January 17, 2022
So, you’ve decided you want to stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa? Good choice. Delivering down-to-earth charm in a fresh, modern presentation, the resort perfectly complements a visit to Dollywood. In fact, I often describe the resort as an extension of everything you love about Dollywood. I know for our family, discovering the resort a few years back was a game-changer. Access to onsite dining options, an amazing pool area, complimentary TimeSaver and park shuttle service are resort benefits that have altered our perception of how great a Dollywood visit can be.
I could go on and on, but, I'll stop because we’ve got to get your room booked.
Getting started, you first need to select a room type that best fits your situation. At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, room types fall into two general categories: standard rooms and suites.
In the standard room category, you'll find rooms with either Double Queen Beds, a King Bed with a Sleeper Sofa or a King Bed with Bunk Beds. On the suite side, you’ll find family suites that sleep four (King + Bunks) and Junior Suites that sleep six (King + Bunks + Sleeper Sofa). Poolside patio room types, though limited, are available in both categories. Hearing-accessible room types can be found in the standard room category. If you’re trying to decide the best option for you, take a look at the 3D room tours the resort offers to get a better idea of each room layout.
We typically try to book a King with Bunk Beds for our family of four. Our kids like the bunks and we feel the room layout offers slightly more space than the double queen layout.
Once you decide on a room type you want, it’s time to select stay dates.
Here, the Dollywood operating calendar is the single biggest driver of room rates. You’ll find the lowest rates of the season during the January to mid-March Dollywood off-season stretch. From there, in-season weekdays - especially days Dollywood is closed - garner the next lowest rates. You’ll find the highest rates of the season on the weekends of popular visits times like the fall and Christmas seasons.
If you’re comparing room rates against other area lodging options, it’s important to remember Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa offers a premium resort experience. In addition, a stay here includes complimentary TimeSaver passes for guests with valid tickets or Dollywood Season Passes every day of your stay (that’s a value of $60 plus tax per person per day), guaranteed park entry and free transportation to/from Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Including these benefits when comparing to other hotels likely results in the resort as a more budget-attractive option than you might have initially thought. One super-important note - many dates require a two or three-night minimum when booking around popular visit seasons and some weekends. Make sure you double-check the calendar against your potential stay dates.
Finally, while the resort does complement Dollywood, it’s pretty fantastic in its own right. For that reason, our family likes to book a stay in the off-season to take advantage of the great rates offered. It also gives us something to look forward to during the Dollywood off-season.
Since you’re likely not opposed to saving money, let's look at ways to potentially save on your stay.
First off, there’s no need to scour the web searching for a secret promo code or hot rate. Trust me. I’ve looked many times. In this case, the best discounts available are simply on the Special Offers page at dollywood.com. Be sure to check back often as there are always new promotions that may apply to your upcoming stay dates.
If there are no promotions for your stay dates, your best rate is likely to be the Diamond Passholder rate. This is another reason why being a Dollywood Passholder is such a big deal and a major reason we choose to be Diamond Passholders in particular. While they are few and far between, you can occasionally find “mobile-only” rates offered for last-minute bookings. You’ll also occasionally see discounted, non-refundable rates pop-up for dates further out.
While discounts are great, if you’re planning a stay any time soon, I wouldn’t hold off on booking. The resort is super popular and rooms go quickly. You can always check new discount availability post-booking to see if a better rate has become available and re-book. If you’re wondering, the resort appears to release dates for bookings around 12 months out. I know folks who visit the calendar daily waiting for the next month to release. It’s not a bad plan if you're wanting a particular room at a very popular time. If you’re ready to book a stay, head over to Dollywood.com and check rates. Again, there is no value in booking anywhere other than the official site. You are guaranteed the best rate, assured your reservation is received and can deal directly with the resort on any modifications or special requests regarding your reservation.
Once you’ve selected your stay dates, pick your room type and click “Show Rooms” and then “View More Rates” to see all available rates. If you have pre-booking questions, you may want to book your stay over the phone at 1-800-365-5996. Many of your questions, however, are likely answered on the resort’s FAQ page.
Put simply, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is an exceptional, high-end resort that is top-notch in every way. Whether you plan on visiting Dollywood or not, everyone should experience the resort at some point if you vacation in the Pigeon Forge area. I would even suggest simply dropping by the resort the next time you're nearby to get an idea of just how amazing it is. I’d be surprised if you came away not planning to book a stay.
Finally, if you think Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is amazing, expect to be amazed again when Dollywood opens its sister resort, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. From the information and concept art released so far, HeartSong looks to be every bit the worthy counterpart and exciting addition to the growing Dollywood destination. Look for bookings to open in the fall of 2022.
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