Avatar Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Twas The Night At Dollywood Due to the wintery weather last Wednesday that forced me to delay making a pick-up in Knoxville Tennessee and then rescheduling it for Monday December 14, 2009, it gave me a perfect opportunity to mix business and pleasure. I have never visited Dollywood and the communities around the park or the mountain area of Gatlinburg. So I decided to leave a day early and visit Dollywood and stay overnight in Pigeon Forge, then in the morning tour the area to include Gatlinburg Tennessee before making my necessary business pickup. This trip report follows this journey. Sunday, December 13, 2009 I left home at 730AM in the morning and made the six hour journey to Pigeon Forge, other than a light rain the drive went very smooth until getting off the highway onto Route 66,that about 13 miles from Dollywood. That 13 mile stretch is filled with stores, shows, hotels, restaurants and every conceivable tourist points of interest imaginable. The best way I can describe the traffic along that 13 mile stretch would be to compare it to driving by a mall during Christmas time. Unfortunately I gave myself some extra time and arrived at Dollywood at 2 PM as they were opening for the day. I decided to purchase a gold season pass as I plan to return next year with the family, plus by going gold we will be able to enjoy many perks and benefits that Dollywood offers.. With the light rain and the fact that it was Sunday with the park opening at 2PM I thought it would be a good possibility that the park would be slow (guests wise), This proved to be correct. I noticed right away as I was going into the park that it was immersed with Christmas decorations to include very costumed friendly staff. After grabbing a map and a show guide I decided to take in first show of kingdom Heirs Note; I did get permission to take all pictures and videos used in the trip report as I was using a tripod for my camera. Kingdom Heirs does not allow video as they do professional work outside of the park, but all the shows allow photography. If you go and plan to use a tripod just tell any associate as you go in what you plan to do and they will be happy to show you the best spots. I decided since it was early and still a bit wet outside I would go ahead and see a second show called Christmas in the Smokies. The show was mostly Christmas songs with a wide variety of singers so they could entertain the audience with a wide variety of popular Christmas songs. I did enjoy the show and special lighting effects they used in the show. <object width='640' height='360'><param name='movie' value='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf' /><param name='flashvars' value='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=3ae08147d1957a40f667d069677b16fb%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88648435%26w=640%26h=360' /><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='bgcolor' value='#000000' /><embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='640' height='360' allowfullscreen='true' bgcolor='#000000'src='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf'flashvars='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=3ae08147d1957a40f667d069677b16fb%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88648435%26w=640%26h=360'/></object> After Christmas in the Smokies I decided it was time to set out to see the rest of the park as after a 6 hour drive and two shows my butt was getting little tired of sitting. Since Polar Express 4-D was next to the theaters I started with that which ended up being the longest line I waited in all evening. Polar Express 4-D was okay and the only noticeable simulation was basically during the train ride which resulted in a very bumpy ride to the point I was ready for the show to end. From there I started to head back to the back of the park to catch some coasters. I did notice the park seemed to be very slow especially since the park had been open for three hours. Along the way I did enjoy the park decorated with so many favorite Christmas characters. As I was getting close to Blazing Fury I was thinking how friendly many of the guests and staff were as ever one seemed to greet each other with a Merry Christmas. You can probably imagine how shocked I was being six hours away from home and hearing someone say "hey are you Avatar". I will not name the long time member I met at Dollywood so that maybe he will be inclined to make his first post even though he has participated in many KIC events. I always enjoy meeting and chatting with so many great members, it makes park touring so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed Blazing Fury and they had many Christmas decorations up throughout the ride, I enjoyed the surprises that lurked around every corner. Tennessee Tornado was another great surprise and I absolutely loved the smoothness and the tunnels that led to the loops. Those who know me know how much I like theme rides and I must say Mystery Mine was great fun. Next up was Thunderhead, I really really really liked Thunderhead. I rode in the front seat and I was surprise with the smoothness of the ride. The ride never really slows down at any point, I kept waiting for a mid-break run area to slow things down a bit but it never did come, I tend to like air time on my coasters and this one really gave it to me, this is a great woody. It was getting pretty dark now so I decided to stroll towards the front of the park and enjoy the many lights displays. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the park and seeing some of the shows that were more open for those walking by. The Carol of the Trees was getting ready to start so I took that in and videoed it to share with you all, I was hoping for more from Carol of the Trees show. <object width='640' height='360'><param name='movie' value='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf' /><param name='flashvars' value='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=ac7aaac86fc6e50bc50c5c509fe68713%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88654263%26w=640%26h=360' /><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='bgcolor' value='#000000' /><embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='640' height='360' allowfullscreen='true' bgcolor='#000000'src='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf'flashvars='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=ac7aaac86fc6e50bc50c5c509fe68713%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88654263%26w=640%26h=360'/></object> After the tree show I was getting hungry since I had not eaten since 730 this morning, I decided to take interpreters advice and use my 20% percent discount to eat at Aunt Granny's restaurant. My late grandmother was from Tennessee and I must say the last time I was fortunate enough to eat her home-cooked meals was when I was seven. Her meals had a very distinct hardy flavor to them and Aunt Granny's restaurant instantly took me back in time from both the flavor of the food and the hospitable friendliness of the staff. After dinner I decided to take in one last show and one that ever one told me not to miss called Dollywood's Babes In Toyland. The show is an hour-long show and is a major production. I can understand how everyone says do not miss that show. <object width='640' height='360'><param name='movie' value='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf' /><param name='flashvars' value='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=10f412fe7aceed4dbd56f9239b24948e%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88654279%26w=640%26h=360' /><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='bgcolor' value='#000000' /><embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='640' height='360' allowfullscreen='true' bgcolor='#000000'src='http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf'flashvars='config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=10f412fe7aceed4dbd56f9239b24948e%26u=1009485%26a=4484836%26i=88654279%26w=640%26h=360'/></object> After the show I only had short time left before park close with the evening so I decided to walk around and take pictures and I will share some of them here. I truly enjoyed my visit to Dollywood during the Christmas season and look forward to going back during the summer months to enjoy the rustic feel that Dollywood has. Dollywood has wonderful theme for a seasonal park and look forward to sharing this type of adventure with my family. On the way to my hotel I came across Pigeon Forge Patriot Park which was celebrating 20 years of holiday lighting. Not much Christmas lights but more generic everyday light scenes that could be placed out any time of the year. As I left Patriots Park I saw one of the restaurants that Topgun1993 suggested called "Old Mill" and it looked like a really nice place but since Interpreters' recommendation of Aunt Granny's turned out so well I thought I would go with his recommendation and save the Old Mill suggestion for when I come back with the family. I arrived at my hotel called Vacation Lodge, it wasn't anything fancy but offered me a warm room, bed and a clean shower for the morning. I got the room on Priceline for $25. The next morning I woke up and made some phone calls and checked my e-mails then headed to a place Interpreter recommended for breakfast called Log Cabin Pancake House. Again nothing fancy here but just good home-cooked breakfasts and a friendly staff. I had bone-in cooked ham with two eggs plus pancakes on the side. The ham and eggs were very delicious but would require a bit of work later with a toothpick. Since the place is called Log Cabin Pancake House you can imagine that pancakes is their specialty, they had a large selection and many varieties to choose from. I just got the basic pancakes and they were nothing really special but what was spectacular was the homemade warm syrup they serve with their pancakes. Starting my business I worked at a restaurant and ended up becoming roommates with the head chef, from that I learned to appreciate very distinctive flavors in a variety of dishes. I enjoyed the flavor of the syrup so well that I tried to ask them what the special ingredient was that made it uniquely flavorful. They said they could not tell me so I asked if I could buy some, they said of course they sell it all time and they would go and get me a quart to take home. So that is two solid and much enjoyed recommendations from Interpreter. Interpreter you're the man! At this point my contact in Knoxville Tennessee called and asked what time I would be arriving and I told him I would be arriving in approximately two hours. So I needed to get moving so that I could take a quick drive through Gatlinburg, I am sure glad I did make that drive. Gatlinburg is a beautiful community nestled in the Smoky Mountains and I think when I take the family back that is were we will stay. I was surprised that there was so many places you can pull off and take pictures of the mountains. There are many streams that flow between the highway leading from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg and they were crystal clear. At this point I was getting worried I would not meet my contact to pick up on time so I did no further stops but I did make it in time and everything went smoothly. On the way home I decided to stop and take some photos of a Ferris Wheel that I thought looked cool perched high above a cliff. Everything went smoothly all the way back to Indianapolis and during that time I had some time to reflect on this journey and remembered what was truly important about such trips, and that is these 15 boxes must make it back to Indianapolis in a safe manner. Because they paid for the whole journey plus my business reputation depends on it, as without that next years summer trip will not be possible. But make no mistake I will be back. So until then thanks for reading, Jesse P. S. this is the first trip report that I have used Dragon to write a report of this magnitude so please forgive me if there are some grammar mistakes as Dragon sometimes likes to change things around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I am delighted you had a great trip. Thanks for the great narrative and wonderful pictures! Terpy, who loves Dollywood and good friends.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 dragon, thats that thing where you speak into it & the words come up, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiruler102 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Great PTR as always Avatar. Looking forward to read more reports from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Excellent trip report! I first went to Dollywood last December and had an awesome time. I hope to be going back for Smoky Mountain Christmas sometime after Christmas. (I want to get one more visit out of my 2009 season pass.) And yes, the shows at Dollywood are top notch. They are as much of a draw and an attraction for me as the actual rides. Dollywood itself is an awesome experience for its theme and character. Herschend Family Entertainment has done a wonderful job with the park since they acquired the property in 1977, and Dolly Parton became a partner in 1986 when the property was renamed Dollywood from Silver Dollar City, Tennessee. (That is enough for today`s history factoid.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast79 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 AaaaHHH! makes me miss Dollywood so much we went down there in May, my little beasties are still asking when are we going back! Very nice TR Dollywood really is beautiful with all the lighting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StalkerChick Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 *giggles* hmmm... those "new" friends of yours look like some familiar ACEers i've run into before. its awesome when you can meet new ppl in new places randomly like that! I'm sooooo totally jealous though!! I've now made it a mission to try to get ppl to go there with me when i'm down there the week before New Years. Next time you go down, i recommend the Apple Barn (and especially if you like a nice fruit wine... theirs is THEE best i've ever had!) You should totally make a family vacation down there. Its complete worth it, and as you saw has plenty to do for everyone. With 6 of us and 10 years between me and my youngest brother, it was one of the best family vacays we've taken. If you need any recommendations whether camping or renting a cabin let me know! I'll be going down there the 27th-jan 1st to spend new years down there with some Haunt friends and i can't wait! I'm totally convincing them to make a stop in dollywood now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStroem Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Thanks Jesse for the great TR. We enjoyed Dollywood this summer. I would love to get there for the holidays, but this is my busy time at work, so I don't think it is in the cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlagirl Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thank you for the great pictures u took at Dollywood. I was there on Thanksgiving and had a great time. Got a season pass for next year. I loved the lights it was my second trip to DW. It wasn't what i thought the park would be like, i thought it was all country. I do love Tennessee the scenery is so breathe taken. I love your hotel price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normal Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Don't know if you like to camp Avatar .But there is a really nice Koa campground on the Townsend side of the smokies.Which is just a short drive through the National Park to Gatlinburg.We Live and Knoxville and go down there for 11 days every summer to camp love it down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cory Butcher Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Very nice PTR Jesse! Christmas in The Smokies surely is a tremendous event, one which has become somewhat of a tradition for me. The singing and dancing of the shows and the festive atmosphere at the park makes for a truly great time. I was just in Pigeon Forge for Thanksgiving weekend with my mom and sister, and we had a blast. I am glad you had so much fun! Hopefully Robbie and I can make it back down there before the year ends sometime after Christmas, we are running out of time and had so much fun last year.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted December 17, 2009 Author Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thanks everyone for the kind replies and sorry for those who read the report the first night before I could correct the grammar and word substitutions Dragon made. Rotag1299- yes Dragon types things out and the program is still learning me and my vocabulary as I am trying to learn all the ins and outs of it. I can also use it to open most my programs like e-mails and even KICentral just by telling it what I what opened and where I want it to go. Overall I like Dragon and the options it offers, this report was good for both of us to learn a bit more from each other. kiruler102 – thanks believe it or not I am still working on my fall vacation report. I just received some of the pictures from that trip a couple weeks ago and wanted to use some of them in my video for some of the days. I just need a few more hours in the days. CoasterRZ - thanks for the fun facts! StalkerChic - thanks for the recommendations and hope you have fun when you go soon. Daragirl and Dave thanks for the replies and I hope next year a group from KICentral can make a stop at Dollywood as it seems like I hear about a lot of season pass holders for Dollywood posting on here. Normal – yes it is a beautiful area and I can see why you go often and stay for so long. I did notice several camping facilities in the area. But I have not built up my camping supplies over the years so it has been cheaper to stay in a hotel. I do from time to time think I should take Miss Rae camping so see can experience e that first hand. Cory – I hope you and Robbie have a good time and I was tickled to see you got to spend some great family time together especially with your mother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Another good TR from you, Avatar. You made good use of your short time there. I was surprised to see in your pics how dead the park was... it was quite a bit busier when we went last month. If it was like that when we went, I wouldn't have gotten the Q-Bot. I agree with you about the Carol of the Trees show. I was expecting more from it, and GatorGirl got bored easily with it. The light show on Swan Lake at the Cincinnati Zoo was better IMO. But everything else at Dollywood was top notch. I knew you'd like Mystery Mine! I'm glad to hear that you plan to take the family down next summer. I'm sure they'll like it. And you can hit some of the things that you didn't have time to do this time, such as the train. Our family is seriously considering making Christmas in the Smokies a yearly traditon. Stalkerchick - I'm totally jealous... I want to go back! If I went, you'd have more support for getting the group to Dollywood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopThrill Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Those Christmas lights at Dollywood look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback96 Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 See, Cedar Fair? A Christmas event can be successful, but only if you do it right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplehaze Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 This is a great topic, thanks for sharing. But Please bring back Goldrush Junction. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby_Doo Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Wicked! Very nice report I haven't been down there since 1998 it's been a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standbyme Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 As always, a great trip report! I have never been to Dollywood...but came real close this summer but at the last minute plans got cancelled. Your pictures are really nice...the park looks beautiful. I was wondering...would you recommend Dollywood for someone like me...someone who has to drive such a long way...and also has no use for shows? Are the rides and the atmosphere alone worth it? Happy New Year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN1993 Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 I didn't see a single show and enjoyed myself. But I recommend going in the Summer when the water rides are open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks again for the nice reply's, I am still looking forward to another trip to the Smokies ASAP. Stanbyme - with the drive you will be making and the fact you could do without the shows and you went in the summer with all the rides open then I would say; yes it is worth the trip but just barley. The rides are great the atmosphere is awesome the food selections are wonderful and flavorful. But just barely worth the drive you would have. BUT knowing you the way I do, I would say if you planned to stay in the area (Galinburg for you only) for a few days in conjunction with a Dollywood visit, then I would say; You will feel confortable with the environment and I think you would enjoy the many fun family activities in the area, Such as Ripley's, sight seeing and scenic gondola rides up the mountain. I will go so far to say knowing you, A trip to the area should be high on your list. I look forward to your report when you get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StalkerChick Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I was wondering...would you recommend Dollywood for someone like me...someone who has to drive such a long way...and also has no use for shows? Are the rides and the atmosphere alone worth it? Thanks again for the nice reply's, I am still looking forward to another trip to the Smokies ASAP. Stanbyme - with the drive you will be making and the fact you could do without the shows and you went in the summer with all the rides open then I would say; yes it is worth the trip but just barley. The rides are great the atmosphere is awesome the food selections are wonderful and flavorful. But just barely worth the drive you would have. BUT knowing you the way I do, I would say if you planned to stay in the area (Galinburg for you only) for a few days in conjunction with a Dollywood visit, then I would say; You will feel confortable with the environment and I think you would enjoy the many fun family activities in the area, Such as Ripley's, sight seeing and scenic gondola rides up the mountain. I will go so far to say knowing you, A trip to the area should be high on your list. I look forward to your report when you get back. I'm seconding jesse with this one. and i actually think you might enjoy one or 2 shows if the same ones are still playing i saw a few years ago. and unfortunately i didn't get to go to DW while i was down there, but Jesse, you didn't mention anything about the other lights! Pigeon Forge sets up the 12 days of christmas on the strip in the median 4 calling birds has to be my favorite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Sorry StalkerChic I did not see the road side12 days of Christmas display. my room was on the southern tip of Pigeon Forge so that may be the reason. thanks for the heads up I will look for it next year, unless you care to enlighten us before then. BTW I though you were going over the Holidays or am I imagining things. Fun Fun Fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
standbyme Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I think you would enjoy the many fun family activities in the area, Such as Ripley's, sight seeing and scenic gondola rides up the mountain. Thanks for the tips...the scenic gondola rides sound interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Avatar, Love the trip report as always. Glad you got your first taste of Dollywood. I never got around to posting my trip from this summer, but it was amazing. The only thing I will add is that Sha-Kon-O-Hey is the most amazing show I have ever seen at a park. Better than Disney and is truly Broadway quality. The story, dance, music, set design, and theatrics are first class. Many surprises lie around each corner. Everyone in our party from my 2 year old to my 72 year old father enjoyed it tremendously and you may even shed a tear or two. Also when in the area I highly recomend the River Stone Resort located behind the old mill on right off Dollywood Lane. Will never stay anywhere else. The lodging is priced equal to lesser accomadations and the condo units are emaculate. Dinning recomendation is the Park Grill in Gatlinburg and also stop by the Apple Barn Winery in Severville for some fabulous wine. Avatar glad you finaly got to experience the magic that is Dollywood and I know your family will love every minute they spend there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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