Time share tours?/Gatlinburg area (Knoxville, Sevierville: hotels, buying, living)

[lukedaddy]

So.....I bought one of those time share tours where they put you up in a hotel for two nights. Bringing the three kids and pregnant wife in tow, for Thanksgiving through sat, leaving on Sun. Any suggestions for something we must see/do while in the Pigeon Forge-Sevierville-Gatlinburg area that's not real costly for a family?
Also, any suggestions on this time share thing....I mean i'm not going to buy one....any ideas of how to speed it along? Thanks in advance for the advice?

[strumpeace]

My dad has taken a few of those. His advice: Tell the salesperson as soon as you sit down with him/her that you just came for the free trip. State very clearly that you are not going to buy anything. Be very clear and honest. Typically, the salesperson will make some rude comment, then send you on your merry way. Brush it off and move on. They're spending money on you in hopes that you will spend money with them; if you don't reciprocate, they're not going to be your best friend.

If you lead the salesperson along, making him/her think that you are even considering buying, you could be there all day, which takes away from the time you could be enjoying doing whatever you would like to do.

For something good and inexpensive to do, I would recommend straying from the beaten path and exploring some of the trails, creeks, etc. in the area.

[jmarkey]

Hi Lukedaddy - I think I bumped into you online when you were job (or house) hunting in NE Connecticut.

Here's a link for things to do around Gatlinburg:

Gatlinburg Tennessee: Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains

About the only thing I ever went to Pigeon Forge for was the outlets. They're wonderful if you're a shopper.

Try taking the small fry to Wonderworks. They have their own website, I think, if you check on Google.

There's a lot to do in that area. Maybe the best thing is to pick and choose through the Gatlinburg website and see what looks like fun for your family.

The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant is awfully good. Give it a try.

Enjoy your weekend!

[lukedaddy]

yes! I was looking in the quiet corner of CT a while back! Looks like I may be headed to Myrtle Beach now, man do things ever change!

[jmarkey]

No kidding.

While I was living outside of Knoxville, I think I answered a question you asked about an area I'd moved from in CT.

Now I'm back in the Augusta area.

Things do change.

[hiknapster]

Hey, I'm from the quiet corner!

[lukedaddy]

Anyone else? Advice on the area and the timeshare tour?

[AlisonL]

Sit in on the timeshare thing as most of them will give you free tickets to shows, aquarium, ect.
Definitely spend time in the mountains. Cades Cove and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trails are a MUST SEE. Check out the shops in Gatlinburg (except the hokey t-shirt places). If you like art, go to the Jim Grey and Thomas Kincaide galleries. The Village is a great little area to window shop in. Also, there is the Arts and Craft Loop on Glades Road.
I would manage to find the way to go to Dollywood (maybe the time share folks have free tickets), as I love it. If you go to Dollywood after 3 p.m., you get in free the next day.
There is so much to see and do in Gatlinburg and the Smokies.

[WELUVTHESMOKIES]

We are desperate for a vacation...but really can't afford it. I was thinking of doing a few timeshare tours in the Gatlinburg area to help cover some of our expenses. Anyone have any idea where we can get signed up for them while we are there? (Especially the ones that offer cash?)

[AlisonL]

Originally Posted by WELUVTHESMOKIES

We are desperate for a vacation...but really can't afford it. I was thinking of doing a few timeshare tours in the Gatlinburg area to help cover some of our expenses. Anyone have any idea where we can get signed up for them while we are there? (Especially the ones that offer cash?)

Just walk the parkway in Gatlinburg. Its loaded with people hawking timeshare tours. They'll find you.