Here, you’ll find information to help you make the most of your trip to the Smoky Mountains. Not only will we give you behind-the-scenes information, tips, and hints on the best things to do at Dollywood and beyond, but most importantly, we hope you’ll find ideas to help you plan an experience your family will remember forever.
You will see regular posts from a number of people about their favorite things to do and enjoy in the Smokies. With multiple people contributing to this blog, our hope is to provide a broad range of topics so everyone can find something of interest to them. Some of our contributors have lived here their whole lives, while some have moved here recently. Others are frequent visitors to the area, and others have only been here a few times. The one thing they all have in common? They all have a love and appreciation for the beautiful area we call the Great Smoky Mountains.
Check back often to see which new adventure we embark upon next. Also, please feel free to reach out to us with post ideas or other things you would like to know more about. This blog is for you, so let us know what you want to see!
March 25, 2025
The warmth of song and sunshine are here to kick off Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary Season and Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival, and there is no better way to celebrate than by trying all the yummy food. The I Will Always Love You Music Festival, which begins March 15, has a variety of mouthwatering menu items that are sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Enjoy all the sweet treats and savory sensations under the Celebration Sky as a medley of melodies ring in the spring.
March 03, 2025
It’s always an exciting time when Dollywood opens for the season, and the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (March 15-April 13) is loaded with entertaining shows the whole family will love. With festival exclusive performances to award-winning productions, Dollywood has something for everyone this spring.
March 03, 2025
In addition to all the rides, shows, shops and food Dollywood has to offer, we have specialty tours that create unforgettable memories. Alongside the brand new 40th Anniversary Tour, there are three tours available on Dollywood’s opening weekend, even beginning on March 14 with our Passholder Preview Day. Each tour will have its own theme and highlights, and they will all include exclusive perks.
March 03, 2025
Dollywood’s 40th Anniversary is here, and you won’t want to miss our brand-new specialty tour! Take a walk down memory lane as you explore 40 years of unforgettable memories with one of our knowledgeable Tour Guides.
March 03, 2025
Dollywood reopens for a very special 40th Anniversary Season starting off with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival (March 15 – April 13), a celebration of songwriting that will fill Dollywood’s mountain-nestled streets with a dynamic blend of music. From award-winning performances to tasty treats to dazzling displays, everyone in your family will find musical experiences that will live on as memories from the perfect spring Dollywood day.
November 04, 2024
This holiday season we are celebrating with over six million lights at Dollywood Parks and Resorts. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is returning this year beginning on November 1 and runs through January 5, 2025. Both of Dollywood’s world-class resorts are pulling out all the stops to make this a truly memorable holiday season.
November 01, 2024
Dollywood is bringing the delightful and delicious flavors of the holiday season to life at its award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Starting Nov. 1, Dollywood becomes a winter wonderland decked out in more than 6 million lights and dozens of towering Christmas trees. Accompanying the festive decorations are the wide variety of tasty treats that Dollywood’s Culinary Team has whipped up to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
September 06, 2024
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana is here to welcome in the fall season from Sept. 9 - Oct. 28, 2024. Guests can enjoy classic fall sights, sounds and tastes, as well as more than 12,000 pumpkins of every shape, size and color for a picturesque visit. The award-winning Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health also return this year to light up the park.
September 04, 2024
Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health returns during the Harvest Festival to cast the festive glow of thousands of carved pumpkins around Dollywood. Known as one of the Smokies’ “can’t miss” fall attractions, this colorful pumpkin display is a spirited celebration of one of the most iconic symbols of autumn
September 04, 2024
Autumn leaves aren’t the only thing filling Dollywood during the Harvest Festival presented by Humana – the joyful sounds of a seemingly endless variety of entertainment returns to delight guests as well. As the season shifts from summer to fall and daylight dims, guests will “fall” in love with live music, which takes center stage and brings vibrant sounds parkwide to complement the other endless autumn delights that fill this festival.
July 15, 2024
Dollywood Season Passholders can delight in a discount at merchandise locations throughout our Parks and Resorts. Gold Season Passholders receive a 15% discount on merchandise and dining, and Diamond Season Passholders are eligible for a 20% discount on merchandise and dining.
July 02, 2024
Interns at Dollywood's Splash Country are making the most of their Smoky Mountain summer.
June 15, 2024
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is coming in hot with a thrilling lineup of new and guest-favorite entertainment that can be found around the Park. From the smooth beats of the award-winning Phat Cat Swing Band to the mesmerizing display of bubbles filling Celebrity Theater, there’s something to entertain the whole family this summer.
June 15, 2024
We've pulled out all the stops for you to make this Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration a memorable one. A celebration is never complete without brand-new, mouth-watering food and beverage offerings and thrilling lineups of special, new and guest-favorite entertainment adventures.
May 11, 2024
In anticipation of The Dolly Parton Experience opening May 24 at Dollywood, guests should be prepared to register for a timed entry ticket before visiting the new area.
May 10, 2024
Diamond Passholders, registration for Sneak Preview days for The Dolly Parton Experience begins Tuesday, May 14 at 11 a.m.!
April 19, 2024
It’s the most colorful time of year at Dollywood Parks & Resorts – Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19 – June 9)! Featuring more than one million blooms throughout the park, brand-new festival foods and unique entertainment, the Flower & Food Festival is the best way to celebrate the arrival of spring in the Great Smoky Mountains.
April 10, 2024
Let's break down the differences in Dollywood's refillable mugs so you know which option is best for you and your visits during the 2024 season.
March 15, 2024
With the opening of Dollywood comes much anticipation, and we’re kicking off the park's 39th season with a one-of-a-kind Dolly-inspired festival. Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Music Festival begins March 9 and runs through April 14, and both of Dollywood’s world-class resorts are pulling out all the stops to make this festival truly memorable.
March 07, 2024
If you renewed to a Diamond Pass during the presale period, find out everything you need to know about redeeming your complimentary monthly cinnamon bread loaf or claiming your Diamond Passholder Appreciation Bag.
February 22, 2024
Make sure you are ready to enter Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country this season with this helpful checklist based on when you purchased or renewed your 2024 Season Pass.
![Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort Named One of National Geographic's "Hotels We Love for 2024"](https://hfe.widen.net/content/t6m7ao5sd8/png/DJI_0005%20%281%29.png?w=1200&h=628&keep=c&crop=yes&color=ffffff00&quality=80&u=aimqyw")
February 02, 2024
One of the world’s foremost publications, National Geographic, has named Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort as one of the top 22 hotels across the globe for 2024. Nat Geo staff also named Dolly one of their nine “Travelers of the Year,” calling her the “Hospitality Queen.”
December 14, 2023
Get ready for unforgettable weekends at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as the Winter Music Series returns in January 2024. The 2024 Winter Music Series is a ticketed event open to both resort guests and non-resort guests, with a lineup of talented performers set to take the stage each winter weekend throughout the months of January and February.
November 15, 2023
Dollywood has a few partners that help recycle cigarette butts, beverage bottles and more in an effort to continue taking great care of the Smokies.
November 07, 2023
The spirit of Christmas shines merry and bright during 15-time winner for Best Theme Park Christmas Event, Smoky Mountain Christmas festival presented by Humana, with the event beginning on Nov. 4 and ho ho ho-ing all the way through Jan. 6, 2024!
November 03, 2023
Read an intern's perspective of the exciting grand opening media event for Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
September 27, 2023
Music is at the heart of any Dollywood day, especially during the Harvest Festival presented by Humana. This year, we have a number of guest performers from several different genres, including East Tennessee’s own Emily Ann Roberts. Emily Ann was a finalist on season nine of NBC’s the Voice in 2015, and has graced our country airwaves since.
September 18, 2023
Dollywood struck gold on Sept. 9 during the 25th annual Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today. Known as the Oscars of the industry, the Golden Ticket Awards recognize the top performers in the world of roller coasters and amusement parks. Our favorite park was not only awarded with multiple Golden Tickets, but also had the honor of hosting the awards for the first time since 2012. Dollywood welcomed more than 300 industry professionals into the park to network, reconnect and celebrate the successes of parks and service providers worldwide. The park was a finalist in 10 categories and won…
July 13, 2023
Our kids are all-in when it comes to roller coasters. They love the thrill of every drop, twist and turn. They also enjoy making ridiculous faces at the ride cameras. Every time we exit a ride and see the pictures at the photo kiosk, we always have a good laugh. The kids are laughing or striking funny poses, my husband has a look of both fear and excitement on his face, and I usually have my eyes closed! We always have a good family laugh but never purchase the photos because, really, what would we do with them? We’ll probably…
May 25, 2023
Dolly once said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” Like everyone in their early twenties, I’m searching for myself and my career in every corner of the earth, trying everything I can in the hopes of finding something I love. This is what inspired me to apply for a Retail and Merchandise Management Internship position at Dollywood for the Fall 2022 semester.
May 19, 2023
The week surrounding the opening of a big attraction like the new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, combined with a visit from our Dreamer-in-Chief Dolly, is a whirlwind. The days after all the excitement is spent catching up and getting “back to normal.” But for the past several years after Dolly has visited the park, it also has been a time for taking some of the beauty that surrounds such a special time and sharing it with the community, specifically sending out thousands of beautiful blooms to others.
May 19, 2023
Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival Presented by Covenant Health has bloomed across the park, bringing with it all of the sights and tastes of a beautiful spring. Luckily, the fun doesn’t stop there. We here at Dollywood are excited to also bring lively musical experiences to our guests.
May 17, 2023
There is never a dull moment here at Dollywood, especially when we’re busy following Ned Oakley around on his pursuit to find Big Bear. After much anticipation, the ropes dropped on Dollywood’s biggest coaster ever and Big Bear Mountain officially opened to the public on Friday, May 12. As the first search groups embark on the search for this legendary creature, we’d like to reflect on all the buzz in the air during opening day and show some love to the brilliant theming featured on this ride.
May 11, 2023
Have you ever looked at a video and wondered: how did they get that shot? In a world filled with constant content, so many of the excellent photos and videos we see daily are taken for granted. We all see the outcomes of a well-placed camera, but have you ever wondered what it took to get it there?
March 25, 2023
Ahoy, mateys! Are you searching the seven seas for fun, food and swashbuckling adventure? Ever wondered what a pirate’s adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains looks like? Well look no further than the Pirates’ Voyage Dinner & Show in our very own Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Experience the wonder of joining the show from your seat as you watch the rivalry and sword fights between the Crimson and Sapphire pirate crews led by Captain Blackbeard in his quest to find Davey Jones’ sunken treasure. The battles take place on land and at sea on the two full-sized pirate ships that are…
March 18, 2023
As someone who is lucky enough to call Sedona, Arizona, my hometown, it can be difficult not to get homesick sometimes. When you grow up in such a unique place, you look for glimpses of it everywhere you go, often with little success. But since moving to Tennessee in August, I’ve been grateful to have a little piece of home right in my new backyard – Pink Jeep Adventure Tours. Founded by Don Pratt in Sedona in 1960, Pink Jeep Tours have become known as a “must-do” experience and have expanded to Las Vegas, Branson and here in our very…
March 13, 2023
When Dolly visited Dollywood on Friday, she let a theater full of Dollywood Season Passholders in on a secret: we’re planning to open a whole new Dolly Parton experience next season. In 2024, we will introduce The Dolly Parton Experience: an interactive, newly-reimagined approach to telling Dolly’s story. This experiential attraction will open in the location of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum. It’s designed to be a one-of-a-kind immersive storytelling experience that will offer visitors an overview of Dolly’s journey and epic achievements with an up-close look at Dolly’s most-treasured things: family keepsakes and career mementos. Surrounded by video imagery…
February 15, 2023
When it’s time to try to figure out what to do for an evening out, it usually comes down to this question: dinner or a show of some kind? As luck would have it, the best answer to this question when I can spend a night in Pigeon Forge is both! Whether I want the show part of my evening to include equestrian excitement, mountain music with a little mayhem, or a high seas adventure with pirates and mermaids, it’s all available for me to choose from – let me tell you what I like best about each of these…
January 13, 2023
I know what you're thinking. “Josh, it's winter. Dollywood is closed. Why would we go visit?” It sounds like you're battling PDCS (Post Dollywood Closure Sadness). If you think that Dollywood and Pigeon Forge take a break in the winter, you are sadly mistaken! While the main gates may be closed and the parks are full of more construction equipment than people, there still is plenty to do at Dollywood Resorts and the surrounding area. Let me share your options for a winter trip to the Smokies.
December 09, 2022
I'm always proud to brag on our team at Dollywood's Splash Country-and this one is big. Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) just honored them with the prestigious Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award for their diligence in keeping our guests safe. I've previously written about how E&A secretly audits and scores our teams during unannounced visits. This international aquatic safety and risk management consulting organization works with more than 600 facilities worldwide. According to E&A, earning this award demonstrates the aquatic facility consistently exceeds industry standards in risk management. Only the top 10% of their clients receive a Platinum International…
November 09, 2022
Dollywood is proud to support our country's armed forces. We offer a military discount on day tickets, Season Passes and on stays. Because we're celebrating veterans this week, I thought it would be helpful to pull together information about military discounts in this blog. Thank you for your service! Our military discount applies to U.S. active or retired military, veterans, reservists, spouses and dependents when valid military personnel and dependent IDs are verified. These tickets may be purchased online or at the gate. Because park capacity is limited, we encourage you to buy tickets in advance to ensure you're not…
August 11, 2022
In early June 2021, Dolly and The Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton announced the construction of Dollywood's newest lodging property, HeartSong Lodge & Resort. This "reimagined lodge" is being created with Dolly's love of the Smoky Mountains in mind. Crews have been working hard preparing and clearing the land as they get ready to start building. In this video, Eugene and Dolly talk about inspiration for the new resort, construction progress and what makes it different from Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa. We can't wait to welcome you to your new Smoky Mountain home in 2023. After years of the…
August 05, 2022
Days like today are so much fun! Hopefully, you've seen it already, but if not, I'll be more than happy to share the "BIG" news. Dolly visited us today to help announce the newest addition to Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Big Bear Mountain! Big Bear Mountain is nearly 4,000 ft. long and takes guests on an unforgettable expedition through the Smokies in search of the elusive "Big Bear." The ride, which at 3,990 ft. becomes the longest roller coaster in the park, marks the expansion of Wildwood Grove. If you like coasters, you're going to love our newest addition. No…
August 01, 2022
Intrigue, confusion and a whole mess of dirt. This is what perfectly describes the current state of the back lot of Wildwood Grove. For months, guests have speculated about what could be happening in this area of the park. Are they digging for gold? Are they expanding the Grove? Did Dolly really lose her earrings as the train conductor explains when the Dollywood Express passes by? With so many questions, we here at Dollywood felt it was high time to let the public in on one of our storied secrets. The work is just getting started, but the payout is…
July 17, 2022
When Dollywood's Splash Country introduced Accessibility Tubes in 2017, it enabled guests with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy water attractions they had never been able to experience before. What a joy it was watching kids and adults float down the lazy river for the first time! For the 2018 season, our Aquatics team introduced another option for people with disabilities: water wheelchairs. Specifically, these chairs are intended for guests who would like to participate in our attractions but need assistance transferring from their personal wheelchair to a floatation device. Many people don't like the idea of rolling an expensive…
June 06, 2022
At Dollywood, we want everyone in your family to enjoy our park. We intentionally design experiences for people of differing abilities. In fact, one of Dollywood's complimentary services is our Ride Accessibility Center. Are you familiar with it? It's a beautiful concept that was created to help guests get more out of their Dollywood visit. We partner with Covenant Health to offer a center for families to learn about rider requirements and other accommodations. Allow me to tell you more.
May 07, 2022
For my little boy's 4th birthday this year, I had a stroke of genius-though, I can't truly take credit. He has not [yet] asked for a "real" birthday party, so in the previous three years, I've just hosted family and friends at our house for a celebration. This year, we were talking about what he wanted to do for his special day and he asked, "Mommy, can we go to Dollywood?" You mean I can avoid the stress of theming a party and cleaning my house?! Sweet child, I love you so much. We're going to Dollywood!
