🦋▫️🦋What's Up At Dollywood - Official Hub 🦋▫️🦋

  

Hey there! If you’ve just scanned the code from one of my latest videos—welcome.  I’m glad you’re here.

This is under heavy construction, so bear with me as I make progress!

WELCOME TO WHAT'S UP AT DOLLYWOOD.  This page is 'meant to be' a content Hub, so....

THIS IS THE PLACE TO GET STARTED VIEWING DOLLYWOOD CONTENT!

LINKS - Will open in new window

• YouTube Channel
• Dollywood Playlist on YouTube Channel
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page
• Google Blogger Homepage

Click below and get going!

🔶Dollywood's 2026 Exclusive Ride Time + Golden Hours + Golden Events - What's The Difference? - Info You'll Want 2 Know 🔶

Hi Everyone,

Let's discuss Exclusive Ride Time (ERT), Golden Events and Golden Hours for 2026. I notice these three mostly separate things are often confused for one another, so let's first define each of these.

💠Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) - This is special time set aside for those Gold & Diamond Passholders who register, as well as Resort Guests who register for this Once-A-festival event. You get to enjoy select attractions before the park opens to the public OR after the park closes. ERT falls under Golden Events.

💠Golden Hour - Every operating day, for the first hour, you can use your Gold or Diamond Pass as if it were a TimeSaver Pass, allowing you a so-called 'front of the line' pass, that are popular at many amusement parks these days. This includes all rides that offer the TimeSaver option. No registration required - just show the attendant your pass. Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Page - lots of specifics including which rides - click HERE.

💠Golden Events - these are less frequent events. They are usually well advertised in advance and can include things like the Media Day event on Opening Day, or special events through the season. ERT falls under Golden Events.

Jump To:

• Exclusive Ride Time (ERT)
• Golden Hour
• Golden Events
• How ERT Works
• Next Event
• Helpful Trip Planning Resources

Here's a handy infographic from Dollywood with more specifics...

For Exclusive Ride Time (ERT), ERT's are held on one Saturday per festival.

Below is an example of how ERT works, straight from an official Dollywood.com event page for the "I Will Always Love You" Early Ride Time Event for 2026. The selected attractions for each ERT event will change for each event.

Source Link:  https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/iwaly-ert/

🚨🚨 NEXT EVENT:

Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Smoky Mountain Christmas 2025 ERT - for the Link on Dollywood's website... Click Here

I hope that helps to clear up any confusion around these topics! Please let me know if something is off or incorrect — it could easily be! :)

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar +MORE - Calendar + Much More!
• Exclusive Ride Time, Golden Hours, Golden Events - What's the difference??  
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2025 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2025.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.
• GrayLine Day-Long Tours from downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back to Nashville - click here

🔶🔷Dollywood's Open for 2026 - "I Will Always Love You'' Festival Info, menus and more! 🔶🔷

Dollywood 2026: I Will Always Love You Festival Guide

Dollywood is open for its 41st season, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about the I Will Always Love You Festival — including tasting pass details, new additions around the park, ride updates, entertainment, transportation tips, and more.

courtesy of dollywood.com

---

Jump To:

Festival Overview Tasting Pass & Menu What’s New Around the Park Ride Updates Nightflight Expedition Shows & Entertainment Operating Calendar Trolley to Dollywood Transportation Names Explained Fun Facts & Quiz Helpful Trip‑Planning Resources

---

Festival Overview

Dollywood opens with a special Passholder Day, which also includes guests staying at Dollywood’s resorts. This year, Dolly is expected to appear and parade through the park around 3 PM on Friday. The park opens to everyone on Saturday, March 13th.

The festival celebrates the legacy of Dolly’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You,” originally written as a farewell to Porter Wagoner as she stepped into her own spotlight. Expect art installations, culinary creations, and special entertainment throughout the park.

---

Tasting Pass & Festival Menu

The Dollywood app is your best friend during festival season. It shows where each specialty food item is located, and in some cases allows mobile ordering.

Tasting Pass Details:

• Includes 5 festival food items
• Shareable between guests
• Valid for the entire festival — no need to use all punches in one visit
• Gold & Diamond Passholders save $3
• Price: $39.99 for Passholders, $42.99 for everyone else

Menu items and locations are available on the Dollywood website and app.

Your view in the Dollywood App

🍪🍨🍩🎂MENU ITEMS🎂🍪🍩🍨

SOURCE: I Will Always Love You Tasting Pass | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

PURCHASE PASS ONLINE AND IN THE APP - NOW AVAILABLE

Find the Link to Purchase A Pass on the Dollywood.com website - I Will Always Love You Tasting Pass | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

---

What’s New Around the Park (2026)

• Timber Canyon Restrooms: Renovated, enlarged and refreshed.
• Wilderness Pass Restaurant: New covered seating area. Menu includes rotisserie chicken, fish, collard greens, and more.

---

Ride Updates

• Daredevil Falls: New boats with updated colors.
• Mystery Mine: Behind‑the‑scenes upgrades including new control systems.
• Dollywood Express: Converted from coal to oil — safer, cleaner, and able to operate in more weather conditions.

---

Nightflight Expedition

The new hybrid coaster + river rapids attraction continues construction in Wildwood Grove. As of 3/11/2026, the park suggests a possible mid‑June opening. A soft‑opening is planned for select passholder tiers.

Stay tuned for updates — and check out my video for a closer look at the massive hangar and ride elements.

---

Shows & Entertainment

Many guest‑favorite shows return for the festival, along with exciting new additions.

Returning Favorites

• From The Heart: Dolly’s musical journey (DP Celebrity Theater)
• Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends (Dreamsong Theater)
• Heartsong (Dreamsong Theater)
• Sing‑A‑Long With Dolly (Back Porch Theater)
• Smoky Mountain String Band (Valley Theater)
• Imagination Playhouse (Imagination Playhouse Theater)
• Wings of America Birds of Prey (Craftsman’s Valley Theater)
• The Dolly Parton Experience (multiple buildings)

New for 2026

• Moto Motion: Freestyle Showdown (Pines Theater)
• Artrageous (Showstreet Theater)

---

Operating Calendar

The park is open every day during the I Will Always Love You Festival, with varying hours:

• 10 AM – 7 PM
• 10 AM – 8 PM
• 9 AM – 11 PM (select days)
• 

---

Trolley to Dollywood

Opening Day 2025 saw extremely heavy crowds due to Dolly’s appearance — parking lots even closed for a few hours. Spring Break season also brings high attendance.

Pro Tip: If Dolly is expected to be at the park, consider taking the Pigeon Forge Trolley instead of driving. It drops you off right at the front gate and can save a lot of stress.

Watch my video guide for everything you need to know about the trolley system.

---

Transportation Names Explained

• Parking Lot Tram: Runs between Dollywood/Splash Country parking lots and the front gate.
• 
• Resort Trolleys: Shuttle guests between the resorts and both parks.
• 
• Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Trolleys: Public transit systems serving major tourist areas.
• 

---

Fun Facts & Quiz

Dollywood opened in 1986 — that was Season One. In 2026, the park is in its 41st season, and Dolly turns 80.

Quiz: In 2056… How old will Dolly be? What season will Dollywood be celebrating? What year of operation will it be?

---

Helpful Trip‑Planning Resources

Explore more guides, videos, and planning tools:

• • Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
  • Getting To Dollywood by Plane
  • Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
  • Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
    
  • 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
  • Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
  • Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
  • Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar +MORE - Calendar + Much More!
  • Exclusive Ride Time, Golden Hours, Golden Events - What's the difference??  
  • Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
  • 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
  • Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
  • Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
  • Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
  • Check out my 2025 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2025.
  • Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
  • Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
  • Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
  • 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
  • Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.
  • GrayLine Day-Long Tours from downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back to Nashville - click here

Have a wonderful 2026 season at Dollywood!

🎅🏼🎄Photo Trip Report, Blog, Vlogs and more for Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival for 2025 🎄🎅🏼

Hi Everyone!

This article includes all of my visit to the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival AND A Photo Trip Report that includes some of the pics from my visit.  I have included a Photo Trip report in my blog for each visit this season!  See links below for each festival.

If you are interested in all of the Holiday Flavors that Dollywood serves up, then you need to check out my mouth-watering blog post detailing all the menu items that the park serves for their incredibly popular Tasting Pass menu.  In short, you purchase this pass and can get any five items from their vast selection of offerings.  All the details are in the blog post.  Click Here to go there!

You can see my latest Trip Reports below....

Opening Week + I Will Always Love You Festival

Food and Flower Festival

Summer Celebration Festival

Harvest Festival

Let's start with the videos, and below that the Photo Trip Report!

Short Video featuring Craftsman's Valley in its impressive Christmas Splendor!

NightFlight Expedition!

Over the summer, I published a video detailing some of what we might experience in NightFlight Expedition - based off of the only other Mack Rocking Boat attraction - so check it out to get an idea of what we can expect out of this incredible new attraction!

If you're curious about Dollywood's Next Huge Ride - This is It!!

Check out my blog post with all the details that I think I know.

https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2025/04/dollywoods-project-2026-what-is-it.html

Trip Report 

PHOTOS FROM SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

FB LINK:  https://tinyurl.com/3vanknpk

Pictures from inside Mountain Laurel Home Goods Store...in random order.

Thanks for Watching!

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2025 Operating Calendar +MORE - speculation, guesses on future projects, etc.
• Dollywood's 2026 Operating Calendar +MORE - Calendar + Much More!
• Exclusive Ride Time, Golden Hours, Golden Events - What's the difference??  
• Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina post-Hurricane Helene.
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2024 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2024.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.
• Link to Dollywood's TimeSaver Info Page - click Here.
• GrayLine Day-Long Tours from downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back to Nashville - click here

#dollywood, #dollywoodthemepark, #livemusic, #pigeon forge, #tennessee, #east tennessee, #theme parks, #amusement parks, #smokymountains, #mountains, #Appalachia, #peoplewatching, #rides, #shows, #museums, #armchairtravel, #travel, #virtualtour, #virtualtourism, #slowtv, #walkingtours, #ambienttravelvideos, #relaxingscenery, #vicarioustravel, #travelvlog