🌻🌺🌸Summer Celebration Festival Tasting Pass 2025🌸🌺🪷

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has unveiled the details for their Summer Celebration 2025 Tasting Pass. 

Running from Saturday, June 14, to Sunday, August 3, 2025, the event offers plenty of time to experience it all. Let’s dive into what’s in store!  Notice that the park will maintain the same operating hours throughout this festival - 10am to 9:30pm.

Here's the link to ''BUY NOW'' - click here to do that, if you wish.  All of this info is found on this page at Dollywood.com - Click Here.

A few tips for the tasting pass....

• You can use all five menu items in one visit, or over several visits.  Just use it before the festival ends on August 3rd.
• If you are looking for a lightish date night meal, you may want to split one pass with your bestie and sample different things.  Get creative, you can each get two 'entree' items, and split a dessert treat!

If you're a Gold & Diamond Passholder, take advantage of your discount entitlement.

Beverages

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Savory Bites

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Desserts

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SCENES FROM AROUND THE PARK
DURING SUMMER CELEBRATION

~Scroll Down for Videos~

Check out my videos from last year's festival

What are your thoughts on the offerings for the Summer Celebration Festival? Share your opinions in the comments.

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• 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.
• 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.

⭐Dollywood's TimeSaver Passes for 2025 - Use it for Rides + Shows! ⭐

Hi Everyone,

Let's take a look at Dollywood's TimeSaver Pass for 2025.  The biggest differences in this year's system are that the selected ride offerings have been updated.  

Here's the page you need at Dollywood's website.  See more info and advance purchase at this link.    👉🏼 Dollywood Theme Park | TimeSaver Pass Info | Dollywood Parks & Resorts

⭐Use your season pass for an additional discount!⭐

This information seems to change from season to season.

Click this Dollywood Link to See the Daily Schedule for Shows and Performances.  Note that the process for seeing shows is different from rides - read below in the first FAQ.  To reserve, you need to visit the Reservation Center where TimeSavers are sold.

Below you'll find some of the FAQ's for TimeSaver...

On social media I see lots of folks asking if TimeSaver is worth it or not?  For most people, it really seems to boil down to a time issue.  So, you'll have to evaluate for yourself.  I typically suggest waiting to get to the park and get a feel for what the crowds are going to be like.  One Dollywood anomaly is that even if the park appears crowded, the ride lines can be short, depending on the types of crowds there on a given day.  It is hard to predict.   

If you're staying with Dollywood at DreamMore or HeartSong Resorts, then you will receive the Resort Timesaver included in your lodging package.  Click here for more info, admission not included.  Notice that the Resort Timesaver (see orange/blue chart above), that you get One Entry (out of the Five) on Big Bear Mountain and/or Lightning Rod.

To help gauge Crowd Levels - You can also use Queue-Times.com Crowd Calendar for Dollywood and many other parks.  They use historic data to predict crowds, but they do not account for a '40th Anniversary Event' for example...or how many Field Trips will be at the park on a given day....or when Dolly is appearing at the park - which always draws huge crowds despite what the Crowd Calendar says.   It is far from perfect, but it's one of the few resources available currently to help you plan.  Additionally, this same website shows you live waiting times at Dollywood and other parks.  It's a handy tool.

What do you think about Dollywood's TimeSaver?  I'd love to know.  

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• 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.
• 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.

💠Dollywood's 2025 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 2025.  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.

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 Facebook event page for the Flower and Food Festival ERT event for 2025.  The selected attractions for each ERT event will change for each event.

Gold and Diamond Season Passholders gain access to a special Early Ride Time Event in Jukebox Junction during the Flower & Food Festival! ERT will run from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at Lightning Rod, Rockin’ Roadway and Smoky Mountain River Rampage.
Attendees can enjoy early park entry, premium ride time, culinary samplings and an exclusive 1986 original design sticker!

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚:

Gold and Diamond Passholders, as well as resort guests, are eligible to register for this event. Each Gold or Diamond Passholder must have an event ticket to be allowed entry. Children 3 & under or children with a Pre-K Imagination Season Pass are the only exceptions. Silver and Platinum Passholders, as well as guests using Bring-A-Friend Tickets, do not qualify.
Gold and Diamond Passholders

 

🌟🌟🌟

Gold and Diamond Passholders will be prompted to log into their My Dollywood account to register for this event. They will find this registration as an action-required entitlement in their online account. There will only be one entitlement given per eligible guest. This entitlement can only be redeemed once per person.
Once redeemed, this will serve as the guest’s event ticket. This ticket will be scanned at the turnstiles on Saturday, April 26 beginning at 8 a.m.

Resort Guests

Resort guests wishing to attend this event can pick up an event ticket at the ticketing desk at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
Guests will scan their event tickets and their park admission tickets at the turnstiles on Saturday, April 26, beginning at 8 a.m.
Additional Information
Please be sure to reserve an event ticket for each member of your party so we have an accurate rider count. Children 3 and under will not need an event ticket. Registration will begin Tuesday, April 15 at 11 a.m.

🌟Here is a FB link to the next ERT Event, which happens to be this upcoming Saturday April 26 - you need to register in your My Dollywood Account (see above) to take advantage of this opportunity.  These ERT events are only one-time per festival.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19cGNnniyX/ 

I have been unable to find a schedule for ERT for the rest of 2025.  When I do, I will be sure to post that update here.

THE NEXT ERT EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY NIGHT, JUNE 21, 2025 AT 8PM TO 10PM!  LINK TO THIS EVENT ON FACEBOOK - CLICK HERE

Correction!! - The Event is in the morning from 8am to 10am, not at night.

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 - 

• 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.
• 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.

🟠🟢Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass Info for 2025 🟢🟠

Hi Everyone,

The Smoky Mountains are alive with the vibrant hues of spring, and at its heart, Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival is blossoming into a feast for the senses! Imagine the park awash in a kaleidoscope of floral artistry, perfectly paired with an array of delectable tastes. Feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of beauty and flavor? Your answer: the Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass, your passport to a curated culinary journey.

The Flower & Food Festival runs from April 18 to June 8, 2025. Note that Dollywood is closed on certain Tuesdays and Thursdays early on in the festival. Operating Hours for the entire festival will be 10am Opening and 8pm Closing. Pro Tip: Always double check the calendar when you plan to go to Dollywood - ALWAYS!

Firstly,

You Can Buy the Tasting Pass at Dollywood.com at this link - here.

All this information is from Dollywood's website, which is at this link - here.

It's $42.99 and $3 discount for Gold and Diamond Passholders. Click on any image to see a bigger version.

You get Five Choices. You can use them all in one day if you wish. You can use Two, come back another day and use the other Three. Make it a fun date night and split Four, and share the fifth as a dessert.

I don't have a link to whomever created "the spreadsheet" - but someone has created a spreadsheet with rankings of value for all of the Tasting Pass menu items - is what they've done, but if you look for it on the Dollywood Facebook Pages, you will find it. I think the gist of it usually ends up being that the Food vs. Drinks battle commences, and food usually wins. That's what I gathered from a quick glance at it. If you want to search for it, it's out there. I saw one for the IWALY tasting pass as well.

BEVERAGES

SAVORY BITES

DESSERTS

Have you tried any of the menu items in the tasting pass?  If so, what did you think about it?  Let me know in the comments.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• 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.
• 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.

🔴🟡🔴🟡Dollywood's Opening Week + 'I Will Always Love You' Music Festival 2025 - VIDEOS AND PHOTO TRIP REPORT 🟡🔴🟡🔴

Hi Everyone!

This article includes all of my Videos from Opening Week AND A Photo Trip Report.  Some of the pics from my visit.  I want to try and include a Photo Trip report in my blog for every visit this season!

I have gathered up all of my videos so far from Dollywood's Opening Week - their 40th Season!

If they were put in chronological order, they would go this way.

Tram Ride In

Part One

Part Two

Glass Shop

From The Heart

Emporium

Emporium Short

A short about Dollywood's Project 2026.  

Includes the Media Day Teaser video from Dolly and Eugene Naughton, park president....and a little construction zone footage from 3/18/25.

photo trip report - random order

Country Fair splashpad and enhancements

new permanent home for Imagination Playhouse, the Village Area

Country Fair - new signage and a new path - that used to be there a long time ago.

Country Fair - Fresh paint everywhere

Construction Update from 3/18/25, New Wilderness Pass Restaurant

Construction Update from 3/18/25, New Wilderness Pass Restaurant

Construction Update from 3/18/25, New Wilderness Pass Restaurant

Construction Update from 3/18/25, New Wilderness Pass Restaurant - outdoor dining area

Construction Update from 3/18/25, New Wilderness Pass Restaurant - this will be the Mobile Ordering Window.

Featured Menu Items

Celebration Sky, part of IWALY celebration

LOVE photo opp, part of the IWALY celebration

Face Paint and Henna Prices 2025

I doubt this is new, but new to me!

Some of the 40th merch - see my videos for lots more merch video.

This is happening later in the season.

The Depot Stage, where The Tones typically perform, has been removed.

Dollywood has placed these anniversary medallions on the buildings that have been around since day one of Dollywood, such as the Little School House seen here.

Seen at the Glass Shop

Seen at the Glass Shop

Seen at the Glass Shop

Seen at the Glass Shop

Seen at the Glass Shop

Seen at the Blacksmith Shop

Seen at the Blacksmith Shop

Here's #192 being prepped for service later in the season.  Cinderella is pulling the train until then.

These two signs grabbed my attention.

This sign is at the Junction - you can't get close to it.

This sign is interesting - it has a hole where the train headlight is, and I think its a couple of LED lights in there, but not positive.  It will be awhile before Dollywood is open after dark to see wether or not its a light.  Wonder what this is connected to - a larger project or just a one-off thingy?  This is between Blazing Fury and Tennessee Tornado.

I hope you enjoyed this visit to Dollywood!  Let me know in the comments your favorite part, or least favorite parts!  I would really love to hear from you!