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Ok, looking for some advice from my CD buddies on whether to go on a "mini vacation" to Dollywood...
(I know this should be on the eastern TN site, however I'm not sure if the park is a gloryfied Carowinds and I should not waste my money....)
I figure alot of natives/transplants in the Charlotte area has made the trek over there and would provide sound advice...
I have a couple kids in elementary school, so I'm thinking it would be fun for them...looking to to during the week in late July sometime..
Hotels seem reasonable..anywhere from $69-89 / night.
Any tips or recommendations? I'm on the fence on booking it because my hesitation is that it could be very similar to Carowinds (which I'll go somwhere else in the southeast for a mini vacation...)
thoughts?
Sunny, I ask please don't move this thread over there....ty
I'm sure someone will get on here that has been there and give you a good answer. I have never been there but my parents go all of the time because of some Christian music awards/dinner or something in the fall. Mom told me that it was mostly shops. but they have started adding more rides. I know where it is it used to be a campground that we camped at. There was a small park there then and she bought it and expanded it. I didn't get the impression that it was as nice of a park as Carowinds and I wasn't impressed with Carowinds. I guess, it depends on what you are looking for. I'm sure this probably wasn't much help. LOL I'm not sure how long it takes to get there from Charlotte, but I would rather go to Busch Gardens in VA.
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Originally Posted by CouponJack
Ok, looking for some advice from my CD buddies on whether to go on a "mini vacation" to Dollywood...
(I know this should be on the eastern TN site, however I'm not sure if the park is a gloryfied Carowinds and I should not waste my money....)
I figure alot of natives/transplants in the Charlotte area has made the trek over there and would provide sound advice...
I have a couple kids in elementary school, so I'm thinking it would be fun for them...looking to to during the week in late July sometime..
Hotels seem reasonable..anywhere from $69-89 / night.
Any tips or recommendations? I'm on the fence on booking it because my hesitation is that it could be very similar to Carowinds (which I'll go somwhere else in the southeast for a mini vacation...)
thoughts?
Sunny, I ask please don't move this thread over there....ty
Jack, also ask on the Greenville/Spartenburg board. They are between the 2 parks. I get most of their TV stations as well as the Charlotte stations. I watch them when weather conditions make the Charlotte signals funky. Dollywood advertises heavily on those stations.
For your money's worth, check out the entire Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. A large part of the area now exists solely to part tourists from sums of cash. We took in the Titanic exhibit a couple of years ago. It's interesting from an historic aspect, but I thought it a bit sleazy that the only way to leave the attraction was through the gift shop, where you are tempted by t-shirts and other tack-o-rama - there is even an invitation to stage your wedding on the Titanic
Of course, you can save the $$ ordinarily spent on vomit-comet rides and just take your kids on a drive through nearby Deal's Gap (US 129). 318 curves in 11 miles, the little buggers will be green to the gills in no time
Ok, looking for some advice from my CD buddies on whether to go on a "mini vacation" to Dollywood...
(I know this should be on the eastern TN site, however I'm not sure if the park is a gloryfied Carowinds and I should not waste my money....)
I figure alot of natives/transplants in the Charlotte area has made the trek over there and would provide sound advice...
I have a couple kids in elementary school, so I'm thinking it would be fun for them...looking to to during the week in late July sometime..
Hotels seem reasonable..anywhere from $69-89 / night.
Any tips or recommendations? I'm on the fence on booking it because my hesitation is that it could be very similar to Carowinds (which I'll go somwhere else in the southeast for a mini vacation...)
thoughts?
Sunny, I ask please don't move this thread over there....ty
I was watching The Bachlorette Monday night and Emily and her date took a trip to Dollywood. Didn't show that much of the park, more indoors a theatre where Dolly performs and she was there to meet Emily. I looked at the website and thought it was kind of expensive for what the park describes. Looks like something you can do in one day and enjoy your other days in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is a big tourist trap though, but I love the Smoky Mountains. Lofts of rafting, kayaking, ranches where you can go on guided trails on horseback. Enjoy your mini-vacation.
My wife and son went last year and that is literally the only time she's ever written a complaint email to a company. We've been a couple of times before but she said last year it was just dirty/nasty in the park, many of the rides/attractions were closed and it was very expensive, obviously. We'll never go back. I would say it's a smaller version of Carowinds to a degree but I like Carowinds a LOT more, especially for the money difference between the two.
Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is a nice place to visit IMO if you are into more outdoorsy type stuff, shopping or just getting away to a place that basically exists for tourism (thus many tourist type attractions). Summer time is (or use to be at least) a big draw for various car shows to Pigeon Forge that can really jam up the roads, so you might want to check the calendar to see what events are going on during the time you plan on staying. I personally loved the car shows and seeing the various rides but know many don't.
You can also look at renting a cabin/chalet as they are very reasonably priced and you get a lot more room than your standard hotel room plus you really feel like you're on vacation. Also most come with a hot tub for relaxing after the kids are in bed!
I go to Dollywood about every other year. We stay at the Music Road Inn. Never had anything bad to say about this place. Plus, it was easy to get to DW from there. I have often heard Pigeon Forge as being compared to the Myrtle Beach in the mountains. Just driving up and down US 441, seeing all the amusement areas, themed hotels, go-kart tracks galore, can really excite small kids (and adults that act like small kids, lol).
Wolf, I am surprised at the bad experience you had at DW. This park is consistently rated as one of the cleanest, friendliest theme parks in the nation. I absolutely love this park. If you are a coaster enthusiasts, they have a nice assortment of them. DW is known as a "show" park though. I would say 60% of the crowd go for the shows. The park is hilly, but with plenty of shady spots to cool down. All rides will shut down the slightest clap of thunder, which happens quite frequently in that area.
Anyway, my 2¢. Let us know how your trip went. And you should try and see Gatlinburg too. Very easy drive from Pigeon Forge.
I had the same experience as Swampfoxer. The whole area is enjoyable. I have never been to Carawinds but I have been to Busch Tampa 3 times . I like them both but would choose DW over the two. Elementary is a great age for your kids to visit .
Dollywood has a good new rollercoaster, the Wild Eagle. It is the first wing rider style coaster in the US, where the cars are suspended from the side of the tracks. But I am a big fan of the Intimidator at Carowinds.
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