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Time to plan your next family vacation to The Smokey Mountains! Grab the weekender bags, snacks for the kids, and start your 6.5 hour trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Pigeon Forge is a great place to make memories with your children.
Recently, Toledo Moms was invited to attend a weekend at Dollywood at the Dream More Resort and Spa with some of our fellow sister sites from City Mom Collective. Honestly, the entire weekend was TOP NOTCH. The short 6.5-hour drive is easily manageable for a family or a get-a-way with you and your spouse! The Dream More Resort and Spa is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee right next to the Dollywood Theme Park! If you know Dolly Parton, then you know that this resort was a DREAM! In true Dolly fashion, it was designed perfectly to fit her style and personality which means GLAM, GLITZ, and GLITTER! I had never been to Dollywood until this trip and I can’t wait to go back again soon! AKA take me this weekend, please!!
Road Trip from Toledo, Ohio
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is about 6.5-7 hours from Toledo. You will pass through Dayton, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Knoxville which ensures that you will have enough bathroom breaks, Starbucks stops, and lunch options!
2020 Events Are A Must See
The events that Dollywood has lined up this year are events you DON’T WANT TO MISS. I was able to get a sneak peek into the NEW Flower & Food festival coming in May (May 8, 2020-June 14, 2020) and WOW; plan your trip during this event! But, if you don’t make it in time, Dollywood has many events throughout the year: Festival of Nations, Barbeque and Bluegrass presented by Bush’s, Dollywood’s Summer Celebration, Rock the Smokies, Harvest Festival featuring the Great Pumpkin LumiNights, and Smokey Mountain Christmas.
Dollywood has places designed for kids 6 and under
There is an entire section of the park for little ones to ride, play, and relax! You will want to find Wildwood Grove ASAP- just opened up in 2019. Wildwood Grove was designed for the entire family to enjoy together. The height requirements for these rides are lower than other roller coasters in the park such as Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle. If you’re looking for a place to cool off during the summer months or let your child out of the stroller, Hidden Hollow is for you! Hidden Hollow was designed to let toddlers roam around, climb, and slide all in the safety of an indoor facility. Check out thier FREE offer until March 15, 2020 for children born in 2015\2016!
Ride Accessibility Center
Dollywood is meant for the entire family. As you walk into the park find the Ride accessibility center. This center will help you answer any ride requirement questions and offer recommendations to help plan your day. If your child has sensory issues- make sure to ask about the calming rooms (a quiet place with weighted blankets to calm senses) located around the parks.
Breastfeeding or Mama To Babies
Dollywood has designed a place in the parks especially for mamas with littles. The private nursing area is furnished with gliders and changing tables for your convenience.
Theme Park and Water Park
Did you know that Dollywood is a theme park and water park?! I would suggest having two days to do both parks! The waterpark has some of the highest trained lifeguards in the nation watching your children in the water. After hearing about their background and training process it was apparent that they are TRAINED WITH YOU IN MIND. As always, you should be watching your kids at all times but when your toddler seems to run away, and you don’t have eyes on them. Don’t worry, these lifeguards are the best in the nation.
Dream More Resort Pools
The Dream More Resort has two pools on the property. One outside (which is breathtaking- you will find me here ☺) and an indoor pool which is open all year long.
Rooms
The king rooms have BUNK BEDS- I repeat BUNK BEDS. Sign us up stat for those rooms! They also have cribs available if needed.
Kids Activities
WOW, this place is really built with you in mind and truly prioritizes family activities. From the family arcade, Camp DW, Story Time (8:00 PM), smores, and the playgrounds you won’t want to leave!
Dining Options
The resort has 3 different options to meet your family’s needs. The Dream More Pantry has snacks and breakfast items and STARBUCKS coffee. There is a breakfast and dinner buffet called the Song and Hearth: A Southern Eatery and an all-day dining menu at The Lounge.
More Fun Options outside of Dollywood
Frizzle Chicken Farm House Café
Dollywood treated us to the Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café. AMAZING FOOD and so much fun for the family. The chickens on the wall are animated to go off about every 20 minutes or so playing hit songs. Also, take a close look at their names… Jimmy HENdricks, Dolly PartHEN, and so much more! Getting a little bored while waiting for your food? Ask your server for the egg coloring machine. You can color eggs that spin on a wheel! Lots of FUN for the entire family.
Pink Jeep Tour- yes you read that correctly
We look a Pink Jeep Tour (just like the ones in Arizona) to the Great Smokey Mountain Park which is the #1 most visited park in the United States and walked across the new Sky Bridge (680ft bridge) that is located at the top of the Ski lift in Gatlinburg. If you have never done either, this is great for the ENTIRE family. Jeep does offer convertible car seats for your little ones. If you happen to be visiting the area in the winter, don’t worry, the jeeps are heated! ☺
DINNER SHOWS are a MUST DO
We had the opportunity to attend Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. While the show was the main attraction the food was close call. The all you can eat service is great for the entire family. No one will leave hungry and everyone will leave talking about the show! When you are seated you will be placed on either Team Hatfield or McCoy. You will have so much fun cheering on your “cousins”.
Time for you to “CREATE MEMORIES WORTH REPEATING” with your family. With so much to do in the area, your family will create the best memories for years to come.
Have you been to Pigeon Forge, TN? Let us know in the comments below.
