9 Things Not to Do While Visiting Dollywood, From a Local

Dollywood fan offers tips on what not to do when visiting the Pigeon Forge theme park

I love going to Dollywood.

As a kid, I was lucky enough to grow up within an hour of the theme park. Nostalgia and bias aside, even as a now-adult I must admit – Dollywood still holds its own even when compared to some of the other highly regarded American theme parks.

This is why I feel a sense of pride when I find out a friend has never been, and I want to swiftly whisk them away to the happiest place on earth.

I often have a list of recommendations for them, but if you want some real Dollywood tips, here are a few things you want to avoid at the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge TN:

There are a few things you don’t want to do when you visit the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For example, don’t make fun of the iconic ride Blazing Fury.

Don’t skip the complimentary water – you will need it for the hilly terrain. Also, don’t skip over the cinnamon bread, which is Dollywood’s classic treat.

1. Don’t spend a bunch of money on lockers

Dollywood is a park that really pays attention to the little details and values the guest experience.

So on a vast majority of rides in the theme park, you’ll find little cubby areas where you can stash your stuff while you ride.

There are lockers, too, but I can honestly say I’ve never used one.

While Dollywood (or this website) is not liable for property left in the cubby, I’ve never had an issue with lost items (knock on wood).

But here’s a bonus tip: If you decide to skip the lockers, bring a waterproof pouch for your cell phone and keys because on some rides, like River Rampage, you may have to take your stuff with you. And you will get wet.

2. Don’t carry souvenirs around the park all day

If your kids want to play some games in Country Fair or someone in your party wants to do some shopping around the park, try to steer them in that direction toward the end of the day.

That way, you won’t be stuck carrying extra cargo around the hilly theme park.

3. Don’t buy a TimeSaver pass (right away)

I can’t speak for everyone. If you have the budget and are set on seeing everything in the park in one day, then a TimeSaver pass might be right for you.

What is a TimeSaver pass, you ask? You may be familiar with the concept, but each theme park is a little different.

Dollywood’s terms and conditions may also vary from year to year. Generally, the TimeSaver pass (starting at $60 plus tax, per person, at the time of this writing) gets you expedited entrances five times throughout the day on your choice of participating rides.

The TimeSaver Unlimited pass (starting at $90 plus tax at the time of this writing) gets you unlimited access to expedited entry at all participating rides and attractions.

But is a TimeSaver pass worth it? And the answer is, it depends. Dollywood makes it easy to view wait times for its rides both in-park and with the Dollywood app.

And I’ve rarely seen any wait time go much above one hour. It’s also not uncommon, in my experience, to ride a ride over and over again because there is virtually no wait.

Even though the TimeSaver passes could sell out on a busy day, I’d consider scoping out the crowds before shelling out the cash.

4. Don’t try to experience the park in one day on your first visit

Dollywood has a lot to offer. I would argue that some of its coasters rival the best in the world.

Genuinely, I would rank Wild Eagle and Lightning Rod among my top three coasters of all time, including major theme parks like Universal, Six Flags and Disney. But Dollywood is more than just rides and coasters.

They also offer shows (some of which feature Dolly Parton’s family members), exceptionally good theme park food and immersive experiences that are worth checking out.

If you try to do the theme park in one single day, you might be missing out.

5. Don’t forget to download the Dollywood app

The Dollywood app helps you find rides, shops and restaurants based on your location.

It even has a “Friend Finder” feature in case anyone in your group splits off during the day.

It’s one of the most helpful theme park apps I’ve ever downloaded.

6. Don’t miss out on the complimentary water

Tennessee is humid, y’all. Luckily, the folks at Dollywood don’t want you to get dehydrated. So just about any kiosk that is able will give you free iced tap water on request.

Here’s a pro tip: Carry around a refillable screw-top bottle into which to dump the complimentary water.

Dollywood crew members won’t be able to handle your water bottle directly as they would be seen as less than sanitary. So I often request a couple of water cups at a time just to pour them into the more bag-friendly, screw-top bottle.

7. Don’t miss the cinnamon bread

I think there’s probably no greater joy in life than grabbing some warm cinnamon bread.

Just as Disney has Dole Whip, Dollywood has cinnamon bread.

It’s the iconic food item of the park. You’ll be able to find it in the Grist Mill, but I recommend going a little earlier in the day.

The lines are typically longer when people are on their way out of the park toward the end of the day, in my experience.

8. Don’t forget to check the calendar

I remember once when we were little, my sister and I got in the car with our parents and headed up to Dollywood. After about a 40-minute drive, we realized the park was closed that day.

It was a great disappointment and a mistake that I’ve never made again.

Dollywood can sometimes have a limited schedule depending on the season, so it’s always a good idea to confirm the park hours before making plans.

9. Don’t make fun of the Blazing Fury

Blazing Fury is an iconic ride that should basically be required (for able-bodied people) upon admission to the park.

Yes, it’s a bit older.

Yes, your kids might ask “Is that it?” or complain that they “don’t get it”.

But as one of the park’s first rides, it holds a special place in the hearts of frequent park-goers for its easter eggs, hand-painted decorations and lines that we all love to quote.

The world may be a crazy place.

But we Dollywood fans know some truths are constant: Molly’s about to jump, Luther has a weak back and the stables are on fire.

So please don’t say mean things about Blazing Fury. Them’s fightin’ words.

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7 Old Dollywood Rides That You’ll Be Sad to Learn No Longer Exist

A Dollywood fanatic remembers rides and attractions that have been removed over the years

Dollywood’s master plan is a thing of wonder.

The 36-year journey from niche theme park to being named the No. 11 theme park in the world, according to TripAdvisor, is a remarkable testament to strategic planning and execution.

But with remarkable progress, there is some element of trial and error.

If you don’t follow theme park news, it can be shocking to discover that in the course of an off-season, a favorite ride has been shuttered in the pursuit of bigger and better things.

Sometimes the changes are quite evident. Other times, they sneak up on us and we only realize something is gone when we’re staring its replacement in the face.

But that doesn’t mean that dearly departed rides are gone from our memories.

So let’s take some time and remember our top gone, but not forgotten rides and attractions at Dollywood that no longer exist.

People who have been visiting Dollywood for years know that the theme park in Pigeon Forge is constantly going through changes and upgrades.

While we welcome these changes with open arms, there are a few old rides that many Dollywood fans miss. For example, the Mountain Slidewinder was a beloved ride by many, as was Thunder Road and Country Fair Falls.

1. Mountain Slidewinder

The Mountain Slidewinder was a water-based thrill ride that served its purpose until Dollywood developed more (and better) thrill rides.

The Slidewinder was essentially a long water slide with multi-seat toboggans.

It was retired in 2019 after 32 years of service.

Rumors are that the upkeep costs outweighed the ride’s value, but I think it was the long hike up the queue.

The debut of Wildwood Grove proved that Dollywood’s planners are giving more thought to comfort, accessibility and practical movements.

The trek up to the Slidewinder was significant.

2. Timber Tower

The Timber Tower opened to much fanfare in 2006.

A gigantic tower with a massive 40-person gondola that lifted to the top 60 feet in the air, the Timber Tower looked much like its eventual replacement, Drop Line.

But instead of a slow ride up and a quick drop-down, the Tower spun its gondola and rocked back and forth, giving the riders the sensation of falling to the ground like a tree felled by a lumberjack’s ax.

The problem? These lumberjacks were not OK. The Timber Tower had an incident roughly a year after opening that resulted in some guests being stuck up in the air for as much as six hours.

The ride lasted another 4 seasons, but you have to think it was doomed by a failed safety sensor.

3. River Battle

Another ride that didn’t have a long life was the River Battle – an interactive watercraft ride that allowed riders to shoot targets and each other with streams of water.

It was fun – unless you ran across some young jerks in another boat determined to blast your 3-year-old and make them cry even after you asked them nicely to stop.

Then, you’d be forced to follow the young jerks around the park, hypothetically, of course, plotting a chance to take sweet, sweet revenge.

Still, it was a fun way to cool off on a hot day. River Battle’s sister ride, Tom & Huck’s RiverBlast at Silver Dollar City, also closed in 2017.

4. Country Fair Falls

This oldie was a holdover from the pre-Dollywood days, but it was showing its age by its 2004 removal.

The ride was born for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Later, it found its way to Pigeon Forge when the park was still Gold Rush Junction in the late 60s.

It was pretty basic, bang around in a water-filled half-pipe until being carried up the incline by a chain.

It was a lot of suspense for one quick thrill, the drop and a cooling splash of water.

Reportedly, when the log flume ride came down, it made way for six other kiddie rides in the Country Fair section.

With Daredevil Falls and Mountain Slidewinder, the Country Fair Falls outlived its usefulness.

5. Thunder Express

This runaway mine train’s story is an interesting insight into theme park operations.

In addition to being Dollywood’s first outdoor coaster, the ride was also the first roller coaster at Six Flags over St. Louis.

The Thunder Express began as half of the twin-tracked River King Mine Train in the early 70s. The secondary track was sold to Dollywood and rebranded in 1988.

Interestingly, anyone who wishes can still ride both halves of the original 1971 ride, albeit with several modifications having been made over the years.

The primary Mine Train track is still in operation at Six Flags.

Its sister, the former Thunder Express, is in operation at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Today it operates under the name Big Bad John, as it has since it opened there in 2002 (POV video below).

6. Thunder Road

Thunder Road was a motion ride that came onto the scene in 1996. And it taught us everything we ever needed to know about the history of moonshine.

The ride was inspired by the classic 1957 film “Thunder Road” and took its riders on an adventure-filled car chase with an explosive ending.

At the time, the ride cost about $5 million to create according to the Dolly Parton website.

The attraction was also the largest Turbo-Ride Action Adventure ride of its time.

It was replaced in 2002 with the Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure, a ride where Dolly Parton’s cousin took Dolly herself, along with its riders, on a sight-seeing adventure of the Smoky Mountains.

The Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure had about a 6-year run before becoming the Dreamsong Theater.

Editor’s Note: We’d love an old photo of Thunder Road. If you happen to have one you’d like to submit for publication, please email editor@thesmokies.com)

7. Flooded Mine

The Flooded Mine was a float-through ride that depicted prisoners working in – and escaping from – a mine that was flooding.

Truthfully it was slightly morbid. Even as a kid, I remember thinking, “Are these guys drowning? That’s what’s happening here?”

It was shut down in the mid-90s to make room for Daredevil Falls. However, the Flooded Mine at Dollywood’s sister park, Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., is still up and running.

To make things more interesting, they’ve recently added “pistols” (laser guns) that you can use to shoot at targets as you ride.

Ya know those prisoners need to be taught a lesson for trying to escape. (Okay, you got me, you’re not shooting at prisoners, you’re shooting at bullseyes that trigger bell and whistle sound effects).

Pro-tip: Next time you ride Blazing Fury, be on the lookout for a few Flooded Mine Easter eggs. One is a boarded-up sign that reads “Flooded Mine / Danger Keep Out”. The other is a tombstone of Charlie Turner, who was “killed by flooded mine.

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Dollywood Through the Years: The Surprising Transformation of the Theme Park

Local details the full history of Dollywood, from Rebel Railroad to the park it is today

It’s taken nearly 60 years of growth for Dollywood in Pigeon Forge to become the elite, award-winning example of theme park excellence it is today.

Looking back to 1961, it’s certainly hard to comprehend the evolution.

So, let’s take a look at the Dollywood theme park before it became Dollywood.

Dollywood began as a park called Rebel Railroad in 1961. The main attraction was a coal-fired steam engine.

That locomotive is still in operation at Dollywood today as Klondike Katie. Rebel Railroad’s entertainment also included a working blacksmith shop, a saloon and a general store.

The park continued to operate through the mid-1960s when it would undergo what would be the first of many transformations to come.

Rebel Railroad becomes Goldrush Junction

Dolly Parton was just 15 years old when a pair of enterprising Robbins brothers from Blowing Rock, North Carolina, expanded their railroad-related mountain tourism business to Tennessee.

The Pigeon Forge theme park was modeled after Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock.

There is inconsistent reporting on when Rebel Railroad changed its name to Goldrush Junction. Some reports indicate it was in the mid-60s.

However, the Dollywood website says it was 1970. That’s when the park was purchased by Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell.

It makes sense for Modell, who was seen as a progressive NFL owner, to be the one to change the name.

Under Modell’s ownership, the park added a log flume ride, an outdoor theater and the Robert F. Thomas Church.

Goldrush Junction becomes Silver Dollar City

Modell’s tenure wasn’t long. The park sold again in 1976. At that time, it was rechristened Silver Dollar City.

This made it a sister park to the new owners’ park in Branson, Missouri. Under the 10-year solo ownership of Jack and Pete Herschend, the park grew substantially.

When did Dolly Parton buy Dollywood?

In 1986, Dolly Parton got on board. Queue the harps and angel choir. According to the Dollywood website, the change was because of an interview between Dolly and Barbara Walters.

Dolly talked about her dreams of building a theme park in the Smoky Mountains.

Reportedly, the Herschend brothers offered a partnership, not wanting to compete with the local legend.

This new partnership gave the park an immediate boost from humble beginnings to national recognition.

It’s quite hard to overstate just how omnipotent Dolly Parton was to the culture in the early 1980s.

Yet, nobody thought of her as the next Walt Disney. Dollywood? Is she for real? Friends, she was.

She is driven by the desire to help the location of her childhood home grow.

Over the next 30 years, Dolly’s imprint on the park itself – as well as the amusement park industry – is undeniable.

Dollywood is now a household name.

How much does Dolly have to do with Dollywood?

A lot. Her presence serves as a giant umbrella, looming over park management and her continued partnership with the Herschends.

Her presence is so ubiquitous that many, including my wife, operate as if Dolly herself is leading boardroom meetings.

Some folks picture Dolly hand-selecting rides and approving day-to-day operations.

I swear my wife thinks of Dolly as if she’s Santa Claus. Hard-working amusement park elves operate the rest of Dollywood.

To this day, Dolly makes appearances at the park, most often for big announcements, expansions and season openings.

Make no mistake, Dollywood’s success is driven by the people who work mostly behind the scenes.

However, it was Dolly’s arrival, name recognition and continued cachet that allowed the park to thrive.

What was Dollywood like in its early days?

During my first visit to Dollywood in the mid-80s, I was a young Hoosier. East Tennesseans vacation at Myrtle Beach.

Hoosiers vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the time, I had no idea I’d be moving to East Tennessee in a couple of years.

My memories of that trip are vague.

At the time, I thought the park was a tad boring. Still a northerner at heart, I decried Dollywood as inferior to Six Flags, King’s Island, Cedar Point and other tourist attractions.

But over the years, I matured and embraced my East Tennessee home.

Dollywood grew more charming.

The rides got better.

It grew and expanded.

And eventually, a trip to the theme park became less of a chore.

Dollywood’s strong impact on Sevier County

Overall, Dolly’s powerful presence led to success. Those successes led to more money.

More money led to more investment in the park, and without it being immediately obvious, Dollywood became a titan.

Today, Dollywood welcomes around 3 million visitors each year.

The park has both children’s rides and thrill rides that rival some of the biggest parks in America.

The park is even home to the country’s largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles.

And yes, you can still a coal-fired steam train, the Dollywood Express.

It’s operated by two steam engines, Cinderella and Klondike Katie.

With rides, thrills, music, mountain crafts, cinnamon bread, annual festivals and events, if you go to Dollywood and don’t have a good time, it’s your fault.

Or possibly the fault of your hot and whiny kids.

Today, Dollywood collects Golden Ticket awards like Charlie Bucket and Uncle Joe. Dolly looks like the bright, blonde and brilliant successor to Walt Disney.

Dollywood, like its namesake, is an amazing American success story.

Do you remember any of these rides? Are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Have a question or comment about something in this article? Contact our staff here. You may also contact our editorial team at info@thesmokies.com.