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Dollywood

By , About.com Guide

Dollywood

Dolly in Dollywood.

Dollywood, 2006. Used with permission.
As you might expect for a park themed to the country music icon, Dollywood offers plenty of live music and lavish stage shows. As you might not expect, it also offers some great thrill rides and attractions, including the highly themed roller coaster, Mystery Mine, the unique wing coaster, Wild Eagle, the highly regarded Thunderhead wooden roller coaster, and the specially produced Heartsong, a 4D film about Dolly Parton and the Smoky Mountains.

While she's the inspiration, the park that bears her name doesn't focus exclusively on Dolly. The Smoky Mountains and its people also take center stage. Blacksmiths, glass blowers, and other craftspeople demonstrate the area's traditions. And the region's southern delicacies, including flat bread sandwiches, fried chicken, and freshly prepared pork rinds elevate Dollywood's food a notch above typical theme park fare. Dollywood has a well-deserved reputation for its overall guest experience and is frequently cited for its friendly park staff.

The park features a lot of festivals and special events, including country music concerts, a Festival of Nations, KidsFest, and a National Gospel & Harvest Celebration. Although it is a seasonal park, Dollywood has one of the longest seasons. It generally opens in late March and remains open through the end of December with its Smoky Mountain Christmas holiday celebration.

Location and Phone:

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
865-428-9488

Hotel Info

Compare rates for Dollywood-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Admission Info:

Passes to the theme park include admission to the ride park only, not Dollywood's Splash Country water park. Combo day passes that include the water park are available. Dollywood offers discounted tickets for seniors (60 and older) and children (4-11). Children under 3 admitted free. Season pass tickets are available online and at the park.

Water Park:

Dollywood includes a separate admission water park:

Dollywood's Splash Country

Park Highlights:

The park features a great assortment of coasters and attractions, including:
  • Mystery Mine themed roller coaster.
  • Thunderhead wooden coaster
  • Tennessee Tornado steel coaster
  • Smoky Mountain Wilderness Adventure Tour motion simulator ride
  • Blazing Fury water coaster
Dollywood also offers a lot of musical performances, shows, and Smoky Mountains exhibits, including:
  • Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame
  • Smoky Mountain Home- Replica of Dolly Parton's childhood house.
  • Heartsong- 4D film about Dolly Parton

Directions:

I-40, to Exit 407 toward Gatlinburg / Sevierville / Pigeon Forge. TN Hwy. 66S which becomes US 441. Left at eigth traffic light in Pigeon Forge. Follow signs to Dollywood.

Nearby airport:
McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville.

Other Dollywood Info:

New at the Park:

New for 2013:
RiverRush
A water coaster is coming to the water park.

New for 2012:
Wild Eagle
Riders aboard the wing coaster will sit on seats mounted to the left and right sides of the track where they will experience a series of elements from a unique and especially unencumbered perspective.

New for 2011:
Barnstormer
Using compressed air, the 60-second thrill ride will send passengers soaring 81 feet into the air at speeds up to 45 mph on two pendulum arms. The arms will rotate up to 230 degrees. Themed to daredevil stunt pilots from the 1920s, the ride will appear to cut a swath through an old red barn. The new attraction will also include play areas for younger children.

Official Web Site:

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