Dollywood’s Tasting Pass: Christmas Edition

There is a lot to love about Dollywood! Just one of the fabulous things about this iconic theme park is the food.

You can get soft pretzels, nachos, hot dogs, and cotton candy…but the options at Dollywood go far beyond typical theme park food!

Dollywood boasts plenty of grab-and-go food stands for visitors looking for a quick bite between rides and shows. They also have several sit-down restaurants where you can dine on a full meal of southern cooking with all the fixins.

This must-visit theme park has a different festival for every season, and new seasonal food options also come with the change in scenery.

One great way to eat your way through Dollywood is with a Tasting Pass!

Tasting Pass Tips

Purchasing a tasting pass allows you to sample some of the seasonal menu items AND save money.

A tasting pass costs around $40 (plus tax) and is good for five seasonal food items. You can share the pass with anyone in your group and it can be used on multiple days anytime during that festival.

I bought my first tasting pass during the 2024 Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood.  And I have no regrets!

I do have some tips that will help you decide if a tasting pass is right for you and ensure you get the most out of it:

• Do your research prior to arriving at Dollywood. Spend some time on the Dollywood website or app to check out which items can be purchased with the tasting pass. Since the tasting pass can only be used on certain seasonal items you will want to make sure those are the items you or your group members actually want to eat. The menu boards in the park clearly mark which items work with the tasting pass, but looking at the items ahead of time can help you determine how many passes your group might need.
• To get the most value out of your pass, use it for the five most expensive seasonal items you want to try. Then pay for drinks and other lower-priced options separately.
• Diamond and Gold Season Passholders get a discount on tasting passes…yet another reason to get a season pass to Dollywood!
• Most of the theaters allow you to bring food in and eat during the shows, which can help maximize your time and the value of your entry fee.  (The shows are phenomenal, so see as many as you can!)

After doing my own research I was excited to purchase my tasting pass…and I already had my menu planned out for my two day solo trip to Dollywood! (A tasting pass can work for someone who is not-so-structured too…but what can I say, I’m a planner!)

Here is how I used my Christmas Tasting Pass:

Loaded Potato Soup

Regular Price: $8.99

This soup was oh so yummy and perfect for a chilly day at the park. I think they forgot to sprinkle parsley on the top of mine, but I didn’t mind. Less stuff to get stuck in my teeth!

The soup was creamy without being too heavy.  There were plenty of chunks of potatoes and bacon and it was well seasoned. Nothing bland about this soup!

I thought the portion size was modest, so plan to eat this one all by yourself!

Jambalaya

Regular Price: $13.99

I’m not sure I have ever had Jambalaya before…but I’m now sold on this spicy dish! This menu item definitely packs some heat, so if you don’t like spicy food, it might not be the right option for you.

But I love spicy food and this really hit the spot! The tomatoes were fresh, the chicken and rice were well seasoned, and the sausage added just a hint of sweetness.

The portion was generous, but I was happy not to share this one! I even managed to save a little bit of my Jambalaya for later that night. SO GOOD!!

Buffalo Chicken Loaded Potato

Regular Price: $14.99

Buffalo chicken and blue cheese is one of my favorite combinations so I knew this was one item I had to try.

The toppings were generous and flavorful. The chicken had a smoky flavor to it and was fairly mild as far as buffalo sauce goes. It was a huge serving so definitely a sharable item.

Since I was solo for this trip I got my fill…and then slid the rest of the loaded potato into the tupperware I had in my backpack for this exact purpose. (bonus tip: bring a few ziplock bags and plastic containers for leftovers!)  It was just as tasty later that night when I warmed it up in my hotel room.

Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake

Regular Price: $8.99

Hands down, the best milkshake I have ever had!!

The presentation was adorable with the striped straw and the peppermint sprinkled on top. And it tasted even better than it looked! It was creamy, minty, and chocolaty…all things I love.

I slurped every last bit I could out of that cup! (Sorry to those guests sitting near me in the show while I drank my shake…my slurping couldn’t be contained!)

Vanilla Eggnog Cupcake/Hot Cocoa Cupcake

Regular Price: $6.49 each

With just one swipe left on my tasting pass and a craving for something sweet, I opted for a cupcake.  I had THE BEST Wassail Cupcake at Dollywood’s Harvest Festival in September, so I was eager to try another flavor. I couldn’t decide between the Vanilla Eggnog and the Hot Cocoa Cupcake…so I got one of each (and just paid cash for the second one).

These cupcakes are HUGE and my pictures don’t do them justice. (I picked them up on my way out of the park, and in my hurry, I forgot to snap photos until I got back to my hotel.)

If you don’t plan to eat them on the spot, the Dollywood staff will put each cupcake in its own box with a cardboard holder that keeps it from tumbling over.

I devoured the Vanilla Eggnog Cupcake later that evening and it was really good (not quite as epic as the Wassail Cupcake, but still excellent). I took the Hot Cocoa Cupcake home to my daughter (which took a lot of restraint as it smells so good!) and I’m hoping to steal a bite!

More Seasonal Eats

With only two days at Dollywood and jeans I still wanted to fit into, I couldn’t possibly eat all the seasonal offerings! But I definitely got my money’s worth and enjoyed every lick and bite.

Had I purchased each of these 5 items separately, it would have cost $53.45 (plus tax, minus my 15% Gold Season Passholder Discount).

Since the tasting pass costs just $39.99 (plus tax, minus $3 if you are a Diamond or Gold Season Passholder), I’d say that was one heck of a good deal!

Here are even more sweet and savory options available with a tasting pass during the 2024 Christmas season:

While there are no guarantees that these options will be available during future Christmas seasons, popular items do tend to stick around from year to year with new treats added to the menu.

For a deeper dive into the 2024 Christmas season Tasting Pass at Dollywood, check out this video from Adventure is Out There!

What are you most looking forward to eating at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival?

Beyond all the yummy eats there is so much Christmas cheer at Dollywood! I hope you add this festive destination to your holiday travel itinerary!

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

P.S. Subscribe to my email list (at the top of the screen) and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips!

Pin It For Later!