This would be our first time to Dollywood, and I've heard good things all of my life. The only theme park we go to is Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carowinds is pretty well designed, so no matter where you park, you can get to an entrance by walking. Dollywood's parking lot is huge, and we had to take their complimentary trolley bus.
Wasn't a bad ride, but I was excited to finally do something so I wished it could go faster. It wasn't much more to go two days than it was to do one, so we decided at the gate to do one day here on Monday and return again on the Wednesday.
While I will go into a lot of detail in the upcoming days, I will sum up Dollywood in my opinion. It's certainly different from Carowinds. I thought it'd be as wondrous as Disney World (though I've never been there either) just with Dolly Parton's name everywhere. I actually liked it far less than Carowinds. The paths to get to things are oddly designed and it's easy to miss things such as my favorite ride, which I didn't find until the 2nd day. While they have a good number of rides, Carowinds far outranks them in most areas of rides including smaller rides and big roller coasters. Dollywood does have more shows and events than Carowinds, which would explain why my grandmother loves this place, as she would always mention she'd drive all the way up here to visit. Personally, if I wanted to go somewhere just for a themepark in the southeastern United States (but not in Florida obviously), it will be Carowinds. Rides are my passion at these places (I think most everything else theme parks offer are distractions) and Carowinds is king that department.
You're a rides fanatic because you're young. I understand your grandma's point of view. It's nice to sit down.
ReplyDeleteDuring our 2nd day there, I was too.
DeleteI have heard wonderful things about Dollywood. Although never been there.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
I haven't been to Dollywood since the kids grew up, when they were teens they loved being there but it's the only theme park we've gone to so they had nothing to compare to it.
ReplyDeleteDid you check out the new Wildwood Grove? I think it may be more child centered than adult though.
It wasn't open when we went. Almost, but not quite. A bit of a shame, I found out that there are new rides, pretty cool ones too.
DeleteI've heard the name Dollywood but had no idea what it was all about.
ReplyDeleteSo that's what happens there. Something different to what you are used to.
ReplyDeleteUsed to love rides when younger only chance to have rides was at a show or and when going to Melbourne in Victoria.
Interesting to read your thoughts here.
ReplyDeleteI do think rides are more for the young, I can understand your grandmother liking the shows.
All the bet Jan
It’s good to have an honest review!
ReplyDeleteGood to learn a bit about Dollywood!
ReplyDeleteHave you been to Stone Mountain in Georgia?
ReplyDeleteNow that is historically excellent.
As I have said/written before, Dolly Patton or no Dolly, nothing would get me to step foot into that bigoted and backward state called Tennessee!
Colin
No, we missed it on our journey to Atlanta a few years back.
DeleteSounds interesting, but amusement parks aren't part of my life any more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice, but man....as a Dolly Parton fan, I feel like Dollywood is the one for me:D
ReplyDeleteAnd that pic of you guys are too cute:) How tall are you??!?!
DeleteHair under 6ft
DeleteInteresting place with familiar brand, not Hollywood or bollywood, but dollywood hehe.. I follow your blog now. Thx
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Carowinds. And, although I love Dolly Parton, unless she's meeting me at the gate, I don't have much interest in visiting Dollywood. (Sorry, Dolly!)
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, the more I appreciate the sit down attractions over rides. We did go to Cedar Point last weekend and I did enjoy the roller coasters, but I much prefer shows nowadays.
ReplyDeleteScary carnival rides are behind me, I think. However, I'd return to Disneyland or Disney World in a heartbeat! Have a lovely weekend, my friend!
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