Showing posts with label Fall in the Smokies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall in the Smokies. Show all posts

Thursday, October 16, 2025

🟡🚌New Grayline One-Day Bus Tour from Downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back🚌🟡




Hi Everyone,
It recently came to my attention that Grey Line Bus Tours offers a Nashville-to-Dollywood-Nashville one-day trip available for around $200.  

I can't find a daily schedule of events but based off of driving Knoxville to Nashville and back for over 30 years, I can make a good guesstimate.

7am - Depart Downtown Nashville - Central Time
10-11am - Arrive at Dollywood - Eastern Time
7pm - Depart Dollywood - Eastern Time
9:30-10:15 - Arrive Downtown Nashville - Central Time

For the time zones, in my head I have to tell myself that it takes me 2 hours on the clock to get to my parents' house in Nashville from Knoxville, and it takes 4 hours on the clock to get home to Knoxville, coming from Nashville.  Over the past several years the travel time has crept upwards.

At this moment I'm looking at availability for the rest of October and it's pretty limited, so this tour seems like it is already a popular option.  I know that it can be a daunting experience for the Nashville tourists who want to visit Dollywood.  You may have to rent a car, drive over 400 miles round trip, factor in a time change, book a hotel, eat, buy park tickets, park at the park.... it's a lot to do to make it happen.  If you are coming here from overseas, then it compounds all of that work...so, this idea seems to me like it should have happened decades ago. 

This is what you'll see when you head to their website.  Click the image to make it larger.  In the bottom left, I selected one adult and one child.  The cost is $416 after 'fees' are added.  



I looked around for some first-hand experience reviews but came up short.  If anyone has an experience to share, please let me know about it in the comments section.   Apparently, the busses are outfitted with Wi-fi....so, there's that.  I kind of wonder if it stops at the Bucee's in Crossville, which kind of halfway in between the two?

Here is the website where you can book your trip, if you desire.  Begin with selecting a date and then click on the times that are available - which is 7am.  It will then take you to the ticket purchase page.  Good Luck!

Something else to note, in my blog post about the upcoming Dollywood hotel , SongTeller, off of Broadway in Nashville, I mentioned that the hotel would likely have day long excursions to the park.  I'm imagining that the Gray Line Service will become part of the SongTeller Hotel's service.  Makes a lot of sense to me for them to outsource this service to a tour bus company.

🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

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Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

🍂🍁🎃Dollywood's Harvest Festival Tasting Pass Information + more! 🎃🍂🍁

Hi Everyone,
Dollywood has unveiled the details for their HARVEST FESTIVAL 2025 TASTING PASS.




Running from Friday, September 12, to Monday, October 27, 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 9:00pm...and they're open every single day!



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 October 27th.
  • 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!
Diamond and Gold Passholders, $39.99 is your discounted price....not including taxes and fees.



Beverages




click to enlarge image

Savory Bites







Desserts





SCENES FROM AROUND THE PARK
DURING HARVEST FESTIVAL

~Scroll Down for Videos~


















Check out my videos from last year's festival








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


🔵Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 




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Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

🍁🍂Dollywood's Harvest Festival 2024 Video Extravaganza 🍂🍁

Hi Everyone, 
As I write this we are in peak-Christmas season, just a few days out from the big day and I am wrapping up my videos from Dollywood's Harvest Festival.   I had several videos from this festival and it's nice to have them all in one place to easily share them with you all.  Of course they are all on my Dollywood Playlist on YouTube, but here they are all bundled up together.






Smoky Creek Leather & Hat Co, in Craftsman's Valley

Blown Glass Shop - Harvest Highlights





Emporium - Harvest Highlights



Dolly's Fan Shop





🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information





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Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

Thursday, November 28, 2024

🦃🦃Happy Thanksgiving From What's Up At Dollywood! 🦃🦃



🦃🦃🦃
I hope you enjoy this Dolly at Dollywood Thanksgiving Special from 1987, as much as I do every year.  Feels like a wayback machine trip.



I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving!  Thank you all for your continued support with What's Up At Dollywood as it continues to grow. 


Dolly, as far as I know, is not going to be at the Dallas Cowboys football game this year, sadly.  But you can re-live that show in its full glory below, through Youtube.

You may have to click a link to watch on YT itself, due to the NFL media rules.

Here's Dolly all the way back in March of this year, 2024 in the Opening Day Dolly Parade at Dollywood.


🦃

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Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

🦃Thanksgiving in Sevier County 2024 🦃

Hi Everyone,
I have been doing some research for all things Thanksgiving in Sevier County for 2024.  What's Open for Meals, Fun Stuff to Do, etc.  Dollywood is closed on Thanksgiving Thursday, reopening at 11am on Friday.  As of this writing, Friday November 29th says the Crowd Calendar for Dollywood attendance will be at 40%, which makes it a great day to go if that number holds.  It will likely change as the date draws closer and the weather is good.  Dollywood's two resorts and restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day.

What is in this article?

🟣Restaurants that are open.  I've found a few lists of restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.

🟣I've listed some catering type options for those of you who want to retreat to a cozy cabin and not cook, or cook very little.  Note that some advance ordering will need to happen.   

🟣Other entertainment options that are open on Thanksgiving Day, like Snow Tubing, Ripley's, Mountain Coasters and more!


🦃Let's Get Started 🦃

🟣Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving Thursday



Visit East Tennessee's Facebook page has this great list of Restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day...3 Pages worth!


I have a couple Restaurant Related blog posts that might be of interest to you... 

🟣CATERING OPTIONS

There are several restaurants that offer these Takeaway Feasts.  Perfect if you're wanting to have all your fun in a cabin!  Make sure you order in advance.


Applewood Farmhouse Grill
Applewood Farmhouse Grill has a special Thanksgiving-To-Go special menu with Two Offerings - Mini Feast $75, or Family Feast for $135, details Below.   Applewood Farmhouse Grill also has 'Cabin Packs' year-round, which is another option for you from Applewood Farmhouse Grill.

Link to Applewood Farmhouse Grill Thanksgiving Website - Click Here
Thanksgiving-To-Go Meal - Two Options Available

Here's what's included in the 'Mini Feast' for $74.99, above.  LINK

Here's what's included in the 'Family Feast' for $134.99, above. LINK


Cabin Packs - Dinner and Breakfast Options

Year-Round Offerings


Calhoun's Restaurants - They will cook an entire Thanksgiving Dinner for you.  They have Two Sevier County Locations, as well as in Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge.  See all Locations Here.

Pigeon
Forge

(865) 868-1500


Gatlinburg

(865) 436-4100


Calhoun's' Sells "Holiday Packs" of either Smoked Turkey or Prime Rib, with sides, as well as their own Beers!  Be sure to order in advance, 48 to 72 hours.  Check out the details and pricing HERE.


They also sell "Family Packs'' with other options like BBQ Pork, Brisket and Rib, with sides.  You can order online the day-of for Family Packs.  Check out the details, pricing and Order Online HERE.


You can read more about their beer offerings on this drink menu from the Pigeon Forge location...on Page 5...Click Here for PDF.  




Buddy's BBQ Sevierville

Website Here

Buddy's is always ready to go with large orders.

$49.99 Smoked Turkey

Family Feasts starting at $89/99

www.buddysbarbq.com/thanksgiving

Order by November 22nd!


Wilderness At The Smokies


Popeye's Has a Cajun Turkey that you can order in advance.

Info Here on their website.  Dig around to order it, if they are not already sold out.

🟣Entertainment Options

Combine a feast with lots of fun stuff.  Ober Gatlinburg's event was one of the first events I came across on Facebook.

Ober Gatlinburg


The Island

Winterfest is happening at The Island during Thanksgiving.

Anakeesta

Enchanted Christmas - more info at their website HERE.

Skyland Ranch

Thanksgiving Feast and More - Click Here

Mountain Coasters

  • Guide To Mountain Coasters - Every Single Coaster, how they do pricing, LOTS OF INFO.  Take a look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.  All of them should be open on Thanksgiving...and they may be busy.

Ripleys Everything

Aquarium - Open 365 days a year.
Everything Else - Should Be Open - Here's their other stuff - click here.

Seen on Ripley's Aquarium FB Page



Ripley's Attractions in Sevier County
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
Super Fun Zone
Moving Theater
Haunted Adventure
Mirror Maze
Davy Crockett Mini Golf
Old MacDonald's Farm Mini Golf
Mountain Coaster
Super Fun Park

Wonder Works

Snow Tubing

Outdoor - Rowdy Bear, Skyland Ranch & Ober
Skyland - Snow Tubing

Indoor - Pigeon Forge Snow

Check out my short video about Pigeon Forge Snow


Go Karts

Xtreme Racing Center of Pigeon Forge (4.4 stars google)
SpeedZone Fun Park (4.4 stars google)
The Track Family Fun Park (4.5 stars google)
NASCAR SpeedPark (4.2 stars google)
Space Race Adventures (4.6 stars google)
Adventure Raceway (4.4 stars google)

Trampoline Park

Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park (4.7 stars google)

Other Fun Stuff

Mountain Monster - more info coming

Ziplines

more info coming

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Location: Knoxville, TN, USA

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Hurricane Helene & Dollywood - Getting to Dollywood from North Carolina

Hi Everyone,

Helene swept through our region, causing minor damage around Dollywood, but the impact was significantly less severe than what we witnessed in far east Tennessee, such as Greeneville and Unicoi County. The damage was even more extreme in western North Carolina, including Asheville and numerous smaller mountain communities.

Several people are reported missing, though many are likely out of communication due to widespread power outages and disrupted cell service. Wi-Fi has been a lifeline for those fortunate enough to have restored power, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones.

 

Two major interstates that are used to get North Carolinians to Dollywood are indefinitely closed.  I40 at the state line washed into the river below.  I26 has some sections that were washed away.  Fortunately, there are alternatives to those routes.

google maps - September 29, 2024

🔶If you can get to Wytheville, Virginia, then head south on I81 to I40 West, to Exit 407 to get to Dollywood.
🔶441 through the mountains is Now Open- 10/2/24.

🔶Hwy 129 - "The Dragon" - OPEN - NO SEMI TRUCKS!!!

See NCDOT for the most Up To Date Info - Link





What Im seeing Online:  I've been monitoring a few Facebook feeds and groups from North Carolina.  Most of the feeds are trying to connect loved ones from out of state with those that have been disconnected by the storm.  I've seen lots of happy endings and several sad ones too.  There are numerous Now & Then pics of how things used to look.  People looking for and connecting others with resources like gas, shelters, food, toiletries, and basic necessities.  

Here is one story from the Chimney Rock Area of North Carolina.

If you are looking to help in some type of way, then some good advice I saw, was look up state/county websites to see what resources they are asking for.  If you're not sure where to start, begin by googling Pet Shelters in these communities - no doubt they all need some assistance right now.  Red Cross is another good place to start.

Here are some of the places accepting donations in North Carolina - 
  • LIST at Link - local NPR station, BPR.   A note at the top of the article says many of these resources are winding down - 10/3/24.
  • Operation Airdrop
Here are the counties impacted by Helene
Tennessee
  • Unicoi County
  • Washington
  • Sullivan
  • Greene
  • Hawkins
  • Hancock
  • Grainger

North Carolina
  • Haywood
  • Madison
  • Yancey
  • Mitchel
  • Avery
  • Watauga
  • Ashe
  • Jackson
  • Transylvania
  • Buncombe
  • McDowel
  • Burke
  • Caldwell
  • Wilkes
  • Henderson
  • Rutherford
  • Polk
  • Alexander
  • Catawba
  • Lincoln
  • Cleveland
  • Gaston
Additional Resources
https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene

https://www.facebook.com/NCEmergency/

road closure map
https://drivenc.gov/

emergency updates on nextdoor
https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/nc/asheville/buncombe-county-government/

How to help east Tennessee after Helene
https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/how-to-help-east-tn-after-helene/

🔴 United Way has created a fund to help those affected by Helene. https://www.unitedwaync.org/
🔴American Red Cross - You can visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2024/red-cross-responds-to-hurricane-helene.html
🔴The Salvation Army is accepting donation and mobilizing disaster response teams. https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
🔴Baptists on a Mission volunteers are putting teams together to serve those affected in North Carolina as conditions allow. https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene/Update
🔴Samaritan’s Purse’s headquarters is in Boone. They are currently scheduling volunteers to help homeowners with the destruction in the city. https://spvolunteer.org/project-response/743
🔴Find a recovery group to help via the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster list or find a group to volunteer with. https://www.ncvoad.org/volunteer/
🔴GoFundMe has launched a hub for Helene relief that includes some North Carolina fundraisers. https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/hurricane-helene

Should I Take My Tennessee Vacation?? YES
I know that a lot of folks who are wanting to know if they can take their hard-earned vacation in the Smokies.  If you can get here safely, then I say yes, please do.   

If you're in North Carolina and out of the impacted areas, then you can drive up to Wytheville, Virginia on Interstate 77, then head down 81 South to 40 West and then to Exit 407 and, boom, you're here.  See my map, up above.

I travel to Wilmington NC from Knoxville semi-frequently and there are were four major routes across North Carolina that I can chose from. They are all nearly identical travel times, so take your pick, except Interstate 40 which is closed indefinitely at the border, and 26, which has a closed section. 

This whole situation has been heartbreaking in so many ways - to see the destruction of a hurricane so far inland.  I've never seen anything like that here.  Had Helene's path been a little further to the west, then where I live would have been in the crosshairs of the damage.  It's just all a bit shocking.  Take care everyone!


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🟡🚌New Grayline One-Day Bus Tour from Downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back🚌🟡

Hi Everyone, It recently came to my attention that Grey Line Bus Tours offers a Nashville-to-Dollywood-Nashville one-day trip available for ...