Family Fun at Dollywood
This past weekend, we celebrated our 14th family day with my son. Fourteen years ago, I brought Caleb home from Guatemala and we celebrate every year! When I asked Caleb where he wanted to go for his special day, his response was “Dollywood!” This response made me so happy because I love all things, Dolly! Who doesn’t love Dolly? I have always wondered why Dolly uses butterflies everywhere, and I finally learned why. She uses butterflies as her logos because she feels they represent beauty and freedom. This really meant something to me this weekend. I thank God every day that I had the freedom to bring my son home from Guatemala. Our lives together are beautiful! This is what made this Family Fun at Dollywood that much more special!
When I was planning our trip, I wanted to get the most out of our day! With three boys that is really important. I highly recommend you get there at least an hour before park opening. The park opened at 10 and we arrived around 9. Arriving early was great because we had parking close to the front and were allowed to go to the park. The rides weren’t open yet, but it allowed us to head the direction we wanted to go. We headed to Timber Canyon and Wilderness Pass, (Go to the left when you enter the park) where the thrill rides are located. Check out our favorite rides!
Favorite Rides in Timber Canyon
Thunderhead – Do not be shy because it is a wooden coaster. It is one of the smoothest wooden coasters I have ever been on! You will be thrilled with the 100-foot drop and a top speed of 55 mph. It’s an exciting roller coaster!
Mystery Mine – This amazing coaster travels an 1,811-foot track through an abandoned coal mine. You have no idea what to expect on this ride. We rode it a couple times and it was so enthralling you couldn’t remember what happened before. This ride was an unexpected favorite!
Drop Line – If you love dropping 20 stories you will love this ride. The greatest thing about this ride is the view as you go up! The Smokey Mountains are truly a beautiful place to visit!
Favorite Rides of Wilderness Pass
FirehouseChaser Express – This was a smaller coaster, but the kids loved it! The ride goes frontwards and backwards, which was a big hit!
Wild Eagle – Isn’t it just like Dolly to want to push the limits! This is America’s first wing coaster! If you want to feel like you are flying, this is it! Hands down my favorite coaster ever. What a tall order to fill, because I have been to amusement parks all over the United States. I love this ride!
County Fair
We loved this part of the park! It reminded us of the county fairs we used to attend when we were kids. When we were looking at the park, this is the last place I thought we would spend a lot of time with three teenage boys. The boys had a ball! We literally laughed until we had tears running down our face. Nothing like a country fair to bring back memories of your childhood! Family fun at Dollywood, at it’s finest!
Check out the Shows at Dollywood
HeartSong – This was an amazing multi-sensory film narrated by Dolly herself. There is something soothing about Dolly’s voice! Enjoy this journey with Dolly as she shares places very close to her heart! Warning for small children, there are times when the theater goes dark.
Wings of America Birds of Prey – This is an amazing show for the whole family! We were able to see some of the most amazing birds up close and personal, such as the Screech Owl and the Desert Owl. My favorite part is walking through and seeing the American Bald Eagles on Eagle Mountain. Did you know the Bald Eagle can reach speeds of 30-35 mph. You will learn so much visiting this part of the park!
Wild Roots Band – Let’s just say I heard the old hymn “I saw the Light” and I went running! This amazing trio will make your heart smile and there is no way you can’t walk away happy! Take in the rich sound of that amazing Smokey Mountain Music!
A Brighter Day – So I am a dancer! I can’t hear music and not move! The Brighter Day will preform something for everyone.
Dolly’s Bus Tour – I am not sure if this will be a permanent fixture, but it sure is a great one! You can tour one of Dolly’s retired busses. I was giddy seeing where Dolly laid her head and cooked her meals. From what they said Dolly loves to cook!
Time To Eat
Cinnamon Bread at The Grist Mill – DO NOT MISS the Cinnamon Bread! OH MY GOSH! This bread is truly amazing! We bought extra to bring home!
Aunt Granny’s – Are you looking for a place to eat that will make everyone happy? This is your place! There is nothing like a home cooked country meal! They will have all your favorites from fried chicken to mashed potatoes and green beans! Everyone will find somthing they love!
Grandstand Cafe – This was a perfect place to pick up a small lunch for the boys. They have foods all the kids will love. Hotdogs and chicken strips with fries, usually please kids of any age!
Sweet Shoppe at Dollywood – Who can resist a sweet shoppe? I was pulled in by the smell, the delicious candy, fudge, ice cream, and our family favorite taffy!
Market Square BIG SKILLETS – We did not eat here but we walked through. The steak and sausage sandwiches looked amazing and the aroma made me hungry! If we had not of just eaten we would have tired these sandwiches!
Family Fun at Dollywood
There is not enough space to write about all the things I love about Dollywood! All I know is Family Fun at Dollywood is an easy thing to accomplish. Don’t forget to hop on the Dollywood Express for an beautiful ride! From amazing hand-made crafts to carnival games you can spend the whole day doing things you love! Stop by the Smokey Creek Leather Shop to see the amazing craftsmanship. We bought a leather wallet for my son and he is in love! Are you having a snack attack? Dollywood has everything from cookies, cotton candy, funnel cakes, and ice cream! Dollywood truly has it all!
We are already planning our next trip to Dollywood! There is never a bad time of year to go! Check out DollyWood’s Festival Schedule. I would love to take the family back for the Smokey Mountain Christmas or catch a service on a Sunday at the Robert F Thomas Chapel. Check out Dollywood on your next trip to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Your family will make lasting memories you can talk about for years.
Disclosure: Dollywood PR did provide us with tickets to the park, but all opinions are 100% my own.
Shelley is a boy mom, marine wife, and is blessed with an amazing family. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
This sounds like a fun time. We will have to visit one day. I’d be all about the food.
The Cinnamon bread is amazing!! They also have a 25lb Apple Pie. You can buy a slice! It is insane!
This sounds like so much fun. I am always think my teens wont do things also. I love seeing them have fun. We are in AL so wet need to plan a trip
Your teens will love it! We spent the whole day open to close!
Dollywood is one of my family’s favorite theme parks ever. Honestly, we love it more than Disney.
We love both so much! My other son actually was in Disney World when we went. Caleb picked Dollywood!! He’s so smart!
We love it too!!
That cinnamon bread looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would love to try it!
My family loves amusement parks. This one sounds like a great one to visit.
This is a perfect combination of entertainment, rides, and food!
Aww, this is awesome! I’ve always wanted to go to Dollywood!
You need to check it out!! There is not a bad time to go!
Sounds like a blast! We have never been and are excited to visit this summer. Thanks for the info.
Ive been looking into taking my nieces to Dollywood this summer!! Looks like so much fun!
They would love it! The carnival section would be so much fun with them!
We had such a great time! If you get a chance to go to Dollywood take it! It is so much fun and the whole family loved it. I thought we would split up more but we stuck together for a fun filled day. We laughed a few times so hard I had tears in my eyes. So happy to have this experience with my family.
I am looking forward to visiting now more than ever!!! Thank you so much for this amazing article.
The grandkids will love it! Thank you for reading!
I haven’t been to Dollywood in years, so thanks for this info. Jared really enjoyed his trip there, so I’m sure we will be going there soon!
I am so glad he had fun! They were a blast!
I love Dollywood. Love the backstory about the butterflies. that really hit home. I can’t wait to take the kids to Dollywood some day. I know they will love it as much a I do.
I love the story also. How true it is!! I hope you make it back soon! Kind of like a home away from home!
My whole family loves Dollywood. The kids love the rides and my wife and I enjoy the arts and crafts and the music. Food is pretty hard to top as well. Now we will have to go back to check out Heartsong!!!
We absolutely love Dollywood. Your article pointed on some of our favorites and helped us with trying new things when we go next!
Oooh! Might have to put this place on our travel list!
Thanks so much for sharing your opinions and experience. This being my first time at Dollywood will be something I will always remember. Your story captures my feelings and memories perfectly. I loved every part of my first visit at Dollywood and can’t wait to go back. I love that there is so much to do for everyone.
We are planning a trip! I have never been and Austin said it was so much fun. I can’t wait to take all of them!
Oh this place is amazing. The Drop line ride sounds the most exciting to me!
Dollywood has always been a place I have wanted to visit. I enjoyed reading your post and seeing your photos from your family trip. Happy Birthday to your son!
Thank you!! You would love it! We will be going back soon!
This sounds like such an amazing experience, thanks for sharing!
Me and my family also love amusement parks like this. I can’t imagine how exciting to try those Timber Canyon rides!
Love Dollywood but haven’t been there in years but your post have made we want to go back!! Fun rimes!
It sounds like your son picked the perfect place to celebrate! I would like to go to Dollywood someday.
What a wonderful way to celebrate such an awesome event. Dollywood is a fun place to go!
Sounds like so much fun! Definitely will be adding to the vacation bucket list!
This is an amazing idea! I love to have fun outside with my family!
Wow, what a fun and memorable family day! Definitely a place to spend outdoors with the whole gang.
What a neat place to visit. I have heard a lot about Dollywood, but I had no idea there were so many different things to see there.