TN native offers tips, what to expect at the Dolly Parton Stampede in Pigeon Forge
Dolly Parton’s Stampede, formerly known as the Dixie Stampede, is one of the most popular dinner shows in the area. And while I’m on the record for preferring Pirates Voyage, I still appreciate the top-notch, talented cast and impressive trick riding that the Stampede offers.
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Pricing, tips and what you should know
Pricing usually plays a big factor when determining whether or not you want to check out an attraction. And I must admit, the Stampede is not inexpensive, especially if you have a large family. Generally speaking, tickets range from $59.99 to $80.99 per adult and $34.99 per child (ages 3-9), but pricing will vary. On the upside, children ages 0-2 can sit in your lap for free. Dinner is included if that factors into your vacation math.
The show itself is about 1.5 hours long, but I recommend arriving early to enjoy the Horse Walk, where you can “meet” the horses from the show. I also like to allow time to look at the gift shop and relax with a drink in the Saloon.
What kind of food is served at Dolly Parton’s Stampede?
Your included meal is a full four-course feast, which in my opinion, isn’t bad but maybe not the best food you’ll find in the Smokies. Notably, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, but make sure to note your preference when making your reservation.
The Four Course Family Feast menu includes:
- Creamy vegetable soup
- Hot homemade biscuit
- Tender whole rotisserie chicken
- Hickory smoked barbeque pork loin
- Buttery corn on the cob
- Tasty herb-basted potato
- An apple turnover
- Unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee
The Four Course Vegetarian Feast includes:
- Optional vegetable soup (made with chicken broth)
- Hot homemade biscuit
- Fire-roasted veggies with quinoa and multigrain rice
- Buttery corn on the cob
- Herb-basted potato
- An apple turnover
- Unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee
The Gluten-Free Feast includes:
- A fruit cup with peaches, grapes, pineapple and cherries
- A gluten-free dinner roll
- Tender whole rotisserie chicken
- Hickory smoked barbeque pork loin
- Buttery corn on the cob
- Herb-basted potato
- Snickerdoodle cookie
- Unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee
What is the show about?
The dinner show features some great bluegrass and country music as well as comedy provided by Skeeter and Nugget in the vein of the television classic “Hee Haw” or Ernest T. Bass from the “Andy Griffith Show”. After its rebranding, it’s still themed around a friendly competition between Yankees and Southerners. During the holidays, the theme becomes a rival between the North Pole and the South Pole. Like all of Dolly Parton’s ventures, the quality of the show is top-notch. It’s a well-oiled machine with singing, dancing, special effects, aerial acts and of course, horse-riding.
Is Dolly Parton’s Stampede worth it?
In my experience, the meal was fine, if uneventful, but I know people who really rave about it while others turn up their noses. I think it’s a matter of palette. And while parts of the show are cheesy, the performers are immensely talented. So is it right for your family? Well, let’s be honest, it is not cheap, but it is a high-quality show and backed by the Dolly Parton name. So if the whole family has come to Pigeon Forge for a slice of cheesy, country, family-friendly entertainment, then the Stampede is a must-do. However, if that’s not what you’re looking for when visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, I think you can probably skip it.
Have you been to Dolly Parton’s Stampede? Let us know about your experience and whether or not you think it’s “worth it” in the comments below.
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My husband surprised me with tickets in 2016. It was so much fun! Dinner was not my favorite part but was good and the evening was just the best ❣️🥰
I’ve been to Dolly’s Stampede 12 times, so yes it is worth the money it cost to go. It is NOT cheesey!
Went to the Dixie Stampede during thanksgiving week. We stood in line for about 10 minutes and then a electrical transfomer on the power pole next to the building blew up. The stampede went dark. We waited for 10 minutes more and then they told us that it would problably take an hour or more to restore the power. I called the corperate office and they refunded our tickets with no problems what so ever. The whole staff was curteours and they could not help the power problem. All in all I hate that we missed the show. But we will go back I hope next year and see it then. Even so it was still an adventure.
Ive not been since they changed the name…but its a decent show…super cheesy but fun..the food is ok if you dont mind eating when you smell animals and animal poop… front row seats are a big no for me but up high and away from the smell is somewhat better.. honestly not worth the price in my opinion… the pirate show is much better.
Love the Stampede but sure wish they would bring back the Pre-show. It gave added entertainment for the price.
My wife and I saw the show on our vacation in Pigeon Forge. We both enjoyed the show and the dinner greatly. Well worth the price in my opinion.
My sister and I went to the stampede today. We loved it. It is such a great family event and I would take my grand children if they were at least four years old. The food was good and warm and served quickly by a great waiter, who was very polite, and did his best to satisfy everybody in our section. Parts of the show where a little cheesy but overall it was very good. I loved the horse acts. It was the Christmas show and they really highlighted the Christmas message which I appreciated. I would go again. I will bring my grandchildren.
My wife and I attended with the discount offer coupons from Timber tops! We had the pre- show entertainment and great seats for the show! The horse acts were very entertaining and we enjoyed all of them! The highlight being with the Christmas season, the live nativity with donkeys, sheep, and camels bearing the 3 wise men was presented! Must admit I had tears in my eyes as I watched it unfold! Well worth the price of admission and God Bless Dolly for producing such a moving show!
Been many times. Was just there with friends which was their first time going two weeks ago. They enjoyed it. Just wish Dolly had stood and left the dixie to the stampede name. Food was great entertainment exceptional once again. Love Horses.
If you love animals and particularly horses and showmanship you will love this show. The food is Southern Mountain food. The servers are great and make the show even better with their service. We have been going since it first opened in the eighties, first with our children and now with our grandchildren. We often go with other family members making it even more fun. We live five hours away but anytime we’re in the Smokies one of our nights is at the Stampede. I do wish they would bring back the pre show that also made it funnier and we loved the old country songs.
We took 2 of our grandkids a few years ago. The food was good and the show was wonderful! My thing with all of these types of shows and especially Dollywood is the price. We have never been to Dollywood because we can’t afford it! I totally understand the cost of operation but alot more people would be able to enjoy these places if they were more affordable.
We went in September 2023 and it was amazing. Food was good. Enjoyed the show. Would go it again. It turned out of all the shows we went to this was by far the best!
Very pricey, everyone that works there is very an professional, food is good.
I just went and it was the Christmas Show. It was ok. The best part of meal was the biscuit, chicken and apple turnover. The pork was disgusting. Corn was overcooked. The show was a little boring.
I Absolutely Love It!! I took my daughter & her 4 kids 5 yrs ago. They still talk about it !. Now she has 3 more little ones & we hope to take all 11 grandkids next year!! Definitely not cheesy! Absolutely beautiful!! Definitely work the price for all the priceless memories! We can’t wait for our next trip in 2024
I have been going to the Stampede for about 28 years. We love it and we go at least once a year, usually at Christmas. I really wish they would bring back their pre show.
I used to work at the stampede as well. Please tip your servers, it is NOT included in your ticket and they’re running for an hour and a half for you. Yes it is their job, but that’s also their paycheck. Just like any other service they make a server wage. I would visit the show and experience it at least once! It’s perfect to see part of our culture.
We went sometime back and I never got the smell of the animals and horses out of my nose. Not my kind of place and a little pricey but I love Dolly
My family loved it ! Hated it when the Florida venue closed ! Please bring it back !!!
Many changes that changes my opinion from great to just good. Getting rid of the pre-show, girls wearing the hoop dresses, and tables and chairs outside the arena are my largest complaints. Even the Christmas show had fewer animals in the nativity scene.
I wish there was a way to post tie pic of my grandson watching the show! He is 8 and was so excited he could hardly speak! We have been numerous times and hope to go again! It brings joy to everyone we have taken….and to us!
I loved it, and especially the Christmas show. It was worth every penny.
Been twice, would go again. Talented crew, chicken Lickin’ chicken, worth the money.
Saw the Dixie Stampede show in 2009…Had a great time…Haven’t been back…older and etc etc..one of the best shows among several other good ones
I used to be a cook a the Stampede and I must say when I first started the food was delicious but over time it got old cooking the same stuff over and over
And how I wish they would change the shows up more! My son and I love the food and atmosphere but don’t like seeing the same shows every time down to the last detail.
Went to the show last spring was very disappointed expected much more . Maybe it’s a good show for kids but for adults it was very corny and really not worth our money . Did enjoy the meal however they give you lots of food only thing I didn’t like was the pork . Gonna try the Pirate show next year when I’m back in town
We have been many times. The worse thing for me was the fact that she was pressured into taking Dixie Stampede off her logo!! Come on, we are in the South! The creamy vegetable soup is the best anywhere in town. I am not a big horse fan, but thoroughly enjoyed the show. We have been there during the Christmas show and when they had buffalo in the show. We always had a great time.
My wife and will be married 46 years this year we have seen this many times. We were there before our daughter was born and then she had to go every time we went to the Smokie, now she is grown and her family still goes…it is a little pricy but a great time to be had for sure. I do agree it would be great to see a menu change.. love the Smokies and Dolly and have enjoyed many trips to the DIXIE STAMPEED!
We’ve been about 4 times I think and enjoyed every show. Some with our grandchildren and some with just us and some with other couples. The food is good and the riders are great! We will go back I’m sure.
First time we went back to see the show since they changed the name they changed the show some ii didn’t like the show that much they should put the show back like it was they put us in the wrong seat then where we was suppose to be