When going to any amusement park, you wonder if you are going to be wasting your money especially if you are going with a toddler.

 

Will there be enough for my baby to do?

 

The answer to that is YES when it comes to going to Dollywood with a toddler!

 

 

Hello! We are local Smoky Mountain moms here who have lived in the Smoky Mountains for 20 years! My name is Sarah and I personally grew up going to Dollywood. It was the place that I rode my first rollercoaster, took many field trips to and lots of weekend get aways to. When I turned 22 and got married, me and my husband moved 2 hours away from our families to live in the Smoky Mountains.  Now we have been to Dollywood year after year. We loved having amazing rollercoaster literally in our back yard, but times have changed for us. We now have 2 kids that are still pretty small and only 2 and a half year apart. I was so nervous going to Dollywood for the first time with just my daughter, then not even 2 years later we have 2 little ones going. They love it and are always asking when can we go next.

When I say “toddler” I am talking about kids that are typically under 3 years old. Who can’t ride much rides and are under 36 inches tall.

OK so start off, Let’s Talk about parking…

 

 

PARKING

First, let’s talk about getting to the park. You can do this 5 different ways. Think about what’s best for you and your situation. Dollywood Parking cost $22.78 for all standard length vehicles. However, parking is FREE if you purchase a Gold or Diamond Season Pass. 

 

1- Dropped Off

We personally like to be dropped off at the park entrance. My husband drops me and the kids off as well as with the stroller. We go ahead and go through security, I get the kids measured and take them to the bathroom. My husband goes back to park the car and rides the tram back and meets us.

 

2- Pay for VIP Parking

Pay for VIP parking. This gets you much closer to the entrance and you have less walking because you get to go in a special entrance. I prefer this way when I take the kids by myself and I don’t have much help or this is a great alternative if you have older members with you.

 

3- Ride The Tram

Ride the tram with everyone else. We just now started finally doing this option because my 2 year old is more independent and can hop out of the stroller and get himself onto the tram very well. You do have to have your stroller folded up. So plan accordingly on what bags you want to take. You do put the stroller in the tram with you in the same row, so it can be a lot to juggle if you are holding a sleeping child and have a lot of bags.

 

4- Dollywood Resort Transportation

Now, if you are staying at DreamMore Resort you get free transportation to and from the park via their beautiful white Dollywood Trolley. They also drop you off close to the entrance.

 

 

5- Ride The Pigeon Forge Trolley

You can park at Patriot Park, Pay to ride the Pigeon Forge Trolley. It is a much cheaper alternative than paying $22 to park. It does sometimes take while for a trolley to come and pick you up. There also could be a lot of people waiting in line so you could be waiting awhile.

 

OK! YAY! Now you are in the park, You do have to go through security and that goes very quickly then if you haven’t bought your tickets online, they have a ticket booth set up.

 

Tips on Making the Most of your Visit

 

• Go online and make sure Dollywood is open. During the winter and off season, Dollywood’s hours change so be sure to look that up.

• Be sure to pick up a guide at the park entrance or download the Dollywood app and pick some shows your family will love. In the summer they have an amazing bubble show, A Dog stunt show and Kids also love “Wings Of America, Bird of Prey” Show.

• Bring Comfortable Shoes for lots of walking and sun screen for those HOT summer months

•  Don’t forget your stroller, but if you do, you can rent one at Dollywood.

• Bring a Change of Clothes for everyone in the family. There are lots of water rides and fun foam play during the summer so having a change of clothes will be very helpful.

• Arrive Early to make the most of your day. I would recommend to arrive 30 to 45 mins before the park opens to get parked and on the tram. Otherwise there is a lot of waiting to get through the parking gate.

OK, now that you are into the park. If you know your child is under 36” then don’t worry about taking them to get measured unless you have older children with you. If you need to get them measured you will want to go left once in the park and the measuring station is on your left after you pass the gift shop and Wheel Chair/ Stroller Rentals.

 

These rides I am going to tell you about don’t have height requirements so you are all good. After I get my kids measured, I then go right and first stop at the Rocking Roadway. If you have adults with you letting them ride Lighting Rod is a good choice because that ride unfortunately has a lot of maintenance issues and is super busy! Get on it first!

 

Rockin’ Roadway and Lighting Rod

These two rides are right beside each other. Rockin Roadway is a fun ride any age can ride. I actually see a lot of adults do this and don’t even have kids in line with them. Ride around in fun colorful old vintage cars and listen to some 50s tunes. Lighting Rod is a super fun and very fast rollercoaster.

The great thing I love about going to ride Rockin Roadway with my toddler kids is that I can sit in the car with both of them if they are both under 36″ Tell the attendant that both kids want to drive and they will put dice around your car. Once one child “drives” and you are at the end, instead of getting off you will switch drivers and get to go around again. If you do have one child that is over 42” they have to ride alone and you would have to ride with the smaller child.

After we do a child swap with my husband and then I go ride lighting rod, he can then do the ride again with the kids or wait for me to get sone.  We then head over to the Country Fair. Most people usually recommend going to Wildwood Grove first but here is my reason for going to Country Fair First. TRAINS… If your toddler likes to take a nap. Be aware of the train. It is fun to ride but is so loud and blows its horn right around the kids attractions. I like to be sure no kids are sleeping when I am over there, just a thought I would share. You can also hear it pretty well in Wildwood Grove, but it’s not nearly as loud. If we are next to Big Bear Roller Coaster you can hear it there when in Wildwood Grove.

 

Country Fair Rides Small Toddlers Can Ride

 

 

• Dollywood Train

Jump on the coal fired train and take a 20 min train ride that shows 5 miles of the park. Enjoy a peaceful ride and some pretty landscapes. Wear protective glasses to shield your eyes from the coal scoot. Arrive at least 20 mins early to get a seat. The Train ride is on first come first serve basis.

 

• The Amazing Elephants

Your little ones will love this super fun elephant ride. The kids can stay low to the ground or push a button to go up and down. Parents must ride with child if under 48″ tall.

 

• Village Carousal

Go back in time and ride the classic carousal. There are over 60 beautifully hand painted animals. Kids love picking out their favorite animal to ride. The animals go up and down as you listen to the beautiful carousal music. Parents must ride beside child as they are strapped on if they are under 42″. They also have a few stationary seats.

 

• Lucky Duck

These cute little duck cars travel in a circle. Mom and dad can watch or ride along if needed.

 

• Piggy Parade

All the kids love this cute little piggy car that goes around and around. There is also a fun song and a scarecrow in the middle to keep an eye out. Mom and dad can also ride along on this ride if your child is to scared to go alone.

• Busy Bees

These fun bee cars go round and round as well as go up and down. Kids are safely strapped in with 2 different straps. Parents can ride along if needed.

 

• Lemon Twists

Sit in a fun tea cup and spin around as slow or as fast as you like. You control how fast you want to go. This is a perfect ride for little ones who wants some thrills. Parents must ride with any little ones who are under 48″ tall.

 

• Play Carnival Games

Dollywood has lots of fun Carnival games kids and adults will love to try. They have them all over the park but you can find the most at Country Fair and some at The Craftsman Valley around Tennessee Tornado Rollercoaster . They do cost extra. The Prizes change throughout the year and season.

 

 

• Watch a Fun Show at the Imagination Playhouse

Enjoy three different Children’s Books come alive on stage for everyone to enjoy! These 20 minute sing a-long shows all feature Dolly Parton on video as she narrates the show. You can sing and dance to all the songs even written by Dolly herself. Currently they are running The Little Engine That Could

 

• The Little Engine That Could

This classic little engine can’t pull the toys over the mountain, but with some encouragement she can do it. You will leave singing the song! It is so cute.

• You can Watch Coat of Many Colors

A sweet little girl named Dolly can’t afford a new coat, so her mom makes her one out of rags. Her friends make fun of her but little Dolly teaches them what it really means to be rich

 

• Violet The Pilot

Violet loves science and lives next to a junk yard. She loves to build things especially for the air, by 8 years old is already making flying machines from scratch.

 

 

Foam Zone in the Summer Time

In the Summer Months, they have a huge foam play area that kids of all ages can do. The boys must wear a shirt, so if you didn’t bring a change of clothes, they will possibly get wet by getting rinsed off at the end. They have a small toddler area where the foam doesn’t get to high but the parents do have to get in there with them.

They have another foam zone for older kids as well and they love swimming in the foam! They allow them 15 mins to play then they rinse off and if they want to do it again, they can get back in line!

 

 

 

There are so much more to do and ride for the older kids such as…

 

 

The Shooting Star

 

Scrambler

 

Sky Rider

 

The Waltzing Swing

 

Demolition Derby and

 

Sky Rider.

 

 

There is also a Nursing Area right next to the swings if you need to nurse a baby. They do have several nursing stations around the park.

 

After you leave The Country Fair area, you will probably want to do some things the grownups can do so going towards Barnstormer ride. The adults can ride this thrilling ride and your little one can play on the playground “Granny’s Garden” and across from there is also “ Lil Pilot’s Playground” This place has some cute slides and climbing areas.

 

**Grab some cinnamon bread while watching the kids, It’s close by at the Grist Mill.

 

Walking Towards the other well known Kid Area “ Wildwood Grove” You are going to come across lots of little hidden gems for kids.  Look up to see some beautiful Eagles and check out the bird show,Walk in the old church sitting the middle of Dollywood, peek inside an old school house  or have your kids look for gems at Lucky 7.

 

As you are walking, The adults need to ride the Blazing Furry and The Tennessee Tornado Roller Coaster. There is a fun arcade the kids can go explore, and if the weather is nice they also have some lawn games and food trucks right beside where you watch The Tennessee Tornado.

 

If the adults want to ride “Wild Eagle” or “Fire Chaser” the toddler can go play at Firehouse Fun Yard. This location your kids can get wet in the summer months so be sure to bring a change of clothes. You can also walk over to Wilderness Pass. All year long, for every season they have all kinds of activities the whole family can enjoy.

 

After your kids are wore out from playing and you have rode some grown up rides. You all might want to stop for lunch at our favorite place Till and Harvest. It is right at the entrance of Wildwood Grove. They have the best option for kid meals.

 

WILDWOOD GROVE

Wildwood Grove is a fun area designed more for the younger kids. You will find rides, play areas and lots of fun for the little ones. If your little toddler wants to find some fun things to do there are a couple of rides they can do such as the Frogs or Tree Top Tower. They can go play at Hidden Hollow’s Indoor Playground while others ride some more of the bigger kid rides such as Big Bear Mountain, Dragon Flyer, The Mocking Birds, Bears, Swings.

 

Here is what your toddler can do…

• Frogs

These cute frogs go around and around jumping up and down. It is a fun ride, I even enjoy as the parent!

• Hidden Hollow Indoor Playground

Before I had kids, I had no idea this place existed! It is hidden, but a place everyone should explore that have kids. You must park your stroller outside, There is plenty of seating indoors and air condition. They have a toddler area with climbing and slides as well as an older kid play area with lots of climbing, slides and fun places to explore.

 

• Water Fun/ Music at Wildwood Grove

Right under the beautiful colorful butterfly tree, you will find a fun play area kids can play instruments, roll up their pants and play in the fun “creek”

 

 

1. Treetop Tower

Go high in the sky and get a 360 degree view of Dollywood while inside a fun acrorn.

 

After you have explored Wildwood Groove, Definitely the adults need to ride Mystery Mine and The New Drop Ride. There is a little fun hidden roller coaster next to the Drop Ride called Whistle Punk Chaser, a little mini rollercoaster. This is for kids 36 inches and taller!

 

 

There is absolutely so much you and your family can do. Shopping, dining, playing, riding, Shows and exploring! In the summer months, stay for the fireworks and drone showI am sure you are going to be wore out by this point. We then walk down the steep hill and exit through the gift shop. I am hoping my blog post helped you get a better idea of what to expect when going to Dollywood with a toddler. Be sure to check out their website with all the shows, events and special seasonal attractions.

 

Enjoy your day!!