Pigeon Forge is the ultimate family destination. There are plenty of activities geared toward children—even the youngest visitors to the Smokies can have a great time!
One of the top-rated family attractions in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood. Since it opened in 1986, Dollywood has become the premier theme park in the South! With thrilling rides and award-winning entertainment, it’s no wonder Dollywood has been a family favorite destination for decades.
But Dollywood isn’t just for adults and teenagers. Young kids—even your little ones—can have a great time at this family-friendly theme park, too. You’ll find plenty of kid-friendly rides for your kids to enjoy. Besides that, we’ve come up with six tips and tricks that we think will help you get the most out of your Dollywood experience with the little ones in tow.
- Take advantage of the Baby Care Center located in the park
For parents wanting to enjoy the thrills of Dollywood with even the youngest guests, Dollywood has created a convenient option for you. A Baby Care Center is located on Showstreet, offering a climate-controlled place to change, nurse, and rock your kids during your time in the park. The Baby Care Center has a private nursing area with gliders and footstools, baby changing stations, and a restroom. Many of the other restrooms within the park have private nursing and changing rooms with two or three gliders. Also, for your convenience, the park’s restaurants can assist you with warming bottles throughout the day.
- Use the park’s “Parent Swap” program, and say yes to your favorite rides!
Most rides throughout the park have minimum height requirements, which your little ones probably won’t meet. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss all the fun! Instead of avoiding those rides, take advantage of the park’s “Parent Swap” program. You and your partner can take turns—one of you will stay with the child up at the line while the other enjoys the ride. And then you switch. This avoids the pain of having to wait in line twice and allows you to enjoy your time in the park as well!
- Find healthy snacks for your kids at the park’s various restaurants
Although you cannot bring food items from home for your kids, you can purchase a variety of kid-friendly and healthy snacks for your little ones to enjoy while you’re in Dollywood. Juice can be purchased at Showstreet Bakery and Aunt Granny’s. And milk can be purchased at several Dollywood restaurants, including Miss Lillian’s, Aunt Granny’s, and Apple Jack’s. If you need something specific, you are allowed to leave the park and return later the same day by keeping your admission ticket and having your hand stamped as you exit. - Keep your little ones cool and hydrated
Everyone’s favorite time to visit Dollywood is the summer, so you’ll need to make sure to have everything you need to keep your little ones safe while they’re in the sun. Sunscreen and hats are a must, but just in case you forget something, these can be purchased in the park as well as at mercantile shops like The Dollywood Emporium and Cas Walker’s. Also in these shops, you’ll find over-the-counter medications, bandages, and other items you might need while you’re out. And one of the most important things your little ones need to do to stay healthy and enjoy their time in the park is to stay hydrated. Cups of water are available for free at all restaurants throughout Dollywood. Bottled water may also be purchased within the park. - Rent or bring your own stroller
Strollers are a great way to get your child and all his or her bags around without breaking your back! Dollywood offers strollers—first come, first served—for $11 a day for a single or $13 a day for a double stroller. You can also bring your own stroller. Either way, be sure to pay attention to signs identifying designated stroller parking areas at the various venues and attractions. And be sure to keep up with your valuables if you decide to leave your stroller unattended at any point during your time in Dollywood. - Check out storytime with Miss Lillian and other fun kids’ events
Dollywood’s Miss Lillian not only serves some of the best fried chicken in the park, but she also plays the Chicken Lady at the Valley Theater, where she shares stories from Dolly’s Imagination Library! Be sure to check out the park’s website for more details on events geared especially for its youngest guests.
Fun Rides for the Younger Kids
Dollywood offers many exciting rides for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, including Wild Eagle and FireChaser Express. However, families vacationing with children prefer to take it easy and enjoy rides that the kids will love too! Dollywood practically specializes in kid-friendly rides that are appropriate for children of all ages. From water rides to playgrounds, and carousels to spinning scramblers, everyone will be delighted by the variety of rides that this Pigeon Forge amusement park has to offer.
Let’s start with the kid-friendly water rides – the perfect way to cool off and beat the summer heat! One of the little one’s favorite attractions is Beaver Creek, a lazily winding stream where children can wade in and splash in the water. Check out the leaf races or the Beaver Creek Boat Float for a rocking good time! Another fun attraction is River Battle, a $5 million themed water raft ride complete with soaker guns and more than 100 targets to aim at. Kids will love honing their skills and sharpening their aim as you flow down the river channel!
After the water rides, board the spin cycle of the Lemon Twist! Climb into one of the nine spinning lemon cups as you revolve around a pitcher in the center. The Scrambler offers a similar type of fun, shuffling and spinning you around as you giggle and laugh. Kids and adults alike love the gentle up and down, round and round motion of the Amazing Flying Elephants. Get caught up in circles of fun as you ride the Busy Bees, Lucky Duck and Piggy Parade.
Do you have some future daredevils in your family? You won’t want to pass up on the opportunity to check out some of the more exciting rides that Dollywood has to offer! Enjoy a gentle free-fall from 25 feet in the air on the Lumberjack Lift or just hang out and enjoy the view from the top. Another daring ride is the Shooting Star, a ride that allows your legs to dangle as you ride to the top of the tower. A mild drop back to the ground will leave you wanting more!
Dollywood knows that even the little ones love roller coasters, so they have built a junior roller coaster suitable for children 36 inches and taller. There are plenty of hills and curves to satisfy your adrenaline craving as you race around the track. Kids can ride alone or with mom and dad!
After your thrill-seeking is over, take it easy and relive your childhood and ride one of the 60 painted animals on the Village Carousel. Whimsical music, a fun setting, and a gentle rotation make this ride fun for everyone in the whole family. Here you will see grandparents riding with their grandchildren as well as moms and dads taking their little ones for their first-ever amusement park rides!
No park is complete without a playground, and luckily Dollywood will not disappoint you! Granny’s Garden and the Pig Pen offers jet-pop water fountains, soft play structures, and plenty of places to run, climb and explore. The Lil’ Pilots Playground features a 22-foot wooden bi-plane, a unique drum set, and various other slides and structures for kids to enjoy.
