Trips Tips
Best Value
If you plan on visiting Dollywood more than two days, the Dollywood season pass is your best economical value.
Take advantage of our "Arrive after three, and the next day's free" program. It's that simple. From March through October, arrive after 3 PM and return the next operating day free!
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Strollers
You can bring your own or Dollywood offers strollers for rent on a first-come,
first-served basis. The fee is $10 for a single; $14 for a double. If you bring
your own stroller, they may be carried onto our trams but must be free of
little passengers. Whether you rent or own, check for signs identifying designated
stroller parking areas at each venue or attraction. It's also a good idea
to provide easily recognizable identification for your stroller.
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Changing & Nursing Stations
Dollywood's Baby Care Center located in Showstreet offers a private feeding and diapering facility. Restrooms with vending facilities are in Rivertown Junction, Craftsman's Valley, Country Fair and Jukebox Junction. Restrooms with nursing stations are found in Country Fair, Jukebox Junction, Market Square and The Village.
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Warming Bottles
Any park restaurant (this does not include concession stands) can assist you with warming a bottle. Please ask any host for assistance.
Although there is no microwave available, Dollywood's Baby Care Center located in Showstreet offers a private feeding and diapering facility.
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Baby Care Center
Making a day at Dollywood a little more convenient for our youngest guests-but, most especially their parents-resulted in the addition of our new Baby Care Center. Located in Showstreet, the facility offers several amenities in a pleasant, climate-controlled environment.
- Private nursing area furnished with six gliders with foot stools
- Two baby changing stations and a restroom
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Family Restroom
Located in Showstreet, a new family restroom features its own private entrance making this new facility accessible to both moms and dads with little ones.
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Snacks from Home
Although you can't bring food items from home, Dollywood does provide a variety of kid-friendly, healthful snacks to enjoy. The Grist Mill, located in Craftsmen's Valley, serves cheese.
Juice is available at the Grist Mill, Showstreet Bakery and Aunt Granny's.. You may purchase milk at Miss Lillian's, Aunt Granny's, Granny Ogles Ham 'n' Beans, Apple Jack's, Grandstand, Ranger's Cook House, Whistlestop Grill, Victoria's Pizza and Market Square.
If you need something that is unavailable, you may obtain a hand stamp at the admission gate that allows you to leave Dollywood and return later.
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Water
Staying well hydrated is an important part of a fun day, so we offer complimentary cups of water at all park restaurants and most food outlets; just ask. Plus, water fountains are located near all restrooms. Bottled water may be purchased.
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Kids' Meals
Eleven Dollywood eateries offer kids' meals. You'll find them at Aunt Granny's, Miss Lillian's Chicken House, Hickory House BBQ, Apple Jack's Sandwich Shop, Grandstand Café, Ranger's Cook House, Red's Diner, Victoria's Pizza and the Whistlestop Grill.
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Lost Children
We hope it doesn't happen, but prepare just in case your little one gets separated from you. Parents should contact the first available host for assistance if a child is lost. Also, take time upon arrival to point out uniformed Dollywood Hosts or Security personnel to your child and encourage him/her to seek help from this individual if lost. If your child is old enough, designate an easy-to-find meeting place to gather if someone gets lost.
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Sundry Items
Regardless of how well you plan, it's still easy to forget something. Hillside General Store, located in Craftsmen's Valley, has an assortment of over-the-counter medications, sunscreen, bandages and other items that might come in handy.
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First Aid Station
Should you require medical assistance, Dollywood staffs two Safety/First Aid Offices—one in the Jukebox Junction area near the Pines Theatre and another in the Village area near the train crossing—with medical personnel on duty at all times during park operating hours. Ask any Host for assistance or directions.
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Dress Guidelines
Dollywood is a family-oriented park, so proper attire is required. Shirts and shoes are a must (sandals and flip flops are acceptable). Clothing with offensive words or images is not permitted. Bathing suits are acceptable but must be worn underneath outerwear. All other clothing should be suitable for a family environment. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for specific restrictions.
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Best Days to Visit
Depending on the time of year, some days at Dollywood can be less crowded than others. For instance, in the spring, Thursdays are less crowded. In the summer, try for Wednesday or Thursday. In the fall, you might consider weekdays. During the Christmas season, weekdays are your best bet. Our operating days and hours vary; please check our Operating Calendar to confirm the schedule.
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Guide Maps & Entertainment Schedules
Maps and show guides are necessary for a successful visit. They are available
at the main entrance and from roaming park Greeters, as well as on the Schedules,
Maps & Brochures page when available. Take a few moments to familiarize
yourself with the park layout and note those things that you want to see.
Then, plan accordingly.
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Maximize Your Ride Time
Upon arrival, decide which rides you want to enjoy. While everyone else is
waiting for rides at the front of the park, lines are shorter if you're willing
to walk a bit farther to the back of the park. If you want to beat the crowd,
make the Tennessee Tornado or the Thunderhead first on your list.
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Age Appropriate Rides & Attractions
Most Dollywood rides have minimum height requirements which you can view on our Ride Height Restrictions page. But, depending on the height of your little ones, we might suggest the following rides:
Toddlers: Lil' Loggers' Landing, Beaver Creek, Beaver Creak Boat Float,
Carousel, Busy Bees, Lucky Ducky, Piggy Parade, Amazing Flying Elephants,
Lemon Twist, Wonder Wheel, Rockin' Roadway, Dreamland Forest® Treehouse, Dreamland Forest® Tiny Tots Playground Area and Country
Fair Games.
Tweens & Teens: Mystery Mine®, Timber Tower™, Thunderhead®, Dizzy Disk,
Shooting Star, Sky Rider, Tennessee Tornado, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, Thunder Road, River Rampage, Waltzing Swinger,
Scrambler, Dolly's Demolition Derby, Mountain Slidewinder, and VeggieTales®
Sideshow Spin.
Fun for the Whole Family: River Battle, Lumberjack Lifts, Dollywood Express, Chasing
Rainbows®, Village Carousel, Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, Smoky Mountain Home, Calico
Falls School House, Robert F. Thomas Chapel, and Country Fair Games.
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Ride Height Requirements
If you’re visiting Dollywood with children under 48 inches in height (or you’re just not sure), make sure to visit the park’s Centralized Measuring station located at the Q2Q Reservation Center in Adventures in Imagination. Your child will be measured by a Dollywood Host and given a color-coded wristband. The wristband helps you and your children quickly identify which rides he or she is tall enough to ride, based on the minimum height requirements established by the ride manufacturers to ensure Guest safety. The coded wristbands correspond to the color-coded information displayed on signs at each ride in the Park.
Taking advantage of Dollywood’s Centralized Measuring service early in the day can help you and your family avoid the disappointment and frustration of waiting in line only to discover your little ones are not tall enough to ride. View a complete listing of Dollywood’s ride height restrictions here.
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Ride Symbols
At each Dollywood ride and attraction, you’ll find a posted symbol indicating its intensity. Three symbols are used throughout the Park: a black diamond, a blue square and a green circle. Along with watching the actual ride or attraction, the symbols are posted to help Guests make a more informed decision as to whether or not they wish to participate. The black diamond indicates a high thrill attraction; the blue square indicates a moderate thrill attraction; and the green circle indicates mild thrill attraction. To learn more about the various ride designations at Dollywood, please click here.
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Parent Swap
When members of a group do not meet minimum height requirements, Dollywood’s
“Parent Swap” program provides hassle-free boarding of rides and
attractions. Dollywood’s “Parent Swap” is easy; here’s
how it works: The entire group enters through the regular Guest line where
the ride Host will explain and facilitate the “Parent Swap.” (Strollers
and/or loose articles are not permitted.) One adult waits with the child in
a secure area (i.e., behind the loading gate or the ride exit gate; a Dollywood
Host will direct you to the appropriate location.) while the rest of the group
rides the attraction. Once the group returns, the adults will “swap”
places with each other. On some rides, other group members may be allowed
to ride again for the second half of the “swap.” After the “Parent
Swap,” Guests will exit with other riders.
Note: Due to the Mountain Slidewinder and
Thunder Road ride design, the wait is a bit longer to complete the “Parent Swap.”
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Shows
Refer to the Entertainment Schedule and Park Map upon arrival or online
(when available) before you arrive. Then, identify any shows that you wish
to see, locate the appropriate theatre, and plan your day accordingly. Theatre
seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so planning ahead can be helpful.
Tickets are not required for Dollywood shows (with the exception of special
concerts). However, our Q2Q
line management system is offered for an
additional fee which can help you save time by avoiding long lines.
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Church Service
If you visit Dollywood on Sunday, join us for our non-denominational morning worship service at 11:30 a.m. each Sunday in the Robert F. Thomas Chapel located in the Craftsmen's Valley. (During our Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration, the service begins at 5:30 p.m.)
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