I There is a reason I refer to Dollywood as the hap-hap-happiest place in the Smokies. The park is filled with dozens of rides, games, shows, restaurants, shops, and more. We strategically picked a Wednesday early in the season to visit thinking the park wouldn’t be that busy. While it wasn’t as busy as peak summer, I couldn’t believe how many people were in the park and how long some of the waits were! Here are some tips to make the most of your time there, based on my own experiences from a lack of planning.
1. Download the app
The day before you visit, download the mobile app available on Apple and Android devices. To start, you can purchase tickets and passes directly on the app to bypass the long ticket lines. Once in the park, use the app to access park maps, review the show schedules, and check ride wait times.
2. Avoid the traffic
Our cabin is perfectly suited for your Dollywood adventure. Follow the map below to head straight to the parking area and avoid the traffic! Only 5 minutes!
3. Use self service ticket lines
If you’re like me and didn’t think to purchase tickets ahead of time, and you roll into the park with ticket lines longer than the queues that are set up, do yourself a favor and jump into the self service ticket lines. The signage isn’t great but the first few ticket stalls closest to parking are actually self service! Instead of standing in line, I walked right up to a kiosk, selected the ticket I wanted to buy, and paid in less than one minute.
4. Grab the timesaver pass
Lines for rides can be crazy during no matter the time of year. Ride the most rides using the TimeSaver Pass. The pass helps you skip those long waits and spend more time having fun.
The TimeSaver is $39 per person and the TimeSaver Unlimited is $49 per person, per day. To see which rides and theaters are included, visit the Dollywood website.
- TimeSaver – For rides, enjoy using expedited entrances ten times throughout the day at your choice of TimeSaver attractions. Your combination of ten rides can include ten different TimeSaver attractions, or you can ride your favorite rides up to ten times. For theaters, enjoy unlimited daily show reservations.
- TimeSaver Unlimited – Allows unlimited access to expedited entrances at your choice of participating TimeSaver attractions and unlimited show reservations at participating theaters.
5. See a show
The rides are definitely worth the visit, but the shows are great too. All the walking and all the waiting may leave you wanting a break. Catching a show will give you a chance to see some great talent while also giving those tired feet a rest. Use the app to check the times and locations of all the shows in the park. Do some research ahead of your visit to see what events and festivals are going on in the park.
We were lucky enough to visit (unplanned) during the Festival of Nations. The shows during this festival are all so unique – we saw the incredibly talented Caribbean steel drum band after lunch. I definitely recommend catching their show and come prepared to do a little dancing in your seat.
Hilltop Hideaway 