🌟🥳A What's Up At Dollywood Year In Review for 2024 🥳🌟

Hi Everyone,

It's time for my THIRD Year In Review for What's Up at Dollywood - the blog, the vlog, Facebook Page, Insta (sorta) and the YouTube Channel! 🥳

A huge shoutout to all of you who tune in each day - you're the reason I do what I do! Whether you're glued to my videos, devouring my blog posts, or hanging out on Facebook, your support means the world.

From Know-it-all to Superfan: A Year of Deepening East Tennessee Adventures

Launching this channel, blog, and Facebook page has been an incredible journey through East Tennessee, and I'm so grateful for every single one of you on this adventure with me. Sharing my passion for this region with you all continues to be the driving force behind what I do.

And of course, keeping up with Dolly Parton is always a thrilling challenge! Her creativity and dedication are truly inspiring. I'm constantly amazed by her ability to entertain, inspire, and give back to the world.

So, get ready for another year of incredible East Tennessee adventures! In 2025, expect deeper dives into the heart of our region, uncovering more treasures, and bringing you the latest and greatest Dolly Parton updates.

Let's dive into the year of W.U.A.D. videos from 2024!  Ready to explore?

🟥Here is Part One of Dollywood's Opening Day for 2024, check that out below...

🟥Here is Part Two of Dollywood's Opening Day for 2024, check that out below...

🟥Dolly Parton Experience

🟥The Dolly Parton Parade at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥Lightning Rod's brand-new Chain Lift, in action on Opening Day 2024

🟥The Dolly Parton Experience, Progress Update at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥The Country Fair Area at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥Jukebox Junction at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥The Dolly Parton Sing-A-Long at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥Fiddling Leona with JP - full show - at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥Dragonflier's 5th Birthday Short 2024

🟥The Smoky Mountain Rampage ride at Dollywood 

🟥The Dolly Parton Experience - Just A Taste - at Dollywood on Opening Day 2024

🟥Exploring Dollywood's Spectacular Flower & Food Festival - Part 1

🟥Exploring Dollywood's Spectacular Flower & Food Festival - Part 2

🟥Let's Trolley to Dollywood!, A Fun and Easy Guide

🟥Big Bear Mountain off-ride Footage

🟥Exploring Dollywood's Emporium - a Merchandise Wonderland

🟥Happy National Roller Coaster Day - Dollywood Edition

🟥Exploring Dollywood's Summer Celebration - Part 1

🟥Exploring Dollywood's Summer Celebration - Part 2 - Dance Party with the Drone & Fireworks Show

🟥Harvest Festival Performance by Jessica Horton

🟥Harvest Festival - Shop Tour:  Smoky Creek Leather & Hat Co. in Craftsman's Valley

🟥Harvest Festival Park Tour Part One

🟥Grist Mill, minute of Zen

🟥Harvest Festival Park Tour Part Two

🟥Harvest Festival Park Tour Part Three

🟥Harvest Festival Shop Tour: Dolly's Fan Shop - new for 2024

🟥Harvest Festival Shop Tour: Blown Glass Shop

🟥Harvest Festival Shop Tour: Emporium

🟥Big Bear Mountain Reopened After Extended Downtime, December 2024

Coming Soon, SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL!

 I will post those videos here once they're completed.

Outside of the subject of Dollywood, I published a few other videos in 2024.  

🟩 This was Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, a few days after Hurricane Helene passed through the region.

🟩 This is Pigeon Forge Snow, the areas only indoor snow tubing attraction, that I am aware of.

🟩 Justin Timberlake, "Rocky Top"

🟩 Justin Timberlake, "Suit & Tie"

🟩 Justin Timberlake, "Flame"

🟩 Justin Timberlake, "Say Something"

🟩 A Snowy December Morning - local webcam footage compilation

🦋🦋🦋

The What's Up At Dollywood Bloggy Vlog! 

🎄Sevier County Christmas Stuff AND New Years Eve events that You Might Be Interested In!🎄

Hi Everyone,

I have been doing some research for all things Christmas and New Years Even in Sevier County for 2024.  What's Open for Meals, Fun Stuff to Do, etc.  Dollywood is closed on Christmas Eve Tuesday, as well as Christmas Day Wednesday, reopening at 11am on Thursday.

As of this writing, Thursday December 26th says the Crowd Calendar for Dollywood attendance will be at 83%, which makes it a "Pack Your Patience" kind of day as it will be very busy.  It would be a PERFECT day to take the Pigeon Forge Trolley and skip all the parking lot stress.  The Trolley will drop you off at the Front Gate.  Watch my quick Video Guide Below.  Note that the parking lot at Patriot Park may be at capacity - maybe not but note that the Overflow Parking Lots are adjacent to the Teaster Lane side of The Island.  Watch the video and you'll see what I am referring to.

What is in this article?

🟣Restaurants that are open.  I've researched online and found a few restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Happy to add to this list - drop a comment to let me know.

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

🎄Let's Get Started🎄

🟡⚫NYE INFO BELOW...I will update this post as I come across new events.

🟡NYE AT DOLLYWOOD RESORTS - TWO PARTIES, ONE AT DREAMMORE AND ONE AT HEARTSONG.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts

🟡NYE AT THE ISLAND

🟡

🟡Gatlinburg Road Closures for NYE - WATE-tv Link

🟡

Other fun things you will want to check out while you're in the area.

🟣Entertainment Options

🟢Ober Gatlinburg

🟢The Island

Winterfest is happening at The Island during Christmas.

🟢Anakeesta

Enchanted Christmas - more info at their website HERE.

🟢Skyland Ranch

Christmas Feast, Festival of Lights Info 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

Pigeon Forge Attractions | Things to Do in Pigeon Forge

🟢Dig N Zone construction experience park

Seasonal Events - Dig'n Zone Theme Park

🟢Snow Tubing

Outdoor - Rowdy Bear, Skyland Ranch & Ober

Rowdy Bear Mountain - Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge | Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing

Skyland - Snow Tubing

Indoor - Pigeon Forge Snow

Indoor Snow Tubing and Snow Park | 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)

Christmas Restaurants and Events - These restaurants say that they're open Christmas Eve and Christmas.

🔴Bubba Gump Shrimp

🔴Calhouns PF & G'burg

🔴Crawdaddy's

🔴Crockett's Breakfast Camp

🔴Cherokee Grill

🔴Chesapeake's

🔴Jason Aldeans

🔴Loco Burro

🔴No Way Jose's - PF & G'burg

🔴Smith and Son Corner Kitchen

🔴Smoky Mountain Brewery- PF & G'burg

🔴Gauche Urbano

🔴Hard Rock Cafe

🔴JT Hannah's Kitchen

🔴Reagan's House of Pancakes

🔴Apple wood Farmhouse and Grill - reservations needed

🔴Five Oaks farm kitchen

🔴Fort Worth Steakhouse

Other things I've seen online, below.

🔴Local Goat - closed 24th & 25th.

🔴Paula Deen's Restaurant at The Island in Pigeon Forge

🔴

🔴

🔴

Gatlinburg, below...

🔴

🔴List of Grocery Stores and Drug Stores that are open on Christmas - Click Here  Locally, the big chains are Kroger, Publix, Aldi, DG Market & Food City...and Walmart & Target too.

🔴List of Fast Food places that are open on Christmas - Click Here

🍁🍂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

• 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.

🦃🦃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.

🦃

🦃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... 

• 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.

🟣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

2532 Parkway

Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

(865) 868-1500

Gatlinburg

1004 Parkway #101

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(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

Rowdy Bear Mountain - Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge | Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing

Skyland - Snow Tubing

Indoor - Pigeon Forge Snow

Indoor Snow Tubing and Snow Park | 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

🟢🔴🟢🔴 Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 2024 - Tasting Pass Menus, Info and More!🟢🔴🟢🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information related to the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.  I've got menus, operating calendar and more below.  Smoky Mountain Christmas starts on Friday, November 1st and runs thru January 5th, 2025.

Dollywood is open daily throughout the Festival Except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Dollywood's schedule through the festival is 11am to 9pm.  Dollywood closes on New Years Eve at 9pm, so no midnight celebration at the park.  However, the resorts have celebrated in the past with a prix fix event.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for it and report it back here if I do. LINK TO NYE at the Dollywood Resorts - Click Here for info.  You'll see there is one event at each resort and they're unique - so check that out.

🎄🎄🎄 

Let's dig into some more details.

🟠Christmas 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-Christmas Buffet

🟠Tasting Pass Options

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

This tasting pass operates the same way as all the other passes before it.  You get to choose any five items from the Christmas 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?  

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

Christmas Drone Show - Watch my 2023 Drone Show Video Below

🟠Rides - Weather Permitting, All of the rides should be in operation, except for the two water rides which have closed for the season.

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.

🟠Park Map for Smoky Mountain Christmas - PDF Click Here

 

🟠VIP Tour

🟠Photo Opportunities

 This was written and published by Wes Ramey for the dollywood blog in 2023 but, it's still great info in my opinion, for photo opportunities, entertainment, everything!

Read it HERE

The spirit of Christmas shines merry and bright during our Smoky Mountain Christmas festival presented by Humana during this special season, with the event beginning on Nov. 4 and ho ho ho-ing all the way through Jan. 6, 2024!  The 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event boasts more than 6 million shining, shimmering lights throughout the park, but the newest ones will fly above the park each evening as part of a stunning holiday drone show - Joyful. Our summer drone show has been one of my family’s favorite nighttime experiences for the last several years, so we are really looking forward to this sparkly new sight during the holiday season.

 Read the rest at the link above.

🟠Music / Entertainment / Performances / Meet N Greet

More Information Coming Soon.

You Can Check the Daily Schedule at this link - new links are posted here each week.  Click Here.

Here's the Schedule for Week Two.

Pro Tip:  Notice how Dollywood uses an orange font in the showtimes above?  If you would like to see every single show, then plan your day according to those orange showtimes.

Shows/Performances...

• Heidi Parton's Christmas to Remember is new this year.
• Appalachian Christmas is the Smoky Mountain String Band's Christmas Show, if you weren't aware.
• Looks to me like all of the other shows are returning from last year.

Other Cool Stuff...

• Snow in the Grove is new this year.  Everyday beginning at 6pm, then every half hour with the last one at 8:30pm.
• Merry & Bright FIREWORKS Show is new this year.  It takes place in Wildwood Creek on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:45pm. This show replaces the Joyful Drone and Fireworks Christmas Show from last year.   See my video of the 2023 Joyful Show HERE.
• Always popular Santa's List returns to The Village.  It's everyday from 11am to 8pm in the Heartsong Theater.
• Wings of America (Bird Show) moves to Saturdays Only with a special holiday themed show.
• The Dolly Parton Experience will have some Christmas related items throughout the various exhibits, as I understand it.  

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

🟠Dollywood App

🟠Special Offers

Note that the $82 offer ends on 11/24/24.

🟠Season Passes

Read my article about Season Passes that, if you purchase a 2025 pass now, will include admission to this Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival.  Read that HERE

🎄🎄🎄 

Check out my previous videos from Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 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