Top 10 Reasons to Plan a Family Vacation to Dollywood

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Thank you to our friends at Dollywood for hosting us for a few days to show us all the wonderful things that make it such a fun, family-friendly destination!

Well, mamas, we’re in the home stretch of the school year, and like many of you, my attentions are shifting to mapping out what my family’s summer will look like. As a working mom, that means plenty of camps and child care, but also making time for a good old-fashioned summer vacation.

And mamas … the mountains are calling!

Living in Florida, we are fortunate enough to visit world-class theme parks without the added expense of plane tickets. I think we forget, though, that not all of those parks within driving distance are in Orlando.

If theme parks are on your summer bucket list, consider heading North instead to see why Dollywood is Trip Advisor’s number one theme park in America.

Need more convincing?

Here are my Top Ten reasons to add Dollywood to your family travel bucket list:

1. The Resorts

Featuring an abundance of options in terms of on-site activities, food, and amenities for the whole family, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa and HeartSong Lodge & Resort (coming November 2023!) will turn your “trip” into a “vacation.” Guests of the resorts enjoy a host of additional perks, like complimentary TimeSaver Passes to drastically lower your ride wait times, complimentary parking (at the resort AND the parks), and complimentary trolley transportation to and from the parks to make your stay easier and more enjoyable. You won’t want to miss this part of the Dollywood experience!

2. The Coasters

My boys care about one thing above all else at theme parks: the rollercoasters. From high-stakes thrills like the Lighting Rod and Wild Eagle to super soakers like Daredevil Falls, Dollywood’s coasters definitely pass the fun test. The great thing about Dollywood’s coasters is that they have something for everyone. From toddlers to teenagers, there is no shortage of rides at Dollywood. What makes Dollywood unique is that the park layout is designed to keep families together. That’s why you’ll find a firehouse-themed splash pad for your tiny tikes right next to the FireChaser Express coaster your older kids want to ride.

In keeping with this goal, Dollywood’s newest coaster, Big Bear Mountain, is set to open in May and is billed as a family coaster. With a minimum height requirement of only 39 inches, Dollywood wants Big Bear Mountain to be your children’s first big coaster, helping them to create memories on Dollywood’s longest coaster ever, spanning nearly 4,000 feet of track!

3. The Music

It is inconceivable that a theme park bearing the name of the great Dolly Parton would have anything less than exceptional entertainment. Even Dollywood’s Splash Country boasts live music. Music lovers, rejoice! From seasonal shows to regulars, big names to rising stars, it wouldn’t be Dollywood without putting entertainment in the forefront.

If you hurry, you can catch this year’s I Will Always Love You Celebration. This event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the iconic Dolly Parton ballad and runs until April 8.

4. The Food

You’ve seen those theme park shirts that say, “I’m just here for the food,” right? Those are my people. Don’t get me wrong, I like a hot dog or a good carnival elephant ear, but Dollywood takes its food options to the next level. They have quick service, yes, but also unique food trucks, themed restaurants, family-style eateries, and my personal favorite, The Front Porch Cafe. BBQ snob? There’s a smokehouse on-site. Vegan? They’ve got you covered, too. Food allergies? No problem at all! Stop in at Guest Services, where they can put you in contact with the culinary team, who is happy to make sure that the food at Dollywood is enjoyable for everyone.

For the true epicureans, plan your visit to coincide with a Dollywood festival. The Flower and Food Festival (April 21 – June 11, 2023), in particular, will feature unique sips and bites found only at that time. This year, they’re teasing smoked mac & cheese, street corn salad, spicy Korean BBQ meatballs, raspberry boba tea, and so much more! Pro tip: get a tasting pass, so you don’t have to miss out on any of the fun flavors.

Finally, do not, I repeat, DO NOT leave Dollywood without getting yourself a loaf of their famous cinnamon bread at The Grist Mill. The lines are worth it for this treat, but if you get there early in the day, you might be able to walk right on in. Pro tip: you can also find it at the DM Pantry if you’re staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa.

5. The Festivals

One of the things frequent Dollywood visitors say they love the most about coming to the parks is the festivals! In addition to the stunning Flower and Food Festival, you could catch the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration from June 17 to August 6. I’m told the bubble fountain and nighttime drone spectacular are not to be missed. If you’re more of a pumpkin spice kind of mom, plan your trip around the Harvest Festival, happening September 20 through October 30, when the park will be illuminated by more than 12,000 pumpkins. And for my “all Christmas all the time” friends, the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival may be the perfect time for you to visit. Each festival clothes the park in its own splendor with themed music, entertainment, and food.

6. The Water

I’ll admit, I’m not much of a water park lover. Dollywood’s Splash Country, though? That I’ll do. Considered one of America’s most beautiful water parks, remove all imagery from your head of concrete jungle water parks, and replace it with lush mountain greenery. And just like at Dollywood, family is the focus. There is no shortage of thrill slides at this park for the daredevils, but splash pads, a lazy river, and even a water playground mean that there’s something for everyone at Dollywood’s Splash Country. Pro tip: book a covered retreat or a canopy to make your day extra comfortable. Retreats fit up to ten people, so you can split them with friends and family. They offer all sorts of amenities, including dining areas, food delivery, and ceiling fans to beat the heat. Some are even large enough to set up a pack-n-play!

Pro tip: book a covered retreat or a canopy to make your day extra comfortable. Retreats fit up to ten people, so you can split them with friends and family. They offer all sorts of amenities, including dining areas, food delivery, and ceiling fans to beat the heat. Some are even large enough to set up a pack-n-play!

7. The Accessibility and Inclusion

I can’t say it enough: Dollywood makes it a priority to make sure EVERYONE can come and play. Military discounts? Check. Accommodations for dietary restrictions? Check. Family care rooms and rooms for nursing moms? Check. ADA accessibility for certain rides? Check. Aquatic transfer wheelchairs to allow for ride accessibility at Dollywood’s Splash Country? Check. Dollywood is even the first theme park in the nation to create a calming room for helping guests with special needs who may experience sensory overload in a theme park environment. Pro tip: call Dollywood in advance and visit Guest Services and the Ride Accessibility Center when you enter the park to see how to make the most of your Dollywood vacation.

8. The Smokies

Dollywood sits at the base of the incomparable Great Smoky Mountain National Park. That makes a trip to Dollywood the perfect opportunity to spend a day in the Smokies. Stop by a ranger station to get your little ones their Junior Ranger badges, plan a hike through the mountains, or bike through historic Cade’s Cove. Pro tip: Cataract Falls is a quick and gentle 0.75-mile hike that’s great for little legs with a big payoff. For a guided experience in the Smokies, consider a Pink Jeep Tour. Your family will love touring the mountains from the back of an open-air pink Jeep with a guide on hand to answer all of your kids’ burning questions and maybe even help you spot some bears!

9. The Surrounding Area

Believe me when I tell you that Pigeon Forge and nearby Gatlinburg are tourist havens. You could spend months there and never do all that there is to do. A simple Pinterest or Google search will inundate you with everything from wacky museums to moonshine tasting, and there is no shortage of restaurant options. If you want something extra memorable, though, Dinner Shows are the way to go in Pigeon Forge. You can choose from Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Pirates Voyage, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, and the Comedy Barn. Each of these is a spectacular combination of food and entertainment that your family will not soon forget.

10. The Giveaway!

{GIVEAWAY CLOSED} That’s right! Courtesy of our friends at Dollywood, Pensacola Mom Collective is giving away TWO Dollywood One-Day tickets to one lucky reader!

To enter for a chance to win, head over to our Facebook and Instagram posts and follow the directions in the description. Good luck! 

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