🥞🥓Dollywood's Breakfast Is Back 🥐🍩

Hi Everyone, Dollywood recently announced the return of Breakfast at the park.  It's been a few years, I believe, since they've featured it, so its great to see its return.  It's at the Front Porch Cafe from 9:30am to 11:30am with the last seating at 11am.

🟦

🟦

It’s like sunshine on a plate.

Start your fun-filled Dollywood day with a mouth-watering breakfast at Front Porch Café. From savory griddles and skillets to fluffy buttermilk pancakes, your tastebuds will be in for a treat!

Guests can enjoy these delicious options from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., with the last seating for breakfast at 11 a.m.

🌸🪷 Dollywood's Flower and Food Tasting Pass Info 2024🪷🌸

Hi Everyone,

Spring has sprung in the Smoky Mountains, and Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival is in full bloom! This vibrant event transforms the park into a wonderland of colorful flowers and delicious treats. But with so many tempting options, how can you savor the best of both worlds? Look no further than the Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass, your key to unlocking a delightful culinary adventure.

Let's dig into the menu items available during this amazing event.

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.

I have included a handy map featuring all the locations for these menu items in the Tasting Pass.  

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.

🚨New Videos! Opening Day🚨 Dolly Parton Parade, Sing-A-Long, Lightning Rod, and MORE!

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Spring.  If you subscribe to my YouTube Channel, you know I have been slowly publishing new videos from this past Opening Day on March 8th, 2024.

I am pleased to tell you all of my Opening Day Videos are published, and I hope you enjoy them.

This one is from the Country Fair area.   The Scrambler has been polished to its mirror finish for the start of the season.  I was looking at a video from October of the Scrambler and it was silver, but not at all polished and kind of had a matte finish about it - the seats I mean.  But it's all polished and looking sharp for the start of the season.  I love the freeze-frame aspect of catching one little moment of joy in everyone's faces.

This one is from Jukebox Junction.  I do believe the new drink fountain outside of Red's is new for this year.   A couple of years ago Dollywood mentioned that they were going to spend a lot of money on improvements to all of the restaurants in the park and so I suspect this is part of that effort.  I love seeing all the little changes from one season to the next.  Some are more obvious than others, some more exciting than others.

This is from the brand new Dolly Parton Sing-A-Long show that is at the Back Porch Theater in the Riverside Area.  I mean, this is fun singing Dolly's biggest hits alongside your friends and family.  

I also published three short videos from Opening Day, including the Dolly Parton Parade that is so much fun.  Dolly rides in her floral covered vintage DeWitt through parts of the park and everyone is so excited to see her...it is quite the site to see and experience.  It never gets old.

Here is Part One, check that out below...

Here is Part Two, check that out below...

Be sure to Subscribe and select to receive notifications when I publish videos.  Also follow me on my Facebook Page for updates there too.

Let me know what you think in the comments!

🟡 More Experiences and another Tour Announced At Dollywood 🟡

Hi Everyone,

 

Dollywood has announced a second tour and some new experiences that may be of interest to you!   Just the other day Dollywood announced details about the IWALY Tour - read about that here on my blog.

Here's what has been announced so far.  Click each one for more information from dollywood.com.

• TOURS
• IWALY TOUR
• Dollywood VIP Tour
• EXPERIENCES - Make-your-own-Crafts
• Dip-Your-Own Candles
• Make-Your-Own Blown Glass Ornament
• Customize-Your-Own Custom Belt, Ornament, Bracelet and more
• Forge-Your-Own Knife

These are very popular Experiences for Dollywood.  I have a friend that insists on always dipping a candle every time we go.  How about you, which experiences do you or your family and friends insist on doing each visit?  Let me know in the comments.

🔵 Changes are Coming to Exclusive Ride Time🔵

Hi Everyone,

New year, new changes at Dollywood.    I'm working on another article making note of all the changes to Dollywood in 2024.  One of the bullet point items will be about changes to the Exclusive Ride Time program beginning with the Flower and Food Festival on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.  Until that time, the ERT program will operate as it did in 2023.  The schedule (below) does list each week's ride for each Saturday from 3/9 to 4/13, 2024.

Let's dig into this!

Click here for direct link to dollywood.com . I recommend you double check any information against the website as changes to ERT dates and rides can change at any time, and at the last moment.

So, instead of an ERT event each week, it will move to a ''once-per-festival'' event, with multiple attractions available for ERT.  Also do notice the earlier start times of 8:30am & then 9:30am on days the park opens at 11am.  

Note that Splash Country will have its own schedule released later.  If it was mentioned, I did not see any announcements of changes at Splash, so stay tuned for more on that front.

This is a pretty big change from the past.  How does that make you feel? Will it impact you positively or negatively?? Let me know in the comments!

🟢 Trip Advisor's Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge! 🟢

Hi Everyone,

Let's dig into Trip Advisor's list here, of budget friendly hotels in Pigeon Forge.

While these properties have excellent guest ratings on TripAdvisor (all 4.5 stars or higher!), they may be pricier than some budget-minded travelers would prefer. The actual list has 192 properties in Pigeon Forge, so I am sure there is something there for everyone.

You can see the list here.  

Here is Tripadvisor.com's list of Top 10 'budget-friendly' hotels in Pigeon Forge.

Click each link to take you to the TripAdvisor entry for each property, in a new window.

1. Margaritaville Island Inn
2. Arbors at Island Landing Hotel & Suites
3. Margaritaville Island Hotel - Pigeon Forge
4. The Inn on the River
5. The Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center
6. Margaritaville Island Inn
7. Best Western Plaza Inn
8. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa
9. Creekstone Inn
10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pigeon Forge

🔵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 2024 Operating Calendar
• 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!
• 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 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.

What do you think about this Tripadvisor list?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

🌻🌸🪷 2024 Spring Break Information You Will Want To Know! Crowd Calendar, helpful articles and more! 🪷🌸🌻

Hi Everyone,

Spring Break 2024 is upon us and everyone reading this article is getting ready for Spring Break in Pigeon Forge and Dollywood!

Read my article for some really helpful Dollywood Trip Planning tips and advice.  At the bottom I've shared some links to other blog posts I have written that could really help you out with your planning.

🔵Spring Break Chart

Last year I came across this handy chart for the many school systems that frequent Dollywood during their respective Spring Breaks, so I wanted to make sure and share again this year.  

This chart could really help you plan your trip whether or not you want to be at Dollywood during spring breaks 🤷‍♂️ or wish to avoid that timeframe all together!

Source (pdf)

🔵Crowd Calendar

Another helpful Dollywood Trip Planning tool is the Dollywood Crowd Calendar!  It's run by a third party that analyzes ride wait times that Dollywood publishes for their app.

🔷Check out Dollywood's Crowd Calendar here.

A cool feature of the Crowd Calendar is that it works many different amusement parks than just Dollywood, so check it out while you're doing your trip planning.

🔵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 2024 Operating Calendar
• 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!
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain footage.
• 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.

Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below.  I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.

#Dollywood #DollywoodTripPlanning #PigeonForgeTennessee #TennesseeTourism #vlog #blog #pigeonforgeattractions

🍕😋🍓Dollywood's 'I Will Always Love You'-Festival Tasting Pass - Info you'll want to know! 🍓😋🍕

Hi Everyone,

As Dollywood gears up for the 2024 Season starting March 8th for Season Passholders and March 9th for the General Public, they are releasing important information that you'll want to know before you head to the park.

Here is the information about the always-popular Tasting Pass as well as all of the menu items they will be offering for the duration of the I Will Always Love You Festival, which ends on Sunday April 14th, 2024.  

With every pass you get FIVE - any FIVE Items on this entire menu for the duration of the IWALY Festival...you don't necessarily have to use all Five in one visit.  Get creative with it!

If you and your partner are on a 'date-night' so to speak, then splitting a pass may be the way to go.  You could each get two entree items, then split a dessert, as one possibility.  Or, if you're adventurous and hungry, then use up all five however you see fit, I am not judging you :)

One last thing, if you're on the fence about the pass, and may want to try one or two of these unique, limited-time menu items, then you can buy any of these items 'a la carte'.  You don't have to have the Tasting Pass to enjoy the festival food.

Let's dig into it, below.... Click on either picture to enlarge them.

Source:  Dollywood.com

Menu Items

Source:  Dollywood.com

🔵To buy the pass online ahead of time Click Here...for the Dollywood Store.

🔵For more Tasting Pass information, go to Dollywood's website -Click here.

There you have it folks.  What do you think of these offerings, and which ones are you most excited about?  Let me know in the comments! 

🔵 New Tour for 2024 - I Will Always Love You Tour 🔵

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood announced this new tour for the I Will Always Love You (IWALY) Festival.  Check out the details below, or on their website - click here.

#dollywood #dollywood2024 #dollywoodthemepark #DollywoodTours

🌟 Information about Dollywood's 2024 Season Passes, QR Codes, Entitlements and more burning questions - Answered! 🌟

Hi Everyone,

Are you ready for Dollywood to open its gates for the 2024 Season?  

If you have been keeping up with all the off-season changes going on at Dollywood, then you are already aware that Dollywood has upgraded their Season Pass operating system to accommodate QR codes, which will speed up the process of moving through the front gate.  I have to imagine it will help at food & merch locations as well - they often struggle with scanning the barcode on my season pass for the discount to apply.

Dollywood has written a blog post that answers many of the details about the Season Pass, Including:

• How to Redeem Entitlements
• How to Add a Photo to a Digital Season Pass
• How to Update a Season Pass with a Barcode to a Season Pass with a QR Code

You can find that blog post at this link - click here. OR, you can check out my screen grabs below.  Click to enlarge.

#dollywood #dollywood2024 #dollywoodthemepark #DollywoodSeasonPass

🎵 ☃️ Dollywood's DreamMore Resort - Winter Concert Series 2024 Announcements ☃️🎵

Hi Everyone,

Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in the warmth of country music with Dollywood's DreamMore Resort's Winter Concert Series. From January to early March, cozy up in an intimate setting and experience live performances by renowned country music artists. Whether you're a seasoned music enthusiast or simply seeking a delightful winter getaway, Dollywood's Winter Concert Series offers an unforgettable experience. Choose from individual concert tickets or a convenient room package that includes two tickets to the performance of your choice. Embrace the soothing melodies, revel in the vibrant atmosphere, and create cherished memories at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort's Winter Concert Series.

This year we have two options for ticketing. One for resort guests who buy a package, and one for non-resort guests.

Tickets and more information can be found at THIS LINK at the Dollywood website.

Featured Artists for 2024

Ronnie McDowell - On Dolly's Rockstar album, her song "I dreamed about Elvis", she recorded it years ago with The Jordanaires and Ronnie McDowell.  You just need to listen to the 2-3 minute interview she did in support of Rockstar - below.

Here's a LINK to the Cued Up Video I'm referring to:  Click Here

OR

If you'd prefer to jump to 3:30:00 in the video, you can do that below.

I recommend watching the whole video, above, if you are a Dolly Fan/ Rockstar fan.

Here is I Dreamed About Elvis, from Rockstar

🟢🟢🟢

Check out my blog for all types of Dolly Parton news and videos.  I have a show on youtube called What's Up At Dollywood and I have tons of Dollywood videos!

🤩✨ Rockstar Movie Screenings At Dollywood for Gold and Diamond Season Pass Holders! ✨🤩

Hi Everyone,

We have finally reached release week for Dolly's rock album, Rock Star!  She has teased the heck out of this album for over a year now, and we'll get to hear it in its entirety.   The musical movie will premiere around the country on Wednesday November 15th and some select encore performances on Thursday the 16th.  

I just learned that Dollywood will be showing the Rock Star movie in the Dreamsong Theater (next to former Chasing Rainbows museum) on Friday the 17th IF YOU ARE A GOLD OR DIAMOND PASS HOLDER, so if you happen to be at Dollywood, or are willing to make that trip on Friday, then you can really maximize your Dolly Parton exposure by watching it at Dollywood.  How many other artists can you really connect to like that??  NONE, the answer is NONE.  

CLICK HERE to see all of this important information, and to make Reservations, at dollywood.com's website.

https://www.dollywood.com/

https://www.dollywood.com

🔴🟢 Dollywood's Tasting Pass and Celebration Hall Buffet Info for 2023 🟢🔴

Hi Everyone,

I have a couple of updates about the Smoky Mountain Christmas food options for you today.

🔵 First, The Celebration Hall Buffet (Country Fair Area) is continuing from the previous festival into the Smoky Mtn Christmas Festival.

 🔹 One great way to access the Celebration Hall is to use the Handicapable pathway behind Dogs N Taters, that runs alongside the rampage ride, under the train and then boom, you're right there.  As opposed to going up the hill towards the Village, crossing the tracks, and down the hill into Country Fair.

Click Here to Buy Tickets at least 24 hours in advance, if you like, and you can read more details as well.

https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/dining/christmas-festival-buffet/

Here are the menu offerings - subject to change, it says!  Click image to Enlarge.

Here's a recent picture of the Celebration Hall.  I took this b/c they razed a little building, you can see how the pavement is different, but now there's plenty of space to linger!

🔵 Second, Dollywood has released information about its popular Tasting Pass for Smoky Mountain Christmas, so let's dig into it.  All this info comes from Dollywood.com/themepark/dinding/christmas-tasting pass - LINK HERE.

Menu Offerings for 2023, Click to Enlarge

Here's the link to the "BUY NOW" button above, click here.

What do you think about either of these options?  Will you and your guests use the tasting pass?  If so, what are your thoughts about it all?  Tell me in the comments!

Dollywood's Sensory-Sensitive Day for 2023

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood just announced its event for Sensory-Sensitive Day.  It is on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 from 8:30 am to noon.  The park opens at 10am, but will continue with this program until noon.

Go to FB via this link, for more info and to Register - here.

Join us at Dollywood on Saturday, Nov. 18 for Sensory-Sensitive Day. This event provides a welcoming space to enjoy some of Dollywood's world-class attractions with limited sound and light interruptions. This event begins at 9 a.m. before the park opens at 10 a.m. and will continue through noon. Event space is limited and only available for pre-registered event participants. For a full schedule and more information, click here: https://www.dollywood.com/.../sensory-sensitive-hours/

💵 Dollywood's DreamMore Resort Flash Sale - Up to 30% your stay, per night

Hi Everyone,

Just passing this promotion on to you all!

More info HERE 

🎄 Dollywood's Light The Way 5k - Friday November 10th, 2023 at 11pm 🏃🏼

 

Official Website Here.

There is nothing quite like Dollywood at Christmas. Experience a nighttime run in the nation’s most beautiful holiday park during the award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival by registering for the 10th annual Light the Way 5K! It’s never too early to get in the Christmas spirit, so register now for the 10th annual Light the Way 5K to take place at Dollywood Friday, November 10 at 11 p.m.

Runners will begin at Dollywood’s Front Gate area and travel through the theme park twice, giving them time to take in the five million Christmas lights. Walkers will have the opportunity to follow the route for one loop around the park.

We are excited to announce that this year’s race is being facilitated by the Knoxville Track Club (ktc.org). KTC will chip-time the event and work with the event team to provide runners with the best experience possible. 

Medals will be awarded to every participant in Light the Way 5K 2023 and will be distributed at the finish line. Awards will be presented to the top three overall finishers for both men and women and all age groups.

Online registration is encouraged for Light the Way 5K as the race is limited to 1,500 participants. The registration fee is $45 until September 5 and $50 from September 6 through November 10. Race day registration will take place from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Dollywood’s Splash Country. For information on group registration, email info@keepsevierbeautiful.org.

PACKET PICK-UP

Wednesday, November 8 - REI Knoxville (6700 Papermill Drive NW) 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Thursday, November 9 - REI Pigeon Forge (2655 Teaster Lane, Suite 310) 4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Friday, November 10 - Dollywood’s Splash Country Pigeon Forge (2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd) 11:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.

THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR THIS RACE AND STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED!