Dollywood or Bust

First, I need to state the obvious. I am a HUGE Dolly Parton fan. I’ve always appreciated the country music legend’s singing and songwriting, but recently I just can’t seem to get enough of her!

From podcasts about Dolly, to new books about her songs, to her signature perfume, not to mention her new Christmas album, Christmas Musical, and Netflix series, Heartstrings. Dolly seems to be popping up everywhere!

In addition to Dolly’s lengthy musical career, she has also made a name for herself as a movie star, savvy businesswoman, generous philanthropist, and a woman of strong faith with deep family roots.

Some may know her best for her artificial, rhinestone-studded look, but beneath the surface, Dolly Parton is as genuine as they come.

It seems only fitting that this national treasure has her own theme park!

I visited Dollywood once as a teenager (but that was a few decades ago). So I was ecstatic when I was invited to join my dear friend Andrea (also a HUGE Dolly fan) and six other fabulous ladies on an epic trip to Dollywood.

I have been friends with Andrea since our now 17-year-old daughters met in kindergarten. I’ve always admired Andrea for her strong faith as well as her beautiful voice, but it has been her courage during the last several years as she battles stage four colon cancer that has inspired me beyond words.

Better Get to Livin’ is Dolly’s advice on life, and it’s one I have seen Andrea carry out despite the mountains in her life. I couldn’t think of a better way to take Dolly’s advice than to join Andrea and her crew for two fun-filled days taking in all the music and magic that Dollywood has to offer!

The Shows

I’ll get to the rides and the food in a bit, but what really sets Dollywood apart from all the other theme parks is the high-caliber shows. And there are a lot of them! We spent two days at Dollywood and still didn’t see every show.

With more than 10 theaters/stages throughout the park, there is always a show to catch. From country to pop to gospel to Christian contemporary, the variety of shows offer something for every kind of music lover. And I loved them all!

Several of the performance groups perform all season long, but Dollywood also showcases popular musical artists for limited engagements. Get a copy of the show schedule for the day of your visit (on the website or the Dollywood app). Then plot out your day and your routes so you can take in as many shows as possible.

Here are just a few of my favorite shows at Dollywood:

Harmonies of the Heart at Dreamsong Theater

This one is a must for Dolly fans! The two female performers in this talented trio are Dolly’s very own niece and cousin.

They will sing and dance their way into your heart as they share insights into the Parton family’s history. I dare you not to sing along as they cover several of Dolly’s famous hits.

Heartsong, The Movie

While not a live performance, you won’t want to miss this 20-minute multi-sensory movie. A younger version of Dolly shares her love for the smoky mountains set among a woodland backdrop.

You will literally see, hear, and feel the elements of nature…just be prepared to get a little wet when the storm rolls in!

The Hall Sisters at Valley Theater

During our visit, The Hall Sisters were performing at one of the outdoor theaters, and this may have been my favorite performance at Dollywood (although it is really hard to choose).

Each of the sisters in this country/pop sibling quartet is as equally talented as she is stunningly beautiful. Their voices and style were each uniquely different yet they complimented one another so well.

One of the unique aspects of many of the shows at Dollywood is that after each performance the artists stick around to greet the guests and sell their merchandise. Our group of ladies often took advantage of this, making the performances even more personal and meaningful.

The Hall Sisters were just as gracious on stage as they were off, and we even got to chat with the proud mom and dad of these talented sisters.

A Brighter Day/Good Vibes at Back Porch Theater

At another quaint open-air theater, we were uplifted by a very talented singing and dancing quartet. The songs and choreography change from season to season but you will find many of the same gifted performers gracing the stage.

The Kingdom Heirs at Showstreet Theater

A staple at Dollywood, and must-see entertainment, is The Kingdom Heirs.  This southern gospel quartet delights audiences with multiple performances several days a week. (During our visit one member was healing from surgery, but the trio carried on quite well!)

The Kingdom Heirs showcase many original songs with all the artistry of a typical barbershop quarter and the emotional pull of a praise and worship team.

One of the ladies in our group just happened to know the newest member of The Kingdom Heirs. We felt privileged to get front-row seats and a special nod during the show to our friend Andrea!

The Rides

With our group of eight, there were some who were content to just hop from show to show, but there were also some thrill-seekers in our gang. And Dollywood did not disappoint!

Dollywood is actually divided into 11 different sections. For the little kiddies (or the not so adventurous adults) Country Fair is the area to be. There are plenty of pint-size rides as well as carnival games.

I convinced another fearless mom to join me on Sky Rider. We got some great views of the park and a refreshing breeze through our hair!

The next section over is The Village, and several of us enjoyed a tame ride on the Dollywood Express. We rambled through the park and behind the scenes and into the adjacent undeveloped land. It looks to me like Dollywood has plenty of room to expand!

The very first ride I embarked on at Dollywood was the Lightning Rod in Jukebox Junction. I must have been feeling brave as I just said YES when two of the moms invited me to join them on this ride. I had no idea what to expect. Let’s just say I still don’t really know what to expect because my eyes were tightly shut through all the twists and turns of this wooden roller coaster! YOLO!

The Barnstormer, which is located in Owens Farm, was another ride that made it onto my Dollywood itinerary. Make sure you don’t have a fear of heights (or are willing to overcome it!) for this one. The huge pendulum swings riders back and forth at a high speed as you go higher and higher. It was quite a rush!

Wild Eagle, found in Wilderness Pass, rounded out my ride experience at Dollywood. And it was my favorite! This ride has thrilling heights that have you soaring amidst a backdrop of the smoky mountains. I kept my eyes open during this one and appreciated the smooth ride!

I just took in a small taste of the rides offered, and I was focused on holding on tight, so sorry about the lack of photos!

With more than 30 rides spaced throughout the park grounds, it would be easy to spend several days at Dollywood and still not ride them all. While we opted to stay dry on our Dollywood adventure, there is also the option of Dollywood’s Splash Country right next door.

I can easily see why those who live in Tennessee would opt for season passes to Dollywood. There is so much to explore!

Food & Flower Festival

Each season Dollywood showcases a different festival, so there is something new and exciting to experience throughout the year. Our trip was in early June, and we were able to experience the final days of the Food & Flower Festival.

One of my favorite things about the Food & Flower Festival was the array of umbrellas hanging overhead near the entrance. I cannot think of a more Instagram-worthy spot, and I couldn’t resist snapping numerous selfies amidst the colorful backdrop.

Scattered around the park were numerous sculptures artistically made of a variety of plants and flowers. There were several sculptures of woodland animals, but my favorite one depicted Dolly’s mom making the famed Coat of Many Colors.

As you probably guessed by the name, the Food and Flower Festival also boasts an array of delightful dining options. I’ll get to the food in just a minute.

Now I can’t wait to see what the creative staff at Dollywood does for the Summer Celebration, Harvest Festival, and Smoky Mountain Christmas.

I definitely see a return trip to Dollywood in my future!

The Food

I am normally all about the food when I travel. But with so much to do and experience at Dollywood, for me the food didn’t take center stage. Yet what I loved most about the food is that the selection went way beyond what you would typically find at a theme park.

There are plenty of grab-and-go food stations as well as several sit-down restaurants where you can leisurely enjoy a meal. You can get down-home southern cooking at Aunt Granny’s and some of Dolly’s favorite meals at the Front Porch Cafe.

The best thing I ate at Dollywood was fried green tomatoes from the Front Porch Cafe! Delish!

We also made a pit stop at Red’s Drive-in for some tasty burgers and fries.

As part of the Food and Flower Festival’s limited-time offerings, I indulged in a lobster roll as well as a lemon curd and blueberry liege waffle.

But the food item Dollywood is most known for is their famed cinnamon bread. Made onsite in the Grist Mill, the smell wafts through the park…and I couldn’t resist.

I picked up several loaves of these heavenly baked goods and brought them home to share. I had heard about the cinnamon bread before our trip and I must say it lived up to the hype. However, I resisted the urge to buy one of the t-shirts that read “I’m just here for the cinnamon bread.”

All Things Dolly

Even someone who isn’t familiar with Dolly’s career will find plenty to love at Dollywood. But for true Dolly fans there is so much to experience beyond the stellar shows, rides, and food.

At the top of the must-do list for Dolly enthusiasts is the Chasing Rainbows museum. This two-story museum is packed with memorabilia spanning more than seven decades of Dolly’s life. Even well-versed Dolly fans will learn something new about the megastar’s life and career.

Admire her impressive array of awards. Learn about her impoverished yet loving childhood. Get a glimpse of her precious Coat of Many Colors.

Gaze at her over-the-top outfits, including some of her movie set wardrobe.

And through it all, you feel intimately connected to the larger-than-life superstar.

You can even catch a hologram of Dolly sharing a bit about her life and singing I Will Always Love You. I felt as if Dolly was right there with me!

Just outside the museum, you can also peek inside Dolly’s house on wheels. Just imagine what it must be like to live on the road with Dolly in her luxurious RV.

Be sure to pop into Dolly’s Closet where you can shop for Dolly-approved clothing and jewelry as well as t-shirts featuring Dolly herself.

You can also step back in time as you step inside a replica of Dolly’s childhood home. Experience the humble two-room house and take in Dolly’s impoverished beginnings. You will soon understand just what Dolly has been singing about for decades, and how she has always been rich in love.

While Dolly herself can seldom be found at the theme park bearing her name, you will feel and see her presence everywhere. At times Dolly’s stamp is clearly visible.

But do your research on Dolly Parton and you will soon discover that just about everything in the park is an ode to her life, her career, her family, and the people of the smoky mountains.

Tips and Lessons Learned

If you have read this far and are considering a trip to Dollywood, my top advice for you is…GO! You won’t regret it.

I do recommend buying your tickets online ahead of time. When we visited Dollywood daily attendance was limited due to COVID, so it made logical sense to purchase tickets ahead of time to ensure we would be able to get in. Plus we got to skip the ticket line after heading through security.

If you can swing it, plan at least two days at Dollywood. A two-day ticket was only $20 more than a one day ticket so it was a better value and offers more time to take in all the park has to offer at a leisurely pace. And if you think you will be returning to Dollywood later in the year you should seriously look into a season pass!

I also recommend purchasing parking when you buy your ticket online. As you drive into the park, be prepared for traffic and pack your patience. It moves along fairly quickly and both days we found that if we kept to the far right lanes we moved through a bit faster as the lanes open up as you approach the parking attendant shelters.

Parking lots A and B fill up pretty quickly so we opted for C. We were able to find parking close to the tram and the trams come quickly and seat tons of people. Before you know it you will be whisked to the entrance and ready for your Dollywood adventure!

Prior to your visit, spend some time studying the Dollywood website and map, or better yet, download the Dollywood app. Check with everyone in your party and decide which shows, rides, attractions, and food are on your must-do list. Then spend a little time mapping out your route so you can fit it all in. If crowds are large, as they often are, be a bit flexible or consider purchasing a TimeSaver Pass.

One final tip: The mom in me wants to remind you to wear your sunscreen and stay hydrated! I was able to bring a water bottle past security with no issues and then fill it up throughout the day. This allowed me to save my spending money for the more exciting food and beverage options.

She’s an Eagle

It would have been amazing to meet Dolly Parton herself during our time at Dollywood. But I may never get to meet Dolly Parton (although I did get to see her atop a float in a parade through Pigeon Forge a few years back).  And that’s ok.

While my dear friend Andrea doesn’t have the numerous accolades, fame, and fortune of Ms. Parton, both ladies possess many of the same traits. A beautiful voice, a generous spirit, a heart for others, and a never-ending faith.

And if Dolly ever has the pleasure of meeting Andrea…she would surely see that Andrea’s an Eagle When She Flies!

Thank you so much to Andrea and the lovely ladies who came along on this amazing adventure!

It’s a trip I will always cherish…and I’m already plotting our return visit to Dollywood!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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