To say we were excited about our trip to Dollywood is an understatement. I am a single mom of four…read morewho doesn't often get to take vacations. I'm also a cancer patient who doesn't know how many vacations that she has left in this lifetime. So, when someone offered us a chance to take this trip, we were over the moon and jumped at the chance. So writing this review is quite painful. I've always heard that Dollywood employees are the best so I was expecting kindness and helpfulness, but I was mostly disappointed. I want to start this review by saying that I could not do what the employees at Dollywood do all day in the blistering heat. They have to deal with people all day long and people can be unpleasant on a good day and vicious on a bad day. I deal with people in my job and it can be difficult. I know and I sympathize. It started when I had to rent a mobility scooter. Trust me, I hated having to rent that blasted thing, but I had a cancer treatment two days before our visit and my treatment can zap the energy right out of me. So, I went to rent a scooter even though I was embarrassed to have to do so. The young lady behind the counter was unfriendly and unprofessional. I was surprised really by her complete lack of kindness. She never once even cracked a smile and her behavior at my questions was rude. I was also disappointed at the employees lack of help when you asked for directions. We only had a day in the park and we had some specific things that we wanted to accomplish. When asked for directions, the employees were short with me and seemed annoyed that we even asked. I ceased asking employees and began asking other park goers. They were kind and helpful. Then there was the candy store near the train depot. The gentleman behind the candy counter was amazing. He was friendly and encouraging. Just when I thought we wouldn't find any employees up to park standards, he showed up and with his sunny disposition really brought a bright spot to our day. Then, my hopes were instantly dissolved when we checked out at the register. The female employee at the register was utterly rude and blatantly disrespectful. I was shocked and wanted to match her energy, but I didn't want to set a bad example for my kids. Also, the kindly gentleman was right next to her and I just didn't want to cause a scene. Also, the employees who deal with people with disabilities on the rides just treated us like we were an imposition. That's just not the way you treat people who are already struggling. Most people who have a disability would do anything to be normal. I know I would have loved to have not known this information about the employees who help people with disabilities. I believe some sensitivity training is in order for all the employees who come in contact with people with disabilities. We already feel like a burden and we HATE it. There were some employees that went above and beyond which is the reason I didn't give a one star review. I've already spoken of the gentleman at the candy store. He needs a raise. There was the sweet young man in the jewelry booth by the Mystery Mine ride. He was an absolute gem and was so helpful. There was a sweet young lady at Miss Lillian's where we ate. Two of my kiddos have severe food allergies. It makes it difficult to find food that won't land us in the ER. This young lady went out of her way to make sure that our food wasn't contaminated by allergens and she even found chips for my son who couldn't have the other side dishes. Bravo to her!!! She deserves a gold star, a crown, and a wand. Also the tram conductors were fabulous They were funny, kind, and helpful. Whoever trained those guys needs to train EVERYONE in the park. The employees involved in the Dollywood Express were another standout. They were kind, hilarious, entertaining, and really did help to make the day memorable especially for my son who has a popular YouTube channel about trains. It wasn't all bad, but there were enough disappointments to prompt me to write this review. I really hated writing something negative. I absolutely adore Dolly Parton. She is one of my heroes. I feel terrible for saying anything negative about something associated with her. I'm hoping this review will encourage some additional training for employees who deal with people with disabilities. Those people sitting in the mobility scooters could be on their last vacation and you could make all the difference.

We've done Disney, we've done Universal, and Dollywood holds its own with both of them in ways that…read moresurprised us. The scale is different but the experience is just as memorable and in some ways more personal. The coaster lineup is legitimately impressive. Big Bear Mountain is the longest in the park and a great ride for the whole family. Lightning Rod is one of the fastest wooden coasters in the world. Wild Eagle gives you incredible views of the Smoky Mountains from the top. Dragonflier in Wildwood Grove is perfect if you have younger kids who want in on the fun. The new NightFlight Expedition that opened in 2026 is a unique indoor hybrid coaster and river raft ride that works in any weather, a great addition. Beyond the rides the park has real soul to it. Live Appalachian music playing throughout, craftspeople demonstrating woodworking and glassblowing, the Dolly Parton Experience museum, seasonal festivals and theater performances at the Back Porch Theater. You could skip the rides entirely and still have a full day. The cleanliness here is consistently remarked on and it's earned. Every corner of the park is well maintained and the staff are the friendliest we've encountered at any theme park anywhere. Go on a weekday if you can, weekends get packed. Buy tickets in advance. Wear comfortable shoes. Worth every mile of the drive from the Carolinas.

The island is always a wonderful stop for everyone. My son…read moreloves Dino's and they currently have the dinosaur experience going on. Our big girl was finally big enough for the harness adventure here. Mom and dad got to do a moonshine tasting.

The Island in Pigeon Forge is one of those places where you can easily spend several hours…read morewandering around without really having a plan--and that's part of the fun! There's a great mix of shops, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and plenty of colorful details that make it an enjoyable place to explore. I visited during the fall, and I especially loved all of the seasonal touches. Pumpkins, mums, hay bales, a vintage tractor, and other autumn decorations made the entire area feel festive and gave me plenty of fun photo opportunities. Of course, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is the landmark you can't miss. Riding it gives you a completely different perspective of Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area, and the enclosed gondolas make for a comfortable ride. My biggest hesitation is the price. Since you pay per person, taking an entire family up in one gondola can become expensive pretty quickly. Overall, The Island is a fun stop whether you want to ride attractions, grab something to eat, shop, people-watch, or simply walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Even if you don't ride the wheel, it makes a pretty spectacular backdrop! Four stars from me--fun, photogenic, and definitely worth exploring, but some of the attractions can make a family visit pricey.

I came here with my wife and 4 year old and it was a great time!…read more We came right at opening on a random weekday and the line to get in was still pretty long. Parking was a little expensive at $25, but I kind of expected that. Luckily for us, most of the people entering the park were going to Dollywood and not Splash Country, so we got to park our car near the entrance and didn't have to wait long at all to get inside. Importantly, my son was free because of a pre-K voucher that they were offering, which was very cool. We started off our trip with Big Bear Plunge, and it was a pretty decent water slide. We then hit up the splash pad before journeying into the wave pool, where we spent most of our time :) My son really liked the waves! It got a little boring for me, but whatever. It was sometimes challenging to find a tube for my son to ride in (it felt like a free-for-all!) but we managed to secure one most of the time. We wanted to ride Big Bear Plunge one more time before we left, but by that time the line was exceedingly long and our 4 year old was definitely not going to wait, so we just peaced out. The food was OK but not great, as expected. I liked that they offered complimentary water for everyone, since it was quite hot. Overall, we had a great time and would definitely come back!

Splash Country and Dollywood lack adequate handicap accessible parking. Instead of creating more…read morehandicap accessible parking, they blocked all the surrounding spots off and marked them as $55 "preferred parking". Or $45 if you are a diamond pass holder. Once you're inside it is so overcrowded you will not have time to do much unless you pay $55-$70 for a fast pass. Some lines had a 70 minute wait. Then the bathrooms were horrible, I bet Dolly wouldn't use them!! I was only here because I have a 2 park season pass but these kids will not get me back to this water park. Yall can have it. I'll stick to the theme park.

Came here, and it's a mad house, long lines, children running loose and wild came here to play…read moreEverworld the AR (not VR) . Was told it would be about a hour, $25 per person. The videos made it look cool. I would say 3/5, once you beat the game, it's done, so I was there $24 mins, the videos aren't even close to what you get. Not worth it. Carts and games are on

We went to this park today with our family, and it was absolutely a lovely experience…read more We went early enough where there was just a small crowd. Any time we went to the counter, April, all dressed in appropriate purple, and Chris, helped us. Thank you for going the extra mile and making this day fun. Mike and TJ

Wild Eagle is hands down one of the best rides at Dollywood. From the moment you hit the top of the…read morelift hill and realize there's nothing above or beside you, the view alone is worth it. The drops are smooth but powerful, the inversions are thrilling without being overwhelming, and the ride never lets up once it gets going. It's intense, but not rough, and the whole experience feels polished and epic. If you only ride one coaster at Dollywood, this should be the one.

If you're ready to go upside down 4 times and drop from 13.5 stories, this roller coaster is for…read moreyou! Ride accepts time saver band, must be at least 50" to ride. Elevator available for mobility limited guests- good job Dollywood! Great Birds Eye view of Dollywood. Loved taking flight on this trill ride!

Mystery Mine is one of Dollywood's most unique and intense coasters. The theming is top-notch from…read morethe moment you step into the abandoned mine setting, it feels dark, creepy, and immersive. The vertical lift, sudden drops, and fire effects make it exciting in a way that feels different from the other rides in the park.

Mystery Mine was the first ride I rode right after entering the park. It was a great way to start…read morethe day as it started the adrenaline pumping in my body. I appreciate a themed ride that is part dark and part outdoor. From the time that you enter the queue you are immersed in the whole mine theme. You are made to feel that you are about to enter a mine, and if you pay attention in the line area, you'll come to see that it is a condemned mine. The line moves swiftly, or maybe it was because I was one of the first people in line for the day, but I was in a car in no time. The cars allow for up to eight people to ride and are consistently running. You are sent out of the platform and on your way. The theme continues as you see crows and canaries and it looks like you are about to be ground up by a boring machine. I went and look up the history of this ride and see that it was the first of it's kind in the US and at that time held several records. At the time it was the biggest investment into the park itself.

It was my first time in Dollywood. This was the first ride that I stumbled upon. It must be a…read morepopular ride as very few people got out of line when it was announced that the ride was temporarily offline. Eventually, the ride was back up and the line moved at a decent pace. When it was time to get on the ride, they had cubby holes for you to store your stuff. They also didn't want you to have anything in your pockets. In addition to a lap bar, they also had an over-the-shoulder restraint. I don't think I've ever been that strapped in even for Six Flags Magic Mountain rides. It was a pretty decent thrilling ride! It reminded me a bit of the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park. However in hindsight, I probably should've taken off my glasses. It was still drizzling, making my nose wet and slippery. I had to hold on to it or else it most likely would've slipped off!

Riding Lightning Rod was an absolute thrill.The launch out of the gate is insane suddenly you're…read moreshooting up that hill with the wind in your face. The airtime hills are some of the best I've felt on any coaster, and the twists and turns keep the adrenaline going the whole time. My only small gripe is that the ride felt a bit short, and the line can get pretty long, but honestly, the intensity and uniqueness of the ride make it worth the wait. Definitely a must do for coaster fans.

this was our favorite coaster experience. It is longer than the others in the area. It is a…read morebeautiful mountain top experience. There are plenty of spots where it goes really fast and other spots where it's just a scenic ride We all felt like the line for this coaster moved much than other coasters. we ended up coming back and riding this again. If you ride one time the second time you can ride for 10 bucks.

I've tried most of the coasters in the area except for this one, so I had to give it a try. I…read morebelieve this is supposed to be the fastest coaster, but I think it's probably tied with the Goats on the Roof one. The ride itself was fun, but there is one HUGE problem. If you get stuck behind someone who has never ridden before or is scared to ride, they can completely ruin your ride. You hold the handles down to go faster and pull them up to slow down or brake. The person two people in front of me was screaming the entire time and was VERY brake-happy because she was scared. Every time she braked, ours automatically braked too, which caused us to jerk. So instead of being able to just GO down the mountain at full speed, we kept having to slow down because she was too afraid to let it go. For what you pay, beware of who you get behind because your entire ride can basically be a waste if the person in front of you is constantly braking. It was also pretty pricey at about $21 per person. The ride was fun, but I definitely wouldn't pay that much again if I knew I was going to get stuck behind someone who was afraid to ride.

I kind of feel bad. The last time I was in Pigeon Forge with my children, I declined going on a…read moremountain coaster with them, because they just didn't look like my thing. So my kids went on the coaster and I watched and took photos. Then recently, I was forced to visit Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster for a work trip. It was either ride the dang coaster, or irritate the people who set up the trip, so I went. Holy cats! Alpine coasters are super fun! You kind of feel like you're going to fly off the tracks during the ride, but you won't. It seems safe enough, and the ride goes by so fast (it's definitely less than 10 minutes). Before you know it, you're done and wish you could go again. (I didn't, but I'm sure kids would.) You can control the speed, which is nice. At one point, I was feeling wild and crazy, and let it fly and zipped around the track at full speed. I visited with a small group on a weekday, and there was zero wait to start riding. Literally, we just paid and got right on.

This was a very fun adventure even for a scary person like me. I purchased the groupon which was a…read moregreat deal for 2 for $23. I reviewed the pricing upon arrival and it was $14 for kids. Every penny count nowadays so I'll take it. If the child is under a certain height they require them to ride with an adult. *Insert my nerves kicking in about this* I will say it looks more intimidating that it actual is. No big drops and you can adjust the speed as you ride. I built my courage to go faster the second ride but the employee did ask for me to not hold up traffic like previous did! Good adventure!

Goats on the Roof was one of the most fun laid back and unique stops on our trip! We originally…read moreplanned to ride the Alpine Coaster down the street, but the wait was over an hour, so we came here instead, and we're glad we did. The mountain coaster was a lot of fun, had a short wait, and was only about $15. My favorite part, though, was feeding the goats on the roof! You buy goat food inside the gift shop for about $3 a cup, ($1 refill) pour it into a bowl, then pedal a bike that carries the food up a conveyor to the rooftop. The goats are already waiting, and it's hilarious watching them compete for the food. It's a unique experience that's fun for both kids and adults. Definitely worth the stop!

I always see this place advertised on TikTok and happened to drive by it on our way back into town…read morefrom Jeep Invasion, so we decided to stop.We went around the back of the building where they have a bunch of goats that you can feed. The goats were super cute and definitely made the stop worth it. The coaster was pretty fast and at a couple points it honestly felt like you might fall off, but overall it was a lot of fun and definitely a fast ride. It's a little cheaper than some of the other coasters in town, but still a little pricey at about $17 a ticket after the 12.5% tax. The store is HUGE and just kept going and going. They have all kinds of different knickknacks and random stuff to look at. They also have rocking chairs where you can sit and chill or buy one. Overall, it was a fun place to stop and check out.