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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:
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.
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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
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