Your opinion's on Dollywood

I'm going to be in the Pigeon Forge area for a few days later this month or early July and wondered if Dollywood is worth the trip? I know there are not a lot of rides, but are the ones there fun? How is the rest of the park (food, shopping, shows, waterslides)? Thanks in advance!

I haven't been to Dollywood since 1999 but when I was there I found to be kind of a ripoff. I think that it's something like $50 to get in and it really just isn't worth the money. Tennessee Tornado is propably one of my top five steel coasters and Daredevil Falls and their other two water rides are fun but that is about it. The park is mostly shows and shops with very few rides and it is hardly worth the money. You might like it but it just didn't seem to be my kind of park.

I disagree.. If you are in Pigeon Forge, it would be a crime to skip out on Dollywood. The price is closer to $40 and its a wonderful place to spend the day. Tennessee Tornado is a wonderful ride and their water rides are some of the best in the US. Be sure and check out their newest area with the Iwerks Simulator and HUGE Dolly Parton interactive museum. Dollywood is on the right track to becoming one of America's greatest theme parks and I think you will really enjoy it. If you are just out to ride rollercoasters, skip it. But, if you are looking for an all-around wonderful experience, by all means go. Be sure and check out the glass blowing craft area as well as the others. If you have children going, the World's largest treehouse is a must. If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail me cgodsey@yahoo.com. I was just at DW 2 weekends ago and despite the severe weather that threatened the area, I had a blast.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

Yeah. I guess you brought up some good points. I wasn't trying to persuade him from not going and if he is in the area he should definately check it out. I guess it just didn't have the same effect on me as it did on other guests. Also, it was too hot when I went and that always kind of ruins the fun for me.

Thank you for your responses. That helps out. Even though the coaster count is low, I'm intrigued by the non-ride attractions, as well as the water rides.

I think that you will enjoy Dollywood if you know what it is all about and are not expecting anything like a "Ceder Point"-type of park. If you appreciate great shows, awesome food, fun interactive attractions, and fabulous surroundings with well themed locations, landscaping, and music, as well as some really fun rides, then you will not be disappointed. In fact, I think you will be quite impressed with Dollywood. I would suggest allowing plenty of time to explore all that Dollywood has to offer including the shows, craft demonstrations, and museums. You will miss so much if you merely skip from ride to ride.

The Tennesee Tornado make it worth your while. Don't miss it.

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Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society-Chicago Chapter

A bit off topic, but I am curious... how would you compare Dollywood and Holiday World? I had the choice of going to either one of the two, and chose HW. Did I make the best decision?

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Be sure to visit Holiday World. Best park in the world!

I hope you like country music.

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"The opposite of war isn't peace, its creation," Rent.

DW and HW are very similar is many ways. Both have a great variey of rides and both are great overall experiences. If you ever have a chance to get back to the Pigeon Forge area, be sure and hit DW. I have also heard great things about their new water park. It was voted the #1 newest waterpark last year.

Yeah, be sure and allow at least 8 hours in the park, if not more. Dolly's new museum and the simulator will eat up at least an hour to an hour and a half. Also, be sure and check the weather. DW has a sever weather policy in that is there is lightning within a 30 mile radius of the park, ALL of the rides shut down. If this happens, head for the shops, restaurants, and craft demonstrations. TT and most of the other rides will open up if the lightning is gone and there is at least 20 mins from the last thunder strike. When we went a couple of weeks ago, TT didnt re-open due to the thunder. One time, it went 18 mins, then thunder hit.. needless to say we were upset, but Blazing Fury and the new sim was open so we hit them. This happened late in the day so the day wasnt a total wash.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

Dollywood is worthwile. As mentioned, it does have some very unique water rides. It would be a shame to be in the area and not pay a visit.

It has barely rained here in Knoxville for awhile, but beware when your in the mountains that summer storms can pop up and come over the mountains fast with little notice, so I can see why the severe weather strategy there would deem it neccessary to shut down the attractions.

I say go for it dude!

As Chris mentioned, Dollywood has a really strict weather policy, and it got annoying on my visit watching the sun shine in a cloudless sky while all rides were closed due to lightning. Dollywood really is a great park though. Tennessee Tornado is a really fun ride and the park, in my opinion, has the best collection of water rides anywhere. I can't think of another park with more (5). Make sure you ride the Slidewinder, it is really fun.

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|| Jonathan Hawkins ||
http://www.starcoasters.com
Top Gun: TJC flights - Approx. 265 (79 in 2002)

Sounds great! I'm looking forward to it now.