I’m so excited to host the first Me and the Magic weekend getaway at one of my favorite places, Dollywood!
It’s a great time to visit, to celebrate Dollywood’s 40th anniversary this year, and to experience the Smoky Mountain Christmas! Dollywood has over 6 million twinkling lights on display to enjoy, plus special shows, food and drinks, and shopping during the Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Dollywood is in the Smoky Mountains, and the fall foilage will be at its peak while we are there.
Weekend Getaway Itinerary
Friday, November 7th
Meet at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort at 5:00 PM in the Acoustic Lounge, followed by dinner at 6:00 PM at Ember & Elm.
Saturday, November 8th
Let’s experience Dollywood together! Meet just inside the park, by the Dollywood sign, at park opening.
Park hours are 11 AM – 9 PM (as of now).
Feel free to stay with the group or explore on your own. We will set up meeting points throughout the day if you want to venture off and then meet back up with the group.
Some of our group activities will be:
- Christmas in the Smokies show
- Lunch and/or dinner together (restaurants TBD)
- Enjoy a cinnamon bread break at The Grist Mill
- Ride the Dollywood Express train
- Snow in the Grove (Wildwood Grove) and fireworks that night
Sunday, November 9th
Meet for breakfast at Ember & Elm at 8:00 AM.
Then, we will enjoy Dollywood together for another day! Meet just inside the park, by the Dollywood sign, at park opening.
Park hours are 11 AM – 9 PM (as of now).
Information about Dollywood and Surrounding Area
Traveling to Dollywood
If you are flying: The nearest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville. Rent a vehicle to Dollywood.
If you are driving: Enjoy a beautiful drive in early November through the mountains to Dollywood.
Local transportation is available to Dollywood. Take the Pigeon Forge trolley from Patriot Park (you can park at Patriot Park for free). Trolley costs $3. The Dollywood route runs 30 minutes before the park opens, continuously throughout the day.
Parking at Dollywood: Standard parking is $25, Preferred parking is $50.
Dollywood Tickets
Check the Dollywood website for discounts on tickets.
If you’ll visit Dollywood more than once a year, a season pass may be your best option.
Accommodations
Each person / party will book their own accommodations
The Sevierville / Pigeon Forge area has several accommodations to choose from, for every price point.
Dollywood has 2 resorts, the DreamMore Resort and the HeartSong Lodge & Resort (where I’ll be staying).
Benefits of staying at a Dollywood Resort:
- Golden Hour – During the first hour of park opening, resort guests can use the TimeSaver entrance for all attractions without taking away from the 5 attractions you get for the rest of the day. (also for cabins)
- TimeSaver passes for expedited ride access (5 rides per day) and priority seating at shows.
- Trolley to/from resort and Dollywood (runs every 15-20 minutes, starting 1 hour before park opening), and also a trolley between the two resorts.
- Complimentary parking at the resort and complimentary preferred parking at Dollywood. (also for cabins)
- Complimentary package delivery directly to your room for purchases of $25+ made at Dollywood.
Other recommended accommodations near Dollywood include:
- The Inn at Christmas Place
- RiverStone Resort & Spa
- Courtyard Pigeon Forge (Marriott)
- Home2Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge
Another option is to rent a cabin, either through Dollywood (Bear Cove Cabins) or another rental company.
Tips to Maximize Your Dollywood Weekend Getaway
Planning Your Trip
- RSVP to the event here. After you RSVP, you will receive an invite to our private Facebook group dedicated to this weekend getaway!
- Check this page and the private Facebook group for itinerary updates.
- Download the Dollywood app, and explore the rides, shows, restaurants, and shops in the park.
- Decide on your accommodations and book them soon.
- Purchase your Dollywood tickets closer to November, and check the Dollywood website’s Special Offers for discounts.
- Check the weather forecast before you pack. Temperatures in November can range from 36 to 62 degrees F (2 to 17 degrees C). Expect some rain, though snow is unlikely that early in the season.
- Pack comfortable shoes. There will be a lot of walking, with elevation changes since Dollywood is literally built into the side of a mountain.
At Dollywood
General Tips for Dollywood
- Enjoy activities with our group, and also explore Dollywood on your own.
- Make a list of rides, shows, restaurants, and shops want to experience in the Dollywood app, then check them off as you complete them.
- Walk through Songteller in The Dolly Parton Experience to capture the essence of Dolly Parton.
- Be sure to budget for some incredible shopping! Many of the stores offer unique items not found in the Emporium (the main store at the park exit) or elsewhere. It’s great fun to explore the stores in the different park areas!
- Not staying at a Dollywood resort? You can still park for free at the two resorts, explore the resorts, dine at the resort restaurants, and enjoy the DreamMore Resort’s spa. However, the resort trolleys to Dollywood are for registered guests only.
Dining Tips for Dollywood
- Purchase the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival tasting pass. It’s a great deal to sample festival goodies. To maximize your tasting pass value, use the pass for the 5 most expensive items you want to try.
- You must try the cinnamon bread, with both apple butter and icing! Decide which is your favorite, or maybe you prefer just the pure cinnamon bread on its own.
- The table service restaurants at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and HeartSong Lodge & Resort take reservations. Use OpenTable to make reservations.
- If you have special dietary needs, check out this information about how Dollywood accommodates those needs.
- Since Dollywood doesn’t open until late morning, you’ll want a hearty breakfast to start your day! Enjoy one of the table service restaurants at the Dollywood Resorts. Other nearby breakfast favorites are The Old Mill Restaurant, The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe, Five Oaks Farm Kitchen, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, Sunliner Diner, and Brick and Spoon.
- Restaurants in the Dollywood park do not take reservations. Some restaurants will have a wait list… simply tell the host / hostess your name, party size, and cell number. Then they will text you when your table is ready.
- The table service restaurants at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and HeartSong Lodge & Resort take reservations. Use OpenTable to make reservations.
Tips for Activities Outside of Dollywood
The area surrounding Dollywood offers a wide variety of activities and experiences. Close to Dollywood is Pigeon Forge, about a 5-minute drive. A little further away is Gatlinburg, about a 30-minute drive. Both these areas feature many activities for tourists.
The Island in Pigeon Forge has Soar America, shops, restaurants, and a fountain show. Enjoy free parking and admission to The Island.
There are several area roller coasters, including the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster.
Pigeon Forge features an abundance of dinner shows, three of which are connected to Dollywood. Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show is at the top of the list and will feature a special holiday show during our weekend getaway. The other two Dollywood-related dinner shows are the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. There is also a Comedy Barn Theater and a Titanic Museum Attraction.
If you want to explore nature, enjoy a drive and hiking in the nearby Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you prefer to have someone else do the driving, check out the Pink Jeep Adventure Tours offered in the Smoky Mountains.
