Amusement Parks ~
Though I am no amusement park expert by any stretch of the imagination, I have been to a few amusement parks in my day. From Kings Dominion in Virginia, to Carowinds in North Carolina {and South Carolina – the park stretches into both states}, I have been to pretty much every park in between. I even still vaguely recall going to Lakeside in Roanoke, Va. I think it flooded when I was a small child and perhaps they closed the park down after that as I do not recall ever going back when I was able to form solid memories that would last. 🙁
Amusement Parks: Dollywood
My favorite of all the amusement parks that I have attended is Dollywood. Hands down. I have only been there once {3 or 4 years ago} but it was definitely the best park I had ever been to. It was my husband, daughter, aunt and I that went. My husband and daughter like the thrilling, scary rides that amusement parks offer and my aunt and I like to chill. The reason I love this park so much is that we could split up and all still have a really good time. While Jay and Amber were off trying to see if they could launch their spleens out their eyeballs, Mary and I walked about checking out Dolly Parton’s tour bus and exploring the museums crammed full of her show memorabilia. We are both massive Dolly Parton fans, but that is definitely not a necessity in this park as there are tons of traditional amusement park fare such as rides, games, food, etc.
There were so many shows going on that we literally had to make choices! I have never been to an amusement park like that. On the day we went, John Berry was playing in one theater in the park and Ricky Skaggs was at another. This doesn’t take into account all of the other shows they had going on that day either {not all are music related either, if that isn’t your thing}. Anyway, we like them both, but we ended up choosing to see Ricky Skaggs in the end. Jay and Amber actually met back up with us for the Ricky Skaggs show – which was great, by the way!
I have to say that my favorite thing about Dollywood is that it is a really shady park. I have been to some amusement parks that have basically no trees to serve as a respite from a day of the sun’s mercilessness. Dollywood has benches, shade and refreshments around every turn. Ahhh… 🙂 Not since being a teen had I enjoyed myself so thoroughly at an amusement park as I did that day at Dollywood, and I look forward to hopefully returning again soon!
Water Amusement Parks: Dollywood Splash Country
We also went to Dollywood Splash Country on that same trip. We go yearly to Emerald Pointe in Greensboro, NC. {which we love}, but this was our first trek to Splash Country. Oh, it was amazing. My aunt Mary and I were able to lounge by the pool in comfortable “lay chairs” as I like to call them and Amber and Jay were able, once again, to try to see if they were able to expel their innards by way of their eyeballs {with a little help from gravity and inertia, of course}. We spent one day at each park and left thoroughly exhausted. And everyone had a great time!
I have alsways been intrigued with Dollywood for its campy appeal.
My husband and I lived in TN for a year or so and had wanted to go to Dollywood just for fun. However we never made it there. I have heard great things about it and would just go because I am curious.
I am shocked! It seems you have been to every other amusement park on the planet except one you lived really close to! Ha!
I know it is funny. We didn’t have our son when we lived in TN but if we would have I am sure we would have made it there. My son is an amusement park fanatic.
My daughter is, too!
I used to go to Carowinds (near here in NC) every year, numerous times a year and just loved it! But with age comes limitations and sadly I just cannot walk the big parks and wait in the long lines. Oh how I envy you for going to Dollywood. I would so love to go there since you mentioned that there are other things to entertain you other than the thriller rides! I will add that to by bucket list! 🙂
I feel you on that park walking. Though I loved Carowinds in my youth, it has become far too hot for me. There are few places to sit and really it caters to the youth, in my opinion. That is fine because my daughter LOVES when we take her there, but I would pick Dollywood anyday if given the choice. Yes, definitely go to Dollywood if you can someday. I think you would like it. 🙂
Dollywood sounds fun! I want to go there someday.
Oh this amusement park sounds like my kind of park and a great one to take the grand kids to. I would love the shops and entertainment part and of course the kids would love the rides. I was happy to hear about all the shade trees too. Hopefully some day we will be able to see it for ourselves.
As many times as I’ve visit that area, I never went to Dollywood. My favorite was near my hometown in PA called “Doodle Bug”. I went there all the time, picnics, kiddie rides, was great memories ! 🙂
I have never heard of Doodle Bug. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t been to one in years. I enjoyed reading the review.
I have never been to Dollywod , but it seems to have something to please everyone. I have not been to that many parks , but I enjoyed Six Flags.
Disney world is my favorite amusement park overall, but Dollywood has the nicest people! Everyone at Dollywood is so friendly and the park has such a great community feel overall. My other two favorites are Kings Dominian, and Hershey Park.
I love Dollywood! I’ve onyl been once, but it was really fun!