🟢 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!

A Guide to Mountain Coasters and Other Similar Attractions in Sevier County, Tennessee

Hi Everyone,

Sevier County, Tennessee is home to eleven unique mountain coasters, one of the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains, and one of the highest concentrations of mountain coasters anywhere on the PLANET! While well-known Dollywood is famous for its roller coasters, these mountain coasters offer a unique experience that can only be found in Sevier County.

I've created a list of all of the current operating mountain coasters in Sevier County, Tennessee, along with some additional information to help you choose the right one for you. Some of the coasters require separate admission, while others are included in a wristband that gives you access to multiple attractions. I'll break down the information for you below the link to my spreadsheet.

To See The List Of Mountain Coasters, CLICK HERE!

🔵There are two main types of mountain coaster tickets:

• Single tickets: These tickets allow you to ride one or two coasters. They are typically the most affordable option.
• Wristbands: These tickets give you access to multiple coasters and other attractions. They can be a good option if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵Wristbands can be either:

• Timed: These wristbands are valid for a certain period of time, such as 2 hours or 4 hours. After the time expires, you will need to purchase another wristband or single ticket to ride the coasters.
• Unlimited: These wristbands give you unlimited access to the coasters and other attractions for the entire day. They are typically the most expensive option, but they can be a good value if you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions.

🔵The best type of ticket for you will depend on your budget and your plans for the day. If you are only planning on riding one or two coasters, then a single ticket may be the best option. If you plan on riding multiple coasters or visiting multiple attractions, then a wristband may be a better value.

🟢How are the coasters different from one another, or are they all the same?

Answer: Different! Read on to learn more.

All of these rides share one common feature: the brake. Each ride has one or two handles that you push forward to move forward or coast, and pull back or release to brake and slow down.

Weigands are more sophisticated than other rides in that each cart is "aware" of where the next cart is. If you get too close to another cart, it will automatically brake to avoid a collision. Weigands also have "brake zones" at the end of the course and before the next lift hill, where the carts will automatically brake.

🚨If your lift hill happens to stop, remain seated and calm. It will start up again momentarily. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE CART.

The Smokies are home to several Weigand mountain coasters, which come in two generations: Generation 1 and Generation 2. Both generations are visually similar and offer a similar ride experience.

🔷Here's a Weigand Gen 1, below.

You'll find these Gen 1's at Rocky Top Mtn Coaster, Smoky Mtn coaster, Goats & Moonshine Mtn.

🔷Here's Gen 2

You'll find Gen 2 at Skyland Ranch, Lost Mine, and at Anakeesta

🔷Anakeesta has a single rail coaster and they're building a dual rail....a Generation 2, I think.

Single Rail Mountain Coaster at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 

What other types are there??

🔷The Powered Coaster at Rowdy Bear

Hill not required.  This one is powered the whole trip around the course.

🔷The Suspended Coaster with Shooting Targets, also at Rowdy Bear

Ready, aim, fire!  Compete against your buddy for high score.

🔷At Ober, two more styles are waiting for you!

🔹This is the ADG's version...similar to the Weigand model.

🔹This is the OG Alpine Slide of the Smokies - sliding since 1976.

You ride a chair-lift to the top of the course, disembark, and slide from there.  No lift hill like the others.  You can race here, unlike all the others.

🔷This is what you will find at the Wilderness at the Smokies resort. Now Open as of 10/31/2023.

Rendering of the Cloud Coaster at Wilderness at the Smokies

Here's an actual Cloud Coaster somewhere in the world.  It must be pretty amazing; it bends your arms backwards!

As you can see, there are many different options available, each with its own unique features. And with the Smoky Mountains being home to the highest concentration of mountain coasters on the planet, this is the perfect place to experience them all!

Let me know what you think about these in the comments! Good Luck!!

30 Great Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge, Open Late!

Hi Everyone,

Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are two popular tourist destinations in Tennessee, known for their amusement parks, outdoor attractions, and, of course, their restaurants. With so many great places to eat, it can be hard to know where to start.

That's why I've put together this list of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, based on Average Ratings from Google, Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

I've included a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes, from American to BBQ to pizza to steak houses to Mexican. There's also an all-day breakfast place, a diner, and a higher-end restaurant in Sevierville.

The list is sorted by my Average Rating, so you can easily find the best-rated restaurants in the area.

Link to the Best Restaurants List

Good Luck and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Check out all my videos, blog posts and facebook posts!  Follow along and I will help keep you up to date on Dollywood and I even share a lot of Dolly Parton news too!

YouTube Channel; https://www.youtube.com/c/JeffBurkhardt

Blog:  https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://fb.me/whatsupatdollywood

Restaurants Featured in the spreadsheet:

Ristorante DellaSantina

The Corner Diner

Junction 35 Spirits - Mountain Mile Location

The Old Mill Restaurant

Old Mill Pottery House Cafe

The Appalachian

The Listening Room Cafe

Huck Finn's Catfish

Mel's Diner

The Local Goat

Smokies Cuban Cafe

Cookie Dough Monster - Burgers and Shakes

Iron Forge Breweing Co.

Gaucho Urbano Brazilian Steakhouse

Blue Moose Burgers & Wings - Pigeon Forge location

Applewood Farmhouse GRILL

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

Wild Bear Tavern

Big Daddy's Pizza - Pigeon Forge

Five Oaks Farm Kitchen

Bullfish Grill

Timberwood Grill

Sunliner Diner - Pigeon Forge

El Ranchero Loco

Mama's Farmhouse

Paula Deen's Family Kitchen

Azul Cantina

JT Hannah's Kitchen

Puckett's Restaurant - Pigeon Forge

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Downtown Flavortown

Updates to "Hotels With High Ratings Blog Article"

Hi Everyone, 

I'm excited to announce that I've updated my blog post about the top hotels in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! This is one of my most popular articles, and I know you all get a lot of use out of it. I love being able to help you out with practical information, and I hope you find this update helpful.

In the article you will see two new hotel newsy things that I share, but I will share them again here - since you're here and all.

1) A brand new Adult (Marriott Bonvoy) Hotel (Row 39) is scheduled to open in September 2023, and that may be of interest to some of you.  Read an article about it here:  https://tinyurl.com/4dhh7vaj

From the article: 

Get ready to go back in time for your vacation. Way back in time.

The Wayback is a groovy, retro-themed hotel mostly for adults opening in Pigeon Forge between Flapjack's Pancake Cabin and the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride.

Inspired by old roadside motels in Palm Springs, the hotel is hoping to provide a "vibrant escape amidst the high energy of downtown Pigeon Forge."

The 134-room hotel is expected to open in early September, according to general manager Marty Rothchild, and is developed by Sevierville-based company Aatmos. It's a Tribute portfolio hotel, part of the Marriott family.

Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott's loyalty program for frequent guests. This hotel is geared towards its members, who enjoy a variety of amenities as part of their stay. Non-members are also welcome at this hotel, but they do not receive the same amenities as members. I wanted to point out this distinction so that you can make an informed decision about whether to become a Marriott Bonvoy member before booking your stay.

2) Country Cascades - Row 25 on Spreadsheet - Recently announced a new $14 million dollar expansion to its indoor water park offerings.  It's scheduled to open in 2025.  You can read more and see renderings here:  WATE TV news

Click On for the updates...

Updated article here- Click Here

Updated Spreadsheet - Click Here

Good Luck with your planning!

Rare photos of Dolly Parton statue in the making

Hi Everyone,

As a Dolly Parton and Dollywood fan, I love sharing interesting facts and stories about them. Recently, I came across some fascinating photos of the Dolly Parton statue at the Sevier County Courthouse. The statue was sculpted by Jim Gray, a well-known artist in the area. The photos were taken at Gray's home in 1986/early '87, while he was still working on the statue. One of the commenters on the post said that Dolly Parton herself visited Gray's home to provide sketches for the statue. How cool is that?!

Source:  Facebook Group: Knoxville Tenn History and Memories, which is a private group.

From the Jack Kirkland collection

From the Jack Kirkland collection

From the Jack Kirkland collection

I have a video of the Dolly Parton Statue if you'd like to take a look.  It's 60-seconds.

• #dollypartoncountrymusichalloffamestatue
• #dollypartonstatueattheseviervillecourthouse
• #dollypartonstatuebyjimgray
• #dollypartonstatue
• #jimgray
• #sevierville
• #tennessee
• #countrymusic
• #legend
• #inspiration
• #honor
• #tribute
• #love

Special Thanks to the Knoxville History - Facebook group for their courtesy. 

Save $15 on Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud or Lumberjack Adventure!

Hi Everyone,

I came across a deal for $15 off adult tickets to Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud or the Lumberjack Themed Adventure Park. As of this publishing, an Adult ticket to the Feud-show is $39.99, and an Adult ticket to the Adventure Park is $49.99.

There are several Food City Locations in Pigeon Forge.  So, to take advantage of this offer, you'll need to head to a Food City and buy your tickets with this promo code/barcode.

Details here are sparse, so, I wish I could tell you when it ends, or let you know other details about this offer, but Im sure they will fill you in at the store. 

Links:

Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show and Adventure Park

Food City Promotion for PDLFSAP

Food City Locations in Sevierville/Pigeon Forge

Dollywood Weather Alert for Tuesday December 27th, 2022 - CLOSED TUESDAY

 UPDATE 12/27/2022 - Hi Everyone, Dollywood has updated their operations schedule for Tuesday and decided to remain closed Today, Tuesday, December 27th, 2022.

🦋🦋

Monday's forecast in Knoxville was that we would have a clipper system quickly pass through and bring about a half inch of dry snow.  Well, instead, it snowed for 12 hours and we got a couple of inches of snow and some areas around here received more than that, so I am not surprised by this decision after looking at some social media posts of Dollywood yesterday.  All the water features were frozen over, with large icicles dangling about.  The parking lot looked like an icy mess.  Today is the first day above freezing since last Thursday - it's going to take some time to resemble normal again.  

If you're in the area there is still tons of stuff to do!  Here's a small list of options:

• Ober Gatlinburg.  You can ride the aerial tram from the station in downtown Gatlinburg up the mountain.  Skis and Snowboards are available for rent at the top.  
• Mountain Coasters - I've lost track of how many there are right now, but here's a few - Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster and Goats on the Roof, both in Wears Valley.  The newest one is at Sky Ranch across from Tanger Outlets.  Rowdy Bear has numerous coasters in different styles as well as snow tubing indoor and outdoor.  Rocky Top coaster near Dollywood.  There are two others in Gatlinburg adjacent to Hillbilly Golf.  I know I am missing a few others.
• Mountain Mile behind The Island - several activities and thrill rides to choose from.
• The Island in Pigeon Forge has several rides and the giant wheel.  Plus, lots of restaurants to pick from...and shows to see.
• Anakeesta - I believe it is open today 9am to 9pm.
• Gatlinburg Aquarium.
• Gatlinburg Skylift and bridge - they're open today.
• Shopping - no shortage of that!   Five Oaks comes to mind first.  Shopaholics will enjoy that, and there are many more options than that.
• Titanic Museum
• Wonderworks Museum
• Dave and Busters

Good luck everyone, stay warm.  The forecast for the rest of the week looks warmer! 

Dollywood Weather Alert for Monday, December 26th. Delayed Opening

 Hi Everyone, please see the weather alert, below, for Dollywood for Monday December 26th.

Keep handy Dollywood's Facebook Page and Twitter Page for the most updated information.  

I was just looking at Monday's weather and a clipper system is expected to pass through the region after noon, which may create another opportunity for snow.  That would likely be reason enough for Dollywood to make more calls about their operating schedule - so stay tuned.    If I discover any new news to share about Monday, I'll update this post as soon as Im able to.  Watch this space. 

Dollywood Weather Alert! CLOSED Friday December 23, 2022

12/22/22 Note from Jeff - If you've had to cancel your Dollywood trip at Christmas for this year because of weather, or any other reason, you can still enjoy Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas!  It's not quite the same as going in person, but I have a great video I produced that you can sit and watch in the comfort of your favorite space.   Check it out below.  This was filmed on a really cold Wednesday back in November.  I hope you enjoy it.

Dollywood's Future Plans - One Point Revisited

 Hi Everyone,

I wrote a blog article not long ago about Dollywood's Future Plans.  One of the many items on the list was Year-Round Operations.  Dollywood included it in their 10-year plan, see below, by Ed Naughton, President of Dollywood.

Could Dollywood open 365?

Making sure there are plenty of things to do in every season will position the company to entertain year-round, Naughton said, adding it's possible the park could open theaters and restaurants near the entrance during winter.

Continuous improvement seems to be the new constant at Dollywood. Much of that change happens during a frenzied January and February.

Source:  click here. 

Oddly enough, or coincidentally, this week, two 'neighboring' amusement parks in the Cedar Fair chain, Carowinds and King's Dominion, both announced year-round operations.   Carowinds is southeast of Dollywood near Charlotte, and King's Dominion is near coastal Virginia, in Doswell, so its winters are pretty mild for the most part.

That's great news for those who work at those parks and can now be employed year-round, and it's great for the guests who are looking for entertainment in January and February.    I see lots of potential in winter operations doing things that are challenging in the summer, like snow tubing & ice skating as a couple examples.

My understanding is that these two parks will be open for weekends-only during the two coldest months of winter, which obviously is weather dependent.  Other parks that stay open year-round cycle the operations of the rides in and out of service, so that routine maintenance can be performed.  It would not be reasonable to expect every single ride to be in operation during the winter months.  That's what happens in other year-round parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Disney-World-Land-Epcot, Universal, Sea Worlds, & Busch Tampa.  

It's interesting to me that these two parks have chosen to operate year-round.  Was it a way to beat Dollywood to the punch?  Done so in their own interest?  It's impossible to say.  Will Six Flags over Georgia follow suit?  At this point I doubt it.  Six Flags seems somewhat in operational disarray.  Six Flags Magic Mountain has, for several years, been open year-round and recently announced that they were scaling that back, which is unfortunate for those who bought season passes who were promised year-round operations.

What would year-round operations look like at Dollywood?  I don't have any insider info to know what they're thinking about doing, but based off of Ed Naughtons' comments, he said they would consider using the entrance as a sort of hub, making use of the theaters and restaurants.  Chasing Rainbows Museum is not far away from the entrance, and it was closed in 2022 for a major re-thinking of the experience.  Will it move closer to the entrance to align with the 10-year plan?

Drop Line can operate in temps down to 5-degrees F and Thunderhead has, I think, four trains.  I believe they have the two trains from Celebration City's shuttered GCI coaster, so that means two trains could be in rehab at any given time and potentially would never have seasonal downtime, or at least not very long.  Mystery Mine seems to struggle with cold temperatures, so Im not sure it would open on the coldest of days.  So, Dollywood could open The Entrance area/Showstreet, Timber Canyon and maybe Wildwood Grove for winter, which would allow for seasonal maintenance in the rest of the park.  As years went on, they could introduce Wilderness Pass, then Craftsman's Valley the year after that.  They love to incrementally grow things, so that would seem to make sense.

Another possibility is that Dollywood adds an entire Snow Themed Area in the park that features cold-weather activities like snow tubing, ice skating, bonfire areas, stuff like that.  Before it was cancelled, the Nashville combo Water Park/Snow Park was a real idea they had.  They were set to partner with Gaylord, but it fell through.  So, they're well aware of the types of things they could do to make a snow park work.

Like I mentioned, I have no idea what they'll end up doing.  They hold their secrets pretty well.  I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for any developments.

Until next time.  

Dollywood Insiders: The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood’s Roller Coasters

 Hi Everyone, 

I came across this fantastic article that offers lots of important information about all of Dollywood’s award-winning roller coasters.  This is the type of info about roller coasters that gives me the warm fuzzies.  The more I’ve learned about how roller coasters work, and how safe they really are, then for me, my anxiety melted away and I could enjoy all the other sensations you get to experience (Speed, Big Drops, Inversions, etc) when you’re not worried about flying off into a painful death!

Anyhoo, I wanted to share this with all y’all!

Source: The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood’s Roller Coasters - Dollywood Insiders

Dollywood Insiders: Behind the Scenes: Getting Mystery Mine Ready for the Day

 Hi Everyone,

I came across this great article for all you ride enthusiasts, who, like me, are always eager to learn more about how rides work.  The more that I learned about functionality, safety systems, etc, mostly as a teenager, my fears about flying off the tracks (lol) subsided. In the 1980's we obviously didn't have the internet to learn from, so back then I just had to figure it out or ask nerdy questions of the ride ops... mostly they did not know what I was asking. Also lol.

This is from the Dollywood Insiders Group and here’s the source - right here.  I hope you enjoy it. But Wait, There's More!! Go to the article to watch a video related to this story!

Behind the Scenes: Getting Mystery Mine Ready for the Day - Dollywood Insiders

Behind the Scenes: Getting Mystery Mine Ready for the Day

By Jeremy Daniels - Dollywood Insider

My uncle Gordon worked for Dollywood in the 1990s as a member of the rides’ maintenance crew. For many years, the reason my family was able to visit the park was because of the complimentary tickets my uncle gave us. It was on those trips that I fell in love with Dollywood. The sights, sounds and smells that take me right back to my childhood still exist in the park today.

I recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes of Mystery Mine with Caleb (a rides’ maintenance host) for an up-close look at how the attraction is inspected and tested each morning.

The maintenance team ensures everything is operating as it should every day: they walk and inspect the track, meticulously comb through each ride vehicle and test operation software and mechanics. Needless to say, ride mechanics arrive several hours before the park opens. Dollywood’s rides’ maintenance hosts have the authority to keep attractions closed until they are comfortable that it meets all standards set by the manufacturer.

I went into this experience expecting to get a glimpse at what few have seen, but I left with confidence in the safety of each ride at Dollywood. These unsung heroes of the theme park world are often overlooked, and I just want to say thanks. My life has been greatly influenced by one a Dollywood rides’ maintenance host, and he would be proud of the team that continues the great work today.

By Jeremy Daniels| September 9th, 2022

Dont forget to go to the article to watch the related video - Video Here 

Cigarette butts to benches - Dollywood joins 7-state initiative recycling cigarette butts to keep TN River beautiful.

Hi Everyone,

I saw this article recently and thought what a great idea this is, so I wanted to share.

Source - WATE-tv, Knoxville.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Visitors to Dollywood can sit on benches made from the plastic found in cigarette butts.

Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) gifted Dollywood the two benches as a way to say thank you for the park’s efforts in stopping cigarette litter. In 2021, Dollywood partnered with the river cleanup nonprofit for their cigarette litter prevention project. KTNRB gave Dollywood with 26 art-wrapped cigarette receptacles through grants and sponsorships from Keep America Beautiful, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the American Eagle Foundation.

According to KTNRB, Dollywood is the first theme park in the world to recycle the plastic found in every cigarette butt collected on its property. The park is also the largest recycler in KTNRB’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program with more than 250,000 of the 275,000 cigarette butts collected coming from Dollywood.

“This is a pioneering step that Dollywood is taking with this project—one that sets an example that our waterways are worth protecting and one that is the largest recycling impact of its kind within the seven-state Tennessee River watershed,” said Kathleen Gibi, KTNRB Executive Director. “We’re grateful to all of the partners who have made this project possible.”

The Pigeon River, seen at a lower level in this photo due to summer weather, is part of the Tennessee River watershed and runs through the center of Dollywood. (Photo via by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful)

One of 26 cigarette receptacles installed throughout Dollywood. (Photo via by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful)

Representatives from the groups that made Dollywood’s massive cigarette plastic recycling project possible pose with a bench made from recycled cigarette plastic. Left to right: Carol Agee (Dollywood), Kathleen Gibi (Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful), Melinda Watson (TVA); Back row, left to right: Bobby Johnson (Dollywood), Jessica Hall (American Eagle Foundation), Mark Huber (Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful), Edmond McDavis (Keep Tennessee Beautiful)(Photo via by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful)

Dollywood staff store the collected butts until a bulk shipment can be sent for the cigarettes’ plastic to be recycled.(Photo via by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful)

“Dollywood has been recognized as one of the most beautiful theme parks in the world due, in part, to the beauty of East Tennessee,” said Carol Agee, Dollywood Sr. Manager of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances. “It is vital for us to maintain this beauty by caring for our natural surroundings. Through our partnership with KTNRB, we are able to take hundreds of thousands of cigarette butts and remove them from the waste stream.”

Overall, 800 art-wrapped cigarette receptacles have been placed in all seven states of the Tennessee River watershed, with partners at marinas, campgrounds and businesses maintaining them. 109 cigarette receptacles were given to Tennessee’s state parks.

“We’re grateful to have such a leader within our watershed and hope their example inspires others to follow,” said Gibi. “We could think of no greater theme park to champion such an effort than Dollywood, who has so successfully married the theme park experience with the stunning setting of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Pigeon River, demonstrating to park visitors each year that our natural assets are both cultural and economic treasures,” said Gibi.

KTNRB shared that several studies have found that cigarette butts in water hold enough toxins to kill aquatic life within two gallons of the surrounding water. In 2019, CNN reported cigarette filters were the No. 1 plastic pollutant in the world.