Ultimate Guide to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

We recently visited Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. And, let me tell you, it was the highlight of our trip to The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We rode exciting roller coasters, saw fabulous shows, and ate some delicious food! Dollywood is a great place to take the whole family. There’s something for everyone!

Don’t just take my word for it – Trip advisor named Dollywood the #1 Theme Park In The United States in 2022. The park also won America’s Most Beautiful Park Golden Ticket Award in 2021.

If you’re planning a trip to the Smokies and are thinking about visiting Dollywood- here are a few things you need to know:

Parking

Standard parking at Dollywood costs $22.80 per vehicle. Oversized trailers and RVs are $27.35. Preferred parking is also available at $41.00 per vehicle. Preferred parking is closer to the park entrance, with no tram rides. Parking is free for Gold Season Pass holders.

If you’re not sure about where to go, just follow the butterfly path to the closest tram stop. From there, you can ride the tram to the front of the park.

Passes

Passes to Dollywood include admission to the theme park only. You will need separate passes if you plan on also visiting Dollywood’s Splash Country Waterpark. You can purchase multi-day and combo park passes that will allow you to visit both parks. It’s recommended that you buy tickets in advance. Be sure and check the park calendar – the park season is usually open from March – December.

You can also purchase a Timesaver Pass which allows you to jump to the front of the line on 8 rides. Or, you can get the Timesaver Unlimited – go to the front of the line at all participating rides and shows (see the link below for more details). You can also pre-pay for parking. We did this and it was so easy and convenient. They just scan your parking ticket and then head on in!

• Tickets to Dollywood HERE
• Dollywood Season Passes HERE
• Multi-Park Tickets (Dollywood & Splash Country)
• Timesaver Pass HERE
• Pre-pay for Dollywood Parking HERE
• Military Discount

Things to Know

• Caffeine Fix -Okay, so if you’re like me and you need caffeine to survive a day at a theme park with your kiddos, listen up. As soon as you enter the park, you can make your way right. If you want good coffee, Spotlight Bakery offers Starbucks. And, the Sweet Shoppe serves REAL sweet (and unsweet) tea. It’s not lemon and tea flavored water, it’s REAL tea – you Southerners know what I’m talking about. The tea at the Front Porch is really good also. If you’re in Wilderness Pass, Splinter’s Funnel Cakes offers fresh-brewed Pike Place coffee (and flavors). Market Place Big Skillet also serves coffee.
• Take the Easy Route – When you enter the park, the older kiddos will want to run left to all the thrill rides. But, let me tell ya, this route takes you on an incline. If you venture to the right first, the walk is easier and the walk from the thrill rides back to the entrance/exit is downhill.
• Renting Lockers – You have two choices for renting lockers – All Day Lockers and Floating Lockers (and they are all first come, first serve). All-day lockers are located at the Front Gate for only $15 for the day. There are also Floating Lockers available throughout the park. These locker rentals are available at Wild Eagle, Mystery Mine, FireChaser Express, Daredevil Falls, Barnstormer, River Rampage, Tennessee Tornado, Country Fair, and Lightning Rod. These lockers cost $10 for the day and you can “float” from locker to locker (at each ride) for only $10.
• Rainy Days – If your day gets cut short by the rain, you can ask for a rain check at Ticket Annex, Guest Services, or any one-day ticket window. The Rain Checks are valid until the end of the season. If you see rain showers in the forecast, you can bring your own ponchos or purchase them at the park. We actually had a thunderstorm mid-day while we were visiting. Instead of leaving the park, we ate at Red’s Diner – charging our phones here – and watched Dreamland Drive-In. The storm passed but it was still drizzling. The rides re-opened so we bought a few ponchos at Hi-Octane Ride Souvenirs and rode roller coasters – with little to NO wait!

The Park

Dollywood is beautiful!! The park is made up of 11 themed areas – each one with its own shows, rides, and restaurants.

 11 themed areas:

• Show Street – Front Porch Café, Showstreet Frozen Lemonade, Showstreet Ice Cream, Showstreet Snacks, Spotlight Bakery, Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen, DP’s Celebrity Theater, Lost & Found and Doggywood, Market Square Stage, Ride Accessibility Center, Ride Measuring Center, Showstreet Gazebo, Showstreet Palace Theater, Stroller/ECV/Wheelchair Rentals, Dollywood Emporium, Flashbulb Photos, Gazebo Gifts, Package Pick-up, Traditions, Wired Up Names
• Rivertown Junction – Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, Country Cookers – Kettle Korn, Crossroads Funnel Cakes, Dogs N Taters, Market Square BIG SKILLET, Back Porch Theater, Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home, Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Mountain Blown Glass, Mountain Laurel Home, Rivertown Christmas Cottage
• Craftsman’s Valley – Blazing Fury, Calico Falls Schoolhouse, Daredevil Falls, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, Robert F. Thomas Chapel, Tennessee Tornado, Valley Theater, Wings of America Theater, Airbrush T-Shirts, Caricatures & Portraits, Hillside General Store, Lucky 7 Mine & Pick-A-Pearl, Old Flames Candles, Smoky Creek Leather, Tin Sign Shoppe, Valley Forge Blacksmith, Valley Wood Carvers, Food Truck Park, Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans, Grist Mill & Cinnamon Bread, Hickory House BBQ, Mr. Jerry’s Sit-N-Sip Refreshments, Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner, Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse, Pork Rinds, Tennessee Tornado Dippin’ Dots
• The Village – Iron Horse Pizza, Paw-Paw’s Roadside Market, Dollywood Express Train Depot, Heartsong™ Theater, Village Carousel, Village Depot Stage, Temple’s Mercantile
• Country Fair – Blue Ribbon Cones, Grandstand Café, Midway Market, Busy Bees, Blue Ribbon Picnic Pavilion, Celebration Hall Picnic Pavilion, Demolition Derby, Dizzy Disk, Lemon Twist, Lucky Ducky, Piggy Parade, Shooting Star, Sky Rider, The Amazing Flying Elephants, The Scrambler, The Waltzing Swinger
• Timber Canyon – Lumber Jack’s Pizza, Drop Line, Lumberjack Lifts, Lumberjack Jam Band, Mystery Mine, Thunderhead, Whistle Punk Chaser, The Mine Shaft, Wired Up Names, Drop Line Dippin’ Dots
• Wilderness Pass – SkyView Snacks, Splinter’s Funnel Cakes, The Dog House, FireChaser Express, Firehouse Fun Yard, The Plaza at Wilderness Pass, Wild Eagle, Eagle’s Flight Outfitters, Handsville Wax Company, Volunteer Supply
• Jukebox Junction – Red’s Drive-in, Lightning Rod, Pines Theater, Rockin’ Roadway, Hi-Octane Ride Souvenirs, Jukebox Junction Dippin Dots
• Owens Farm -Barnstormer, Granny’s Garden, Lil’ Pilots Playground, Grist Mill & Cinnamon Bread
• Adventures in Imagination – Dolly’s Closet, Chasing Rainbows, Dolly’s Home-on-Wheels, Dreamsong Theater, TimeSaver Reservation Cente
• Wildwood Grove – Black Bear Trail, Dragonflier, Frogs & Fireflies, Great Tree Swing, Hidden Hollow, The Mad Mockingbird, The Wildwood Tree, Treetop Tower, Wildwood Creek, Mountain Grove Merchants, Sweets and Treats, Till & Harvest Food Hall, Wildwood Grove Dippin’ Dots
• Back Porch Theater, Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home, Smoky Mountain River Rampage, Mountain Blown Glass, Mountain Laurel Home, Rivertown Christmas Cottage, Aunt Granny’s Restaurant, Country Cookers – Kettle Korn

Rides

Water Rides

• Smoky Mountain River Rampage – We really enjoyed this easy-going river raft ride. You will get wet…actually, you will probably get SOAKED.
• Daredevil Falls – This is a log-flume-style water ride.

Family-Friendly Rides

• FireChaser Express – The first dual-launch family coaster in the country. It sends riders forward and backward!
• Tree Top Swing- Swing back and forth in this boat-shaped swing in Wildwood Grove.
• Train- One of the highlights of our visit to Dollywood was riding the 110-ton coal-fired steam engine train. It took about 20 minutes to load the train with passengers and the ride itself lasted about 20 minutes. This is a great way to see the whole park and I bet it is a gorgeous ride in the fall. It’s also a beautiful ride during the holiday season when the park is all lit up. I suggest wearing sunglasses because this is a REAL train and cinders can get on your skin, even your eyes. Also, like a real train, it blows a very loud whistle. It was cool but might bother those with sensory issues.

Areas & Rides for Young Ones

Young kiddos -who love rides but are not ready for the big thrill rides and roller coasters- will love the Country Fair area. Here, they’ll find swings, bumper cars, flying elephants, and more fun rides.

There are also areas for small children to play, splash pads, and even lumberjack lifts! Check out Owen’s Farm for the Lil’ Pilots Playground and Firehouse Funyard at Wilderness Pass. Kids will also love “driving” a car at Rockin’ Roadway at Jukebox Junction. See the Dollywood Park Map HERE to find the best spots for little ones.

Thrill Rides

My personal favorites? Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle. Most Intense? Dragon Flier and Mystery Mine

• Mystery Mine – This steel roller coaster is themed to look like an abandoned coal mine. There are sharp turns, steep drops, and even a 95-degree, 85-foot plunge into darkness.
• Tennessee Tornado -With 3 spirals and a 128-foot drop through an actual mountain going almost 70 mph, you will feel like you’re in a (very fun) tornado.
• Thunderhead – This wooden roller coaster features a 100-foot drop and reaches a top speed of 55 mph.
• Dragon Flier – Located in Wildwood Grove, this ride makes you feel like you’re flying through the air like a dragonfly. This is my 12-year-old son’s favorite ride.
• Lightning Rod – Located in Jukebox Junction, this ride was named one of the top 10 best roller coasters in the country. I really liked this roller coaster. We took off immediately going from zero to 45 mph more than 20 stories. And, it only got more exciting from there. This ride offers a single-rider line which is nice.
• Wild Eagle – This is my favorite ride at Dollywood. It’s very exhilarating and you really feel like an eagle soaring through the mountains. The views from this ride are amazing!

Shows

• Dreamland Drive-In – Located at Pines Theater, this show features songs from the late ’50s and the ’60s, USA Today named this show the 2nd best theme park show in the USA. I have to admit that it was very good and our entire family enjoyed it very much. It’s very uplifting and heartwarming and lasts about n hour. If you see one show at Dollywood, I recommend that you see this one.
• Forever Country – I also really enjoyed this show. It was a very lively show and I loved hearing the popular country songs from the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
• Good Vibes – a positive musical show featuring popular contemporary and classic songs
• Kingdom Heirs – award-winning Southern gospel quartet 
• Harmonies Of The Heart – live music along with close members of Dolly’s family who sing and tell stories. It is a reimagined version of the popular Heart of the Holidays Christmas show
• Smoky Mountain String Band – live playing of popular blue grass hits
• The Mike Snodgrass Band – soulful West Virginia singer-songwriter
• The Tones – high energy and upbeat  a cappella group singing pop and contemporary songs
• Wings of America Birds of Prey – get a close look and learn more about the birds of prey that are under the care of the American Eagle Foundation
• Wild Roots Band – this band plays songs of celebration, love, and faith

You can also see the Special Fall and Christmas Shows HERE.

Eating & Drinking

Everything we tried at Dollywood was delicious! From snacks, candy, and frozen treats to Southern favorites and BBQ specialties – you’re sure to find something you’ll love (and crave) at Dollywood.

My favorite place that we ate at was Red’s Diner. My kiddos think that Red’s has the best burger and fries in the park (and there is a veggie and condiment bar). This restaurant has THE best air-conditioning and charging stations for phones.

• Spotlight Bakery – This bakery is most known for its delicious desserts. If traveling with a group of apple pie lovers, you can get a 25-lb apple pie to share. You can also get Starbucks Coffee here.
• Grist Mill and Cinnamon Bread – Located in Craftsman Alley, this place is famous for its cinnamon bread, served with hot icing and (optional) apple butter. If the line here is super long, you can also get Cinnamon Bread at Spotlight Bakery.
• The Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen -Here you’ll find Ice Cream, Fudge, Candy, Taffy, Caramel Apples…AND Coffee and REAL Sweet Tea. Located near the entrance of the park on Show Street.
• Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse – BBQ Platters (served with cornbread and two sides), Southern Sides, Salads, and Desserts. Many Gluten-Free and Vegan Options. Found in Craftsman’s Valley.
• Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner – Also located in Craftsman’s Valley, here you’ll find all the yummy dishes from Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse, but these are for visitors who want their meal on the go.
• Front Porch Cafe – This restaurant is where you wanna go if you have food allergies – they can accommodate any food allergy. They serve up some of Dolly’s favorite dishes family-style. Here, you can get appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. This is a great place to sit a minute and enjoy a glass of tea and a great meal. This is my favorite place to eat at Dollywood!
• Granny Ogle’s Ham & Beans – Country Cooking like Grandma used to make – Bean’s & Greens, Chicken Pot Pie, Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans, even Pimento Cheese and Pork Rinds. You can even get homemade pecan pie and banana pudding. Stop by if you’re in Craftsman Valley.
• Red’s Diner – Burgers (with a veggie and condiment bar), fries, chili fries, and Coke fountain drinks. COLD air-conditioning and phone charging stations. One of our family’s faves! Located in Jukebox Junction.
• Aunt Granny’s Restaurant – Located in Rivertown Junction, this is where you go to enjoy a hearty meal. USA Today named Aunt Granny’s as one of the top 10 best theme park restaurants in the country. Everything is served family-style and you can choose between 2 entrees with 4 sides OR 3 entrees with 4 sides.
• Till and Harvest Hall – This restaurant has nachos, rice bowls, and hamburgers. They offer Gluten-free and Vegetarian options. You’ll find this restaurant in Wildwood Grove.
• The Dog House – Located in Wilderness Pass, here you can grab a specialty hot dog.
• Sweets and Treats – Grab a refreshing ice cream waffle cone here. Find this sweet shop in Wilderness Grove.
• Splinters Funnel Cakes – Get a funnel cake with powdered sugar and/or Strawberries, Oreo® Crumbles, Reese’s® Pieces, Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Topping. You can also get Pike Place Coffee here and specialty coffee flavors are available here.
• Skyview Snacks – Here, you can grab a drink, a veggie or fruit cup, or a bag of popcorn. Located in Wilderness Pass.
• Showstreet Snacks -Located on Show Street, here you can find cotton candy, popcorn, and butterfly-shaped pretzels.
• Showstreet Ice Cream – On Showstreet, get a Mayfield Ice Cream, Milkshake (even gluten-friendly), Ice Cream Sundae, and/or a Coke Fountain drink.
• Showstreet Frozen Lemonade – Offering frozen lemonade and frozen strawberry lemonade. You’ll see this lemonade stand as soon as you enter the park and make a right onto Showstreet (located on the right).
• Pork Rinds – Regular and BBQ pork rinds are available here. Located in Craftsman Valley.
• Mr. Jerry’s Sit-N-Sip Refreshments – Located in Craftsman Valley, this is where you wanna go for a cold ICEE drink, popcorn, and/or cotton candy.
• Midway Market -Make your way over to the Country Fair for a drink and a snack like buttered popcorn or cotton candy.
• Market Square BIG SKILLET – Located in Riverview Junction, this is a great place to get a steak sandwich. The menu here changes with the seasons, so stop by and see what’s new. You can also get coffee here.
• Lumberjack’s Pizza – This is where you wanna go if you are craving pizza. Gluten-friendly crusts are available here. They also have kid’s meals and freshly baked cookies. Located in Timber Canyon.
• Iron Horse Pizza – Located in The Village, you can get a flat-bread pizza (gluten-free crusts are available), salads, and/or pretzel sticks with alfredo sauce.
• Hickory House BBQ – Here you can get BBQ sandwiches (with fries), Chicken Tenders, and Turkey Legs. Find this yummy BBQ in Craftsman Valley.
• Grandstand Cafe – This concession stand, located in the Country Fair, serves chicken tenders, hot dogs, nachos, fries, and a Southern Salad.
• Dogs N Taters – Footlong hot dogs, footlong corn dogs, curly fries, and chili cheese curly fries. Located in Rivertown Junction.
• Crossroads Funnel Cakes – Get a funnel cake with powdered sugar and/or Strawberries, Oreo® Crumbles, Reese’s® Pieces, Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Topping. Find these in Rivertown Junction.
• Country Cookers Kettle Korn -Located in Rivertown Junction, this is the place to stop for some Kettle Corn. They even have a Splenda version.
• Blue Ribbon Cones – Get soft-serve ice cream here. Located at the Country Fair.

Cinnamon Bread at The Grist Mill

The Sweet Shoppe

Hickory House BBQ

Spotlight Bakery

Snacks

Scattered throughout the park are several snack shops where you can get a drink and snack. You’ll find popcorn, kettle corn, cotton candy, and pork rinds. If you love pork rinds, you gotta try Dolly’s – so good! I got just plain, but they also offer flavored pork rinds – like BBQ.

Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home

 Here you can see a replica of Dolly’s childhood home. It’s a two-room cabin with the kitchen on the left side and a bedroom on the right side (her real childhood home actually had 2 bedrooms and a kitchen). This humble cabin, with plywood floors and walls lined with newspaper, housed 12 children plus two parents (the kids were born between 1940-1959 so they weren’t all home at the same time).

Chasing Rainbows Museum

The Chasing Rainbows Museum is located in the Adventures in Imagination section of Dollywood. Here, you can take a self-guided tour and find many artifacts, gowns, and awards showcasing Dolly Parton’s career throughout the decades. There are also many items from Dolly’s family and her childhood.

PLEASE NOTE: The Chasing Rainbows Museum will be closed for 2022 as it is being re-imagined.

Shopping

Dollywood has several specialized boutiques for those who like to shop. You will find everything from t-shirts, hand-blown glass figures, iron sculptures, and other artisan works from the Smoky Mountain area.

• Dollywood Emporium – When you enter Dollywood, you will see the Emporium on your left. When you leave Dollywood, you will actually leave through this shop. Here, you can find Dollywood and Dollywood ride-themed souvenirs, clothing, sunglasses, shirts, coffee mugs, toys, and treats. If you walk into the park and realized that you forgot something, head over to the Dollywood Emporium because you’ll probably find what you need there. the Package Pick-Up station is located inside the Dollywood Emporium! Also, many purchases you make in the park can be sent to the Dollywood Emporium for Package Pick-Up instead of carrying them through the park all day. At the end of the day when you are leaving, stop by to pick up all of your souvenirs and treats.
• Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen – If you’re wanting to take home some sweets, be sure to stop by the Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen. Get some fudge, chocolate-covered strawberries, and/or other candies. They even carry sugar-free treats. Also, if you want some REAL sweet tea, this is where you get it. This Candy Kitchen is on Showstreet.
• The Southern Pantry – Bring home some coffee, jams, jellies, bread mixes, syrup, salsa, and/or some grilling sauces from this shop. Located in the Showstreet area.
• Traditions – Here, you’ll find the Simply Southern brand and lots of bright and beautiful clothing. Find this shop on Showstreet.
• Gazebo Gifts – Find the perfect Dollywood and Smoky Mountain souvenir or moment here. You’ll find this gift shop on Showstreet.
• Smoky Mountain Christmas Cottage – Located in Rivertown Junction, this shop offers Christmas decorations, ornaments, and seasonal items.
•  Dollywood’s Old Flames Candles – Watch candles being made, make your own candle, and/or buy a pre-made candle here.
•  Smoky Creek Leather and Hat Company -This shop is located in Craftsman Valley and carries leather belts and hats.
• Tin Sign Shoppe – This store in Craftsman’s Valley lets you make your own custom personalized sign.
• Dolly’s Closet – This boutique offers clothing, accessories, gifts, books, music, and jewelry. Located in Adventures in Imagination
• Eagle Flight Outfitter – This store carries Wild Eagle-themed merchandise, based on the Dollywood roller coaster Wild Eagle (the first wing coaster in the United States). Find it in Wilderness Pass.
• Hi-Octane Ride Souvenirs – In Adventures in Imagination,
• Hillside General Store – Send a postcard or shop this nostalgic 5-and-dime type store. You’ll find lots of old-fashioned goodies here. Located in Craftsman Valley.
• Mountain Grove Merchants – Wildwood Grove-themed gifts and souvenirs – clothing, bags, etc.
• Mountain Laurel Home – This shop, located in Rivertown Junction, carries home decor, gifts, candles, linens, soaps, etc. You’ll find the perfect accessory for your home or cabin here.
• Mrs. Temple’s Mercantile – Here, you can find luggage, t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, bags, books, postcards, plush, dolls, toys, and lots of train-themed souvenirs.
• The Mine Shaft – This store is in Timber Canyon and offers Dollywood-themed clothing, hats, accessories, jewelry, and personalized leather bracelets.
• Volunteer Supply – Here, you’ll find sunglasses, jewelry, clothing, toys, and gifts – much of it FireChaser Express and Lucky the Dalmation-themed. Find it in Wilderness Pass.
• Wired Up – Get a unique gift for yourself or someone else at this shop in Craftsman Valley. A jewelry maker will create a necklace with your name (or someone else’s name if given as a gift).

Relax & Recharge

Oh, Dolly, I love you! Thank you so much for this area -The Plaza at Wilderness Pass- where tired folks can sit in a rocking chair under a fan and rest. And, offering a place where I can charge my phone (because I took 8 million photos and now my battery is dead). Dolly…You’re the best…seriously!

Festivals

Dollywood hosts award-winning festivals throughout the year. The park is beautifully decorated and there are lots of shows and delicious food.

Here are the upcoming festivals held at Dollywood:

• Harvest Festival – 9/23/2022 — 10/29/2022
• Smoky Mountain Christmas – 11/5/2022 — 1/1/2023
• Flower & Food Festival – 2023 dates TBD
• Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration – 2023 dates TBD

You can get a Tasting Pass for the Festivals HERE.

Where to Stay

• Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa – Beautiful resort with dining, a spa, fitness center, shopping, and pool
• Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort – NEW resort opening in the fall of 2023
• Cabins – Bear Cove Cabins (partnered with Dollywood)
• Dollywood Resort & Ticket Packages

As you walk through Dollywood Emporium and leave the park, Dolly has a sweet message for all of her guests:

Right back at ya, Dolly! We had a wonderful day at Dollywood! Until next time…

Dollywood // 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. – Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 // 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

WEBSITE

Are you planning a trip to Dollywood? What are you looking forward to the most? Have you been before? What was your favorite part of Dollywood? Let us know in the comments!

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A big thank you to Dollywood for hosting our visit. All opinions are my own.

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