Just a short drive off the main strip of the Parkway in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s namesake theme park that’s part family fun, part thrills, and all Dolly. The theme park was designed after many aspects of Dolly’s life, so you’ll see a bit of her history and the things she loves in the food, shops, style, and rides. From hearty Southern foods and oversized sweet treats to rhinestone-encrusted accessories and country style, Dollywood embodies the spirit and energy of Pigeon Forge’s beloved Dolly Parton.
At the park, you’ll find more than 40 rides, over a dozen shows, and 5 of the largest festivals in the South! So no matter what time of year you visit Dollywood, you’ll find that there is plenty to do. It’s also a theme park designed with family in mind, so it caters to people of all ages. From babies to adults, everyone can come enjoy a day (or two!) at Dollywood. And beyond the rides, shows, shops, animal encounters, and restaurants, Dollywood offers lots of great guest services to make every visit more convenient.
Rides & Attractions
With 40+ rides for everyone from the little ones to the thrill-seeking adults, Dollywood can keep your group entertained for days. Barnstormer recreates the feeling of a stunt pilot’s journey, Busy Bees takes tots on a charming ride around a beehive, Daredevil Falls takes you through an abandoned logging camp before dropping you 60 feet down a waterfall, and Mystery Mine takes you through an old coal mine, with a 95-degree, 85-foot vertical drop! Dollywood also boasts several firsts, including the world’s fastest and first launched wooden coaster – the Lightning Rod – and the nation’s first dual-launch family coaster – FireChaser Express. There are also splash pads and water features for little kids, or you can let them play some carnival games to win prizes!
If you want to experience some history and a bit of Dolly’s past, stop in at the Calico Falls Schoolhouse, Chasing Rainbows Museum, Dolly’s Home-on-Wheels, Robert F. Thomas Chapel, and a re-creation of Dolly’s Mountain Home.
Shows & Events
While Dollywood does bring some great acts during the holidays – Appalachian Christmas, Christmas in the Smokies, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, O’ Holy Night, and more – you can enjoy some incredible shows all throughout the year. Dollywood’s cast of singers, actors, and dancers put on Broadway-style shows in the theaters around the park, offering a musical style for almost every taste. Love the oldies? Cruise on in to Dreamland Drive-In for the best of the 50s and 60s. Prefer toe-tapping country favorites? Move on over to Country Crossroads for traditional, classic, and contemporary country sounds. Dollywood also has shows devoted to gospel music, America’s greatest hits, and Dolly Parton’s life.
For something extra special, plan your Pigeon Forge visit to coincide with one of Dollywood’s exciting events. The Festival of Nations will take guests on a tour of the world with delicious food, exciting music and dance, and interesting art. May brings Barbeque & Bluegrass, a free concert series in the park, and fall ushers in the Harvest Festival, the new and popular Great Pumpkin LumiNights, and the Southern Gospel Jubilee. And of course, you can celebrate the holidays at Smoky Mountain Christmas held November to January.
NEW for 2020!
This year, Dollywood is introducing the exciting Flower & Food Festival, May 8 – June 14, which will feature almost 500,000 flowers, special spring food and drink, amazing interactive displays, and the “Umbrella Sky” on Showstreet!
VIP Tour
Whether you’re here on a honeymoon, a birthday trip, or just want to surprise the kids with something special, a VIP Tour of Dollywood is a great option. This awesome experience includes:
- Personal tour guide through the park for the whole day
- Access to the front of ride and show lines
- Valet parking
- 1 meal
- A special gift from Dolly Parton
- Delivery of anything you purchase straight to your car!
Restaurants & Cafes
When you spend a whole day or a few days in Dollywood, you’ll want a convenient way to keep everyone full and happy. Some great places to eat and snack within the park include:
- World of Flavors
- Aunt Granny’s All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet
- Blue Ribbon Cones
- Country Cookers – Kettle Korn
- Crossroads Funnel Cakes
- Dogs n’ Taters
- Eagle’s Frozen Lemonade
- Front Porch Cafe
- Grandstand Cafe
- Granny Ogle’s Ham n’ Beans
- Hickory House BBQ
- Lumber Jack’s Pizza
- Market Square Big Skillet Steak Sandwiches
- Midway Market
- Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse
- Red’s Drive-In
- Spotlight Bakery & Sandwich Shop, and more!
Shops & Crafts
Throughout Dollywood, you’ll find some charming shops that showcase the mountain spirit and culture. Find handmade crafts and unique gifts, including hand-forged steel, handmade glass ornaments, hand-poured candles, leather goods, pottery, and wood carvings. You can also dress like Dolly Parton, get an airbrush t-shirt, have a flashbulb photo taken, or fill your bag with Dollywood-logo duds. And you can have it delivered to the front gate!
Guest Services
With ample parking right next to the park, you can ensure you won’t have to spend half your day driving around for a spot. Just park and hop on the complimentary tram that will take you right up to the front gate of Dollywood. If you purchase a Dollywood Gold Season Pass, parking is FREE. They also have parking for RVs and larger vehicles, Preferred Parking that features no tram rides and your own entrance, and valet parking, giving you plenty of options.
You can also save some time with the TimeSaver pass ($), which lets you reserve your place in line at certain shows and rides. Once you get the pass, you can explore the park and reserve your spot from anywhere. Then you’ll get a buzz and beep when it’s time to head over to the show or ride! Another perk is the Package Pickup service. The complimentary service allows you to have anything you buy within the park delivered to the Dollywood Emporium to pick up on the way out of the park. Forget about carrying your souvenirs around all day!
Dolly Parton is known for her giving spirit and community work, so it’s no wonder that her namesake theme park would go above and beyond to cater to special needs anyone might have. At the Ride Accessibility Center, guests with special accessibility needs can get a Boarding Pass that is specifically for them. It will include rides they can go on that have accessibility entrances for safe and more enjoyable experiences. You can visit their Accessiblity Information page for more details. Additionally, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free food options are available throughout the park. Or you can stop by the Backstage Restaurant where the chefs are happy to tailor many of the menu items to specific dietary needs. And for new moms, there are even several nursing stations in the park that provide comfortable gliders, changing tables, and private spaces where they can nurse!
Doggywood
At Pigeon Forge, TN Cabins, we know how much you love your pets, because we love ours, too! We even have some awesome pet-friendly cabins where you can vacation without having to leave the furry members of your family behind. For the safety and comfort of Dollywood guests, dogs (except for service animals) are not allowed inside the park. They do, however, offer Doggywood! Located next to Guest Services at the front gate, Doggywood is a comfortable and safe place for dogs to spend the day while you play inside the park. They offer kennel runs or cottages and are open 30 minutes before the park’s opening until 15 minutes after the park’s closing. Spots are on a first-come, first-served basis, so reservations are highly recommended.
No matter why you’re in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a great place to spend a day or 2 playing. With so many rides, shows, restaurants, shops, and special guest services, it will be a memorable experience for large groups, honeymooners, friends, or families on vacation in Pigeon Forge! And in summer, guests can also check out Dollywood’s Splash Country, which features rides, slides, and water features for all ages! Also, be sure to check out our Pigeon Forge cabins, with many located just minutes from Dollywood! Loaded with amenities like game tables, indoor pools, home theaters, fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, bunk beds, and comfortable living rooms, these cabins have everything you need for a fun and relaxing getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains.
