson, MO is a very very similar place to Pigeon Forge. We also ate at Paula’s place. Chicken, ribs, pot roast(the only disappointment), greens, potatoes, Mac and cheese, and the star of the show is the yams! A true symphony of butter and carbs. We got out of there for less than $60!
The shopping center where Paula’s restaurant is has a very popular water show attraction, sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Silver Dollar City in Branson was opened by the Herschend family as an attraction on top of an attraction known as marvel cave.
The family would go on to purchase an attraction in pigeon forge and make it a second location. Hence the extreme similarities in the two parks. Dolly and herschend jointly own Dollywood(Dolly baught a stake in the TN park in the 1980s).
They cover the park in over 6 million lights for Christmas(surprise surprise).
And they feature shows that are IMO way better than most shows offered at WDW. Branson is known for its musical shows so there are a plethora of talented musicians in the area. Not pictured, but the Dickens Christmas Carol show was the real standout show.
Look they even have a night parade! It’s not on par with a Disney parade, but we also didn’t have to stand around waiting for a spot!
Also not pictured was our full loaf of cinnamon bread that we demolished! The night we visited the temps plunged well below freezing(19 degrees!), so we didn’t get the chance to ride our beloved fire in the hole. It shuts down if temps fall below below 32 degrees. General parking at silver dollar city is free. You can pay to park closer to the front, but they have those really nice teams running nonstop!
Loved your pics of Dollywood and happy belated birthday to Em!
Fun fact, Branson, MO is a very very similar place to Pigeon Forge. We also ate at Paula’s place. Chicken, ribs, pot roast(the only disappointment), greens, potatoes, Mac and cheese, and the star of the show is the yams! A true symphony of butter and carbs. We got out of there for less than $60!
The shopping center where Paula’s restaurant is has a very popular water show attraction, sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Silver Dollar City in Branson was opened by the Herschend family as an attraction on top of an attraction known as marvel cave.
The family would go on to purchase an attraction in pigeon forge and make it a second location. Hence the extreme similarities in the two parks. Dolly and herschend jointly own Dollywood(Dolly baught a stake in the TN park in the 1980s).
They cover the park in over 6 million lights for Christmas(surprise surprise).
And they feature shows that are IMO way better than most shows offered at WDW. Branson is known for its musical shows so there are a plethora of talented musicians in the area. Not pictured, but the Dickens Christmas Carol show was the real standout show.
Look they even have a night parade! It’s not on par with a Disney parade, but we also didn’t have to stand around waiting for a spot!
Also not pictured was our full loaf of cinnamon bread that we demolished! The night we visited the temps plunged well below freezing(19 degrees!), so we didn’t get the chance to ride our beloved fire in the hole. It shuts down if temps fall below below 32 degrees. General parking at silver dollar city is free. You can pay to park closer to the front, but they have those really nice teams running nonstop!
Loved your pics of Dollywood and happy belated birthday to Em!
Tiggertoo56
Well-Known Member
@Tuvalu- apologies for the influx of likes from me, but just read your TR from Dollywood etc and it makes me want to visit 
However tha may be an issue coming from the UK and only travelling to the US every 3-4 years for WDW. I'm glad Em enjoyed her birthday trip too. Looks like you had a brilliant time.
However tha may be an issue coming from the UK and only travelling to the US every 3-4 years for WDW. I'm glad Em enjoyed her birthday trip too. Looks like you had a brilliant time.
cgersic
Well-Known Member
Loved this!!! Thanks for taking the time to share it and what a nice, refreshing was to spend some time in park. Happy belated birthday to Em and Merry Christmas to you and the entire Tuvalu family!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.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
@Tuvalu- apologies for the influx of likes from me, but just read your TR from Dollywood etc and it makes me want to visit
kbarry117
Well-Known Member
I think we took the same trip! My husband and I were just in Branson a couple of weeks ago to see all of the lights! And of course Cinnamon Bread!@Tuvalu , did we take the same trip?!
Fun fact, Branson, MO is a very very similar place to Pigeon Forge. We also ate at Paula’s place. Chicken, ribs, pot roast(the only disappointment), greens, potatoes, Mac and cheese, and the star of the show is the yams! A true symphony of butter and carbs. We got out of there for less than $60!
View attachment 683593
The shopping center where Paula’s restaurant is has a very popular water show attraction, sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Silver Dollar City in Branson was opened by the Herschend family as an attraction on top of an attraction known as marvel cave.
View attachment 683594
The family would go on to purchase an attraction in pigeon forge and make it a second location. Hence the extreme similarities in the two parks. Dolly and herschend jointly own Dollywood(Dolly baught a stake in the TN park in the 1980s).
They cover the park in over 6 million lights for Christmas(surprise surprise).
View attachment 683595
View attachment 683600
And they feature shows that are IMO way better than most shows offered at WDW. Branson is known for its musical shows so there are a plethora of talented musicians in the area. Not pictured, but the Dickens Christmas Carol show was the real standout show.
View attachment 683596
Look they even have a night parade! It’s not on par with a Disney parade, but we also didn’t have to stand around waiting for a spot!
View attachment 683598
View attachment 683597
View attachment 683599
Also not pictured was our full loaf of cinnamon bread that we demolished! The night we visited the temps plunged well below freezing(19 degrees!), so we didn’t get the chance to ride our beloved fire in the hole. It shuts down if temps fall below below 32 degrees. General parking at silver dollar city is free. You can pay to park closer to the front, but they have those really nice teams running nonstop!
Loved your pics of Dollywood and happy belated birthday to Em!
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Breath of fresh air is a perfect description! There are so many attractions for the littles (was LP with you?) that Em and I remarked how fun it would be to take a trip with the Tuvas.
Don’t be ashamed that it took you so long to visit. I’ve yet to go to the GA Aquarium, which has been open for 17 years! (Yet have been to the TN Aquarium several times.)
Thanks andI appreciate your research on all of our behalfs, and I enjoyed the photos of your excursion to Dollywood.
If you drive enough traffic to the park, Dolly might have to recognize you!
!To you, too!!Loved this!!! Thanks for taking the time to share it and what a nice, refreshing was to spend some time in park. Happy belated birthday to Em and Merry Christmas to you and the entire Tuvalu family!
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Silver Dollar City also owned our local water park (White Water) until Six Flags acquired it (and went downhill.@Tuvalu , did we take the same trip?!
Fun fact, Branson, MO is a very very similar place to Pigeon Forge. We also ate at Paula’s place. Chicken, ribs, pot roast(the only disappointment), greens, potatoes, Mac and cheese, and the star of the show is the yams! A true symphony of butter and carbs. We got out of there for less than $60!
View attachment 683593
The shopping center where Paula’s restaurant is has a very popular water show attraction, sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Silver Dollar City in Branson was opened by the Herschend family as an attraction on top of an attraction known as marvel cave.
View attachment 683594
The family would go on to purchase an attraction in pigeon forge and make it a second location. Hence the extreme similarities in the two parks. Dolly and herschend jointly own Dollywood(Dolly baught a stake in the TN park in the 1980s).
They cover the park in over 6 million lights for Christmas(surprise surprise).
View attachment 683595
View attachment 683600
And they feature shows that are IMO way better than most shows offered at WDW. Branson is known for its musical shows so there are a plethora of talented musicians in the area. Not pictured, but the Dickens Christmas Carol show was the real standout show.
View attachment 683596
Look they even have a night parade! It’s not on par with a Disney parade, but we also didn’t have to stand around waiting for a spot!
View attachment 683598
View attachment 683597
View attachment 683599
Also not pictured was our full loaf of cinnamon bread that we demolished! The night we visited the temps plunged well below freezing(19 degrees!), so we didn’t get the chance to ride our beloved fire in the hole. It shuts down if temps fall below below 32 degrees. General parking at silver dollar city is free. You can pay to park closer to the front, but they have those really nice teams running nonstop!
Loved your pics of Dollywood and happy belated birthday to Em!
)Sorry (but glad to know) Paula’s pot roast was disappointing, as we almost ordered that instead of the yummy chicken and dumplings. Neither yams nor ribs were on the menu, but the price point was exactly the same!
Fire in the hole at Dollywood is all indoors. But a couple outdoor coasters had a delayed opening until the temperature was right.
Loved your pics of the parade, that would have been fun to see!
And you and @kbarry117 could have had a Magician meet in Branson!
Loco_driver
Well-Known Member
The one at silver dollar city is also entirety indoors. I’m not sure why they have a temperature restriction. There is a “splash” ending but it doesn’t really get anyone wet.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Oh there’s no splash in Dollywood. Lots of smoke though.The one at silver dollar city is also entirety indoors. I’m not sure why they have a temperature restriction. There is a “splash” ending but it doesn’t really get anyone wet.
Loco_driver
Well-Known Member
I’m guessing by the short sleeves that we weren’t there on the same night(Sunday before thanksgiving)!
kbarry117
Well-Known Member
Hahaha no I don't think so. We were there on Thursday Nov 10. It was unusually warm that day and super crowded!
sheriffwoody
Well-Known Member
Yes she was! It was supposed to be the three of us, but my husband ended up having to skip the whole trip with HIS FAMILY! haha. So me and my sister-in-law took our (still free) 3-year-olds. We all loved it. The only reason we left mid-day is that it was raining. I absolutely want to take LP back and enjoy the parts of the park we missed.
Funny enough, I've been to the aquarium in Atlanta, but not in Chattanooga
Going to remedy that next fall.