🔴🔵New Season Passholder Information for 2025🔵🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information about new Season Pass Sales for 2025.  Sales begin October 28th, 2024.  Recently, Dollywood released information about RENEWALS for 2025 Season Passes for those who already have Dollywood Season Passes.  If that's you, then you can read my blog post about that, HERE.  Dollywood is currently selling 2024 Season Passes that expire January 2025, so PAY ATTENTION to what you are purchasing.  On October 28, they will just sell the 2025 pass.

Who is this for?

Brand new Season Passholders who did not have a season pass in 2024.

Let's jump right into all of this!  All of this information comes from Dollywood.com's 2025 Season Pass Page, which you can find right HERE.  Make sure you log in to your Dollywood account before getting started with purchases.  

One Park Passes, above.
For 10 mo. Payment Plan, $19.88 Silver, $29.95 Gold & $44.88 2 Park Diamond

Two Park Passes, above.
For 10 mo. Payment Plan, $26.75 2P-Silver, $36.13 2P-Gold & $44.88 2 Park Diamond

Study Carefully

Diamond Pass Offer, seen on Facebook.  Click here to go to the link listed above.

These benefits seem pretty consistent with last year's offerings, after a quick scan over the comparison chart.  Biggest difference is the addition of the Gold or Silver Two Park Pass, which was not offered in 2024's season pass options.

What pass are you going to get for 2025?  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 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!
• 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 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.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.

🟠🟣2025 Dollywood Season Pass Renewal Information You'll Want To Know! 🟣🟠

RENEWAL UPDATES:

🔹11/4/2024 - The Renewal Period Has Ended.  Head to My Blog Article about purchasing New 2025 Season Passes that you can use for 2024 Smoky Mountain Christmas plus all of 2025, depending on the pass level you chose.

🔹10/28/24 - Dollywood has extended this Renewal Offer until November 3rd - looks like end of day on the 3rd.

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has unveiled the details for their 2025 season passes. Let's dive in and compare them to the 2024 offerings to help you choose the perfect pass for your needs.

Who is this for?

This is for Current 2024 Passholders to renew their passes for the 2025 Season.  Sales for New 2025 Season Passes will begin in late October/early November.  Right now, Dollywood is still selling 2024 Season Passes, which will expire on January 5th, 2025.  Pay attention to what you are buying! 

If you have never owned a Dollywood Season Pass, and want one, Read my Blog Article about New Season Pass Holder sales, which begin October 28, 2024.

All of this information can be found on Dollywood's Website, click Here.

For the Silver Pass...The biggest difference I see is that the Pre-Sale Bonus changed from One Xmas Visit in 2023, to a lodging voucher, BUT for the 2025 Pass, they included Unlimited visits between 10/14/24-12/15/24...I think im reading that right?  And the 2024 pass included a 10% Lodging discount, but I do not see that for the 2025 Silver Pass.

Let's look at the Gold Pass.  Same Price as 2024.  Gold did not have a Pre-Sale Bonus for 2024, so the Lodging Voucher discount is new.

Two Park Diamond - $15 Price increase from 2024.  Three Pre-Sale Bonuses for 2025:  Lodging Voucher discount, Tumbler, Monthly Cinnamon Bread

These two passes on the above left are new offerings, and the Two Park Diamond is the same as the one above these three.  Basically, there is a Silver or Gold.  Gold has more benefits like free parking and a complimentary TimeSaver for the first hour of each day.  Read the details.

Payment Plan - If you would prefer to pay for your pass over a 10-month period, then Dollywood offers that as well.  Go to dollywood.com to learn more details about their "Easy2Play Payment Plan''.

Looks like we will celebrate IWALY again 😚

Dollywood does have its own official Facebook page specifically for Season Passes, and all the information that goes along with it.  If you're having questions, I would start with that Search bar on that Facebook page as you're probably not the first to ask or wonder.

I think that wraps this up for now.  Next step is to renew on October 14th.

🟢Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina 🟢

11/25/24 - Update.  I've seen lots of folks discussing their trips to Asheville, NC to/from Dollywood and I thought I would show you what they are doing.... see map below.

Many folks from around Asheville were saying they were using Highways 25 & 26, then 70 to get them to Dollywood.  Many mentioned they went one way and returned using another route.  Most of the folks suggested to use Waze or Google Maps (or your favorite navigation system), for the most up-to-date information about routes - especially at this time of year when 441 will close frequently for weather related issues.  

11/12/24 - Update I never would have expected to post -  

11/6/24 - Update - NCDOT anticipates opening I40 in both directions by New Years Day.  Story Here.

10/25/24 Quick Update on I26 - TDOT hopes to get I26 open with one lane, in the next few weeks.  I26 is still closed on the NC Side, according to the NCRoad Closure Dashboard.  Link to WATE story.

Hi Everyone,

I understand many people's concerns getting to Pigeon Forge from North Carolina, but it's fairly easy to do from central North Carolina.  Head North up 74/77 to Wytheville, Virginia, where you will hop on 81 South, to 40 West, and then exit in Dandridge/Hwy 92, or Kodak at Exit 407.  There's a 'new' Buc-ee's at 407 if you need some gas and a sandwich before going to Dollywood.

It might add a little time to your trip by going up to Wytheville, but I doubt you're going to miss the curvy mountain road through I40...especially driving at night.  

10/7/24

A plan for the Tennessee side of I40 includes shifting the traffic into the other lane.  This is supposed to happen in a few weeks time, according to WVLT's story on this matter.  For the North Carolina side, I've heard 2028 is a possible reopening time frame.  We shall see.

🚨If you're just over the mountains in North Carolina, then 129 & 441 could be an option.

• 441- Is Open. 
• 
  

  

  10/11/24 update

• 129/The Dragon - Open.  No commercial traffic.  Hundreds of curves and steep grades.
• Visit Travel Alerts | My Pigeon Forge for the latest info on road closures in Pigeon Forge.
• Visit DriveNC.com for the latest North Carolina road information, including 441 and 129.
• Visit NC Road Closure Dashboard for that kind of info.
• Visit TDOT Smartway for the latest Tennessee road information, including 441 and 129.

These are all the traffic related updates that I have seen in the past several days, as of Tues. Nov. 12th. I will continue to monitor routes and bring you new info on this page, so bookmark it if you wish.  

In case you missed this, Dollywood is WAS a drop-off location point for needed donations to help those who were impacted by this disaster.  Source.

In conjunction with the donation centers established by the city of Pigeon Forge, Dollywood will become a donation drop-off location for those wishing to donate cleanup items, including buckets with lids, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags,  work gloves, masks, cleaning wipes, diapers,
baby formula and food, can openers, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, kitty litter, new socks and underwear, clean towels and blankets, laundry detergent, pet food and hand sanitizer. The designated drop-off point for donations is at the front gate of the park.

Dolly Parton, Walmart join together to donate millions to Helene flood response in East Tennessee

Story link at WATE, Knoxville's ABC affiliate - click here. 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — East Tennessee's own Dolly Parton partnered with several Sevier County attractions and Walmart to make a significant donation to flood relief at an event Friday.

The event took place at the Walmart in Newport, Tennessee. Parton announced she was making a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims. On top of that, Parton's East Tennessee businesses, Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and the Dollywood Foundation, matched her donation, bringing the total contributions made to Mountain Ways $2 million.

"We wish that we were all together for another reason, but we all have seen the devastation. I mean, who knew in our little part of the country here where I was born, raised just right down the road, that we would have this kind of devastation? And I look around and I think 'These are my mountains, these are my valleys'," Parton said. "'These are my people and this is my home.' And I just want all of you to know that, like Eugene was saying, remember when we had the fires, everybody pitched in, tried to do everything that they could, and so I really think that this is a time for me to step up again. For all of us to step up and do what we can."

Eugene Naughton, the president of the Dollywood Company, spoke just before Dolly at the event, reflecting on the 2016 fires in Sevier County and how the fires proved how resilient the community is.

"Just one week ago, thousands of lives again were impacted across the East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and points beyond, and while in Sevier County we were spared the major damage, the lessons we learned from the Smoky Mountain wildfire, those of resilience, those of determination, and those of love for others, led us to reach out to our neighbors to determine how we could help following the recent flooding," Naughton said.

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  (WATE)

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During the event, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner announced the company, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would be donating a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across the affected states. Part of the money will be going to the East Tennessee Foundation.

He shared that his family moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 1979, and he saw as Walmart expanded into Appalachia and East Tennessee.

"We'll be here. Not until the media leaves, but until we recover, and that's what's going to happen here, we're going to recover," said Furner.

Dollywood had already worked with its sponsorship partner Coca-Cola to donate a semi-truck full of water for distribution in Cocke County. Dollywood has also donated 60,000 reusable masks, 30,000 disposable protective garments and 2.5 million disposable masks to be used for cleanup efforts across East Tennessee.

In conjunction with the donation centers established by the city of Pigeon Forge, Dollywood will become a donation drop-off location for those wishing to donate cleanup items, including buckets with lids, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags,  work gloves, masks, cleaning wipes, diapers,
baby formula and food, can openers, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, kitty litter, new socks and underwear, clean towels and blankets, laundry detergent, pet food and hand sanitizer. The designated drop-off point for donations is at the front gate of the park.

Wrapping up the event, Parton answered a few questions, including one asking what she would say to those who have lost everything.

"I know it's easy for us to say, 'Oh, things are going to get better' when things are still really bad. All we can say is that 'We are with you, we love you. We hope that things get better real soon and we're going to do our part to try to make that possible. We love you and we appreciate you. And we thank you.' And I think that with God's help and all help with all these good people. We'll make it. We'll come. We'll be better than ever one of these days."

Among her many other accolades, Parton is well known for her philanthropy work throughout the region, especially in times of disaster. In 2021, Parton donated a portion of ticket sales from Dollywood and her many dinner shows to help those affected by flooding in Middle Tennessee. Parton was also involved with the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund, which gave $1,000 to Sevier County families whose homes were uninhabitable or destroyed by the 2016 Sevier County wildfires. In total, more than $9 million was raised during a star-studded telethon, allowing Parton to surprise the families being helped through the fund with a final $5,000 check.

On Thursday, a report shared that two East Tennessee stars, Dolly Parton and Morgan Wallen, reached out to Governor Bill Lee to offer their assistance to victims of flooding in Tennessee. Earlier in the week, Red Cross officials confirmed that Wallen’s foundation had donated half a million dollars toward the relief efforts after Hurricane Helene.

From WVLT-tv, CBS affiliate in Knoxville

WBIR-tv is Knoxville's NBC affilate

 

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

NCPDS

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!

🎃 Dollywood's Harvest Festival 2024 - Tasting Pass, Park Info + More! 👻

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information related to the Harvest Festival, including the Tasting Pass and their festival menu.   The Harvest Festival starts on Monday, September 9th and runs thru October 28th.

My Night At Dollywood 2023

Dollywood remains open daily throughout the Harvest Festival, operating from 10am to 9pm. The planned closures following the festival strongly suggest that the park is gearing up for the transition to Smoky Mountain Christmas, which begins on November 1st.  

Source Link (dw..com)

🎃 🎃 🎃

Let's dig into some more details.

🟠Harvest Festival Menu Items - Beverages, Savory Bites & Desserts

🟡Beverages

 🟡Savory Bites

 🟡Desserts, mmmm desserts.

Click on any picture to enlarge - These are from the Dollywood Website, Check it out HERE.

🟠Country Fair Buffet Menu

🟠Tasting Pass Options

Don't forget to use your Gold & Diamond Pass for a discount.

This tasting pass is the same as all the other passes before it.  You get to chose any five items from the Harvest Festival Menu.  You don't have to use them all in one visit.  You can share a pass - they could make for a great date night meal! 

🟠What's Up Around The Park?  Artisans, Craftspeople, Music, Food, Photo Spots, Pumpkin Spice and everything nice!

Relive the magic of last year's harvest festival through these photos of our fun activities. Get excited for what we have in store for 2024!

My Night At Dollywood 2023

My Night At Dollywood 2023

My Night At Dollywood 2023

My Night At Dollywood 2023

My Night At Dollywood 2023

My Night At Dollywood 2023

🟠Rides - All of the rides should be in operation.  Daredevil Falls usually closes at dusk, while Smoky Mountain Rampage usually closes with the park.  The last day of the season for the two water rides, in the recent past, has been the end of the Harvest Festival, So, October 28, 2024.

Dollywood does have Weather Guidelines that they follow for inclement weather and temperatures, and Smoky Mountain Weather can throw some curveballs.  Read my blog post about Dollywood's Weather Guidelines HERE.

🟠VIP Tour

Learn More at dollywood.com, click here.

🟠Photo Opportunities

 This was written and published by Wes Ramey for the dollywood blog in 2023, but it looks as though it was removed perhaps.  Anyhow, it's still great info in my opinion, for photo opps for your socials.

My family loves to take photos when we visit, and there’s a colorful photo op right when we enter the park called Harvest Sky. We can’t wait to stand beneath the thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Then we’ll definitely have to stand in front of the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each and came from growers across the East Coast. We also love stopping by and seeing all the visiting artisans to see what amazing handmade wares they have brought with them, with many of them demonstrating their skills and techniques while creating one-of-a-kind treasures that we can purchase to take home with us to relive our time at Dollywood this fall whenever we want.

🟠Music 

According to dollywood.com....

Music fills the fall air as dozens of talented artists perform daily across the streets and stages of Dollywood. Listen for bluegrass, country and southern gospel acts paired with the Smokies' spectacular fall foliage and crisp autumn breezes for an engaging and enchanting way to experience an authentic mountain fall. Don't miss a minute of the music—download the Dollywood app to see the latest showtimes.

Here are Some of the many names I see and recognize immediately:

• Suzy Bogguss 
• TG Sheppard
• Cruz and Billy Conterras
• Gloryway
• Mandy Barnett
• The Young Fables
• Mike Snodgrass
• Rhonda Vincent
• Leroy Parnell
• Fiddling Leona with JP (video here)
• And many, many more!

⭐Check out Dollywood's Website for the latest information about Special Harvest Entertainment.  HERE.  

🟠Dollywood App

🟠Special Offers

🎃 🎃 🎃

Check out my previous videos from Dollywood's Harvest festival to get a preview of all the fun you can expect.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Dollywood Menus for 2024
• 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!
• 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 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