First Time Dollywood Visitor Tips

I know that my post won't have anything to do with Cedar Point. But, I won tickets to Dollywood at my Church auction back in March. Anyone who has been there, any tips/advice you would have for a first time visitor who has never been there before, please help me out. My friend and I plan to go in August.

How many days will you be there?

1. Eat in the park! The food there is amazing. Also, trying the Cinnamon Bread at Grist Mill is a must, if you don't try it consider your trip a failure! lol :)

I went for two days last year. It was my first time there and I went during their Festival of Nations. I had an amazing time and for the first park outside of Disney I actually spent more time eating and seeing shows then riding rides. Their coasters are pretty good. I loved Firechaser Express, Wild Eagle and Tennessee Tornado (which will make you sad this was Arrow's last looper, it's smooth and almost perfect). Lightning Rod unfortunately was not open to the public when I went. Also the waits weren't all that bad. I think the longest I waited for a ride was 20 mins.

My only real advice is don't go to this park just to focus on coasters, it offers so much more and really is an amazing well rounded park. Great shows, great food, perfect atmosphere.

Also, if you can stay at DreamMore Resort, do it. It's a gorgeous hotel and you get a few free perks from staying there such as their Time Saver (Dollywood's version of Fastlane).

EDIT: If you can plan your trip to be there during a festival or event I would recommend it, even more food and entertainment options. And the park may seem crowded or busy but a lot of locals show up for crafts, shows and food and ignore the rides.

A great place to ask for information like this is over at coasterbuzz.com.

I know a lot of people on this site have been to Dollywood and can speak on its awesomeness, but this discussion would probably be more helpful for you over on the forums there.

Dollywood is a favorite of mine. EAT THE FOOD! The food is amazing. Aunt Granny's buffet is a good place for lunch and has a good variety. The cinnamon bread is great.

Tour the Dolly Parton museum, ride the train, catch a show.... this park is a real treasure. I wish our Frontier Trail and Frontier Town could capture what they've captured at this park.

We are heading to Dolllywood for the first time in years and going to spend 4 days for Smoky Mountain Christmas in December. Been wanting to go for years but after hearing Tony's experience at Winter Chill Out, we decided this was the year to do it. Really looking forward to it.

Would love to see Cedar Fair make a push to acquire Dollywood but doubt that Herschend Family Entertainment and Dolly Parton would ever sell it.

^^I would hate to see CF own Dollywood personally. Even though it's part of a corporate ownership/investment group it still very much feels like a family run park. I personally think any ownership group outside maybe the Koch family at Holiday World would ruin the feel of this park.

I'm with WolfBobs. Dollywood is a wonderful park operating under a company that knows how to let its properties run effectively.

Jake10, ride the rides, eat the food, see the shows -- Dollywood is practically perfect in every way. (Practically perfect, because walking up and down the mountain can get exhausting. A sky ride or other conveyance would make it perfect.)

www.coasterbuzz.com