- Mar 13, 2024
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Planning a visit to Dollywood might seem intimidating if you’ve never been before, but we’re here to help you out!
Welcome to Dollywood!
We made the BIG trip to Dollywood earlier this year, and we had a BLAST! Between the thrilling rides, incredible food, and fun vibes, there’s a lot to do across this property! So, here’s a full 2-day plan for you to tackle a Dollywood trip.
Let’s start things out with the accommodations! If you want to be immersed in the atmosphere of Dollywood during your visit, there are three options for places where you might want to stay. First is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. This hotel definitely offers that cozy mountain lodge vibe, with well-appointed rooms and suites. It’s home to both indoor and outdoor pools, six dining locations, and over 300 rooms.
HeartSong Lodge & Resort Room
The other main hotel on the property is Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. This has been voted a top ten theme park hotel by USA Today and, like its sister resort, has indoor and outdoor pools and six dining locations. DreamMore also has an on-site spa, and its theme is a bit more Dolly Parton-forward than HeartSong — think butterflies and country music. There are both rooms and suites here, and you can even book a stay in the Dolly Parton Suite on the top floor or the Dolly Suite 1986, which is Dolly’s personalized motorcoach!
DreamMore Resort & Spa
If you stay at either HeartSong or DreamMore, you’ll get complimentary trolley service to and from the Dollywood parks, Wi-Fi, and self-parking — those are some serious perks! Also, you can enjoy daily stayover service, where your room is refreshed with tidying, new towels, and restocked essentials.
DreamMore Resort
If you’re staying at those two hotels and have park tickets, there are even MORE perks available. The Dollywood Resort Timesaver is included each day and allows you five expedited entries at participating attractions. You can also enjoy Golden Hour for the first hour of the day, where resort guests get expedited entry to any of the available rides without having to use their five Timesavers. Timesaver H2O is also complimentary for use at Dollywood’s water park, Splash Country (it allows two Timesaver entries per day). On top of those perks, there’s an exclusive resort trolley to Dollywood and Splash Country, as well as complimentary preferred parking at the parks. And don’t forget about complimentary package delivery to your room for purchases over $25!
Dollywood tickets
But if you’re traveling with a larger group or simply want more space, you may want to check out Bear Cove Cabins, the preferred Pigeon Forge cabin rental company for Dollywood. They partner with Dollywood Resort to offer some perks like priority access and free parking at the parks, as well as occasional ticket discounts. Folks staying at these cabins also get access to Golden Hour each day.
©Bear Cove Cabins
Okay, now that you’ve booked your hotel, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll want to ride in Dollywood! This park has some serious thrills, and with its opening day being August 19th, Nightflight Expedition will be the BIG draw. It’s going to be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater raft ride. Cool, right?!
©Dollywood
But as for things that are already open, there are some heavy hitters in the coaster realm. For those who want top speeds, Lightning Rod is a solid choice! This ’50s-themed wooden coaster never slows down and offers some gorgeous views across the park. But for a ride that’s a bit more unique with an eerie and quirky vibe, go for Mystery Mine. It’s the park’s most detailed coaster with an original soundtrack.
Lightning Rod
Those who like a smooth coaster experience will probably enjoy Big Bear Mountain in Wildwood Grove. It reminded us of a more intense version of Slinky Dog Dash in Disney World. Other highlights include Wild Eagle, which was the first winged coaster in the U.S., and Blazin’ Fury, which has some serious thrills.
Big Bear Mountain
Of course, there are plenty of non-coaster must-dos as well. The Dollywood Express Train is a classic and offers some scenic views of the park. And the Rockin’ Roadway lets you take the wheel of a retro car. There’s also Black Bear Trail, which we think your kids would LOVE since you can hop on the back of a bear!
Riding Rockin’ Roadway
This park also offers a variety of classic theme park rides — a carousel, a flying elephant ride, swings, a scrambler, and several play areas for littles.
If you’re into live entertainment, there are a plethora of options in Dollywood! Throughout the year, some entertainment options will change seasonally, like nighttime fireworks shows and dance parties — make sure to check the calendar to see what’s available during your visit. But there are a few things you’ll want to see year-round, like the stunning Wings of America Birds of Prey show! If you’re a fan of live bird shows, this is one of the best, showcasing some incredible birds, including a bald eagle.
©Dollywood
For another animal-forward show, check out Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience, and your little ones would probably enjoy a visit to the Imagination Playhouse to watch live performances of children’s books. The whole family will be entranced by the Gazillion Bubble Show, complete with bubble artistry and interactive elements.
©Dollywood
Of course, perhaps the most classic form of entertainment at Dollywood is the bands! There are several multi-person groups that perform around the park, singing country music or gospel tunes. Make sure to stop by and check them out when you see them or look at the showtimes if there’s a particular group you’re interested in.
But outside of the rides and shows, there are some other big things you might want to plan time to do during your visit to Dollywood. For starters, you could fill one of the two days of your trip by visiting Dollywood’s water park, Splash Country. This outdoor water park is complete with tall slides, splash zones, and massive pools — fun for the whole family. Just make sure it’s open during your visit, since it has seasonal hours.
©Dollywood
Of course, you can’t go on vacation without getting at least one souvenir, and Dollywood has some seriously unique ones, including a few that you can make yourself! The Valley Forge Blacksmith is a space where visitors can create their own knives from items like railroad spikes and horseshoes! Or you could head over to the Smoky Creek Leather shop to get a custom belt with custom names or sayings engraved. Custom candles, hand wax models, and glass-blown ornaments are also on the DIY list. Just check the Dollywood website to see how to make reservations for each experience, and to see how much time you should budget.
©Dollywood
Throughout the year, Dollywood hosts several different festivals and celebrations. From the Flower & Food Festival in the spring to the Smoky Mountain Christmas offerings during the holiday season, there’s almost always something to celebrate in this park. Check the calendar to see what events are taking place during your trip and set aside time to explore food booths, watch exclusive entertainment, or take in the atmosphere.
Flower & Food Festival
Of course, you can’t visit Dollywood without learning a bit about Dolly Parton herself! The Dolly Parton Experience is a museum walkthrough that tells the story of Dolly’s life and career. You can see costumes and props from her journey, watch a short film, and even spot her tour bus outside.
The Dolly Parton Experience
And remember when we mentioned the bird show that you can see? You’ll also want to visit the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary during your visit to see how these birds are cared for and how their habitats are curated.
Finally, let’s chat about one of our favorite things…FOOD! Dining is a huge part of any Dollywood trip, and the eats here are shockingly delectable. To start, you know we just have to mention Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread. This stuff is warm, freshly baked, and slightly gooey in the best way. You’ll find this at several places on property, but most famously at Grist Mill in Craftsman’s Valley. For an extra $1.59 each, you can get a cup of icing OR apple butter to go along with it. (And we would encourage you to get BOTH!)
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
Another famous Dollywood treat is the 25-lb apple pie at Spotlight Bakery. Just one slice of this pie will cost you about $30, but it will feed three to four people. It’s a hefty slice! Or, if you’re feeling extra hungry and have a whole crew with you, you can purchase the whole pie for $230. Flaky crust and loads of apple filling? It’s a dream come true.
It took TWO hands to hold!
Dollywood’s all about the sweets, and one of the treats you’ll spot continuously around the park is Dippin’ Dots. You may be familiar with this novelty ice cream treat from ballparks or amusement parks, but here, there are some exclusive flavors to Dollywood. The Big Bear Brownie Batter flavor is a must for chocolate lovers, but there are also often seasonal flavors for the festivals or holidays. And if you’re Dippin’ Dots obsessed, you can get refillable souvenir cups to eat them to your heart’s content!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Magical Guides-Jukebox-Junction-Dippin-Dots-Jukebox-Junction-Dollywood-Theme-Park-2-700x525.jpg
Big Bear Brownie Batter
That’s not all! You can also get specialty-topped funnel cakes from Crossroads Funnel Cakes and/or Splinter’s Trailside Snacks. They offer toppings like strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling, hot fudge, whipped cream, and crumbled Oreos. YUM! We were also big fans of the Bear Head Ice Cream — soft serve served inside of a cone shaped like a bear’s head, available at a few different spots around Dollywood. Those bear head cones aren’t like a traditional crunchy waffle cone. Instead, they’re fairly soft (and a little chewy).
Bear Ice Cream Cone
Of course, we have to mention one of the park’s table-service staples, as well. The family-style Aunt Granny’s Restaurant in Rivertown Junction is a favorite spot for many, where you can try some southern classics. This restaurant is first-come, first-serve, so you’ll want to get here early in the day if it’s on your must-do list, but it’s well-known for the fried chicken. The chicken comes out HOT and FRESH, making it crispy (but not greasy), juicy (but not grisly), and very sharable.
©Dollywood
That’s a wrap on our two-day plan — use this guide to have the best-ever trip to Dollywood! We hope you have a fantastic time and leave with a belly full of cinnamon bread! For more Dollywood fun, subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned to Magical Guides for more!
Have you ever been to Dollywood? Let us know in the comments!
Welcome to Dollywood!
We made the BIG trip to Dollywood earlier this year, and we had a BLAST! Between the thrilling rides, incredible food, and fun vibes, there’s a lot to do across this property! So, here’s a full 2-day plan for you to tackle a Dollywood trip.
Where to Stay
Let’s start things out with the accommodations! If you want to be immersed in the atmosphere of Dollywood during your visit, there are three options for places where you might want to stay. First is Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. This hotel definitely offers that cozy mountain lodge vibe, with well-appointed rooms and suites. It’s home to both indoor and outdoor pools, six dining locations, and over 300 rooms.
HeartSong Lodge & Resort Room
The other main hotel on the property is Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. This has been voted a top ten theme park hotel by USA Today and, like its sister resort, has indoor and outdoor pools and six dining locations. DreamMore also has an on-site spa, and its theme is a bit more Dolly Parton-forward than HeartSong — think butterflies and country music. There are both rooms and suites here, and you can even book a stay in the Dolly Parton Suite on the top floor or the Dolly Suite 1986, which is Dolly’s personalized motorcoach!
DreamMore Resort & Spa
If you stay at either HeartSong or DreamMore, you’ll get complimentary trolley service to and from the Dollywood parks, Wi-Fi, and self-parking — those are some serious perks! Also, you can enjoy daily stayover service, where your room is refreshed with tidying, new towels, and restocked essentials.
DreamMore Resort
If you’re staying at those two hotels and have park tickets, there are even MORE perks available. The Dollywood Resort Timesaver is included each day and allows you five expedited entries at participating attractions. You can also enjoy Golden Hour for the first hour of the day, where resort guests get expedited entry to any of the available rides without having to use their five Timesavers. Timesaver H2O is also complimentary for use at Dollywood’s water park, Splash Country (it allows two Timesaver entries per day). On top of those perks, there’s an exclusive resort trolley to Dollywood and Splash Country, as well as complimentary preferred parking at the parks. And don’t forget about complimentary package delivery to your room for purchases over $25!
Dollywood tickets
But if you’re traveling with a larger group or simply want more space, you may want to check out Bear Cove Cabins, the preferred Pigeon Forge cabin rental company for Dollywood. They partner with Dollywood Resort to offer some perks like priority access and free parking at the parks, as well as occasional ticket discounts. Folks staying at these cabins also get access to Golden Hour each day.
©Bear Cove Cabins
What to Ride
Okay, now that you’ve booked your hotel, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll want to ride in Dollywood! This park has some serious thrills, and with its opening day being August 19th, Nightflight Expedition will be the BIG draw. It’s going to be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater raft ride. Cool, right?!
©Dollywood
But as for things that are already open, there are some heavy hitters in the coaster realm. For those who want top speeds, Lightning Rod is a solid choice! This ’50s-themed wooden coaster never slows down and offers some gorgeous views across the park. But for a ride that’s a bit more unique with an eerie and quirky vibe, go for Mystery Mine. It’s the park’s most detailed coaster with an original soundtrack.
Lightning Rod
Those who like a smooth coaster experience will probably enjoy Big Bear Mountain in Wildwood Grove. It reminded us of a more intense version of Slinky Dog Dash in Disney World. Other highlights include Wild Eagle, which was the first winged coaster in the U.S., and Blazin’ Fury, which has some serious thrills.
Big Bear Mountain
Of course, there are plenty of non-coaster must-dos as well. The Dollywood Express Train is a classic and offers some scenic views of the park. And the Rockin’ Roadway lets you take the wheel of a retro car. There’s also Black Bear Trail, which we think your kids would LOVE since you can hop on the back of a bear!
Riding Rockin’ Roadway
This park also offers a variety of classic theme park rides — a carousel, a flying elephant ride, swings, a scrambler, and several play areas for littles.
What to Watch
If you’re into live entertainment, there are a plethora of options in Dollywood! Throughout the year, some entertainment options will change seasonally, like nighttime fireworks shows and dance parties — make sure to check the calendar to see what’s available during your visit. But there are a few things you’ll want to see year-round, like the stunning Wings of America Birds of Prey show! If you’re a fan of live bird shows, this is one of the best, showcasing some incredible birds, including a bald eagle.
©Dollywood
For another animal-forward show, check out Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience, and your little ones would probably enjoy a visit to the Imagination Playhouse to watch live performances of children’s books. The whole family will be entranced by the Gazillion Bubble Show, complete with bubble artistry and interactive elements.
©Dollywood
Of course, perhaps the most classic form of entertainment at Dollywood is the bands! There are several multi-person groups that perform around the park, singing country music or gospel tunes. Make sure to stop by and check them out when you see them or look at the showtimes if there’s a particular group you’re interested in.
What to Do
But outside of the rides and shows, there are some other big things you might want to plan time to do during your visit to Dollywood. For starters, you could fill one of the two days of your trip by visiting Dollywood’s water park, Splash Country. This outdoor water park is complete with tall slides, splash zones, and massive pools — fun for the whole family. Just make sure it’s open during your visit, since it has seasonal hours.
©Dollywood
Of course, you can’t go on vacation without getting at least one souvenir, and Dollywood has some seriously unique ones, including a few that you can make yourself! The Valley Forge Blacksmith is a space where visitors can create their own knives from items like railroad spikes and horseshoes! Or you could head over to the Smoky Creek Leather shop to get a custom belt with custom names or sayings engraved. Custom candles, hand wax models, and glass-blown ornaments are also on the DIY list. Just check the Dollywood website to see how to make reservations for each experience, and to see how much time you should budget.
©Dollywood
Throughout the year, Dollywood hosts several different festivals and celebrations. From the Flower & Food Festival in the spring to the Smoky Mountain Christmas offerings during the holiday season, there’s almost always something to celebrate in this park. Check the calendar to see what events are taking place during your trip and set aside time to explore food booths, watch exclusive entertainment, or take in the atmosphere.
Flower & Food Festival
Of course, you can’t visit Dollywood without learning a bit about Dolly Parton herself! The Dolly Parton Experience is a museum walkthrough that tells the story of Dolly’s life and career. You can see costumes and props from her journey, watch a short film, and even spot her tour bus outside.
The Dolly Parton Experience
And remember when we mentioned the bird show that you can see? You’ll also want to visit the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary during your visit to see how these birds are cared for and how their habitats are curated.
What to Eat
Finally, let’s chat about one of our favorite things…FOOD! Dining is a huge part of any Dollywood trip, and the eats here are shockingly delectable. To start, you know we just have to mention Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread. This stuff is warm, freshly baked, and slightly gooey in the best way. You’ll find this at several places on property, but most famously at Grist Mill in Craftsman’s Valley. For an extra $1.59 each, you can get a cup of icing OR apple butter to go along with it. (And we would encourage you to get BOTH!)
Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
Another famous Dollywood treat is the 25-lb apple pie at Spotlight Bakery. Just one slice of this pie will cost you about $30, but it will feed three to four people. It’s a hefty slice! Or, if you’re feeling extra hungry and have a whole crew with you, you can purchase the whole pie for $230. Flaky crust and loads of apple filling? It’s a dream come true.
It took TWO hands to hold!
Dollywood’s all about the sweets, and one of the treats you’ll spot continuously around the park is Dippin’ Dots. You may be familiar with this novelty ice cream treat from ballparks or amusement parks, but here, there are some exclusive flavors to Dollywood. The Big Bear Brownie Batter flavor is a must for chocolate lovers, but there are also often seasonal flavors for the festivals or holidays. And if you’re Dippin’ Dots obsessed, you can get refillable souvenir cups to eat them to your heart’s content!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Magical Guides-Jukebox-Junction-Dippin-Dots-Jukebox-Junction-Dollywood-Theme-Park-2-700x525.jpg
Big Bear Brownie Batter
That’s not all! You can also get specialty-topped funnel cakes from Crossroads Funnel Cakes and/or Splinter’s Trailside Snacks. They offer toppings like strawberry pie filling, apple pie filling, hot fudge, whipped cream, and crumbled Oreos. YUM! We were also big fans of the Bear Head Ice Cream — soft serve served inside of a cone shaped like a bear’s head, available at a few different spots around Dollywood. Those bear head cones aren’t like a traditional crunchy waffle cone. Instead, they’re fairly soft (and a little chewy).
Bear Ice Cream Cone
Of course, we have to mention one of the park’s table-service staples, as well. The family-style Aunt Granny’s Restaurant in Rivertown Junction is a favorite spot for many, where you can try some southern classics. This restaurant is first-come, first-serve, so you’ll want to get here early in the day if it’s on your must-do list, but it’s well-known for the fried chicken. The chicken comes out HOT and FRESH, making it crispy (but not greasy), juicy (but not grisly), and very sharable.
©Dollywood
That’s a wrap on our two-day plan — use this guide to have the best-ever trip to Dollywood! We hope you have a fantastic time and leave with a belly full of cinnamon bread! For more Dollywood fun, subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned to Magical Guides for more!
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Have you ever been to Dollywood? Let us know in the comments!
