🎄 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!

🎃 Promotion: Dollywood for $55 after 5pm! Through November 5th, 2023 🎄

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood is currently running a ticket promotion for the rest of the Harvest Festival/LumiNights and two days into the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.  So, if planning is your thing, go ahead and purchase your Christmas tickets now for Christmas, in case they sell out, as they might as that date approaches.  As you see below, the promotion ends November 5th.

find this deal here: dollywood.com/tickets

That's TWO opportunities to see Smoky Mountain Christmas at a discounted rate.  Enjoy if you're able to take advantage of this opportunity.

🔵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.
  
• 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 construction updates from all of 2022.  Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• Big Bear Mountain Preview Day Video - tons of off-ride footage.
• Sing-A-Long with Dolly Parton as she opens Big Bear Mountain + BBM POV!!!
• Mountain Coasters! - your complete guide to all of the mountain coasters near Dollywood - there's 13!
• Pigeon Forge Restaurants open past 2pm! - Here's a ranking of some of the best restaurants - decided by YOU - In Pigeon Forge that are open past 2pm....click here for that blog article.
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Explained - Check out this under-used perk of staying at a hotel on the Trolley Route.

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

📞 Dolly calls into Irish radio station, RTE 📻

Hi Everyone,

I just listened to this fantastic interview with Dolly phoning in to LiveLine show on Irish radio station, RTE.  I think it is worth sharing with any Dolly fan.  Lots of topics discussed, like Dolly Day in Ireland, Dolly's visit to Ireland in 1990, Imagination Library, her new book My Life in Seams, Rockstar album, Sinead O'Connor's recent passing and connection to Dolly...and much more.

I was really taken back to junior high school when I would listen to Rock Line on Monday nights.... awe.

Listen to the 22-minute interview HERE, on RTE.

Country music legend Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance on RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline programme this afternoon, speaking to stand-in presenter Katie Hannon about a variety of topics, including her famous appearance in Páidí Ó Sé's pub in 1990 and "feeling connected" to the late Sinéad O'Connor.

Hannon opened the show saying, "We have a very special show for you today - a real treat. You have to prepare for everything - you never know who you're going to hear on the Liveline but to be honest with you, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd ever get to say: good afternoon, Dolly Parton!"

The singer, who spoke to the programme via video call, responded, "Good afternoon to you. I've got a lot of things to talk about, and I guess we can just catch up on several things and people we know."

Hannon opened the conversation by asking Parton if she had heard about "Dollyday", the biggest gathering of people dressed up as Parton, which was a Guinness World Record attempt. The event happened in Kerry this summer and Hannon's cousin helped to organise it, with Parton saying she had heard about it and "even saw some of the pictures."

Read the rest of the article at the link above, and of course listen to the full interview!

🔴 Dollywood's 2024 Operating Calendar Released 🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released its operating calendar for 2024.  They are opening one week earlier than ''normal'' on March 8th, 2024.

Source:  dollywood.com

Some key points I noticed:

• Earlier Season Opening, March 8th for Season Passholder Preview Day.
• New Festival - IWALY Festival.  Watch my video of the IWALY Celebration in 2023 (HERE)
• 10am opening every day through the end of Harvest/LumiNights festival.
• They have added a lot of extra days to their calendar for 2024.
• Gone for 2024 - the Tuesday Closures in May, September, October & November 2023.
• Also, Gone for 2024 - 6pm Closures during August & September 2023.
• June & July - Closes at 10pm in 2024, vs 9:30p in 2023.
• Summer Celebration will run longer in 2024.  It will end on September 1, 2024, vs August 6, 2023.
• Harvest Festival/LumiNights begins September 9th, 2024, vs. September 20, 2023!  Nearly two weeks earlier in 2024!
• Smoky Mountain Christmas begins a few days earlier in 2024, vs in 2023.

Did I miss anything?  

I think these are all positive changes and they follow right along with Dollywood's fast track growth plans.  I have THREE blog posts from 2022 about Dollywood's Future Plans and this tracks right along with what I wrote back then.

• 1-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/08/dollywood-has-big-plans-major-projects.html
• 2-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/10/dollywoods-future-plans-one-point.html
• 3-https://whatsupatdollywood.blogspot.com/2022/11/dollywoods-future-plans-eye-on-2026.html

Here's where I think this is headed - from article 2:

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? [10/17/23 - now we know the Dolly Parton Experience will take over the space of Chasing Rainbows!]

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.

🦋 The Dolly Parton Experience - Construction Update Video, Renderings and New Info! 🦋

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released some information and an awesome rendering of the New for 2024 - Dolly Parton Experience.  It's set to expand into multiple buildings.  Let's check it out!

These are on Dollywood.com.

link

link

Just looking at the rendering, and knowing what it looked like before as Chasing Rainbows, this looks like a fitting, if not over-the-top area that represents Dolly well.  Glitter, sequins, rhinestones, diamonds - everything that sparkles!  That's one way to describe Dolly and this looks like it belongs in Dolly's world - Dollywood.   I do like how the big expanse of concrete is broken up with new landscaping beds and adds a lot of interest.  Of course, the giant butterflies are one of the things associated heavily with Dolly and Dollywood too, they both honor the butterfly.  Then, off in the distance, the two twin peaks of Lightning Rod - talk about sightlines.  

Off to the right, in the theater it looks like some new programming.  "Precious Memories" is what's on the marquee.  On the left, the former Dolly's Closet looks to be transformed into Behind The Seams, which I imagine could be similar to Dolly's Closet - or perhaps they'll change it up?  We'll find out more, I'm sure, the closer we get to the 2024 season, which, by the way will begin on March 8, 2024.  That's one week before the more recent opening date of Mid-March.  Dollywood is inching closer and closer to year-round operations.

Im excited to see how this looks in the end.  If I recall, Dollywood mentioned they were incorporating some of the technology used in the recent Van Gogh Exhibit and Beyond Monet - that should be a real leveling up from Chasing Rainbows more traditional exhibits.

Dollywood posted this on facebook -

👄👄

Here's the three bullet points that are cut off:

Exhibits in multiple buildings spanning Dolly’s iconic career, inspiration behind her dreams, the importance of family and her signature style through the years

Feel like you're alongside Dolly as she journeyed from Locust Ridge to stages around the world

Three times the size of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

If you're feeling nostalgic, or never got experience Chasing Rainbows - Take a look at my video filmed a few months before it closed in 2021.

🍁 Fall Colors Have Arrived in the Smoky Mountains 🍂

Hi Everyone,

Fall Colors are creeping into the Smoky Mountains.  I follow a lot of stuff on social media in order to keep you all informed with as much helpful information as possible.  On Facebook, I follow a hiking and waterfalls in North Carolina group, and its members' share tons of photos of their hikes and waterfalls, as one would expect!  Some of the members recent images are incredible to see.  I had been concerned that our autumn leaves may just wither on the tree and fall due to some ongoing drought issues we've been experiencing around here, so this makes me happy to see the leaves really changing color.  This, to me, seems a tad bit earlier than normal, but it is what it is, so enjoy it if you are able to.

Let's take a look at some of this Facebook's group recent pictures....all taken by 2 group members, Cara C. & Matt M.

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

    

2024 Season Pass Renewal Info for Dollywood (Updated 10/11/23)

Hi Everyone, (Update & 2nd Update & 3rd update- Below)

On Tuesday October 3rd, Dollywood sent some passholders information about renewing their passes for 2024.  I did not receive the email and its possible many others didn't either.  However, I logged into my account and discovered that my pass was eligible to renew, and so I went through the process up until pulling the trigger at Checkout.

What I could not find was the info graphic that was all over the place online, but not anywhere to be found in my Dollywood account.  WEIRD.

Im not 100% sure this info graphic is the first one, or the updated one.⬆️

Here's the info graphic, above.

So, after studying I notice several components of the 2023 pass are missing, so is that on purpose?  I saw somewhere online that Dollywood is still working on details.  Typically, they have all of that worked out before an announcement, not that they don't tweak things, but usually it's mostly sorted out.

At this stage it feels too early to offer any type of color commentary or advice, so I will hang on for more information and be sure to pass that on to you all when I learn more.

My post last year about the 2023 passes was published on October 17, 2022, and you can read that HERE if you would like to.  I would imagine by the middle of October they will have more information to share.  Maybe they are just getting a jump start on the renewal process?

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Quick Update - Thursday 10/5/23

I am seeing a lot of folks online who are frustrated at this.  There are a lot of passionate Dollywood fans out there!!

At some point soon, all of the correct details will sort themselves out.  I hope that happens sooner than later, lol.

In my snail mail today, I received a newsletter with the info graphic for the passes.  I learned yesterday three important things on the Dollywood Annual Passholders FB page.

1) This promotion for early renewals was meant to highlight some key features but was not supposed to be detail oriented.

2) The original info graphic - the one up above, has some errors (i think), so ignore that one, maybe.

3) A follower of Dollymania.com pointed out on this same FB page, that they had done some in-depth research, and had some solid answers to many of the questions.  So, I'll show you all a screen grab from that informative exchange.   You can click the image to enlarge it. 

I hope this helps provide some much-needed information to those seeking it out.  And it all sounds like the entitlements are going to be pretty good, but until I see this information come straight from Dollywood, I hesitate to offer any suggestions or colorful commentary.  Kudos though to Dollymania.net for trying to get answers.

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Second Update - Monday, October 9, 2023

Dollywood has created it's own, official, Facebook page specifically for Season Passes, and all the information that goes a long with it.

go here: Dollywood Parks & Resorts Season Passholders | Facebook

This should be a great resource, so go and sign up for it.

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Third Update - Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Dollywood has updated their information, and it looks pretty complete, I think.

Where is this information??

Okay, on a desktop computer, you'll find it here.  Or, do the following:

1. Log into Dollywood.com
2. go to Theme Park
3. go to Season Passes
4. Scroll down to "Season Pass Renewals."
5. There, you will find this 2024 Info Graphic.  Dollywood is still selling 2023 passes, so be aware of what you're looking at, it's easy to mix it up.

🟠🟠🟠 Dolly Parton and the University of Tennessee - A Mash-Up You Didn't Know You Needed! 🟠🟠🟠

Hi Everyone, 

Dolly Parton has announced a new line of mash-up shirts and tops inspired by Dolly and UT sports, the OG UT (University of Tennessee).

There are some that are Dolly in UT colors, an "I heart Dolly and the Vols'', "It's Great to be a Tennessee Vol'' with Dolly in orange, and many more styles.

You know, this is a lot of fun for me because I graduated from UT and obviously not low-key fascinated with Dolly (and Dollywood), for most of my years on earth. I don't doubt that I will see some of these shirts being worn around Dollywood.

This mash-up is being produced by a independent mother/daughter business that does impressive work and took off, so to speak. Here's what's on their website:

source:  About Us – shoplivylu

Let's check out what the current line of options look like for this first run.  Click to enlarge or head to their website for more information.

Turns out that this is Dolly's second UT-related announcement recently. 

 

Dolly announces an exclusive Vols Edition of her upcoming Rock album, Rockstar (November 17th, 2023), as a 2-CD set that includes a live version of Rocky Top!  

Awesome.  I watched her live at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the United Kingdom a few years ago and I remember wondering at the time how the British kids would react to Dolly's performance.  They were enthralled and hanging onto everything she said and sang.  So...I kind of wonder if that's the "live version'' that's included in this set?  It's possible, but Dolly was also on tour at the time of Glastonbury and Rocky Top was in every set list, so it could be from any place.

source:  my Chasing Rainbows Museum Video - cued up:  here - YOUTUBE



She sang Rocky Top in Switzerland :)

source:  my Chasing Rainbows Museum Video - cued up:  here - YOUTUBE

So, there you have it folks.  Dolly Parton's latest line of merchandise is University of Tennessee-related, and there is a lot of overlap between fans of Dolly and UT in East Tennessee. Go Vols!

🌟Dolly releases the next single from Rockstar! What's Up featuring Linda Perry is streaming now!

Rockstar Update!

Dolly Releases her version of 'What's Up'' with Linda Perry, and the What's Up At Dollywood Channel/Bloggy-Vlog approves!

If you're interested in checking out my previous Rockstar coverage from the beginning chatter to now - check that out here:

• Rockstar - Speculation and Revelations
• Dolly releases two single from Rockstar
• Dolly at the 2022 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction 
• Rob Halford discusses Dolly in interview
• Rob Halford approached for Rockstar album.

⭐Lightning Rod received a lot of off-season changes - Opens March 8th, 2024!

March 6, 2024 Announcement ⤵️⤵️⤵️

👉👈

Big News out of Dollywood regarding Lightning Rod:

• LSM Launch will be replaced with a High-Speed Chain Lift.
• The new chain lift experience will be very similar to the current launch experience.
• 13 mph - the speed of the chain lift, per the video.
• The rides peak-speed will stay the same at 73 mph.
• It was not said, but I think the structure of the lift hill will change materials, from wood to steel.  Not Confirmed.
• Spring 2024 New and Improved Lightning Rod will open.
• Two Brand New Trains for Lightning Rod.
• No mention of any changes above the chassis.  We'll see!
• No other specific changes were made regarding the replacement of the wooden track to IBox Steel track.
• About 40% of the current track remains the original wooden "Topper Track".
• In 2020/21 Off -season, the process of replacing much of the wood track to steel was completed.

Watch Dollywood's Video to hear all of the details they share:

Well, that is certainly promising news.  I think we all know that Lighting Rod has had its share of down time since it opened in 2016.  I know that pain of travelling far away to go ride something and then you get there, and it's down.  Its unfortunate, it really is.  And Dollywood realizes that, and they are going to try and remedy that.  Yay Dollywood! 

Dollywood, to my knowledge, has never really said what exactly the issues are, but from all the credible internet rumblings that I have heard, it boiled down to the lift hill being made of wood, which created some sway and stability issues and all the sensors working properly, and so on.  So, based on what Dollywood is changing, and what Pete & Eugene said about realizing that 'now they know why launches and wooden coasters don't pair well together' - paraphrasing, but you get the idea. ...that seems to me to be the likeliest scenario.

Enjoy Lightning Rod until the end of the Harvest Festival as it will close on October 30th for a major overhaul and two brand new trains.

Follow me and of course I'll post more as details come out.

What are you thoughts about it?  Let me know in the comments!

🔴🔴🔴

Here a couple of pictures of Lightning Rod from Tuesday, November 28, 2023. All of the old hardware used for the launch has been removed. The overhead structure at the top of the lift has been temporarily removed to allow for the installation of the new high-speed chain lift.

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

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