brenthodge

The flooring on the left side (snoopy theme shop) is in horrible condition, and both sides look terribly dates and... well... terrible.

Panda should’ve moved to the ChickFilA spot and made the whole area a “mini china” garden since that’s where China lives for CARNIVALE and there’s already the “bones” of a garden style seating area.

Sorry - Dumb idea

good thought - i believe that the parking is being expanded again this off season. maybe thats the long term plan.

I’d venture that’s then limited some of their offerings. They’ve cut things like A Dollywood Christmas Carol and It’s A wonderful Life- shows that added a different flavor to the event. They “Covid cut” the Santa “land” they used to have to replace it with a socially distancing experience that theyve continued, They didn’t continue the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer marketing program that they continued at other Herschel’s parks. Cut the parade that had a very clear religious (Christmas) message Not sure what you mean by Christmas vs Holiday. Are you saying they’ve eliminated the secular aspects?

Snow in the Grove was a nice little add, to use the parade leftovers, and lighting they weren’t using from the Wilderness Pass light show due to construction. Since that will be a restaurant going forward, I doubt that will return to that venue. Since they used the main tree in the upper train circle, and lit all of that, I wonder why they didn’t program that whole area into a “show” since the way they run the train they know what time/how long they are in that area.

Definitely time for new shows. On the way home I realized the first time we went SMC at Dollywood was over 10 years ago, and half of the shows are the same ones. I get tradition and all, but at this point it’s crossed the line to stale. The lit tree thing I think also stems from the fact that they flip from Harvest to Christmas in like 3 days now, the open in March with a whole other festival. I think they’ve had to manage down some of the manpower and reprioritize things they do. I actually miss the KI “Winterfest Characters” that I think DW could definitely develop for all their areas. The entire event lacks some of the energy of KI.Sad that the parade that was only run a few years is sitting in storage. They only run the drone show on weekends etc. It used to be the “gold standard” to me and it’s honestly slipped to a strong silver (sharing the medal platform with KI in a way I thought they’d never do.)

Just got back from Dollywood (first time in several years at Christmas.) Compared to years past, there are a lot of shifts in decor that I’d consider cutbacks, but so much thought put into what is there, that it’s hard to ding them. I’d really love a “love child” between KI’s “more is more just keep throwing Christmas crap on it” with Dollywood’s thoughtful use of decor as storytelling (and their ability to staple cords and burry things under mulch) and we’d have a winner! KI definitely wins the “lush overstuffed decor award” now, if they’d just take the time to straighten and fluff stuff each year… Honestly I’d almost give the edge to KI for overall energy and complete Christmas vibes now, and I never thought I’d feel Dollywood had slipped.

In a town called Saya Clause you’d think it a no-brainer?!

Way better than the drizzly wash out that Saturday was (about 4 hrs early LOL)

Yeah - Im not sure if its THAT beneficial to be open ALL this week. I'd love to go, but with work and last days of school with kids, I just don't know if I can make it work out. Its too bad that they can run rides after the first so they could run the event all the way to the weekend after the 1st like Dollywood does. I think they would be slammed then and make it much more worth their while. We might try for Thursday to get a night in before the weekend crowds hit.

lol. I love that I’m a standard to now be met!

The scope of show like that is why I REALLY wish Showplace got a much needed makeover with better accessibility seating (not as steep) and a new soid surface room and partial side so it could have heaters and be used for shows during Winterfest. Shows like FOLLIES could be way better appreciated with some seating instead of the hard ground or just standing there. Then the bandstand could still be used for a "pop, top 40" Christmas hits type show with 2 vocalists and 3-4 dancers, no costume changes and track music. Maybe only 15-20 min with 2-3 set lists through the night. This area just doesn't seem to do justice to what they are putting on-stage this year.

Yes. Quite good.

Yep-it was chilly but fun. Raced my kid (lost) 2x.