A Foodie's Guide To Dollywood Family Amusement Park

Plan your next family vacation to Dollywood with my ultimate amusement park guide! Come explore with us as we navigate through their water park, roller coaster rides, and devour some mouth-watering food!

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of visiting Dollywood in Pigeon Ford, Tennessee. I was invited with five other bloggers and had the most amazing time. Seriously, I can’t wait to return every year.

Dollywood is home to two award-winning theme parks: Dollywood’s Splash Country and Dollywood. We stayed at their on-site hotel, Dollywood DreamMore Resort, which is just a short trolly-ride to both destinations.

Here is my guide to visiting Dollywood in the picturesque Smokey Mountains!

WHERE TO STAY

Wether you’re traveling alone or with your family, you definitely want to stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. This on-site oasis offers amenities for all ages. Guests have access to their luxurious outdoor pool, adventurous splash pad, daily fire pit bedtime stories, and so much more!

In addition to the amenities above resort guests also recieve a complimentary TimeSaver pass, early Saturday entry, and door-to-door transportation to both parks! Talk about southern hospitality! Don’t forget to visit their family game room when you have some downtime at the end of your day.

I stayed in one of their King suites with twin bunk beds. This family-friendly room sleeps up to four guests and offers a full bath that includes a bathtub. Perfect for those traveling with small tots in tow. There is also a working desk and multiple charging stations for your convenience.

As for dining, DreamMore Resort and Spa offers an all-you-can-care-to-eat buffet at Song & Hearth, grab-and-go options at their DM Cafe, poolside service, and top-notch bites with cocktails at The Lounge.

VISITING DOLLYWOOD’S SPLASH COUNTRY

When it comes to fun-in-the-sun, Dollywood’s Splash Country sure knows how to do it right.

There are sixteen different slides and attractions within this thrill-seeking oasis! You can learn more about each individual attraction here. The place is HUGE!

The water park offers a plethora of food options for those who have worked up an appetite.

My friends and I enjoyed Splash Country’s newest option, Picnic In The Park, which comes with everything you need for a family of four. Guests have their choices of deluxe sandwiches, smokey slaw, farm-fresh potato salad, chips, fountain drinks, and even desserts! We absolutely loved the milkshake option.

For lunch, we lounged under one of Splash Country’s deluxe retreat rentals. Each space is equipped with 200-square feet of shaded space and a 100-square foot sun deck. These rentals come fully loaded with couches, a refrigerator, and bar stool seating overlooking the lazy river. I highly recommend you check them out!

VISITING DOLLYWOOD THEME PARK

First things first, let’s talk about the food! Dollywood has some of the best, most gastronomical fare that The Smokey Mountains has to offer. It’s a little known fact. Have you heard about their world-famous cinnamon bread? From sweet to savory, this theme park offers something for every palate (and beyond).

Have you ever wanted to feast on a 25-pound apple pie made by a real grandma? They have that!
Would you like to sink your teeth into a pickle-juice-marinated fried chicken breast sandwich? They have that! (I loved it so much I made my own version at home!)
Want to nosh on a glorious Fruity Pebbles funnel cake and relive your childhood? They have that!

Here you’ll also find heart-stopping rollercoasters for the adults & playful kid-friendly activities for the younger crowd.

Dollywood is a thrill-seeking playground for any dare-devil. Looking for an adventure? Make sure to check out two of the scariest rides I’ve ever been on: Mystery Mine and Tennessee Tornado! My friends and I screamed so loud (and so much) that we barely had voices the next day. Not kidding. It was awesome.

You can view all of their attractions (and virtually ride some of their coasters online) by clicking here.

In regards to child-friendly entertainment, there are plenty of options to choose from.

I honestly cannot wait to take my boys to visit Dollywood’s newest section, Wildwood Grove. I mean it when I say it: this place is where dreams take flight. From the sparkling creek where you can splash in the cool mountain water to the charming views under the great limbs of the mighty Wildwood Tree, this wonderland is filled with magical experiences. There are whimsical characters roaming the park, eager to take photos with your little ones. Oh, and adults will appreciate the authentic sounds of the Smoky Mountains from Wild Roots Band.

VISITING PIRATE’S VOYAGE DINNER & SHOW

After an eventful day at Dollywood, treat your family to an incredible dinner at Pirate’s Voyage. Sit front row as you watch Blackbeard and Calico Jack lead their crews to battle on full-sized pirate ships! This indoor lagoon is also home to mystical mermaids, beautiful tropical birds and heroic sea lions! Enjoy a four-course feast and create memories that will last a lifetime. Ahoy, Matey!

Pirate’s Voyage is an all-hands-on-deck experience that’s suitable for all ages and groups of any size. It’s located on “The Island”, minutes away from Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and plenty of fun shopping. Check out more by visiting their website here.

WHEN TO VISIT

Dollywood Splash Country is open from mid-May through the beginning of September. Dollywood Theme Park is open from mid-March through the beginning of December. Please check their website to view their seasonal calendar and festivals. My friends and I visited during their Barbeque & Bluegrass festival and highly recommend it. I’m also looking forward to visiting during their Harvest Festival and their annual Smokey Mountain Christmas!

WANT MORE TRAVEL? CLICK HERE!

This post is sponsored in partnership with Dollywood Parks and Resorts. Per the usual, all opinions here are mine alone and I would never recommend a travel destination that I did not immensely enjoy myself. Thank you for supporting the brands that support SliceOfJess.com! If you have any questions regarding my stay, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email. I’d love to chat more with you and help you plan your dream vacation!