HOORAY FOR DOLLYWOOD – TN IS AMUSING!

Okay, this past weekend I returned for the 5th or 6th time to that plucky amusement park at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains…named for the lady with with marvelous personality and mighty mammaries…DOLLYWOOD. Now, although I did not grow up near the joy that is Cedar Pointe in Ohio; I did grow up with and around the fabulous Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom in Dorneyville (where else), Pennsylvania. With that being said, I had 90 minute access to Six Flags in New Jersey and Hershey Park in the chocolate capital of Pennsylvania. I’ve also been to MANY a theme park in my life including, but not limited too (and in no particular order):

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Busch Gardens Tampa
• Disney World, Epcot and MGM Studios
• Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom
• Cedar Pointe
• Hershey Park
• Bushkill Park
• Dutch Wonderland
• Sesame Place
• Universal Studios Florida
• and others that I just can’t remember right now…

So, I do feel like I can talk about this topic with some relevance. I LOVE theme parks, LOVE THEM…so, when I first moved to Knoxville – I was excited to realize that Dollywood was a brief 35-45 minute drive similar to my beloved Dorney Park when I was growing up. I promised myself I would even possibly get a Season Pass, because I always thought if you did live near a theme park, you should have one!

Additionally, I have always been fond of the delightful Dolly Parton. I mean, she’s just fun, nice and mildly kitchy. She’s also seemingly not pretentious which I love too. I’ve seen many of her movies and is something that I remember about my Mother (she actually wanted to go to Dollywood). So, I was very excited to say the least.

Dollywood is a “country-fied” version of a good ol’ fashioned theme park. Nothing flashy or over the top…but rich with nice scenery and a comfortable family atmosphere. It is, however, COUNTRY. Now, I don’t mind going here to experience “country” because there’s enough theme rides to keep me happy – but there is no escaping the fact that Dollywood does a decent job of orienting the Northerner to the southern, Smoky Mountain, applachian lifestyle (while still in a “perfect world” setting). Trust me – I’ve been oriented to the real appalachian world – it is not as nice as Dollywood. It is, however a good way to spend a day and a good place to take the “visiting family or friends” to as well.

Here’s what I like about Dollywood:

1) Open all year – with varying schedules thanks to our Tennessee temperate climate. That means that they have themed displays and do seasonal fun, which I love! Their Christmas displays are really neat too – but DO NOT go there on black friday…OH MY GOODNESS. I didn’t think they could possibly squeeze one more person in the park that day.

2) Enough THRILL rides to satisfy a thrill seeker…including:

• Tennessee Twister
• Mytery Mine

and

• The Thunderhead

to name only a few…but they also have some great themey rides like:

• The Blazing Fury

as well as a TON of family friendly rides and kids rides.

3) Those pesky nice southern people. Everyone (well most everyone) who works here is friggin nice! It is something that definitely takes some getting used to from a Northerner – which makes me sad. The employees say strange things like “thanks” and “please” and “we hope you come back” and “hi” and “are you having a good time?” Most times, they are actually interested in what you have to say too!?

Here’s what I don’t like about Dollywood:

1) The redneck factor that accompanies most theme park experiences. It’s a tad more heightened because we live in the South – but it’s bearable. The redneck people are not, however, as nice as the staff at Dollywood though.

2) The emphasis on religion that sometimes is present with the shows and other things. I am not anti-religious, it’s just a reminder that I do really live in the bible belt here. It’s a minor annoyance, nothing significant.

Here’s what fascinates me about Dollywood:

1) Your “theme park food” options. I’m not sure where else you can get fresh made pork-rinds at a kiosk. All they are missing are the fried twinkies.

All in all, it’s a great little theme park and I do, in fact, like it quite a bit. My recommendation is to go MIDWEEK and when school is in. Yes the hours of operation are shorter on those days, but it’s worth it for the crowd control. If you’re really feeling adventurous, check out one of the “country” shows while you’re there – and let me know how it is. Most of all, have fun, enjoy some culture shock and embrace some southern culture.

I do, by the way…have a season pass – so that does say something!