Dollywood For Adults – This Is Why You’ll Love DreamMore Resort

Have you ever been to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN ? If you live in Tennessee or the surrounding states, Dollywood is the place to go. It is a great family vacation spot but it is also fun for adults. I have visited countless times over all four seasons.

The entertainment park traces its roots back to 1961 when Rebel Railroad first opened on the site. Over time, it has expanded and grown into Dollywood.  

Dollywood History

Rebel Railroad was the first of its many names. In 1977, the Herschend Brothers developed and ran what they called “Silver City Tennessee”. Singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton, a Sevier County, Tennessee native and entertainment superstar, joined the Herschends in the theme park business in 1986. Not only has Dolly shared her entertainment expertise and her love of the Great Smoky Mountains but she also shared her name. In 1986, the  Silver Dollar City opened as Dollywood. 

Since then, visitors from around the world have visited Dollywood. It is located just outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Most Visited Attraction in TN

Dollywood is Tennessee’s most-visited tourist attraction. As such, it also ranks in the Top 50 of the most attended theme parks worldwide. Since opening, the park has more than doubled in size, now encompassing 160 acres. Dollywood’s parks consistently entertain more than 3 million visitors annually.

Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to the Pigeon Forge entertainment park to experience the heart and soul of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood offers a blend of thrilling rides, spectacular shows and master craftsmen. Employees have a genuine interest in the guest’s experience. Some are even Dolly’s relatives. It is all sprinkled with Dolly’s own special brand of charm and appeal.

In addition to the entertainment park, Dollywood consists of Splash Mountain and Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction.

What I Do at Dollywood

There is an entire ride section for children but I don’t go there. I stroll along the lanes filled with shops, shows and museums. The shows are all country music, some simple and outdoors, others inside and more extravagant.

Then I go back to Dolly’s DreamMore Resort which I will tell you about later.

Craftman’s Valley

Dollywood’s crafts and master craftsmen distinguish the theme park from other attractions in the industry. Here you can you learn about the culture and trades of Appalachian people in the late 1800s. These include a blacksmith and foundry, glassworks, gristmill, blown glass, candles, leather and wood carvers.

Rides

There are, of course, many rides in Dollywood but they are mostly childrens’ rides, not adult rides, so I don’t go to those areas of the park.

Eagle Mountain Sanctuary

This is another favorite of mine located in Craftman’s Valley. This 30,000-square-foot aviary houses the country’s largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles. You can get a rare glimpse of some of nature’s most impressive birds of prey in this beautiful mountain setting. Members of the American Eagle Foundation interact with these spectacular animals at the Wings of America Theatre.

Birds of Prey at Dollywood are under the care of the American Eagle Foundation which is authorized to possess birds for education, exhibition, rehabilitation and breeding under permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Dollywood’s Splash Country

I’ll mention Dollywood’s Splash Country here although it is geared more for children. I have never been there. It is a 35-acre water park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, adjacent to the Dollywood theme park. The park’s central theme rests around entertainer Dolly Parton’s childhood swimming in the rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood’s Splash Country operates from May through September.

Dolly Parton’s Stampede

Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction is a great attraction for families but adults love it too. It is an entertainment venue featuring horses and riders who create a  fantastic show.

The Stampede is filled with friendly North and South competition, thrilling horse riding stunts, spectacular special effects, phenomenal musical productions plus a four-course feast complete with a delicious dessert!

It amazes me how they efficiently serve dinner to 1,100 audience members. Be forewarned. There are no utensils. You eat with your hands but that is all part of the fun.

If you come early you can stroll down the Horse Walk and get an up-close look at the stars of the show, the beautiful variety of horse breeds.

Upcoming Dollywood Seasonal Events

Flower and Food Festival through June 7

Here you can immerse yourself in the bloom of more than 500,000 vibrant and fragrant flowers across the park. There are larger-than-life blooming sculptures reaching nearly 15 feet tall.  The Melodies of Spring Concert Series provides uplifting, inspiring musical performances.

Dollywood’s Summer Celebration (June 25-July 3, 2021)

With later nighttime hours for 2021, there is a groundbreaking, multi-sensory experience that paints the night sky above Dollywood with stunning animations and superior storytelling to create a symphony of light!

Harvest Festival

Still in planning stages. Last year it featured the Great Pumpkin LumiNights 

Smoky Mountain Christmas

This is my favorite time to visit Dollywood. There are more than 5 million lights, with fireworks, holiday shows, and  parades.

Where to Stay

There are many motels in Pigeon Forge and I have stayed in several of them. At least 3 times, we rented a beautiful condo. There were no luxury accommodations until 2015 when Dolly opened her DreamMore Resort. We have stayed there twice.

Dream More Resort

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is nestled in the Smoky Mountains next door to the Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park. This resort brings Dolly’s vision for a premiere family destination to life.

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It is a  lavish 20-acre property with a farmhouse-style, full-service restaurant, Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery.

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There is an Indoor and outdoor pool complex. Trolleys provide complimentary transportation to and from the Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Guests with Dollywood theme park tickets receive complimentary Dollywood TimeSaver Passes to shorten their ride wait times.

Resort in-room delivery allows guests to have their purchases from Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country delivered directly to their room.

DreamMore is a first rate resort. I love staying there. It is in total contrast to all the other motels in the area. It is a destination in itself. Relaxing and elegant.

Smoky Mountain Cabins

Cabins are available at Dollywood although I have not stayed in them. Amenities include stunning mountain views, outdoor hot tubs, game rooms, state-of-the-art electronics and more.

Hallmark Movie

Millions of people tuned in to watch “Christmas at Dollywood” when it premiered on the Hallmark Channel Dec. 2019. Some of it was filmed at Dollywood and Dolly has a cameo appearance.

Parade

The parade features everything seen in the movie. For example, there are vibrant floats and interactive characters. I especially enjoy the parade during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. It runs at 8:15 nightly during the festival.

And Finally

Dollywood is certainly a fun family vacation but it is also a perfect getaway for adults. I have returned time and again, especially at Christmas. It is smaller and homier than Disney, with a unique southern flavor. I highly recommend it.