Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>Does it seem as big as Disneyland? Are rides spread out?<< Disneyland: 85 acres Dollywood: 150 acres
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I think much of the 150 acres is undeveloped. Theme park, amusement park...who cares? Don't like it? Don't go.
Originally Posted By brotherdave If you didn't like the park, Rsey, that's fine. I respect that. But, there's some of us who do like the park. Sure, it's not Disney, but it is fun. I also think davewasbaloo would like it if he went.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>Theme park, amusement park...who cares?<< Well I suppose I don't much care, but you seemed to want me to understand the difference. Thanks though....
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I enjoyed your trip report, Rsey103. It's funny that when trip reports have critical elements within in, the comments go to 'well don't go then.' It's like watching a movie and being critical of it -- 'well don't go then.' "Well, I already did go," I can hear you saying, "and this is my perspective. Anyway -- keep on truckin' -- I appreciate your comments and hope you'll go to Dollywood again to see if anything changes for you after additional visits. How much are Season Passes to Dollywood?
Originally Posted By felicity19 Dear Rsey103, I would like to invite you to my home state of Florida to enjoy all the nonsense that is Disney. I don't understand why you are hating on Dollywood because it didn't have parades (THANK GOD), fireworks, and stupid characters. It's a park everyone at any age level can enjoy where as when I go to Disney I want to blow my brains out at the site of all the obnoxious strollers and parades. I don't know why you are even comparing Disney to Dollywood. Obviously it's not the same park or company and they're not very similar (again, yippee). Pros about Dollywood: -strollers are not every 2 feet -no parades -no stupid characters -people who work there are actually compentant and are not 15 years old getting paid $5/hour to make your "special memories" come true...puke -it's not Disney -the rides are actually fun. granted some are dated and a little cheesy, but they have the best wooden roller coaster in the south. maybe you couldn't ride it because you were too busy pushing that stroller around... Maybe next time you should visit Disneyworld. You can join all the other moron tourists that frequent the cesspool that is Orlando. When Florida becomes a beach, I will celebrate. That is all.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Wow! As much as I like Dollywood, that seemed quite a bit hate filled toward Disney World and Disney fans. Remember, this is a DISNEY fan board! I love Dollywood, but I also love Disney World. Both are good, imho! Just different tastes. And, what's wrong with taking children to parks? I never understood the stroller hatred that goes on on these boards. You can find them at ANY amusement park, theme park, or zoo, including Dollywood. Perhaps not as many, but they're there. I've just learned to accept with them. If you have small children, they're a necessity.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've never been to Dollywood, but Silver Dollar City is right outside Branson, MO (where I live) and is another Herschend park. I think it is an outstanding theme park. Both the customer service and cleanliness equal Disney at it's best, and considerably exceeds what Disney offers today. It is a very different type of Theme Park and hard to compare to a Disney park. It is part Theme Park and part State Fair. There are many craft demonstrations... glass blowing, candy making, blacksmithing, woodcarving, etc. There are also many shops where you can by QUALITY art and crafts handmade LOCALLY, not in China. I've found the food at SDC to be VERY GOOD for theme parks. No, it is not Epcot. But is a far step above what you will find most anywhere else. Yes, it is country style "vittles". What else would you expect? I can't comment on Dollywood, but I think SDC has a good selection of attractions. True, they are light on dark-rides but you find dark-rides at very few theme parks other than Disney. You will find a "Spook Ride" here and there, but even many of them have become walk-throughs. "Blazing Fury" is probably Dollywood's version of SDC's "Fire in the Hole" (SDC was around way before Dollywood). I absolutely love "Fire in the Hole". Sure, it is a little cheesy by today's standards, but it is a 35-year-old attraction. How many other theme parks were putting roller coasters (even mild ones) in dark-rides 35 years ago? I think it is an absolute classic. I can see how if you were expecting a Disney-style park you would be disappointed. But taking it on it's own terms, I think SDC (and likely Dollywood) is an outstanding park in its own right. It is what it is, but I REALLY LIKE what it is.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Nice post, Road Trip! I agree with everything you mentioned. And yes, Dollywood is very similar to Silver Dollar City, in fact, it used to be CALLED Silver Dollar City from 1976 to 1985. Before that, it was Goldrush Junction, and before that, it was known as Rebel Railroad which opened in 1961 and featured the classic train that still operates. And yes, Blazing Fury and Fire in the Hole are almost identical rides. Fire in the Hole opened in 1972, while Blazing Fury opened in 1978. Both are amazing dark rides. Not Disney quality of course, but very fun.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin Poor felicity19, how in the world did she get here? I hate mathematics...so I never go to algebra sites...so it just makes me wonder...
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I went on Fire in the Hole at SDC back in the early 70's, not long after SDC opened. Loved it, and the fact that it did something different. Haven't been to Branson since it became the Vegas of the Ozarks, though.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The Vegas of the Ozarks?? LOL Branson may be similar in the amount of neon on the strip, but there the similarity ends. There is absolutely no gambling, and although there is more alcohol available than there was 10 years ago, it is nothing like Vegas. There are a few "fine dining" spots in town, but nothing that would compare with the better places in Vegas. There is sex in Branson. In the bedroom with the door locked and the lights off. ;-) I've heard some say that there are hookers working the larger hotels. Personally I can't imagine wanting to do the nasty with a meth addict hillbilly chick. But maybe that's just me. Branson does have a ton of pretty good quality live entertainment at low prices. The variety of entertainment continues to grow... it is no longer just the place where aging country stars go. The climate is pleasant, the scenery is gorgeous and the cost of living is low. It also has a number of championship golf courses as well as golf courses for duffers like me. There is also The Branson Landing, which is a somewhat upscale shopping, and dining/entertainment district developed jointly by Hilton and the City of Branson a few years ago. Hilton has two hotels and a convention center adjacent to the Landing. The area has a rather Disneyesque feel, including an honest to God open and operating Disney Store. There is a central square area with seating and steps down to the shore of Lake Taneycomo. There is a fire and water fountain show along the lakeshore developed by the same folks who did the Bellagio fountains. I love the place. Some of the old-timers feel it drains $$ away from the strip and suffer a major case of Landing envy. I think Branson is a great place to live or visit. But Vegas it ain't. It wouldn't even want to be.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I meant in terms of the entertainment, that's all. A different show every night for a month, or whatever it is; you get the idea.
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I grew up around Dollywood........and I can vouch for people being nice.. I miss all the nice people in the South and the food....
Originally Posted By StitchMom84 ........and, I can remember visiting Dollywood when it was Rebel Railroad. I still have my "golden horseshoe" with my name on it from there. Those hills are my home, and I love to go "home" to DW each year when we get back there. It's definitly a whole different atmosphere and pace from WDW. It may not be "thrilling" to some, but it's just a nice place to go ( IMHO )..but, I am biased, I guess. BTW..........Roadtrip, did I miss something? Did you move from Minnesota?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<BTW..........Roadtrip, did I miss something? Did you move from Minnesota?>> Yes, we took early retirement from the University of Minnesota and moved to Branson, MO on 6/19/2009. We bought our condo here about a year ago. We had to agree to the early retirement offer from the University by 8/01/08 so we bought our home here in anticipation of our move. I'm glad we took it while we could. You may know of my wife's health challenges from other posts. At any rate, I am so fortunate that we were in a position to take the offer when we did. Since then the University has suffered major budget cuts. They are no longer offering early retirement packages. They are just laying people off.
Originally Posted By StitchMom84 I'm sorry to hear about your wife's health issues. I did not see those posts.I do hope that things will get better for her. Yes, I'm aware of the budget issues at the U..and I'm very happy to hear that you were able to take advantage of the early retirement offer while available, we're also dealing with very shaky job issues here ourselves. I hope you enjoy the milder weather there..and of course, you're closer to WDW too!! I truly wish you and your wife the very best!
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom I am late finding this topic. Jim, you asked how much is a season pass to Dollywood. $54 for a day pass, $87 for a regular season pass & $120 for a gold pass. Gold pass Privileges are free parking & 20% off food & merchandise. We live about 260 miles from Dollywood & buy a season pass about every other year. One member of the family will buy the Gold pass & the rest of us buys the regular pass. We like to go at the start of the season for the "Festival Of Nations", Once during the Summer season, Once for the Fall & Once for the "Winter Fest" when all of the Christmas Decorations are up. They really go all out with the decorations then. We love the different shows they have for each season. My family and I are not able to enjoy the Roller Coasters due to health issues. I agree Dollywood could use some slow dark rides the family could enjoy together, but Dollywood has enough entertainment to draw us back again & again. Does anybody know what happened to "Apple Jack" from the Heartsong movie. For many years during the "dueling banjos" part of the movie he would come out and play that part of the song live. That was one of our favorite parts of the movie.
