Tips on avoiding the crowds and skipping the long lines at the Dollywood theme park
As someone who has been to their fair share of theme parks like Walt Disney World and Dollywood, I know they all have one thing in common – they’re crowded. At times I am begging to find a park veteran who can give me their best-kept secret to keep the claustrophobia at bay.
Over the years, I have found that there are ways to combat the parking hassles and crowd control. When I know I have a trip coming up and I haven’t put the time of year into consideration, I make a game plan about where we should eat, what rides we want to go on, and what spots to meet up at because folks – it gets crazy out there.
With this in mind, here are what I consider to be the worst times to visit the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge.
Any day at Dollywood is likely to be a fun day. And while even on a busy day, wait times typically don’t get as bad as a place like Disney World, the park can get crowded. Below are some peak times to avoid if you want to skip the crowds, according to a Smoky Mountain local. Notably, some of the worst times include during the major holidays and on the weekends.
1. Major holidays
The idea of being at Dollywood around Christmas time isn’t always the Hallmark experience you initially envision. While there is magic at Dollywood – or even just Tennessee in general – at Christmas, it is also one of the most overwhelming experiences if you have never been.
Whether you show up during Christmas or the Harvest Festival season, the park will likely be slammed with folks from all over the U.S. If I needed a break from the hustle-bustle of the holidays, this would not be the place to take the edge off, as much as a rollercoaster does sound like a good time.
If you’ve planned a trip for the holidays, try not to worry. Did you know Dollywood has a designated app? Similar to Disney’s park app, it shows all the information from park maps to what time the train leaves. It might even help you with calculating crowd control. As always, check the Dollywood calendar and website before arriving.
2. Earlier in the day
Most people who want to get their money’s worth tend to come towards opening time to spend a full day at Dollywood. However, this also happens to be their highest volume. If it were me, I wouldn’t mind sleeping in a little later and letting the lines die down while I’m at it.
If Dollywood is in your backyard like it is for me, there’s no sense in rushing to feel like you’re saving money. While it is helpful to plan what your trip will entail, the line congestion will still add up to the time you would have spent driving over and catching some extra z’s. Take it from me, it’s not worth it most of the time.
3. Warmer seasons
Summer brings the scent of funnel cake, cinnamon bread and cotton candy. All of those things can be found in Dollywood. However, those who can’t stand the heat may be better off waiting for colder months when the more adventurous parkgoers can’t stand the brisk cold air while riding the Wild Eagle.
I would say summertime to Christmastime are the most high-volume times to attend. Lots of people come from all over just to see the Smokies in the fall with the changing leaves, so beware and come prepared to wait!
4. On the weekends
Even the Dollywood website recommends guests who would like less wait time to come visit during the week. A person would think Saturdays and Sundays are a no-brainer for crowds. But some people seem to think that just because school is back in session for kids doesn’t mean it won’t be just as crowded. So, if you can, taking a day off in the middle of a work week would be the perfect time to go with fewer lines and more fun. I would love to surprise my family one day with tickets to a theme park and just give everyone a break from the day-to-day.
And if you want to brave the holiday season but still want to experience the warmth of Dollywood during Christmas, weekdays will still be the better option hands-down. Just make sure you bundle up for those crazy lines! And remember, booking your tickets ahead of time can also help you save time when you arrive at the park.
No matter what, Dollywood is a very popular park. And with any theme park runs the risk of long waiting times and lots of people. But there can also be an element of fun to the amount of folks wanting to have the same fun you do, but it is also extremely helpful to mentally prepare yourself during the busier times of the year.
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