If you’re in charge of planning your next family reunion, you may be overwhelmed and a bit flustered with all the things you have to do to prepare. Between finding dates that work for everyone, picking the perfect cabin that will fit the needs of all family members, trying to feed an army of people, and keeping a group – with kids and adults – entertained, reunion planning can be quite the undertaking.
Thankfully, we have the resources to make your family or school reunions that much easier. We have a variety of large group cabins that are loaded with amenities to meet any needs, and our blog is always updated with vacation tips, ideas for fun Pigeon Forge activities, information about local events, and even recipes that are easy enough for the cabin (and a group).
Sleeping a Large Group
While they offer a wide range of sleeping options, most of our large group cabins boast bunk beds that sleep many guests and are always a hit with the kids. Some rooms feature king-size beds with bunk beds or futons, creating a great setup for multiple families staying in cabins.
Our large group cabins range from 5 to 12 bedrooms, sleeping anywhere from 16 to 46. So whether you’re planning a family reunion, a school reunion, a church retreat, or a special occasion, you’ll find ample space in these large group cabins. For family reunions, you’ll have cozy places for everyone to retreat to at the end of the day.
Feeding a Large Group
We all know that feeding a large group can be one of the most difficult parts of a group vacation. Our large group lodges make that easy with spacious, fully equipped kitchens. They’re all unique in their amenities and style, but they feature perks such as stainless steel appliances, coffeemakers, Keurigs, blenders, toasters, glassware and dishes, utensils, dishwashers, full-size refrigerators, microwaves, ovens/stoves, knife sets, kitchen islands with lots of prep space, and more. Some of the cabins even feature double appliances, meaning you can whip up meals in a snap and have lots of space for drinks and snacks in the refrigerators.
And besides actually making the meals, you’ll want a place to enjoy them – in the cabin. Our large group lodges in Pigeon Forge also offer dining space for groups, from log benches and chairs to round tables and breakfast bars. Many are even surrounded by windows that frame some incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Others boast places for meals outside, at dining tables and picnic tables – with grills easily accessible.
If you’re here for a family reunion, you can sit down for delicious family meals made in the cabin. Especially around the holidays, this will be a much-appreciated amenity. Bring those beloved passed-down recipes and enjoy some quality time together in the cabin.
Entertaining a Group
Pigeon Forge is the place to be for groups. Besides having dozens of attractions for days of fun, many of the attractions also cater to groups, making getting out of the cabin easy. For something all the kids and adults will love, head over to Dollywood for roller coasters, live shows, carnival games, and desserts for every taste. Pigeon Forge dinner shows are also a big hit with groups, from Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Country Tonite to the Smoky Mountain Opry and the Smith Morning Variety Show.
In neighboring Gatlinburg, explore Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and get hands-on at Touch-A-Ray Bay and Penguin Playhouse! Or you can spend the day strolling along the Parkway, checking out the Village Shops or snagging deals at the Tanger Outlets. Toys, knives, local treats, art, wood carvings, jewelry, hiking gear…find it all in the Smokies. Don’t forget to get airbrush t-shirts made or snap an old-time photo of the group for the perfect souvenir!
And if your group loves being active, don’t miss out on a chance to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are more than 800 miles of trails, with opportunities for biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking. Looking for some unique team building exercises? Try to break out of prison with your group at The Escape Game at The Island, go indoor skydiving, or zip through the trees at Smoky Mountain Ziplines.
Cabin Amenities & Perks
Each large group cabin is uniquely decorated and features its own special amenities, so you should be able to find a cabin that has something for everyone in the group. From games and big screen TVs to spacious decks and pools, these cabins have a little bit of something for everyone. While cabin amenities vary, some of the features you’ll find include:
- Private indoor pools
- Big screen TVs
- Movie rooms with Blu-ray players and surround sound
- Pool, air hockey, and foosball tables
- Arcade games
- Wi-Fi
- TVs in the bedrooms
- Gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces
- Wii and Xbox consoles
- Gas and charcoal grills
- Outdoor hot tubs
- Washers/Dryers
The cabins have games and TVs to keep groups entertained in the cabin, but they also feature the conveniences that make stays more comfortable like washer/dryers, fully equipped kitchens, and Wi-Fi that can keep everyone connected.
4 Quick Tips for a Planning a Large Group Getaway
Don’t plan too many group activities.
You don’t know what everyone will want to do once they get to Pigeon Forge. Plan a couple of group outings (with some group input), but leave plenty of time for people to split off and do some things on their own if they want.
Plan out meals.
Especially if you’re planning a retreat and intend to eat most meals together, plan ahead. You’ll have many options downtown, but you’ll want to call ahead to let them know you’ll be coming with a large group in tow. If you’ll be cooking in the cabin, stop by the grocery store ahead of time with a plan for easy group meals like spaghetti, burgers, and soups.
Take advantage of group spaces.
Between the Gatlinburg Convention Center, the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge, and Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, you’ll have ample group space for planning events. Take advantage of these great spaces for meetings, reunions, and tournaments.
Set a flexible schedule.
If you’re traveling as a group, you definitely want to have a schedule; otherwise, you probably won’t make it anywhere on time. But also recognize that you have a lot of moving parts. If you have to leave at 1 p.m., aim for 12:30. Follow a go-with-the-flow mentality, and be okay with changes – they’re inevitable.