Dollywood and Kentucky Kingdom trip suggestions

I'm taking a trip to Dollywood and Kentucky Kingdom in 3 weeks and would like some suggestions. We'll be leaving on the 22nd and going to Dollywood the 23rd and just checking out the sites the next day and part of Saturday, then Saturday evening we'll be driving to Louisville and spending Sunday at KK.

First, is there any place to get ticket deals to these parks? And what's the best rides to hit up first at those parks? I'm looking to ride Lightning Rod at DW and Storm Chaser at KK. I imagine the lines for those get longer later in the day. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

I am doing a trip that is hitting both parks as well. Kentucky Kingdom does not seem to draw insane crowds at all, and they have a spectacular deal if you are from out-of-state.

https://shop.kentuckykingdom.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=outofstate&c=consecday

I could not find any savings on tickets for Dollywood, and they sadly discontinued their old policy of a one day ticket getting you in for the end of the previous day as well.

I only have time for one day at KK so that special doesn't do me any good. It's only $5 less than a one-day ticket so it's not going to break the bank for me. But it does include free drinks so that's a good perk. Could I just give the second ticket to someone or is it linked to my name?

Very disappointing to hear they no longer offer the after 3, next day free deal. We were actually aiming to do that. No way in hell we're paying for 2 day tickets. I'll need to be made whole. ;)

Dollywood did start selling multi day tickets though, and day 2 on are heavily discounted. Do you have time to visit GSMNP too? It’s one of the few National Parks that are free. Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove, and Clingmans Dome are some of the more popular spots. Also highly suggest checking out the Old Mill Resturant in Pigeon Forge, imangine a homemade more expansive and better tasting Cracker Barrel.

We did the two day KK out of state deal knowing we’d only be there one day (half day really) but only because it also included free soft drinks all day.

I'm actually thinking about skipping KK and just going up to KI. I have a platinum pass with meals and drinks so that would all be covered in that case. Although I go to KI about 3 times a year, it sounds like a better option. I didn't know DW was going to be so expensive. The only draw for me going to KK is Storm Chaser and just about everything at Dollywood draws me in. After riding Steel Vengeance this week, SC will probably be meh to me. I feel like I would get alot more bang for my buck there. I'll have to discuss it with my group and see what they say. We'll have to check our budgets. I'm thinking KK might just be more of a weekend getaway kind of park. I'm not sure it fits into the budget on this trip. Plus later that week, I have a hotel cost with Coastermania.

Thabto said:
I'm actually thinking about skipping KK and just going up to Knoebels.

Fixed that for you.

KK & DW aren’t exactly neighbors. Nor are DW & KI.

Both parks are on the way home. KI we would just be going right past it so it's not out of the way. And we decided to eliminate KK from the trip. We'll just stop at KI on the way home.