These are the things you have to do to make your visit to Dollywood a success
In its 40 years of growth, Dollywood has transformed from a kitschy theme park that you could knock out in less than a day – or even an afternoon – to a massive, sprawling park that is bordering on the precipice of becoming a two-day park.
In fact, earlier this year, when discussing whether they would consider a second theme park, a Dollywood officials admitted that they see the Wildwood Grove expansion – which includes a massive new ride currently under construction – as a second theme park or something near it.
The good news! Dollywood’s current ticket pricing gives steep discounts for the second day. That means you don’t have to try to tackle everything Dollywood has to offer in a single day.
Folks, that’s a tall task. But if you are going to try and do the Dollywood blitzkrieg, here are the five things you have to put on your “must do” list.
The five Dollywood must-dos
1. Pay for Preferred Parking
I am an unabashed supporter of Dollywood’s management and leadership. What they have accomplished over the last 40 years is nothing short of amazing. Silver Dollar City – the park that became Dollywood – was fine but in many ways it was rinky dink.
I remember people would defend Dollywood in the early years saying “it’s a theme park, not an amusement park” as a way to explain the relative underwhelming rides. Over the decades, Dollywood has transformed and has been named the country’s most popular amusement park for three years running. It is an amazing achievement.
However, the one area they haven’t been able to keep up is parking. Parking at Dollywood, unless you’re one of the first people through the booths, is an absolute disaster. The busing system that runs guests to and from their cars is overwhelmed. Even with a recent expansion, there’s still not enough parking to accommodate demand.
What is the solution?
In the long term, I think Dollywood should explore a covered moving sidewalk situation, like you’d find at the airport. In that case, guests line up, step on the sidewalk and are whisked from parking area, A to B and C and so on. It would be much better than standing in line for the bus system and then elbowing some old woman from Sheboygan when she tried to cut between you and the kids.
However, in the short term, pay extra for preferred parking. It’s $25 more than what you would normally pay for parking and you get to skip the cattle call that is loading and unloading from the buses and trams. Passholders can get a small discount.
You get access to what is essentially your own entrance and exit which means you don’t have to leave through the gift shop, which could make that extra $25 back for you if you brought the entire family. Now, the preferred parking is up a very steep hill, so if you have mobility issues, you should be prepared for that.
Some people balk at paying that much more for parking, but I promise you, you’re already spending hundreds of dollars on the visit. There’s no $25 that will save you more time and headache than the upgrade for preferred parking.
2. Ride the Lightning Rod (if you can)
You want to see the biggest difference between the old Silver Dollar City and the new Dollywood, look no further than this intense (mostly) wooden coaster which opened in 2016 and reaches speeds of up to 73 MPH. But Lightning Rod got off to something of a rough start.
I was there the day it was supposed to open in 2016, but construction didn’t meet the deadline. Over the next few years, it was down frequently. In my opinion, the design was a little too ambitious. It was the first wooden coaster to use a launch system instead of the old chain lift hill. It was in its early years, the fastest wooden coaster in the world.
In 2021, parts of the wooden track were replaced with steel and the launch system was replaced in 2023 with a chain lift system. The result has been a smoother ride, less down time and a better guest experience. Still, this is considered one of the better coasters in the Southeast if not beyond and – despite other coasters getting a little more pub – the must-ride attraction in the park.
3. Get the Cinnamon Bread
Frankly, you don’t need me to tell you this. If you even start to type Dollywood in the search bar, the algorithm triggers dozens of references to the famous cinnamon bread which when hot and fresh is among God’s true wonders. I prefer it with icing over apple butter but lots of people don’t even bother with either. It’s the Dollywood cinnamon bread. Get it. Eat it. Get some more to take home.
4. Take in a Show
Another place the park has grown is in the entertainment division. Ther variety of offerings and quality of production has grown significantly. Dolly’s niece with her Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friend show is a delight. I enjoy the more bluegrass stylings of the Smoky Mountain String Band and the Wild Roots Band to the more heavily produced shows, but you can’t come to Dollywood and miss the music.
5. Buy Something Cheesy
As much as I celebrate Dollywood’s journey away from kitsch, I enjoy that the park hasn’t entirely abandoned the cheesy mountain tourist attraction vibe. If you want to get into the true Dollywood spirit, get something that doesn’t make any sense. A leather cowboy hat, an airbrushed T-Shirt or something bright and gaudy and beautiful. You want a mountain souvenir? Don’t hold back.
Whether you visit for one day or spend a whole week, Dollywood Parks & Resorts offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments!