Dollywood Ends Arrive After 3 Get Next Day Free
Rumors have been swirling about Dollywood no longer offering their “Arrive after 3pm and get the next day free” deal that they have offered for years. We have now confirmed that this rumor is true after speaking with multiple reps from Dollywood. This deal has been utilized by visitors for many years in order to maximize the number of rides and shows for the price of admission. Dollywood has not made this “public” yet, so please help us spread the word by sharing this article with your friends and family. We do not want people to show up at Dollywood after 3 expecting the deal they have always gotten only to be shocked that it no longer exists. Also, there’s always a chance that Dollywood could change their mind before the season starts, and if they do we will happily update this article and share it immediately!
Dollywood Ticket Changes for 2018
With the “arrive after 3pm, get the next day free” no longer being offered, Dollywood has changed their ticket options for 2018. Here is the breakdown along with prices for each.
- 1 Day, 1 Park: $69 – This is their standard ticket
- 1 Day, 2 Parks: $79 – Visit Dollywood & Splash Country on the same day
- 2 Days, 1 Park: $89 – Visit Dollywood for 2 days
- 2 Days, 2 Parks: $99 – Visit Dollywood and Splash Country for 2 days
- 3 Days, 1 Park: $99 – Visit Dollywood for 3 days
- 3 Days, 2 Parks: $109 – Visit Dollywood & Splash Country for 3 days
Dollywood also offers their numerous season pass options, which may be better if you plan to visit more than 2 days in 2018.
Dollywood posted these ticket changes on their blog. Click here to see their original article.
Click here to purchase tickets directly from Dollywood.
We also share the latest Dollywood coupons & discounts throughout the year on our special Dollywood discounts page.
Need Alternatives?
If this is unfortunately a deal-breaker for you to visit Dollywood, be sure to check out our full guide of coupons and discounts for lots of attractions & shows in Pigeon Forge as we have lots of other things to choose from!
Help us get the word out!
Again, Dollywood hasn’t announced the news of ending their popular “arrive after 3pm, get the next day free” deal, so please share this on facebook, twitter, your blog, etc so that people can properly plan their visit this year.
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What are your thoughts?
We’d love to see your comments below to know what you think about this deal coming to an end. Did you rely on this deal in the past when visiting Dollywood? Will this force you to choose something else to do in Pigeon Forge, TN? Let us know in the comments below!
Also, if you want Dollywood to hopefully bring this deal back, you can contact them through the contact page on their website: https://www.dollywood.com/Contact-Us
Arriving after 3, next day free was always the incentive to go for us. Really sad this deal will not be offered any longer. Probably won’t be able to return.
We always did the after 3 deal, because my mom loves to watch all the shows & there was no way to see them all in one day. But now she really won’t get her money’s worth because she doesn’t ride any of the rides. Seriously, how much money could you be losing by continuing this offer??? I would think it would bring more people in. Plus, some days you close several hours earlier than others which is also a rip off, but people still go because it might be the only day they can go. Dolly Parton, you would think, would have some say so about this. Seems as if she is sitting back allowing all these crazy changes to happen. Very disappointed!! This was one of my favorite places. Money hungry like every other place now.
I like to know we have a 5 yrs old grandson and a new baby what the different in Dollywood and splash country are they two place there and the price for tickets thank you
Yes its two places. The difference is DollyWood is an amusement park. Similar 2 a Six Flags, but the culture is much much different. Its very well done with a Southern Atmosphere. Personally i would say kids probably have their mod fu at the Splash Country.. Each time my hub and i go there to DollyWood my kids don’t get the most fun due to limited rides for their age. Especially if u have a new baby.. The Splash Country has a wave pool, tons of slides, kiddy pools, Cabanas to rent and its your very own personal space and shady. There bit too pricey. Or if you plan to just do the 2park Tickets. You could experience the both for a decent price and the baby would be free. Hope that helps. Download the DollyWood app at the app store and you can research every single ride, prices, order tickets and print at home.. Etc.. U can even purchase DollyWood cups at a price and jus pay to ref I’ll at a discounted rate. Parking is about $10. But u can ride the trolley there for free and get picked up free and a ride back to your car. If your cheap like me that’s the best option as well as bringing snacks and your own drinks. They don’t sat anything.. Y also can purchase lockers to store your items and u have a key for that. Hope this helps. Take care.
We are so bummed. We have finally gotten the chance to bring our grandkids and utilizing the arrive after 3pm was a big draw.
Not sure our plans now. May boycott everything Dolly…
We have vacationed in the area for years and always did Dolly everything. My children love the area so the oldest did a Tennessee wedding. Her 80 year old grandmother even made the trip and we did Dixie stampede for our evening meal.
Just bummed…
Now Em you know that we must diversify !!!!! I really feel your pain. It is one more reason to quit buying the expensive tickets. I know that it cost a lot to run both parks but this was the one option that brought a lot of people to them in the first place!
Keep turning people off. This is strike two. I’m not waiting for strike three!
They are doing things that ” THEY ” think is going to help them make more $$$$ . I don’t know but I think they are slowly going to wonder , what are we going to do now ? Then wait till they start having to let employees go .
The company that owns Dollywood is one of the best to work for. They are incredibly good to their employees. I honestly don’t think that they will have to “let employees go” just because some people got upset over them running a business. Oh wow, you don’t get to go for free after going in at 3 and spending like 7 hours in the park. With the new prices they have now it is actually a better deal. Especially the 2 park ticket. Stop looking at the world as if it owes you something. It was a great thing the after 3 next day free, but people abused the hell out of it. Tried to twist it and took advantage of it. I would have thought they’d have gotten rid of it a long time ago.
Our family is on a tight budget. We can’t afford more than two days in Pigeon Forge. Since we have such a long drive to get there the arriveafter 3 and get next day free was a great incentive for us to go. Usually hotel check in is so late it gave us something to do since we could stay for one day at Dollywood. And what is up with prices being so high! So hard for young families to go.
Bad business decision Dollywood!!!! Boo!!
This may significantly change our ability to attend. One long massive day is exhausting! Children have to nap, more food will be needed. Additionally, one can’t really sit down and enjoy the day’s shows and the experience because of rushing to get to all of the rides. Small children won’t do as well. The disabled won’t do as well. The elders won’t do as well. When combined with a high priced ticket, it’ll definitely be a deterrent for our family.
My thoughts exactly!
We are grandparents approaching 70 and following 2 active boys around wears us out. Their parents prefer the beach so we may have to go that direction.
This is so disappointing. We always buy season passes but when we invited friends our selling point is go in after 3 and the next day is free. I think they will lose some business with this decision.
Well hopefully they will re think this decision. I was planning a family outing.
I also am upset. My husband and I don’t even ride any rides, but like to look around and eat, which also is expensive, and just explore the beautiful park, maybe catch a show or 2. There should be a discount for those not riding!
Me and my wife don’t ride any rides either because of meds we take but do eat , see shows and buy things . Sometimes go for just the day . Although we do live within an 75 min. drive we also stay in pigeon forge sometimes up to 3 days and that cost money . Done had tickets for this year but it will probably be last year . To me its just , Greedy , Want that $$ MONEY $$ . I don’t wish bad things on anyone but it could bite them . You would even think that they would reward those that have bought season passes for multiple years discounts e-mail them and see what they say . If they wasn’t making $$$ they wouldn’t be building more especially after last year .
I agree, season pass holders should be offered better prices or some incentive. I buy a season pass every year and have since silver dollar city. Dollywood is cutting back on the things that made itg famous and will probably lose business. Dolly is a great business woman and it appears she was not consulted
Should have left a great thing alone including DIXIE stampede now this sorry me a bunch of others are disappointed and won’t return
I have gotten a season pass for many years but this year struggle to decide on it. Living 6 hours away, the season pass was worth it for vacation. However the price continues to escalate and I am not sure it’s worth it any longer. I don’t see that many changes other than constant new roller coasters. Having the after 3 program was a great way to make it worth it for family to go also. I love TN and Dollywood but wish there were more incentives for loyal pass holders, especially those out of state.
I think it’s a poor decision but then again, with Dixie Stampede changing it’s name to remove the “Dixie” part it seems Dolly or whoever is making decisions in her business is not doing a good job, Caving to society of the few and not seeing bad business moves. I do hope that the errors will be seen and corrected.
I feel all the changes are just a precursor to a change in ownership. I predict Dolly is slowly bowing out.
I agree!
The change seems to be a bad decision….Being able to visit the park and do a few things, then get a return the next day was a good plan a great deal. Especially if you are not familiar with the park lay out and you are visiting from out of state, town, . Just coming the first time to the park. It gives you a chance to do a few things, then know what the inside of the park is like and what you and your family can plan for the next day…to enjoy your day with family and being able to enjoy the Dollywood park…and have a chance to see and do all you can and that everyone has a great day.
I live in Ohio, so coming to Pigeon Forge, a few times throughout the year, I have purchased the season pass, but that is not for everyone’s convenience….. hopefully this decision to visit after 3 and next day free …can not be taken away…we also have friends that were planning to come and go to the park, and get the next day free, after hearing all the fun we have had in the last year… so please consider the change and how that will affect visitors in coming to Dollywood. I also have the ticket to bring a guest …i find the dates to use the tickets are do not fall at times when I can get away….to use the free friends admission….it would be great to use the friends tickets when I can select the date…something to ponder also!!
I do agree on the Bring A Friend tickets. Speaking for myself, we “older people” don’t do outdoors in August, just as some don’t do chilly days in the spring.
Plus the park has to be much more crowded during those few days! Let us choose the tickets in what timeframe works for each person.
I’m really sorry, but I don’t believe anything will change. There are a lot of younger generations of couples/new parents that have never experienced this great deal and won’t feel like they missed out on anything and still would love to come. This is how I feel. I will still go because I don’t feel like I’m losing anything. With this deal disappearing, it only upsets the older population, but they will not lose any money in the future. Dollywood is expensive but when compared to other theme parks, it’s fair.
We go to Dollywood every year and planned on bringing my 7 grand kids and mom and dads, the after 3 and next day free would save us a lot of $. We might have to look at other options, we would have a total of 15 people. Sad decision on magement.
Another terrible decision so many people including myself use this. Another money decision. No way families can see the whole park & shows in one day but Im sure that was the motivation in making this decision. Were not going to the Stampede & we will not be going to Dollywood.
We usually leave Northeast Georgia after lunch that way I do not miss much work. We usually go to our hotel, put our stuff up and then go to the park for a little while. With our grand kids this is nice as they can figure out what they want to do the next day. We always get season tickets but we are beginning to realize that Dolly’s places are getting more in sync with the liberal viewpoints. Next the church in Dolly wood will probably go. We are going this year as we already have our season passes but this will be our last year. When enough Christians quit spending their money in Pigeon Forge maybe all the liberal fruitcakes can have their gay parades( which in the past did not work) and they can have a gay pride day in Dollywood. How sad that the mountains are going in this direction. This nontolerant political correctness is really getting old and it truly will have consequences. Will not go to Dolly’s Stampede either
WE have bought season tickets several years and had already bought them this year before all these changes. We probably will not be back after this year.
I hadn’t thought about that but you will possibly be correct . If we was there on weekends we would always catch the Church service on Sunday . This will probably be our last year .
DOLLY I UNDERSTAND BUSINESS BUT MAYBE YOUR TOTAL GATE IS DOWN BECAUSE YOUR OVERALL PRICES IN THE PARK AND YOUR DECISION TO DROP “DIXIE” ARE HURTING YOUR OVERALL FOLLOWING OF LOYAL FANS. DON’T LET THE CORPORATE IDIOTS RULE GOOD COMMON SENSE.
I am 200% with you on this Fred!!
I’m with you both. Well said!
Yes..
Well said!
What they said! I am “Out” after 22 straight years!!
You said it James ,after I believe 20 + . Just took another toe off .
I am with you Fred!!!Dropping Dixie did it for me.I will never do anything she owns again.We go every year but not anymore.
I think it all stinks senior citizen look forward to the day to come back after 3 what’s wrong with these people now itvusevto be enjoyable to come but now not so sure.
I have been coming to Pigeon Forge since I was a young child which is 50 years. The Park was the Silver Dollar then and when Dolly bought it I sas so excited!!! I love to go there but after a 5 hour drive coming there was the perfect thing to do after 3 and next day free after getting some rest. Don’t mesh with many years of success only to lose business!! Just saying….
Having the 3:00 PM – next day free plan, gave our families a relaxing time to enjoy the park and get our bearings to decide what we wanted to do the next day. This made both days relaxing and enjoyable. Under the new proposed plan, it will be rush, rush, rush and get exhausted by trying to cover everything. That creates a terrible situation. Those making decisions in your company really need to re-think this move. Visitors will have no reason to keep you in their vacation plans in the future……and make no mistake, there are too many other places our vacation dollars will be spent.
This is very sad considering nothing is cheap in dollywood I am sure they make enough money to run the park without cutting cornersNot to mention dolly has plenty of money she is not hurting in anyway. Also I am very upset with the name change at dixie stampede will not ever go there again so sick of people caving to liberals everyone is free to name their buisness what they want. Dolly caving to them is really sad bottom line is its all about money to her which I thought she was better then that shame on you dolly. I have also bought my season passes this year but I will really need to look into some other ideas next year.
There are local discounts in every theatre and restaurant in Sevier county, EXCEPT DOLLYWOOD!! Locals need a discount, too. I live in Sevierville and I buy season pass each year. EVERY YEAR THE PRICE GOES UP FOR TICKETS, FOOD AND PARKING. Even with a senior discount it is going to be too expensive if price keeps going up. My family from North Carolina get season passes too, as they have free acomodations here with me. If prices keep going up, they will not be able to afford Dollywood either. That is ten people. Folks on a fixed income or living check to check can not afford Dollywood EVER for their family. It is getting way tooooo expensive.
I think they are looking for ALL their ” RICH TICKET BUYERS ” to keep the park up and running . I think this year has been the worst and possibly the final year for a lot of people that helped support DOLLYWOOD and DIXIE STAMPEDE . I will be looking for other places to go
We have gone to Dollywood for 26 years. We at one time when our kids were young had gotten season passes. We have a handicap son whom tires easily. So we could go a little each day. Then they got older and did not ride. We watch a few shows and walk around. We probably would not spend the money. Now it is only my husband and I normally. Please keep the come after 3:00 PM and come back the next day. Thank you.
I hate that, the after 3 and the next day free is the only way I could justify paying that ticket price for a family of 5. Budget restraints will now limit many people long with us.
I think its a good deal. We can go 3 days for only 30.00 more. Thanks Dolly!
Yes that’s good but some people just stay a day or 2. If you’re familiar with this offer than you’d understand. Also if you’ve known the past of Dolly s parks and attractions..all the let down to decade old customers you would totally be upset. Also 30.00 more?? That’s insane.. Figure 10people that’s a major difference. I understand maybe one ticket but as i stated when u have decade and i mean decade old loyal customers who just come for the atmosphere.. Its expensive. It once had an awesome reputation but now i can’t say that.
I think this is a bad decision on your part. It is a long day to stay at the park with an older person or a child all day. the after 3:00 gave you a chance to visit the park , take a break and return to the park later . The park is to large to try and cover in one trip in one day. There is a lot of walking since everything is so spread out. A lot of the older people like to just take in the shows and you cannot take all them in in one day. I think you are pricing yourself out of business for a family with several kids and the older adults with no childred that just want to visit your park for the shows and to view the park itself.
Hubby and I have only been once, but we had discount tickets. As we do not do the rides, only the shows, the price is just way to much for us to even consider going again. Would love to take grandkids, but for 2 days, 2 parks, with their parent’s it would be $900, just to get in! Way to much when we can stay at hotel and just go to pool. We don’t spend $900 if we come to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for a long weekend!!
Bad business decision I think!!! I also like the idea of a smaller price for those who do not do the rides.
Dolly’s DreamMore is also becoming a big disappointment! Left a letter with the registration desk at the resort detailing our experience with the Valentine buffet…letter was directed to the buffet manager and the public relations manager…left this letting person a week also today with cell phone numbers, e-mail address, and even a mailing address …also left a telephone message…absolutely no response whatsoever!!! What is going on with everything having to do with Dolly? Even left 2 e-mails at Dollywood’s website.,.
I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FAN OF DOLLY EVER SINCE CHILDHOOD. WE CAME TO PIGEON FORGE EVERY YEAR AND BROUGHT MY GRANDKIDS WHEN THEY WERE SMALL. WE VISITED DOLLYWOOD, DIXIE STAMPEDE AND DOLLY’S ADVENTURE WITH MY 82 YEAR OLD MOM EVERY OTHERE MONTH. SHE TRULY ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR. THE AFTER 3 FREE WAS GREAT BECAUSE THOSE LIKE US DRIVING FROM ANOTHER STATE OR OUT OF TOWN GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OUR TIME AND CHECK THINGS OUT AND PLAN FOR THE NEXT DAY. MY MOM WAS AT DOLLYWOOD, DIXIE STAMPEDE IN OCTOBER AND HAD THE GREATEST TIME EVER. AS WE WERE LEAVING THE HOTEL OCTOBER 2016, I ASKED HER IF WE WOULD BE COMING BACK WITH US IN THE SPRING 2017, AND HER RESPONSE WAS I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT. SHE PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 9, 2016. WE HAVE BEEN TO SEE DIXIE STAMPEDE AND DOLLYWOOD EACH TIME NUMEROUS OF TIMES SINCE THEN BUT NOW WILL STOP. DOLLY YOU MADE A MAJOR MISTAKE BY CHANGING THE NAME TO REMOVE DIXIE FROM YOU DINNER SHOW. THIS IS WHAT BROUGHT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. AND NOW TO REMOVE THE AFTER 3 PM. WE HAVE NO PLANS TO ATTEND ANY OF YOUR SHOWS OR PARKS DUE TO POOR JUDGEMENTS. DOLLY YOU GREW UP IN THE SOUTH IN THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS OF TENN. AND ALWAYS BRAGGED ABOUT THE GOOD TIMES GROWING UP. WHERE HAS YOUR ROOTS GONE? IS MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FANS WHO SUPPORTED YOU ALL OF THEIR LIVES LIKE MY 82 YEAR OLD MOM. YOUR POOR MOM AND DAD WOULD TURN OVER IN THEIR GRAVES IN SHAME OF WHAT CHANGES YOU ARE MAKING. IF IT ISN’T YOUR DECISIONS THAT ARE CHANGING THE GET RID OF THOSE WHO ARE MAKING THE CHANGES AND HIRE NEW ONES. YOU ARE DESTROYING YOUR GOOD NAME AND REPUTATION BY ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. LOYAL FANS LIKE MYSELF WHO PAID LOTS OF MONEY AND TRAVELED LONG DISTANCE TO SEE YOUR CONCERTS WILL NOT BE SUPPORT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT SUPPORTING THEIR FANS IN RETURN. THE BIBLE SAYS YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW AND I CAL ALMOST GUARANTEE YOUR NAME AND BUSINESSES WILL PAY FOR IT. SHAME ON YOU DOLLY. WILL BE IN PIGEON FORGE IN JUNE BUT WILL NOT BE AT ANY OF YOUR ESTABLISHMENTS DUE TO NO RESPECT FOR THE GREAT RESPECT FOR THE SOUTH OR YOUR FAN. SO LONG DOLLY UNTIL THINGS GO BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE. Wes from Bamberg, South Carolina
Wes I am right there with you. I know that times change but change is not always for the betterment of mankind. It is happening everywhere with attacks on our religion, heritage, and family principles. Thank you for speaking up. We need MORE OF THIS!!!!!!
Count me in too .
I will miss going to Pigeon Forge , we went once or twice a year.
You are so right. Money went to her head.also
I agree with Everything you said and very well said , I must say. I feel like maybe Dolly isn’t making some of these decisions. Someone is making some really big business mistakes. We already have a cabin rented for July this year but we want be going back to Dollywood or Dixie Stampede. Our money will be spent elsewhere. I do hope Dolly reads all of these post and see the places she’s been so proud of will be loosing business. P. Turner from Newberry, SC
Sounds like Dolly’s entertainment in the Smokies has new upper management and like a dog in a new place has to mark its territory. The recent Dixie change and now this….really disappointing.
Ending the after 3 policy is a very bad idea, Unless this policy is changed in the next few days, we will not be coming in october as planed. SO SAD
Looks like I will be going to Maggie Valley, NC this year!! After 22 years……… Bad decision!
Is Ghost Town still there? There was a great small zoo near there but I think the fruitcake liberals got it closed down.
Ghost town in the sky is only a memory. The skeleton of what was, remains. Still a beautiful area.
I have a handicapped child and Dollywood is the only place that he likes to go. He doesn’t ride rides we go to the shows. We drive 300 miles several times a year usually. But now Dollywood won’t be in our budget. Bad decision
We were going to plan a vacation here for the reason of the previous deal, with Dollywood being the biggest draw for us. However, there are other places closer to home that we will go to now.
Same here….it’s a two day drive for us. My kids LOVE Dollywood…..but we won’t even go to TN without the “After 3” ticket. There are other places to visit in our beautiful country…I’m glad I haven’t prepurchased tickets for this year. So sad.
the after 3 next day free worked great for us. I have arthritis in my knew we. So I would go from about 330-930 the two days. The two day ticket would not do me well as 6 hours is about I physical take.
I got 4 meals the 2 days I was there , This way I will only get two meals this way.
A poor business decision it seems to me.
Who ever has become in charge of the company has created some radical and what I think are poor decisions.
It’s just one bad decision after another. I think the locals and loyals can see where this is coming from and where it’s going. The church will go soon now too because it’s “triggering”. It’s bad enough that the prices keep going up and up. Now this too!?
My teen has arthritis and I was already appalled that I had to stand in line and pay $12 to rent a MANUAL wheelchair for her because she can’t walk the whole park. Not even stores make us pay to visit!. And if you want a motorized one (manual ones are near impossible to push up the sloping walkways), they’re over $30! There’s already such a small number available that if they’re gone, your choice is to “take a number and sit on the bench next to the wheelchair rental kiosk for as many hours as it takes for the next return”… No kidding. You must waste hours and hours of your expensive paid day ticket to sit on a bench and hope someone will eventually leave early enough to allow you a few hours.
So now you’re basically saying the disabled and elderly folks can either pull a ten hour miserably long day or go somewhere else!? Wow. Just, wow.
To see these successful decades old traditions destroyed is nauseating.
We can most likely kiss the “holiday shows” goodbye too…or they will be drastically changed soon. After all, I think they dare to say “the J word” in them and we all know that definitely needs a trigger warning and safe space! Nobody is allowed to speak the name Jesus in this “progressive” culture. Get ready, East Tennessee. I’m not psychic, but don’t need to be. We all know what’s coming. Conform or be crushed. Shame on you, Dolly.
Good Lord people, stop be so cheap and thankless. They have a business to run and are now only charging $20 more ($89) for two FULL days at Dollywood vs just $69 for 1 1/2 days….it is an awesome deal still, can’t believe how much whining I am reading, some plan to boycott and never go again, REALLY?…shame on you. I bet you all blow more than $20 per kid/grandkid on JUNK at Christmas.
Young lady evidently you are not from Dixie. People here are extremely loyal when things are done from the heart. It is not just about money, even though everyone spends lots of it when they go to Pigeon Forge. Political Correctness is prevalent in everything these days kind of like the idiot that bought the General Lee car and had the Confederate flag removed so as not to OFFEND someone. It will never stop. A lot of people come here for a three day weekend. We get here Friday after lunch. This deal is a big advantage for us and not just money saved. It works better! This is true for a lot of people. Dolly’s success has come from people who have always been loyal as we know she was raised southern and the hard way like a lot of us were. It just seems like the times are changing too fast so as to appease the people who only care about the dollar and who are OFFENDED by our poor old ignorant southern culture. The future will bear this out to be true as it already has. Not entirely about money!
I bought season tickets for this year and very disappointed that we cannot come after three and free the next day I will not buy tickets next year because of the changes . Too much to do in one day . I’m sure it’ll be less crowded now that you change this because more people will not come here .😔
Well I always took 10 or 13 family members and we always did the Dollywood going in after 3 and next day free . But now there is no way we will be doing Dollywood any more due to the cost trying to get the most out of you fun out of your money for that many people . I think in the long run Dollywood wile louse money in the long run . Not just in the food sales but in people just coming to visit because the long lines and time you wait to ride it is not worth the price you pay and not be able to do half of the rides and see the shows in just one day .
So I am sorry not sure who did this but I think it will hurt Dolly;s good name . I know the world is all about money but some times you get more by doing or giving a little for the one who support you not by ngincreasing the prices or taking away the things any means some people to really enjoy coming to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge area
Prices are just not family friendly and I don’t think they represent Dolly’s giving nature at all. More into making money and keeping up with the outrageous prices of other theme parks. Glad there’s so much more to do in the area.
We are trying to decide between Dollywood or Disney this summer (June, 2018). The after 3 next day free option has been leaning us towards Dollywood. We’ll probably go to Disney is they do away with this. I know LOTS of friends and family who go to Dollywood because of this option, and they’ll probably go elsewhere too.
Disney, Universal Orlando… etc. are TWICE the price of Dollywood, if not more. You can get two or three days at Dollywood for what you would pay for one day at either of the two aforementioned parks. If you incorporate your Dollywood tickets with a package deal at an area hotel, (see http://www.reservepigeonforge.com) the total costs goes down even more. Why anyone would say they are going to Disney over Dollywood because of price is beyond me?!?!
I,M A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN AND I,JUST CAN, AFFORD THESE HIGH PRICES ANYMORE.IT SEEMS THE OLDER YOU GET THE HIGHER THE PRICE OF GETTING INTO DOLLYWOOD,OT,S OUT OF CONTROLL.
Agree but look at Bush Gardens and Kings Dominion. They charge $51 for kids 3-9 . Now that is robbery.
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Smoky Mountains is one of the MOST visited areas in this country. With nearly 12 million visitors last year, the GSMP leads in most visited “National Parks” in the continental US. That’s twice as many people as visited the Grand Canyon, which holds 2nd place in the race for visitors.
Dollywood boasts over 2 million visitors each year. I’m almost certain that they will not feel the void of those few people who decide they are too cheap to buy a two day ticket for just $20 more than it cost last year for a day-and-a-half (after 3, next days is free).
Is it the word “FREE” that changes things for you? If the tickets were $89 (about $35+/- less than the same day at Disney or Universal) for one day, and the next day was “FREE” would that change the way that you feel?
There are many options available to you, the visitor, if price is a concern of yours. First; season passes. For $109 (about $13 less than one day at Disney) you can buy a season pass that will allow you UNLIMITED visits to Dollywood for about 260 days this 2018 season. That’s $0.42 per day. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Can’t visit Dollywood 260 days this year? Neither can we. But, even if you can only visit for 3 days this year, that’s still less than $37 per day for each day. Less than $37 for all the rides AND all the shows… and, all the culture you can stomach. Of course, if you do get your pass, and can come visit Dollywood, say… 10, or 15 times this season, the costs only goes down per visit. 10 visits…. less than $11 each day. 15 visits…. less than $7.30 per visit. Come on… I know you can spend that much to visit Dollywood. Almost anyone could.
And, as an added bonus, passholders also get perks and benefits that regular day-ticket visitors don’t get. Passholders save on Friends/family ticket prices, other area attractions, as well as entertainment venues not just in Pigeon Forge/Dollywood, but across the South East. (see https://www.dollywood.com/Tickets/Season-Passes/Benefits)
Want to save even more? Buy yourself a GOLD pass ($60 more) and get 20% off of EVERYTHING you buy, eat, drink, etc. while in Dollywood each and every visit (some exceptions, but not many). You also get “FREE” (there’s that word) parking each time your drive into the park ($12 each day as of last season).
But, you don’t want, or care about saving that much, and don’t want to buy a season pass… fine…
Another option is to package your visit to Dollywood (as well as other venues) with your accomodations (a.k.a. your hotel room). You can start somewhere like http://www.reservepigeonforge.com to package your entire trip together for some really great savings. Your room, your entertainment, your food… just about anything and everything can be packaged.
Or visit Dollywood’s website and package your visit with one of their cabins or rooms at the Dreammore Resort. The choice is yours.
Look, folks. I am not being facetious… I’m being serious.
To say that you will NEVER go back to Dollywood because they do away with the “After 3, next day is FREE” options is lunany.
Look, I hate WalMart (with a passion). Since the old man (Sam Walton) died and the kids ran the business into the “Made in China” cesspool, I only wish I could NEVER walk into that store again in my life, but I am smart enough, and sensible enough (as well as thrifty enough) to realize that will NEVER happen. If I want the best price on certain items, or need the convenience of shopping for various items in one location… I WILL end up walking back into a WalMart.
Dollywood is continually expanding and improving the park. Each and every year, they add new shows, rides or attractions; none of which is “cheap” or “free”. Increases in price and changes in policy are necessary evils in business. This year a brand new concert venue with music galore. Last year a giant drop ride (no, I will not ride it). A couple of years ago a brand new groundbreaking wooden roller coaster. And, just recently an announcement of 5 new acres being developed at the park… which, as of right now, no one is sure what will be going in there, but rumors are a new enclosed family coaster, restaurants, etc. are all on the planning table. All of which cost money. Lots of money!
Finally, to those nay-sayers who are screaming political correctness, or even worse, religious bias. Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment remain stone pillars in the Christian Entertainment industry. Dollywood remains the nucleus for Southern Gospel Music. Mainstays in gospel music have what can only be defined as permanent venues each and every year at the park. The Southern Gospel Music Association is headquartered in Pigeon Forge and operates the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame and Museum within the walls of Dollywood. With the SGMA operating inside the park, it is highly unlikely that the church will disappear anytime soon.
Sure, at times things undergo change; such is the nature of today’s world, but to scream I won’t go to Dolly Parton’s Stampede because they took out the word “Dixie” is just plain stupid. You buy into political correctness daily in your lives, like it or not. You don’t stop drinking Coca-Cola because they support gay marriage, do you? You still cheered for the New England Patriots this past Super Bowl, even though they also signed the amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to recognize same-sex marriages, didn’t you? Hundreds of corporations and businesses just signed onto an effort to increase gun laws after the massacre in Florida. You didn’t change your travel plans flying into or out of Atlanta on Delta or United Airlines because they aren’t offering NRA discounts any longer, did you? You still use MetLife as your insurance provider, or you still rent cars from Alamo, Enterprise and National car rental, right?
Come on… My mother used to tell me, “Choose your battles wisely.”
Like them or not, politically correct attitudes, policies and opinions are a thing that are here to stay. Taking a stance by saying, “I’m not going to …. because … ”
Really???
Dollywood is a business. Dollywood Entertainment is a business. Herschend Family Entertainment is a business. They are a ‘for profit’ business, at that. They are not a charity (even though they give tons of stuff away). They do not have to give anything away. The choice to visit, or not, is yours. But believe me when I say, no one, not Dollywood, not Pigeon Forge, not Gatlinburg, not the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not my neighbors, not me… will really miss you. You see… you are one of the VERY few who will say that, and if you actually do what you say… well, there will still be more than 12 million other people who still visit the area and over 2 million others who will still go to Dollywood each year.
For the record: I do NOT work for Dollywood/Herschend Entertainment. I do not work for Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg or any business that profits from the tourist that visit the area each year. I DO live here in the area. I moved here two years ago with my family to experience the joy of southern living in the beauty of the East Tennessee mountains. I am NOT a yankee (just in case you were wondering). I am NOT a liberal fruitcake (just in case you are concerned). I grew up in a conservative Republican Christian (Southern Baptist) home, went to Christian school (Tim LaHaye (and his wife, Beverly) was my pastor in high school) and I was actually nominated for, and elected by my church while living in upstate NY to the executive board of the New York State Southern Baptist convention some years back. We (my wife (I’m not gay) and children) have vacationed in East Tennessee since the mid-late 1970’s. We have been Dollywood season pass holders for a number of years, even before we moved here (remember, my job took me from Augusta, GA. to the upstate area of New York state for 13 years, I lived 40 miles from the Canadian border, in the Adirondacks, a.k.a. The MOUNTAINS, not New York CITY…. (by the way, you do realize that New York is a state, right?) and we still bought season passes for our annual two week vacation to Pigeon Forge (did I tell you that they are a good deal). So, please… hold your comments to relevant, or pertinent ideas about the story at hand.
In the meantime, Dollywood opens again for the 2018 season on March 17th. For those of you who realize that Dollywood is still a great value, even if you don’t get the second day free (you really don’t believe you got the second day free to start with, do you?)… we will see you on “Opening Day” for yet another fantastic year of fun and entertainment. Look for us. We’ll be the ones with the season passes, who didn’t pay for parking, who saves 20% on EVERYTHING we buy, eat or drink that day, and who will be back probably at least 50-60-70 times this coming season… if not more.
JUST DON,T PAY THE PRICE
VERY, VERY Sad about Dollywood doing away with the After 3pm deal….One of the Main reasons we came here….Think how much money they were making having families come for almost 1/2 day extra, food, souvenirs etc. This is VERY sad….But I guess it goes to show that it’s another commercial place that starts striving for more and more $$$$.
After an almost 5 hour drive, we always arrive late, so the after 3 was a nice option to get started for a long weekend. We utilized that 1/3 of the day to let the kids ride all the water rides so they weren’t waking around the park all day soaked. This allowed us to spend the next day enjoying dry rides and shows.
Sadly, this change will likely end our trips to Dollywood as there are other similar parks closer to our home.
I was so bummed to find out that the policy changed this year. I (and my 2 year old son) were gifted a season pass by a family member. We would’ve LOVED to have taken my husband and stepson for summer vacation, as they have never experienced the magic of Dollywood. However, we are lower middle class and had planned on doing it with the after 3 deal so we could drive into town, ride a couple of rides, have dinner at the park (we would be spending $$), then go to the hotel and come back the next day.
Unfortunately, I priced it out, and even with the Dollywood Gold Pass for 2 of 4, it would STILL be cheaper to go to KY Kingdom, pay for everyone for 2 DAYS, Amusement+Water Park with free drinks, etc., AND stay at a 3.5 Star hotel.
As someone who grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, I’ve seen the struggle that so many around me have faced just trying to survive financially, even in a “good” economy. Dollywood has always been a fun and beautiful opportunity that people seek out to escape the hardships and challenges that everyday life can bring. Hopefully, the Dollywood Corporation will see the reaction that their decision has created and reinstate their old policy.