Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, TN - July 12

Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, TN - July 12

We had a fun day today at Dollywood. We took only 1 photo today and that was the sign going in.

It rained on and off most of the day. They opened at 10:00 and we got there at 10:30. By the time we got into the parking lot and got on a tram to the park and bought tickets it was 11:00. 

We had read about the yummy cinnamon rolls so we stopped there first. They were huge and we split one. While not the worst cinnamon roll I've ever had, it was close. Cold (barely room temperature), lots of very dry bread with just a bit of cinnamon in a few strands and icing with zero flavor. 

We did find some really good entertainment throughout the park. Our fist show was at "The Back Porch" and it featured The Smoky Mountain String Band. Great Bluegrass.  Scott, I don't know if you remember but we went a couple of times to the Old Time Fiddlers contest in I think it was Payson and they also played a lot of Bluegrass music. 

They had played for about 25 minutes and we had to leave in order to make the next show called Dreamland. I figured it would be a quick 20 minute show, but it turned out to be a full blown musical that lasted an hour. It took us through the 50's and 60's when people gathered at The Hop. Really a great show! We could hear it pouring rain outside, so it was great to be inside out of it.

Wow, now it was time for lunch. We decided on a place in the newest section of the park that also had the best roller coaster. It was called Smoky Mountain  Mexican. OK, that should have been a red flag. It was a bit like a Chipotle rip off the way it was set up. I ordered the Smoky Mountain Nachos. How do you screw up nachos? The pulled pork had no smoky flavor and they poured on a watery cheese sauce that sat on the chips while they waited to be dressed when it was your turn. Then despite it being on the menu a certain way you still had to tell them what you wanted on your now soggy chips. Greg got a steak burrito bowl. We ate outside which was nice and a trio played music as they strolled around the room. No, not Mariachi's, this is Dollywood after all, it was a country trio that were pretty good. As they came up behind me one of them started playing "Smoke on the Water" which brought laughs. Then, they set up right behind us, before doing a short set and moving to a different area of the dining area. One of them apologized for playing right in our ears. Now back to the food, we were going to split half and half, but I took one bite of the steak and it was over seasoned and tasted like it had been dropped in the coals. I decided to keep my soggy tasteless nachos. We are now 0 for 2 with decent food today.

From there we went in search of the Wild Eagle roller coaster which turned out to be our favorite. Instead of having the train on the track, Wild Eagle® seats riders on either side so there is nothing but air above and below the rider. The track is in the middle and there are 2 seats on either side of it. It was a smooth and fast ride with lots of loops, rolls and turns in just over 2 minutes.

It had started to rain so we took cover until it stopped and then headed for the Tennessee Tornado coaster. It was a fun one as well.

We then went to watch the show "My People, My Music". Another great show that had live performers and Dolly on the big screen behind them. She addressed the audience and also sang along with the liv performers. One was her brother Randy and another a cousin. The rest were not related. 

We then went in search of ice cream which was good.

Our last roller coaster looked like a wooden one, but was on a steel track. I had doubts because the cars looked like the kind that beat my body to death. It was a fun coaster and FAST, but it was a painful ride. I ended up with a bruise on my elbow. 

It's not known as a coaster park and while they list quite a few, most are "kiddie coasters". It was raining quite a bit on and off all day and evening, so not time to ride too many anyway and see some of the entertainment. 

There was a lady wearing a shirt that said "Coaster Hair, Don't Care". Pretty well sums up how you look once you get off the first coaster. 

Now, it was time for dinner. After having not great food all day we read reviews and it seemed that the Front Porch Café was the best (and the buffet, but we didn't want that much food). This was the worst food ever. Greg ordered a catfish dinner and I ordered a Country Fried Steak. I don't eat that kind of fried food often though I do like it. I couldn't eat it. All the food came out fast (too fast). The onion rings that everyone raved about came out in 2 seconds and our food 2 seconds after that. The rings were grease logged. (and not that tasty) The country fried steak was mush. It came with mashed potatoes and corn so I ate that and had a couple of the biscuits that were similar to the kind you get at Red Lobster, only not as good. Greg's catfish was also soggy and greasy. So, now we are 0 for 3 in finding good food at Dollywood. 

We have had some surprisingly good food at parks (theme and nature), so we were surprised that in a place that should know "country cooking type comfort food" could be so bad.

We watched one more show which was a country duo and they were OK. 

We wanted something sweet, but weren't quite sure what we should risk trying. We decided on a something from the Sweet Shop. Just an M&M chocolate covered pretzel for me and Greg got a couple of truffles. They were OK.

We then took the tram and watched the fireworks show from the parking lot. (no trees to block our view) The park was packed. They also have a water park and both were quite popular on this hot though rainy day. 

It was after 11:00 when we got home. Tomorrow, we are visiting the Audubon Nature Park.