Avatar Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Hi everybody, due to the recent bad weather I was unable to make a pickup in Knoxville Tennessee. We have rescheduled to make a pickup on Monday, December 14 which gives me an opportunity to visit Dollywood for the first time. I should get there at opening and stay till closing which is from 11 AM till 9 PM. I would like to ask any members who have attended Dollywood during the Christmas festivities if you could recommend the must do rides, shows and any other must dos. Thank you for any information. Dragon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Do not under ANY circumstances miss the Babes in Toyland show. You will not be disappointed. If the park is at all busy, consider buying a Q to Q...they are VERY inexpensive and you can schedule all the shows you want...they are all very good (and much like I loved Marty's Party, I adore Twas The Night Before Christmas, which is largely aimed at the Santa's kids crowd...it's touching and I never fail to tear up each time I see it). The food is not to be missed. I adore Aunt Granny's...it's a very good buffet, and not just for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 And see: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/130744 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Thanks Interpreter, this is the type of information I am looking for with 5 1/2 hours of shows available I felt like I needed to weed some shows out but I wanted to make sure I got the good ones in and knew you all could give me some good advice. I have heard so much about Aunt Granny's that I plan to eat there too. I am leaning towards using Q2Q so that I can make sure I get everything in. This will be a solo trip unless someone else from here is going on Sunday too. The weather looks to be around 50°, any recommendation for rides Thanks for the article to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Not to be missed if at all possible: Thunderhead Mystery Mine Blazing Fury (all very obvious) Not as fun as it looks: Timber Tower Often overlooked: The fantastic Eagle sanctuary Worth the extra money: Ziplines, galore, but it takes a LOT of time. Also, if you are considering going back next year, consider buying a season pass...like the old days of Paramount, it will get you in all the rest of this season and next season too! The gold version gets you free parking and substantial in park discounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiboy Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Yes Dollywood is a park you can't miss and I Agree 100% with Terp on what he said. Note if you Buy the Gold Pass you get free parking and 20% off off food and Merch. Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 And I believe that parking is either $7 or $8. But they do offer tram service since their parking lot is pretty much a very narrow L shape sandwiched alongside of a mountain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiboy Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 8 bucks to park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Ok. I couldn`t remember for sure. I was last there in March, so I couldn`t remember what the exact price was for parking. Its still very reasonable considering they do run the trams to shuttle you from your car to the main entrance area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkiboy Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Ok. I couldn`t remember for sure. I was last there in March, so I couldn`t remember what the exact price was for parking. Its still very reasonable considering they do run the trams to shuttle you from your car to the main entrance area. It is very reasonable and they dont close the parking lot till the last car has left for the day unlike some parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gad198 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Not to be missed if at all possible: Thunderhead Mystery Mine Blazing Fury (all very obvious) Not as fun as it looks: Timber Tower Often overlooked: The fantastic Eagle sanctuary Worth the extra money: Ziplines, galore, but it takes a LOT of time. Also, if you are considering going back next year, consider buying a season pass...like the old days of Paramount, it will get you in all the rest of this season and next season too! The gold version gets you free parking and substantial in park discounts. Great advice (along with the show advice). I'd also add Tennessee Tornado to the must do list. If you're looking for a nice little snack make sure you check out the cinnamon bread in the Grist Mill. We've missed this on every trip there prior to our last a few weeks ago but we won't be making that mistake again! In regards to the season passes these are definitely the way to go if you have any intentions of visiting next year as well. You'll also get a season pass book for 2010, and while it's not quite as good as this years it'll allow you to bring down a friend select days either free or with a 50% discount. Enjoy your trip! Sidenote: If you're looking for a restaurant down in Knoxville I'd highly recommend Puleo's Grille. I'd be curious if anyone else from the board has tried this restaurant as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AintNutinElse2Do Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I'd just like to second that on Puleo's Grille, very good food and nice variety. For your drinkers try a Big Orange Bellini while your there. Puleo's is our fast growing chain with the Strawberry Plains location being the original (exit 398 off I-40) this is the one I prefer but have yet to find a bad meal at the others. Oh and how could anyone ever leave Tennessee Tornado out of a must do list at Dollywood? I'd prefer ride it than anything at DW but just barely more than Thunderhead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Amen. All day I kept thinking, when I got home I got to add that wonderful Arrow (which is best in the front seat, in my opinion!), to my Dollywood must do list. I am so glad others already have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Thunderhead is my #1 woodie, Blazing Fury is one of the best dark rides on Earth, Tennessee is quite possibly the only ARROW coaster I've not only been able to, but willingly, re-ridden because it's that good, the shows are wonderful, the Eagle observatory is cool, Craftsman Valley is full of neat shops, and they actually have decent and original sit down restaurants! The only thing I did not enjoy was Timber Terror. Snore! But otherwise, you'll have practically limitless ways to have fun there. That is, if you can find the darn park, hidden in the mountains and whatnot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 We just went on Nov. 14th, the first time I had been to Dollywood in about 8 years. I agree with what others have said. If you like themed rides, which I know you do being a WDW fan, do not miss Mystery Mine! Also, Thunderhead has firmly placed itself at #3 on my list of favorite wood coasters. Blazing Fury is a lot of fun, and Tennessee Tornado is a great Arrow... too bad I didn't have time to fit it in this last time. Babes in Toyland and Twas the Night Before Christmas are excellent. I highly recommend both. Also, if you have time, go see Heartsong... it has a few surprises! And one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet, their train is a must! Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to squeeze it in this time, and that's a major reason we decided we want to go again next year. Plus the whole atmosphere of the park is great. I also highly recommend getting the Q2Q Q-Bot. I know you have probably already done your research and know all about it, but if for some strange reason you haven't, see my post here: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...st&p=350274. I hope to see a TR from you! I plan on getting one up here eventually, but I've just been crazy busy lately. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 The train is the original ride that dates to the beginning of Silver Dollar City, the predecessor park. And, if you ever want to see Heartsong, you might want to do it now.... Terpy, who may have said too much, or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share Posted December 12, 2009 Thanks everyone for taking the time to help me prepare for this impromptu trip. I am taking notes and think I will follow through on getting the Gold Season Pass. I doubled checked Dollywoods website and found out that they will not open until 2PM on Sunday, so in that case I will use the Q2Q if they offer it on that day. Gad198 and AintNutinElse2Do thanks for the recommendation to Puleo’s Grille, The menu and selection looks really good but unfortunately I will need to leave the Knoxville area by 11AM on Monday so I will need to pass this trip but I have saved the link to my favorites so that next season when I take the family I know a good restaurant. Everyone’s descriptions are really getting me excited for both the shows and rides. XGatorHead8904 thanks for the recent review and recommendations and I am glad you recommended the Heartsong show I thought that would be one I would skip until I read your post, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN1993 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I recommend the "Old Mill" right down the street from the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 And I recommend Log Cabin Pancake House, south of the park on that same street. We used to go to the Old Mill all the time, but find the service better, the food more tasty and the prices less dear at Log Cabin. Old Mill is far more historic, though! Log Cabin is open only for breakfast and lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 Hi everyone. Well I returned home last and was able to browse the new skin on the site and to upload my pictures from the trip before tuning in for the evening. I'm getting ready to head out to work but before I do I just want to take a minute and thank all those who made suggestion on shows, rides and eateries. Those tips really came in handy and I used and followed many of them. I do plan to submit a trip report as I feel I have enough pictures and video to help me tell about the Pigeon Forge journey. Here is a sneak peek at one of the pictures taken at Dollywood. Again a big THANK-YOU to all who helped make this a very enjoyable journey. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback FOF Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 That picture isn't showing up for me. It says "image not available". Can anyone else see the picture? Edit: It is showing up now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I can see it here, and it is absolutely beautiful. Have you tried refreshing the page? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback FOF Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I had not thought of refreshing the page earlier, but it shows up now and it is really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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