Dollywood Guide
Planning a Dollywood Trip from Pigeon Forge
Dollywood is about 15 minutes from The Fourth Story. Here is how to choose your dates, make the most of a park day and recharge back at the cabin.
Dollywood through the seasons
Dollywood is usually open from spring through early January, and each season has its own festival. Dates and hours change every year and the park is not open every day in the shoulder seasons, so check Dollywood’s calendar before you book.
- Spring: the Flower & Food Festival, with garden displays and festival food.
- Summer: longer park hours, evening shows and Dollywood’s Splash Country next door.
- Fall: the Harvest Festival, craftspeople and the Great Pumpkin LumiNights.
- Holidays: Smoky Mountain Christmas, with millions of lights, Christmas shows and a holiday parade, from about early November into early January.
Tips for a great Dollywood day
- Buy tickets online before you go, and compare multi-day tickets and season passes if you are visiting for more than one day.
- Arrive before opening. Parking is a short tram ride from the front gate, and the first hour is the quietest.
- Use the Dollywood app for show times and ride wait times.
- Consider TimeSaver on busy days to skip some of the lines.
- Pick your days: weekdays outside summer and holiday weeks are usually less crowded.
- Plan a rest day. With a pool, hot tub and game room at the cabin, a mid-trip day off keeps everyone happy.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Dollywood’s water park sits right next to the theme park and is open in the summer season, usually from late May to early September. Pair a Splash Country day with a Dollywood day, or keep it simple and swim in the cabin’s heated indoor pool.
Back at The Fourth Story
- Rooftop hot tub and stone fireplace lounge on the covered Level 4 deck, made for tired legs after a park day.
- Heated indoor pool and the High Score Club arcade for kids who still have energy.
- Full kitchen, a gas grill and dining for 8 inside plus 4 at the island, so dinner does not have to mean another line.
- Coffee stations on three levels for an early start.
- Parking for 3 vehicles, and about 15 minutes to the park.
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Plan Your Stay at The Fourth Story
A rooftop hot tub, heated indoor pool and fire pit waiting at the end of every day out.