There are so many fun and unique things to experience at Dollywood. It can be overwhelming if you’re trying to fit in all the things but still want to enjoy and not just rush through it all. Fortunately, that is totally possible!!!
Here are my 5 tips for getting the most of your day at Dollywood:
Enter the Park after 3pm (or 6pm in November & December)
If your schedule allows it, this is a great thing to know and take advantage of. If you enter Dollywood after 3:00pm with a single day ticket, you can come the next day for free. In November & December, during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, you can come free the next day if you arrive after 6:00pm. It makes the value of your single-day ticket so much more!!
Visit the Central Measuring Station
We didn’t discover the benefit of this until recently and we were missing out!! To the left of the Dollywood entrance, between the Ride Accessibility Center & the Stroller Rentals, is the Central Measuring Station. If you are visiting the park with children less than 50 inches tall, they can be measured and assigned a wristband according to their height here. The color of the wristband will coordinate with rides to which they meet the height requirements.
It’s no fun to make your way around the park and find out when you reach the entrance that your little one isn’t tall enough to ride it. A quick peek at the map makes it easy to see what rides are available to your child. A link to the rider requirements can be found on the Dollywood website and the park maps have this chart as well.
http://www.dollywood.com/-/media/Files/Dollywood/PDF/DW/2017-Rider-Requirement-Chart-426171.ashx?la=en
Invest in the Refillable Mugs
This tip ma be more applicable to season pass-holders rather than those who only spend one day at Dollywood during a given season. We have found the refillable mugs to be a great investment. We’ve also begun purchasing a mug for each family member because the more mugs you buy the greater the value. While 1 mug is $14.99, a 4-pack is $35.99 making each less than $9. (I am not accounting for tax). Then each refill of a cold beverage is $0.99 and hot or frozen beverages are $1.99. You can also get them filled with water for free at any concession stand with fountain drinks.
Utilize Package Pick-Up
When I’m spending a day at Dollywood, or any similar attraction, I try to avoid carrying around any more stuff than I have to. This is especially true now that the girls are older & I don’t need diapers, wipes and all the “baby” things. The folks at Dollywood realize this is true for lots of their guests and with that in mind they offer a complimentary “Package Pick-Up” service. At time of purchase, let your cashier know you’d like “Package Pick-Up” and your item(s) will be waiting for you at the Dollywood Emporium when you exit for the day. You can buy all the cute things but don’t have to lug them around the park!!
Locate the AC!!
Summertime in East Tennessee means chances are good it’s going to be hot!!! Plan ahead and know where you can find some AC and escape the heat for a bit. During most trips, we like to have lunch either at the Front Porch Café or Aunt Granny’s Buffet so we can sit inside for a bit. Another option is to make time during the afternoon to see a show at one of the indoor venues. This year we’ve enjoyed the “Gazillion Bubble Show” in DP’S Celebrity Theater and “Heartsong” & “The Little Engine That Could” in the Heartsong Theater. There are more indoor air conditioned options available so be sure to grab a map and a show schedule when you enter the park to see times & locations.
Upgrade Your Single Day Ticket to a Season Pass
You’re going to have a great time at Dollywood and will want to come back as soon as possible, as many time as possible. The great news is a season pass is less than the price of two one-day tickets. More great news is that when you visit Guest Services to get your upgrade, the price of your one-day ticket is applied to your Season Pass Purchase. Now you’re a Season Passholder!!
Have you visited Dollywood? What are your tips for making the most of it!
