Are you wondering if a Dollywood Diamond Pass is worth it or not? Well, here’s a look at the benefits of having one based on my experiences in 2026!
Dollywood Diamond Pass
Dollywood typically begins selling passes for the next season in the fall. Purchasing a pass at this time is the best deal you will see. However, it can be confusing trying to determine which pass is the right one for you and your family. In my Is A Dollywood Season Pass Worth It post, I looked at the value of being a season passholder at any tier. Today, I am finally looking at the value of the highest and most expensive tier available – Diamond!
I renewed my Gold pass in 2025 by upgrading to the Diamond pass for 2026. Dollywood allows you to begin accessing their pass savings immediately. So, I’ve been using this pass for almost a year now and have a pretty good idea of its benefits. Then again, Dollywood has a tendency to change up their passes and benefits from year to year. So, let’s jump into its benefits and its costs.
Media Events
I think the main benefit that everyone was most excited about with the Diamond pass was the possibility to be invited to a press event with Dolly in attendance. In order to get a ticket to those events, you had to be a member of the press OR a Diamond Passholder. I was hopeful for an invite for the 2026 season opening event since I’ve been a Passholder off-and-on for several years. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive an invite to that event. So, I wouldn’t recommend getting a Diamond pass just to gain access to those events. Going forward, I don’t know that everyone will be as excited to attend a media event since Dolly has passed. Dollywood also doesn’t explicitly mention this perk being available in 2027.
Bring-A-Friend Passes
It used to be that pretty much every Passholder got to bring friends to the park for free. Now, they have practically done away with that unless you are a Diamond Passholder. So, if you are planning to use your pass to bring friends, then you will have to pay more by selecting the highest tiers of passes. For 2027, the Diamond passholder will receive 4 free Bring-A-Friend tickets for Dollywood or Splash Country. Meanwhile, Gold Passholders receive 1 for Dollywood. Silver doesn’t receive any.
Discounts
I’d say the other big perk of being a Diamond Passholder is the discounts. Diamond Passholders receive the biggest discounts in the parks and at the resorts. Diamond Passholders currently receive a 20% discount on food and merch as well as on resort stays (when available). I will admit, I purchased several shirts last Christmas and it was nice to get that 20% off each one! Unfortunately, the prices at the resorts have been so high on recent visits, that it was much cheaper to stay off-site and park at the the park (we get free general parking worth $25/day) when visiting. So, I haven’t been able to use the passholder resort discounts.
Free Drink Cup
If you purchased a Diamond Pass early on, then you received a special All Season Drink Cup! This year’s was a pretty purple featuring the new ride! You can get free refills in the cup, which can save lots of money. Unfortunately, I drink almost exclusively water, so that perk wasn’t as attractive to me personally.
Free Popcorn?
Diamond Passholders were previously allowed to redeem a coupon for one free cinnamon bread per month. However, that perk has been taken away in 2027. Now, Diamond Passholders will receive a Popcorn Bucket with Free Season-Long Refills. It’s not yet known what the popcorn bucket will look like. It’s also personal opinion if being able to get popcorn all season long is more valuable than a free loaf of bread each month. I don’t eat much popcorn and never buy it in a park. Although, I will eat a loaf of cinnamon bread, but I actually haven’t been able to redeem mine this year yet. I guess I better get on that before it goes away.
New Perks for 2027
Dollywood has added a few new perks for passholders in 2027. Both Gold and Diamond can park in Lot F, based on lot availability. Additionally, both tiers will be able to sit in reserved at shows in DP’s Celebrity, Showstreet Palace, and Pines theaters. It remains to be seen how that will be handled. Diamond is also being given a one-time Preferred Parking perk. Lastly, all three theirs are receiving a one-time Expedited Entry on NightFlight Expedition and a Passholder Lanyard.
Is the Dollywood Diamond Pass worth it?
Honestly, I think it’s difficult to say the Diamond Pass is worth it for most folks. I paid $399.16 for my pass last year, but haven’t gotten to access many of its perks. My mom and I did enjoy the discounts last December. Plus, we visited the waterpark for the first time this year (look for a post on that next year). I guess the real value of this pass for me is in the park entry. My mom and I went in August (very briefly because it was too hot) and are getting ready to visit in October. So, that’s two days each. I guess that’s worth around $260 for Dollywood entry and then $60 for Splash Country entry. Then, we used $75 in parking fees since it comes with free parking ($25/day). I feel confident we used at least $4 in discounts.
The math on this one is hard. You really need to be a local and to use all of the free passes to get all of its value. Have you ever had a Dollywood Diamond Pass? Did you feel it was worth the money paid?
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