Dollywood Thrills Visitors with Roller Coasters, Family Fun

I was eager to visit the Pigeon Forge area. I knew a lot about the different Pigeon Forge shows, such as Country Tonite, and Pigeon Forge attractions, but had never visited Dollywood. Once I did, I realized why so many people enjoy the park and its many amusements.

Like any other theme park, it aims to please families. Dollywood does a great job of pleasing every member of the clan by providing elements uniquely designed for each. I visited during the Festival of Nations, a celebration of the different cultures of the world. There were great exhibits featuring Ireland, Latin America, Russia and others. The food featured was also delicious and showcased the flavors of the world.

I love roller coasters, so of course, they were my main priority. The Tennessee Tornado was my first experience of Dollywood rides, and it definitely made good on its tornado like spins! It was a great ride featuring twists, turns, spins and upside down maneuvers sure to please any thrill seeker.

While walking through the park to the next tempting ride, I enjoyed the shops and crafts displayed throughout. Smoky Mountain heritage is present in the craft-making, which includes glass blowing, woodcarving, a grist mill, and wagon makers among many others. There were also a lot of sweet shoppes, offering tasty treats like taffy, ice cream and baked goods.

I went on two other Dollywood roller coasters. The Mystery Mine and Thunderhead were both a lot of fun, with Mystery Mine being my favorite out of the two. It is a unique ride, as it features a cart holding 8 people, instead of a standard roller coaster cart which can hold upwards of 30 plus. The smaller cart made the twists and turns even more thrilling and added to the mine aspect of the ride. I also like Thunderhead. It is very fast, which is a bonus, but more turbulent than the other coasters.

It was a little too cool for me to try any water rides, but they were certainly busy with other riders. I would like to try the Smoky Mountain River Rampage and Daredevil Falls when I visit again. The all new River Battle had just opened when I visited, and it looked like it came straight out of a cartoon. I thought the interactive features of the ride made it all the more fun for friends and families and I will be on that ride as well when I return (in warmer weather)!

Throughout the Dollywood park, the rides, attractions and shops are combined with the scenery to create a Smoky Mountain paradise. The way they blended the commercial aspects of the park with the natural aspects was very impressive. An Eagle Sanctuary was also at the park, and the view of the eagles was spectacular.

I think Dollywood is a perfect fit for families and friends. Everything from the atmosphere to the entertainment to the thrilling rides was on point.

Dollywood is also situated very near to the Parkway in Pigeon Forge making it easy for visitors to get there from their hotel. Hotels near Dollywood include RiverStone Resort, EconoLodge Riverside Pigeon Forge, Grand Resort Hotel and Red Roof Inn. Cabins in Pigeon Forge Tennessee are also available at great prices. They are a great choice for larger families and guests who prefer the extra space provided.

After you've had your share of Dollywood fun, be sure to check out the other great attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The entire town is full of activities fun for the whole family.

Play and Stay in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination encompassing great outdoor fun and exciting indoor fun the whole family can enjoy. I got to see how much fun Pigeon Forge really offers when I recently ventured there. The Parkway running through Pigeon Forge is lined with entertainment, including everything from live shows to thrilling attractions. Plus, there are plenty of unique Pigeon Forge restaurants to try along the way.

The great thing about Pigeon Forge is how it manages to maintain its small town atmosphere while also offering big time fun. Both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country are conveniently located just minutes from the parkway, and both maintain the natural beauty of the area throughout their locations. One of the best things about Splash Country is the way the water attractions blended with the earth, to create a true paradise of fun. Even Dollywood, with its outrageous roller coasters and new-fangled shops, wraps itself around the scenic allure of Pigeon Forge.

Visiting Splash Country and Dollywood is good old-fashioned fun, and something I believe everyone can enjoy. They both cater to families, with the Safe-T-Kid systems, which allow families to monitor the exact location of their child. Splash Country even has retreats for rent, which are cabanas with first class service, shade and televisions which are great for visiting families. My favorite part about Dollywood was its roller coasters. They were thrilling and definitely provided the fun it promised. The absolute best was the Tennessee Tornado. It loops around, goes upside down, and is very fast!

A few of the must see shows in the area include Country Tonite, The Smith Family Show and Cirque de Chine. They’re a great way to end a day of hiking or a day at Dollywood.

While I was in the area, I also got a chance to dine in a Pigeon Forge Restaurant. Johnny Carino’s, an Italian eatery, won me and my dinner companions over! There delicious food was plentiful and unique and the service was excellent. I would recommend any Pigeon Forge guest to try it!

Lodging in Pigeon Forge is also plentiful, with cabins, hotels and condominiums to choose from. A few of the options include The Resort at Governor’s Crossing, Grand Resort Hotel and The Water Resort. Cabins in Pigeon Forge are abundant, with properties like Bear-Foot Cabin Rentals, Mill Creek Cabin Rentals and Bluff Mountain Rentals to choose from.