Laughing Lindsay

Travel Reviews, Giveaways, & More!

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort Review

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I have had the pleasure of staying at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa on two prior trips, so you can probably tell what I think of it based on the fact that I made a return trip. However, if you are wondering what it’s like to stay there, keep reading.

DreamMore Resort

DreamMore Resort and Spa

Let me start talking about the DreamMore Resort by stating just how pretty and inspiring the resort is. Dolly Parton dreamed up the theme for this resort and there are little touches everywhere to remind you of her. If you spend anytime walking around, it’s hard to miss the butterflies and other pieces encouraging you to dream more. I enjoy getting some free pink lemonade in the lobby, a loaf of cinnamon bread from the DM Pantry and enjoying it by the fireplace. Then, I follow that up with a walk around the resort to enjoy the beauty of the resort and mountains.

Dollywood’s Resort Rooms

As stated above, I have stayed at the DreamMore Resort twice. I first stayed with my husband in October 2019 and again the second time in August 2021 with my mom. The first trip we booked a king bed with a fun bunk bed. The second time we had two queen beds. So, I can say that this resort offers a variety of room sizes and setups for each family. Both rooms feature the same type of decor and relaxing vibes that make for a great trip. They also have comfortable mattresses. In fact, we even took a nap in the bunk bed once.

Theme Park Perks

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is currently and until Fall 2023, the only official Dollywood resort. It being the official resort means that it’s a great option if you are visiting the theme park. For starters, it’s basically next door to the parks. However, a stay at the resort also includes a free park shuttle! So, you don’t have to worry about driving and parking at the parks if you stay here! That’s a huge perk! Additionally, guests of the resort with park tickets receive free Timesaver passes to allow you to skip some lines in the theme parks. Guests also receive early park entry on Saturdays, enabling park goers the chance to ride select ride(s) before the park opens to the general public! You can also read my 5 favorite things to do at Dollywood if you are planning to visit the theme park too.

Food Options

Each time I stay here, I enjoy visiting Song & Hearth: Southern Eatery for breakfast. They have a great buffet with lots of tasty options. It’s also very convenient to just take an elevator down to breakfast instead of driving across town. I have also tried dinner here, but I prefer the breakfast. However, if you go for dinner then you must get Dolly’s stone soup as it’s her family’s recipe! As I mentioned above, I always get a loaf of cinnamon bread from DM Pantry whenever I visit the resort. DM Pantry is a quick service location serving coffee, pizza, and sandwiches all day. They also have a lounge, which I’ve heard good things about but haven’t actually experienced yet.

Admittedly, a stay at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa can be pricey depending on when you go. However, you can get a reasonable deal if you book a package or keep a look out for specials. Plus, I’ve only had good experiences staying here. Granted, I have not visited the spa or pools while staying here but I did pass by both and was impressed with what I saw. So, have you stayed here? What was your experience like?

Margaritaville Island Inn Pigeon Forge Review

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Back in December 2019, my mom and I stayed a few nights at the Margaritaville Island Inn in Pigeon Forge, TN. While it’s been a few years since we stayed there, I thought I would give an overview and review of this resort.

Margaritaville Island Inn Pigeon Forge TN

Margaritaville Island Inn Overview

My mom grew up going to the beach in New Jersey, so I know how much she likes a beachy themed resort. That’s one of the primary reasons I suggested the Margaritaville Island Inn for our stay in Pigeon Forge. I also liked that it was located at The Island, which put us walking distance to some great restaurants and entertainment. Pro tip: go see the water fountain show at The Island. We also liked the affordable rates of this place. Plus, our stay here came with a complimentary breakfast! This was our first time staying at a Margaritaville property, but it wasn’t our last. So, you know it left a good impression on us.

Room Review

We booked a double queen standard room at the Margaritaville Island Inn and were very pleased with the accommodations. Everything looked new and had a very relaxing beach vibe. We thought the long desk was neat in case you needed to get some work done. The beds were very comfortable and we slept great. I also found the individual reading lights to be a nice touch since I tend to stay up later than my mom. We also appreciated the in-room microwave and mini-refrigerator for storing leftovers.

Overall, we were very pleased with our stay at the Margaritaville Island Inn in Pigeon Forge, TN. I can recommend a stay here (or other Margaritaville properties) without hesitation. In fact, I have also stayed at the one in Gatlinburg. You can read my Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort Review here. I also stayed at the Camp Margaritaville RV and Lodge in Pigeon Forge in 2022. You can read that review by clicking that link. So, have you stayed at this Margaritaville resort or at another one? What was your experience like?

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites Review

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Back in February, when I Dined with Orcas, I stayed at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites. So, I thought I would give you a brief review of my stay there.

Dockside Inn and Suites

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort is technically two hotels – Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. Each is considered a “Value Resort” thanks to their typically low rates. They are across the road from one another, but each has their own unique theming and amenities. However, they do share a bus to/from the parks. The bus goes to Surfside first and then Dockside. Additionally, Surfside is the smaller of the two resorts. I’m hoping to stay at Surfside later this year for the first time, so this review is going to focus on Dockside.

Dockside Inn and Suites Room

My mom and I stayed at Dockside Inn and Suites for four nights. Upon entering the resort, we both remarked how nice it looked, especially for the price paid. Dockside Inn and Suites has a very relaxing sitting on the beach vibe. It was also comforting to know that this is a newer resort, so we didn’t have to worry about it being outdated or rundown. The room itself was simple yet stylish, perfect for us as we aren’t fancy people. I will say that I was surprised by how nice the room was considering how affordable the rate was. I will note that we booked a standard view room and was given a pool view, which is considered an upgrade. Personally, I’m not a fan of pool views since they tend to be loud. However, we were so busy this trip that it didn’t really matter.

Pros/Cons of Staying Here

As I mentioned above, this is a bigger value resort. However, I was surprised to find school groups staying at our resort since I hadn’t realized that school field trips had resumed post-pandemic. My biggest complaint about staying at Dockside Inn and Suites has to be the noise. I don’t know if it’s due to the school groups or not, but we heard noise through the connecting door to the room beside us every night of our stay. We also heard some people running up and down the hallway and experienced long waits for the elevator. So, just something to keep in mind if you decide to stay here is the possibility of groups staying here and the accompanying noise.

Another aspect I was impressed with was the affordable food options found at the resort. The food court was often crowded at the beginning of the day and towards the end of the day with those groups. However, we enjoyed all of the food we had here and were pleased with the affordable prices. I highly recommend grabbing some chicken and waffles for breakfast if you stay here!

2023 Update: Dockside Inn Two Bedroom Suites

I wanted to update this post to include a little review on the two bedroom suites. I went back for a second stay in December 2022 with my mom again. This time, we booked the suite for one night. The price was great for an on-site hotel. There was plenty of space for the two of us. However, we encountered the exact same problems I mention in my Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites Review. There was lots of noise to be heard. Once again, we encountered groups staying here. This time, it was for a sports competition. Additionally, the main bedroom is colder than the rest of the suite with the air directly over the bed. However, it was ok for a one night (literally 8 or 9 hours) stay. You can see pictures of our suite in the Instagram post below. Additionally, you can read my more in-depth Endless Summer Suites review here.

Is it worth it?

Dockside Inn and Suites is a great deal for staying on-site at Universal Orlando. It includes park transportation along with early theme park entry. I also enjoyed the easy going vibes. I just wish it didn’t garner tour/sports groups, but that’s to be expected with a reasonably priced resort hotel.

The Inn at Christmas Place Review

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I figured a good way to celebrate Christmas in July was to share my thoughts on my recent stay at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Spoiler alert: It’s amazing!

The Inn at Christmas Place

I have been traveling to Pigeon Forge ever since I was in high school and have rode by the beautifully themed The Inn at Christmas Place countless times. However, it wasn’t until May of this year that I finally got to stay there! My mom and I booked a standard two queen room for two nights and it was everything I dreamed of!

The Grounds of The Inn at Christmas Place

There’s so much to say about The Inn at Christmas Place, so it’s hard to know where to begin. So, I’ll start from the outside by gushing about the beauty of the outside of the hotel and the grounds. Immediately upon arrival, you will see their amazing double doors with wreaths made into the glass windows! It’s simply gorgeous and sets the tone for the entire stay. Plus, they have a courtyard with pond so that you can walk around outside and relax. They also have an outdoor pool in addition to an indoor pool, but we didn’t get a chance to experience those on our trip. You can view pictures of the outside and some of the indoor public spaces in my Instagram post below.

Inside the Inn at Christmas Place

Once you head inside the hotel, you can really enjoy the holiday spirit. There’s so much décor around every corner! In fact, at the end of each hallway is an uniquely themed holiday display! My mom and I enjoyed taking the elevator and getting off at each floor just to view the different displays. I highly recommend it. Warning: It may put you in the mood to walk across the street to The Incredible Christmas Place store to purchase everything you see! Take a look at some of the absolutely stunning decor!

Inside a Double Queen Room

I just loved all of the little touches inside our room at The Inn at Christmas Place! For starters, take a look at the adorable “Silent Night” pillows on the bed! I thought that was a fantastic way to decorate! Plus, the small tree on top of the tv stand added even more festivity to the room! The bathroom also had some holiday touches! You can see all of these things, including the view from our room in my Instagram post below! Also, I can honestly say that I slept great in this bed! The mattress was very comfortable and the shower actually had a pretty good water pressure. Those are both things I look for in a good quality hotel room.

I think it’s obvious why The Inn at Christmas Place became one of my favorite places to stay in just one visit. I love that I can experience the holidays anytime of the year with the wonderful decorations. Plus, the hotel itself is great quality, with a comfortable bed and delicious breakfast buffet included! So, I’ll end this post by including some tips for making the most of your stay!

Tips for Staying at The Inn at Christmas Place

  • Check out the special hotel run channels on the television to really set the mood (think fun holiday music and stories).
  • Look out for the special events taking place by looking at the event calendar in the elevator. You don’t want to miss your chance to see Santa!
  • Grab some cookies in the lobby every night for a fun way to end the day!
  • Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast with a great selection of food and a fun breakfast room! I also recommend trying their special Christmas blend of coffee.
  • Take the time to roam around the hotel and see all of the Christmas decorations, you won’t be disappointed.

You can celebrate the spirit of the holiday season all year long with a stay at The Inn at Christmas Place!

Wilderness at the Smokies Review

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I had a blast at Wilderness at the Smokies

Well, you may have read the I’m going to post or guessed where I was going in Wilderness at the Smokies Roomthis post.  Now, I’m back and ready to share with my lovely readers about my wonderful trip!  First, I wanted to do a post about the waterpark resort that I stayed at.  That’s right.  I got to stay at a lovely resort that has a waterpark on site!  How nice is that?

Wilderness at the Smokies

I got to stay in the portion of the resort that is connected to the indoor waterpark!  The picture above is of the beds, couch and balcony of the room.  I love how the room decor goes along with the wilderness theme.  The wood of the beds and table are sort of rough around the edges (not rough to touch).  The beds are actually pretty comfy!  The couch in the background is really nice, too!  It is comfortable and roomy!

Our Room

Here is a picture of the view from our balcony!  It was a nice and relaxing balcony.  The resort even gives you two chairs and a foot hotel balcony chairstool to relax on outside.  Doesn’t that look calming and nice?  It was nice to step out at night when it was cooler and just enjoy being away for the night.

This next picture shows the cute table for two in the room and the wonderful tv and stand in the room.  Wilderness at the Smokies ResortMy boyfriend went with me on my trip and we enjoyed a nice little breakfast at this adorable table.  It made for a nice start to the day.  The rooms also come with a flat-screen television and dvd player!  We actually watched some tv on Wednesday night and the tv is really nice.  Also, in this picture you can also see how the wood goes along with the wilderness theme.

Another great thing about the rooms at Wilderness at the Smokies is that each room comes with a mini-kitchen area!   This area includes a mini-refrigerator, a cook top, coffee maker, microwave and sink.  It is nice to have so that you don’t have to go out into Sevierville, you can just stay in and cook your meals.  It’s also a great way to save money (the meals at the resort are a bit pricey and we didn’t try any of the food there).  They also include a mirror with another sink for a vanity type area.  That means there is two sinks in the room!  I think that is a really nice touch.

Indoor Waterpark

Now, on to the waterparks!    Since I stayed only one night, we hit up the Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark.  The indoor park  has 2 tube slides and 2 adventure slides under a see-thru Texlon roof that allows you to get a year-round tan!  Indoor WaterparkIt also has a wave pool, a kiddie area Washout Mountain, the Smokies SurfRider, and a regular pool.  My boyfriend and I rode two of the tube slides.  Here is a picture of the 4 slides.  We rode the purple and yellow ones.  We went down the purple one first and it was so much fun.  Then, we tried the yellow one.  I’m glad we did the purple one first.  The yellow one gets completely black/dark at one point and I didn’t expect that.  It scared me!  I was too chicken to try the Storm Chaser (the orange and white one)!  My boyfriend really liked the Great Wave wave pool.  He went into it two or three times.  He liked trying to go against the waves.  I enjoyed relaxing in the 3.5 foot regular pool.

One Complaint

inn hallwayAs you can tell, it’s a great place for people of all ages (it also has a 36-hole golf course)!  It’s a nice place for families!  You can go and enjoy the park during the day and then not have to drive home.  My ONLY and very tiny complaint about the whole place is the long walks.  Here is a picture of the hallway that our room was on.  I took this at the end of the hall to demonstrate that I’m not just being your average lazy person.  Hehe!   However, I definitely think if that’s the only thing I could find wrong with the place, then it is really awesome!  The long halls wouldn’t stop me from visiting again (actually, I would love to go back and experience the outdoor waterpark).  I just want my readers to feel like they’ve actually been there and seen the whole place.  Wilderness at the Smokies provides a fun experience for the whole family and even has a friendly staff!  The check-in and check-out were quick, easy, and painless!  I would definitely go back there!

Disclaimer:  I received a free night at the Wilderness at the Smokies.  However, I was not obligated to review it.  No compensation was received.  The opinions expressed are my own.