Visiting Dollywood for the First Time: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Quick Takeaway: Your first time at Dollywood doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A little planning goes a long way, so use our Dollywood planning guides to learn what to expect, choose the experiences that matter most to your family and build a flexible plan for your visit. Then put the planning aside, slow down and enjoy the rides, food, shows and Smoky Mountain memories along the way.
If you’re planning your first visit to Dollywood, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by everything there is to know. Maybe you’ve heard about the incredible roller coasters, the family rides, the food, the live entertainment, or the seasonal festivals. Maybe you’ve never been to a theme park like Dollywood before and aren’t quite sure where to begin. Whatever brought you to the Smoky Mountains, a little planning before your trip can make your first Dollywood experience so much more enjoyable.
The good news is that you don’t need to have every minute of your vacation planned before you walk through the gates. In fact, I think trying to plan every single minute can take some of the fun out of a family vacation. What you really need is a good idea of what your family wants to experience, a little knowledge about how the park works, and a plan that gives you room to slow down and enjoy yourself.
That’s exactly why I created the Dollywood planning guides here at Simply Touring. I know how overwhelming it can be to start researching a new destination and suddenly find yourself with a dozen tabs open, trying to figure out what rides you should do first, where you should eat, whether you need TimeSaver, where you should stay, and what you should do if the weather doesn’t cooperate. My goal is to take some of that work off your plate so you can spend less time researching and more time looking forward to your trip.
What Makes Dollywood Different?
If you’ve never visited Dollywood before, one of the first things you’ll notice is that it doesn’t feel quite like every other amusement park. Of course, there are plenty of exciting rides and roller coasters, but Dollywood is so much more than that. You’ll find live entertainment, Appalachian crafts, beautiful scenery, shopping, restaurants, and seasonal events throughout the park.
And then there are the mountains.
Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, and that setting is part of what makes a visit so special. It also means you’ll encounter hills and a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are one of the most important things to pack. If you’re traveling with young children, grandparents, or anyone who may need a little extra time to get around, keep the terrain in mind when you’re planning your day.
One of the things I love most about Dollywood is that you can make your day whatever you want. You can spend your morning riding roller coasters, stop for lunch and a show, let the kids enjoy the family rides in the afternoon, and finish the evening taking in the park’s atmosphere. You don’t have to choose between an exciting day and a relaxing one.
Don’t Try to Do Everything on Your First Visit
This may be one of the hardest pieces of advice for a first-time visitor to hear, but you probably aren’t going to experience everything Dollywood has to offer in one day. That’s okay. Trying to check off every ride, show, restaurant, and attraction can leave you exhausted before the day is over.
Instead, think about what is most important to your family. If you have teenagers who want to ride every coaster they can find, your day will look very different from a family with toddlers excited about character experiences and family rides. If someone in your group isn’t a fan of thrill rides, you’ll want to build in other things for them to enjoy. Maybe your family is all about the food and entertainment, or perhaps you’re visiting during one of Dollywood’s seasonal festivals and want to spend time enjoying everything that comes with it.
There isn’t one perfect way to visit Dollywood. The best plan is the one that works for your family.
Use Our Dollywood Planning Guides to Build Your Trip
This is where I really recommend using the planning guides here at Simply Touring. Instead of trying to plan your entire vacation at once, use the guides to build your plan a little at a time.
Start by looking at the time of year you’re visiting. Dollywood changes throughout the seasons, and what you want to prioritize can be very different depending on when you’re there. If you’re visiting in the fall, for example, you’ll want to take some time to learn about the Harvest Festival, the seasonal food, and Great Pumpkin LumiNights. If you’re planning a Christmas visit, you’ll want to know what to expect during Smoky Mountain Christmas. Our seasonal guides can help you understand what’s happening during your particular trip so you aren’t trying to figure it all out once you arrive.
Then start thinking about the practical side of your visit. Where are you staying? How many days will you have? Do you want to spend one day at Dollywood or two? Are you traveling with little ones who will need an afternoon break? Are you bringing picky eaters who might make dining a little more complicated? Do you want to take advantage of TimeSaver?
These questions help you create a plan that actually works.
And that’s really what I want the Simply Touring planning guides to do. You don’t need to memorize them or follow them exactly. Use them as a starting point, take what applies to your family, and leave the rest behind.
Arrive With a General Plan
I definitely recommend knowing what you want to do before you walk through the gates, especially if this is your first visit. You don’t need a minute-by-minute itinerary, but having a general idea of your must-dos can save you a lot of time.
If your kids have been talking about a particular ride, know where it is. If there is a show you don’t want to miss, look at the schedule before you arrive. If you’ve been looking forward to trying a particular restaurant or treat, make sure you know where to find it.
This little bit of preparation can make a huge difference once you’re inside the park. Instead of standing around trying to decide what to do next, you already have a general direction for your day. At the same time, you can still change your plans when you see something that catches your eye.
That’s the balance I try to find when planning any family vacation: enough planning to make things easier, but not so much planning that you can’t enjoy the moment.
Getting to Dollywood Early
For most families, I recommend starting your Dollywood day early. Arriving early gives you time to park, get through the entrance, and get everyone settled before the day gets busy. It can also let you tackle some of your priority attractions early in the day.
That doesn’t mean you have to rush your family through breakfast and show up stressed out before the park even opens. If your family isn’t naturally an early-rising family, it’s okay to adjust your expectations. Knowing how your family travels matters as much as knowing the park schedule.
If you’re staying at one of Dollywood’s resorts, you’ll also want to take advantage of the transportation and other resort benefits that can make getting to the park easier. Hello Golden Hour!
Is TimeSaver Worth It?
TimeSaver is one of those things I recommend looking at before your trip, rather than deciding once you’re already in the park. Whether it’s worth it for your family depends on when you’re visiting, how busy the park is, how many attractions you want to experience, and how much time you have.
For some families, especially those visiting during a busy time or trying to fit a lot into one day, it can make the day much easier. For others, particularly those visiting for multiple days or who don’t mind waiting in some lines, it may not be something they need.
This is another reason I encourage you to plan before your trip. When you understand your priorities, it’s much easier to decide where you want to spend your vacation dollars.
Consider Staying at a Dollywood Resort
If you’re planning a Dollywood vacation, don’t automatically assume that staying somewhere else in Pigeon Forge is your only option. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort and DreamMore Resort and Spa can make a lot of sense for families who want the convenience of staying close to the parks.
Dollywood resorts offer several perks, including transportation to the parks and other benefits that can make your vacation easier. For families, that convenience can be worth just as much as the room itself. Getting back to your resort after a long park day without worrying about driving and parking again can make a huge difference.
HeartSong Lodge is also a great home base if you’re planning to spend more than just a day or two in the area. That’s why I based our 7-Day Smoky Mountain Vacation Itinerary there. The itinerary gives you time at Dollywood, but it also leaves room for Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, the Great Smoky Mountains, and slower days when your family needs a break.
I don’t think every Smoky Mountain vacation needs to be packed from morning until night. Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you have time actually to enjoy where you’re staying.
Don’t Spend Your Entire Day on the Rides
I know the rides are a huge reason many people visit Dollywood, and they’re amazing. But one of my favorite things about Dollywood is that you can have a fantastic day without spending every minute waiting for the next coaster.
Take some time to enjoy the shows. Walk through the park’s different areas. Stop and watch the artisans. Listen to the music. Grab a snack and sit down for a while. Let the kids explore.
This is especially important if you’re traveling with a family of different ages. Not everyone will want to ride the same things all day, and building other experiences into your schedule gives everyone a chance to enjoy the day.
The shows can also be a great way to give your family a break. When you’ve been walking for several hours, sitting down in an air-conditioned or heated theater for a little while can feel like a vacation all by itself.
Plan Your Meals Before Everyone Gets Hungry
If you’ve traveled with kids, you already know that hungry people don’t always make the best decisions. That’s why I recommend taking a look at Dollywood’s dining options before your trip, especially if you have picky eaters in your family.
You don’t necessarily need reservations or a detailed meal schedule for every day, but knowing what options are available can save you from wandering around the park while everyone is complaining that they’re hungry.
I also think it’s perfectly okay to make food part of the experience. You don’t have to rush through lunch so that you can get back to the rides. Sit down, enjoy your meal, and let everyone recharge. Sometimes that break is exactly what you need to turn the second half of your day around.
Don’t Let Rain Ruin Your Dollywood Trip
If you see rain in the forecast, don’t immediately assume your Dollywood day is ruined. Weather in the Smoky Mountains can change quickly, and the park offers plenty of indoor experiences.
Shows, restaurants, and shops can give you places to escape the rain, and sometimes a rainy day can even change the pace of your visit in a good way. You need to be prepared.
I have a whole guide dedicated to visiting Dollywood on a rainy day, because weather can be hard to plan around. The key is to check the forecast, dress appropriately, and be willing to change your plans.
A little flexibility can go a long way.
Make Dollywood Part of a Bigger Smoky Mountain Vacation
One of the biggest things I want first-time Dollywood visitors to know is that you don’t have to make your entire vacation about the theme park.
In our opinion, Dollywood is one of the best parts of a Smoky Mountain vacation, but it doesn’t have to be the only part.
Spend a day or two at Dollywood and then take some time to explore Gatlinburg. Visit the Island in Pigeon Forge. Take a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Have a slower day at your resort. Visit the Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge. Try one of the area’s dinner shows or visit an attraction like WonderWorks.
That’s why I love creating complete Smoky Mountain itineraries instead of only talking about the park. A family vacation should have some variety. You don’t want to come home feeling like you need another vacation to recover from the one you just took.
Our 7-Day Smoky Mountain Vacation Itinerary is a great place to start if you want to combine Dollywood with everything else the area has to offer. You can follow it exactly, use parts of it, or use it for inspiration when creating your own trip.
Plan Before You Go, Then Enjoy the Moment
If I could give a first-time Dollywood visitor just one piece of advice, it would be to plan without over-planning.
Use the Simply Touring guides to learn about the park, understand the season you’re visiting, figure out where you want to stay, and decide what your family really wants to experience. Look at dining options, learn about TimeSaver, and have a general idea of how you want your day to flow.
Then permit yourself to put the plan away.
If your child wants to ride the same ride twice, let them.
If you discover a show you didn’t know about, see it.
If everyone needs an ice cream break, take one.
If you planned to do six things and only make it through four because your family is having a great time, that’s okay.
Those unplanned moments are often the ones you remember.
Final Thoughts for Your First Dollywood Visit
Your first trip to Dollywood doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to know every ride, restaurant, or shortcut before you arrive. You don’t have to experience every attraction in one day, and you certainly don’t have to follow someone else’s itinerary.
What you do need is a little preparation and a plan that fits your family.
That’s what I hope you’ll find here at Simply Touring. I created these planning guides to make it easier to plan a big vacation by breaking it into manageable pieces. Start with this guide, explore the seasonal guides, learn about staying at HeartSong Lodge or DreamMore, check out our rainy-day tips, and use our Smoky Mountain itineraries to build the rest of your trip.
Do your research before you leave home so that when you finally arrive at Dollywood, you can spend less time wondering what you’re supposed to do and more time enjoying where you are.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what a family vacation is really about.
Plan before you go. Leave room for the unexpected. And then make some memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for your first visit to Dollywood?
One full day can give you a great introduction to Dollywood, but two days allow you to experience more rides, shows, food, and attractions without feeling like you have to rush. If Dollywood is part of a larger Smoky Mountain vacation, two park days can be a great way to balance your time between the park and everything else the area has to offer.
What should I do first at Dollywood?
Start with the attractions that are most important to your family. If you have specific rides or shows that you don’t want to miss, make those part of your initial plan. You don’t need to plan every minute of the day, but knowing your must-dos before you arrive can help you make better use of your time.
Do I need TimeSaver at Dollywood?
Not every family needs TimeSaver. Whether it makes sense depends on when you’re visiting, how busy the park is, how many attractions you want to experience and how much time you have. Planning your priorities before your trip can help you decide whether TimeSaver is right for your family.
What happens if it rains at Dollywood?
Rain doesn’t necessarily mean your Dollywood day is ruined. There are shows, restaurants, shops and other indoor experiences throughout the park. Check the forecast before you leave, dress appropriately and be willing to adjust your plans if the weather changes.
Is staying at a Dollywood resort worth considering?
Staying at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort or DreamMore Resort and Spa can add convenience to your vacation, particularly for families. Resort guests can take advantage of transportation and other benefits, and staying on property can make it easier to combine Dollywood with a larger Smoky Mountain vacation.
Should I plan my entire Dollywood day in advance?
I recommend having a general plan rather than scheduling every minute. Know which rides, shows and experiences are most important to your family, but leave room to slow down, explore and enjoy unexpected moments. The goal is to plan enough that your day is easier without making your vacation feel like work.
What is the best way to plan a first trip to Dollywood?
Start by choosing your travel dates and deciding how many days you want to spend at Dollywood. Then look at the seasonal events happening during your visit, choose your accommodations, identify your family’s must-dos and use Dollywood planning guides to fill in the details. Planning ahead can help you spend less time figuring things out once you arrive and more time enjoying your vacation.
