rotlex
Is it summer yet?
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,762
Just a quick review\recap of our week long stay at Dollywood and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.
So this is the first time in nearly 20 years we did not go to WDW. We cancelled back in July when we lost our free dining amongst other things. We had been wanting to go to Dollywood and the Pigeon Forge\Gatlinburg are for quite a few years now but just couldn't justify the cost on top of our yearly Disney trip. First thing to say is for anyone even thinking about going is do it! We found the area and people to be very beautiful, kind and well, just as pleasant as anyone could ever want.
We checked into DollyWood's DreamMore resort a few weeks ago for a week long stay. The resort is gorgeous and frankly the staff gave us a level of service we haven't had at a Disney Resort in quite some time. (Outside of the Wilderness Lodge which is always fantastic). The room was a family suite, 450 Square feet or so, that featured a room with a King bed separated by a large bathroom and then a bunk bed area for the kids. It ran us $235 a night as we had purchased Season passes for Dollywood and the Splash Country waterpark. (Was cheaper than buying tickets and gave 20% off of literally everything including the room)! Honestly, the resort and room compared to any deluxe we have ever stayed in at sub moderate prices. We were very, very satisfied with every aspect of it. They had a great snack bar that featured Starbucks coffee as well as some wonderful pastries including Dollywood's famous cinnamon loaf\bread. (To DIE for)! The in resort restaurant was great and very reasonable. Family style meals, different each night, with a cost of $70 for a family of 4 if staying in the resort. The pool area was gorgeous as well featuring a huge hot tub and at least 5-6 fire pit areas to sit at , or roast s'mores in the evenings. Yes, it had a very, very Disney feel at a much smaller price.
We of course also did Dollywood and Splash country. Both parks were beautifully themed and had a fantastic selection of attractions and rides. Splash reminded us of Typhoon Lagoon without the massive wave pool of course, lol. Both parks were exceptionally clean and the staff was reminiscent of Disney in the 70's and 80's. Very friendly, cheerful and well, the staff really made the parks and the trip. I simply cannot say enough good things about the experience overall. Of course I have to add a Covid note. We felt very comfortable and safe throughout our entire stay. Mask compliance was very, very good. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and even the bathrooms looked like they were never used every time you entered. I can't really say enough about the parks or the experience there. I'm very, very glad we visited and that we skipped Disney this year to go.
Lastly, on one of our non park days, ,we went to the Great Smokey Mountain national park. We hiked some gorgeous areas with a number of fantastic views, and even took a 2 mile trail that lead us straight into downtown Gatlinburg. If you have never been to that area, it was a lot of fun. You could probably make it a vacation unto itself there was so much to see and do. Again, even in Gatlinburg, the people were just so pleasant and outgoing they made you feel like family.
Overall, as bad as this year has been, going to Tennessee and Dollywood was one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had. I also wanted to mention how reasonable everything was from food to souvenirs. Our average meal whether in the parks, GREAT FOOD, or out locally, was $50 to $80 plus tip if it was a sit down. We bought some very nice shirts, hats and other items for far less than I had ever imagined. $20 T-Shirts that probably would have been $40 plus elsewhere.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on here, but I just wanted to give our experience with FINALLY doing something other than Disney for one year. We hope to make it back to WDW next year but at least we no know if we can't get a decent deal, there is a lot to do out there and Dollywood was just a start!
So this is the first time in nearly 20 years we did not go to WDW. We cancelled back in July when we lost our free dining amongst other things. We had been wanting to go to Dollywood and the Pigeon Forge\Gatlinburg are for quite a few years now but just couldn't justify the cost on top of our yearly Disney trip. First thing to say is for anyone even thinking about going is do it! We found the area and people to be very beautiful, kind and well, just as pleasant as anyone could ever want.
We checked into DollyWood's DreamMore resort a few weeks ago for a week long stay. The resort is gorgeous and frankly the staff gave us a level of service we haven't had at a Disney Resort in quite some time. (Outside of the Wilderness Lodge which is always fantastic). The room was a family suite, 450 Square feet or so, that featured a room with a King bed separated by a large bathroom and then a bunk bed area for the kids. It ran us $235 a night as we had purchased Season passes for Dollywood and the Splash Country waterpark. (Was cheaper than buying tickets and gave 20% off of literally everything including the room)! Honestly, the resort and room compared to any deluxe we have ever stayed in at sub moderate prices. We were very, very satisfied with every aspect of it. They had a great snack bar that featured Starbucks coffee as well as some wonderful pastries including Dollywood's famous cinnamon loaf\bread. (To DIE for)! The in resort restaurant was great and very reasonable. Family style meals, different each night, with a cost of $70 for a family of 4 if staying in the resort. The pool area was gorgeous as well featuring a huge hot tub and at least 5-6 fire pit areas to sit at , or roast s'mores in the evenings. Yes, it had a very, very Disney feel at a much smaller price.
We of course also did Dollywood and Splash country. Both parks were beautifully themed and had a fantastic selection of attractions and rides. Splash reminded us of Typhoon Lagoon without the massive wave pool of course, lol. Both parks were exceptionally clean and the staff was reminiscent of Disney in the 70's and 80's. Very friendly, cheerful and well, the staff really made the parks and the trip. I simply cannot say enough good things about the experience overall. Of course I have to add a Covid note. We felt very comfortable and safe throughout our entire stay. Mask compliance was very, very good. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and even the bathrooms looked like they were never used every time you entered. I can't really say enough about the parks or the experience there. I'm very, very glad we visited and that we skipped Disney this year to go.
Lastly, on one of our non park days, ,we went to the Great Smokey Mountain national park. We hiked some gorgeous areas with a number of fantastic views, and even took a 2 mile trail that lead us straight into downtown Gatlinburg. If you have never been to that area, it was a lot of fun. You could probably make it a vacation unto itself there was so much to see and do. Again, even in Gatlinburg, the people were just so pleasant and outgoing they made you feel like family.
Overall, as bad as this year has been, going to Tennessee and Dollywood was one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had. I also wanted to mention how reasonable everything was from food to souvenirs. Our average meal whether in the parks, GREAT FOOD, or out locally, was $50 to $80 plus tip if it was a sit down. We bought some very nice shirts, hats and other items for far less than I had ever imagined. $20 T-Shirts that probably would have been $40 plus elsewhere.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on here, but I just wanted to give our experience with FINALLY doing something other than Disney for one year. We hope to make it back to WDW next year but at least we no know if we can't get a decent deal, there is a lot to do out there and Dollywood was just a start!
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