Ultimate Guide to Dollywood’s Summer Celebration Tasting Pass – What to Eat & Skip
Quick Takeaway: Dollywood’s Summer Tasting Pass gives you five credits to sample exclusive seasonal bites during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. Stick to high-value entrees like the Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl or Brisket French Dip to get the most for your money—and skip the cupcakes and cookies unless you’re paying separately!
Dollywood is once again setting the stage for a spectacular culinary journey, this time with its vibrant Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration Tasting Pass! Just like its spring counterpart, this pass is designed to let you savor a wide array of festival flavors without breaking the bank, enhancing your visit from June 14 to August 3. But with new dishes and new pricing, the big question remains: Is Dollywood’s Summer Celebration Tasting Pass worth it for your family? Let’s dive in.
How the Summer Tasting Pass Works
The concept is beautifully simple: purchase a tasting pass, and you’ll receive five “tastes” or credits. Each credit can be redeemed for one eligible food or beverage item at designated festival booths and select dining locations throughout the park. This system makes it easy to sample a variety of offerings as you explore the Summer Celebration. You don’t have to use all your credits in 1 day! This tasting pass will be good for the entire Summer Celebration Season! The tasting pass can be purchased online ahead of your visit or anywhere tasting pass items are offered! You will receive a lanyard that will be scanned every time you redeem an item!
The Cost: Breaking Down the Value for Summer
For the 2025 Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, the Tasting Pass is priced at $39.99 per person (plus tax). For Dollywood’s valued Gold and Diamond Season Passholders, the price is reduced to $36.99 per person (plus tax).
To truly assess the “worth,” we calculate the “break-even point” – the per-credit cost:
- Regular Passholder: $39.99 / 5 credits = $8.00 per credit (pre-tax)
- Gold/Diamond Passholder: $36.99 / 5 credits = $7.40 per credit (pre-tax)
This means any eligible item you choose that costs more than your per-credit cost offers you a saving!
Item-by-Item Value Analysis
Now for the fun part! Let’s analyze every item available for the 2025 Summer Celebration Tasting Pass and categorize them based on their value when using a Tasting Pass credit.
(Note: These prices are the official 2025 prices. Locations are included to help you plan your festival route.)
ZONE 1: EXCELLENT DEALS = BEST VALUE
(Items in this category offer the highest savings. Using your credits on these items is highly recommended.)
- BBQ-Glazed Grilled Bratwurst ($14.99) – Market Square Big Skillet
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Hot Honey Chicken Salad Croissant ($14.99) – Front Porch Cafe (Table Service)
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Smoked Chicken and Chorizo Nachos ($14.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116A – Near Celebrity Theater)
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Flatbread ($14.99) – Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Smoked Sausage & Yellow Rice Skillet ($14.99) – Market Square Big Skillet
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl ($14.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116A – Near Celebrity Theater)
- Savings: $6.99 regular / $7.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Brisket French Dip ($13.99) – Hickory House BBQ
- Savings:$5.99 regular / $6.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Cuban Sandwich ($13.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116A – Near Celebrity Theater)
- Savings: $5.99 regular / $6.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Gouda and Bacon Loaded Tots ($13.99) – Potato Tornado
- Savings: $5.99 regular / $6.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza ($12.99) – Iron Horse Pizza, Lumber Jack Pizza
- Savings: $4.99 regular / $5.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Loaded Vegetarian Nachos ($12.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116C – Near Dogs N Taters)
- Savings: $4.99 regular / $5.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Summer Noodle Salad ($12.99) – Front Porch Cafe (Table Service)
- Savings: $4.99 regular / $5.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Deep Fried S’mores ($12.99) / Crossroads Funnel Cakes, Splinters Funnel Cakes
- Savings: $4.99 regular / $5.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
- Bacon Deviled Eggs ($11.99) – Front Porch Cafe
- Savings: $3.99 regular / $4.59 passholder. Verdict: BEST VALUE!
ZONE 2: GOOD DEALS = OK DEAL
(You’ll still save money on these items, but the value isn’t as high as the top-tier choices.)
- Red White & Blue Kettle Corn ($10.99) – Country Cookers – Kettle Corn
- Savings: $2.99 regular / $3.59 passholder. Verdict: OK DEAL
- Vegetable Cobb Salad ($10.99) – Iron Horse Pizza, Lumber Jack Pizza
- Savings: $2.99 regular / $3.59 passholder. Verdict: OK DEAL
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad ($10.99) – Market Square Big Skillet
- Savings: $2.99 regular / $3.59 passholder. Verdict: OK DEAL
- Orange-Creamsicle Milkshake ($8.99) – Showstreet Ice Cream
- Savings: $0.99 regular / $1.59 passholder. Verdict: OK DEAL
- Peach Cobbler Milkshake ($8.99) – Showstreet Ice Cream
- Savings: $0.99 regular / $1.59 passholder. Verdict: OK DEAL
ZONE 3: BREAK-EVEN/POOR VALUE ITEMS = BAD DEAL
(Avoid using a tasting pass credit on these items. You will lose money by using a credit here. Pay out-of-pocket instead.)
- Banana Nut Pudding Cupcake ($6.99) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.51 regular / -$0.91 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Flower Cupcakes ($6.99) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.01 regular / -$0.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Golden Peach Swirl Cupcake ($6.99) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.01 regular / -$0.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cupcake ($6.99) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.01 regular / -$0.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bar ($6.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116B – Across from Crossroads Funnel Cakes)
- Savings: -$1.01 regular / -$0.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Mango Ice Cream Bar ($6.99) – Seasonal Culinary Booth (Map #116B – Across from Crossroads Funnel Cakes)
- Savings: -$1.01 regular / -$0.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Beehive Cookie ($6.49) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.51 regular / -$0.91 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Butterfly Cookie ($6.49) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.51 regular / -$0.91 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Daisy Sugar Cookie ($6.49) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.51 regular / -$0.91 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- Rocky Road Brownie ($6.49) – Spotlight Bakery
- Savings: -$1.51 regular / -$0.91 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
- All Teas & Lemonades ($5.99) – Various Locations
- Includes: Blackberry Iced Tea, Classic Arnold Palmer, Cucumber Lemonade, Peach Boba Lemonade, Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade, Strawberry Sweet Tea, & Watermelon Lemonade Slushie
- Savings: -$2.01 regular / -$1.41 passholder. Verdict: BAD DEAL
Making Your Choice: Is the Tasting Pass Right for You?
Look at the lists above. Now, think about what you are most likely to eat during your festival visit:
YES, get the Tasting Pass if: Your must-try list is loaded with items from the “Excellent Deal” zone. If you plan to eat 3-5 of these higher-priced items, the pass will almost certainly save you money and is very convenient. It’s great for foodies wanting variety!
MAYBE consider the Tasting Pass if: You plan to eat a mix of “Excellent Deal” and “Okay Deal” items. You’ll likely break even or save a little, and gain convenience. Calculate based on your specific desires.
NO, skip the Tasting Pass if: You’re mainly interested in drinks (“Bad Deal” zone), smaller snacks, or only plan to eat one or two festival items total. You’ll save money by paying à la carte for the specific things you want.
My Personal Tasting Pass Strategy for 2025
1.Download the Dollywood App: I always check the full menu and locations before my visit using the official Dollywood app. This helps me plan my route through the park. I use the map to coordinate my food stops based on my touring plan. Learn more about that here.
2.Target the Excellent VALUE Items First: My first credits always go towards items in that zone. I’m definitely using credits on the Brisket French Dip ($13.99) and the Smoked Chicken and Chorizo Nachos ($14.99) – that’s over $12 in savings on just two items!
3.Follow with More Premium Items: Next, I’ll use credits on other pricier “Excellent or Good Deal” zone items like Deep Fried S’mores ($12.99) and one of the $10.99 options like Red, White, & Blue Kettle Korn!
4. Feed Your Family a Meal: Feeding a family of eight (yes, that’s six kids!) at Dollywood used to be a major budget line item for us. Individual entrees, often $14.99 each, quickly add up. But with the Tasting Pass, it’s a game-changer! Choosing five fantastic entrees, normally around $74.95 (before tax), becomes a brilliant deal. For Diamond Passholders like us, the tasting pass is just $36.99 plus tax – a remarkable nearly 50% savings for those five dishes! It’s a smart strategy that leaves more in your pocket for endless fun.
5. Pay Cash for “Bad Deal” Items: I always pay cash/card for beverages ($5.99) and bakery items ($6.49-$6.99). Using a credit on these loses money.
6. Map Your Locations: Note that festival food items are spread throughout the park. Plan your route to hit Market Square, the Festival Booths by TN Mountain Home, and other key locations efficiently. If you want an item from Front Porch Cafe, you will have to dine in, as this restaurant doesn’t offer grab and go! Add these to your touring plan ahead of time so you don’t lose precious touring time trying to make decisions.
7. Check the Last Date: Remember that the last day to use your Tasting Pass is August 3rd, so plan your visits accordingly!
The Final Verdict: Is the Summer Tasting Pass Worth It?
Dollywood’s Summer Celebration Tasting Pass is one of the best ways to explore seasonal flavors, try something new, and get more value out of your day in the park. If you stick to the higher-priced entrees, you’ll save money and walk away full and happy.
So grab a lanyard, follow your cravings, and taste your way through the summer celebration—one delicious bite at a time!
Make sure to grab your pass early and embark on a delicious adventure before the festival concludes on August 3rd!
How much does the Summer Tasting Pass cost?
It costs $39.99 plus tax for general guests, and $36.99 plus tax for Gold or Diamond Season Passholders.
How many items do I get with the pass?
You’ll receive five tasting credits, which can each be redeemed for one participating food or drink item.
Where can I buy the tasting pass?
Passes are offered online and are also available for purchase anywhere festival tasting foods are offered. When you purchase your Dollywood tickets, you can purchase this along with them conveniently online!
Can I use all five credits on the same item?
Yes! There are no restrictions—you can use your credits however you like, including getting the same item more than once.
Do the credits expire if I don’t use them all in one day?
Yes, credits must be used within the event window (June 14–August 3, 2025), but they do not have to be used all in one day if you return during the same festival.
What are the best items to use credits on?
For maximum value, go for higher-priced entrees like the Brisket French Dip, Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl, or Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Flatbread.
Are drinks or desserts worth using a credit on?
Not usually. Most are priced lower than a tasting credit’s value, so you’re better off paying out of pocket for those. Unless you are getting the Deep Fried S’mores!
Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options?
Yes! Options like the Vegetable Cobb Salad and Loaded Vegetarian Nachos are labeled vegetarian or gluten-free where applicable.
