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Solo Dollywood Tips

April 8, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Last year, I took my first solo Dollywood trip. So, I thought I would do a post featuring some tips for anyone else considering doing the same thing.

Solo Dollywood

Solo Dollywood

I understand that many folks may be hesitant to visit Dollywood alone. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s a great idea! I thoroughly enjoyed myself last year and I have hopes to travel by myself to Dollywood again this year. It’s so nice to do what you want, when you want. You can move at your own pace. Plus, this is a great park to just sit and relax.

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Dollywood Activities to Try Alone

  • Take a tour – If you are nervous about visiting the park by yourself, might I suggest booking a tour? For a few hours, you will be a part of a group. That allows you to learn and interact with other people. On my solo visit last year, I took the I Will Always Love You Tour and you can read my review of that experience at the link.
  • Make a craft – I didn’t do this last time, but I am considering trying my hand at one of the crafts on my next solo adventure. At Dollywood, you can dip your own candles, make your own blown glass ornament (or pumpkin), customize your own leather belt, ornament, or bracelet or even forge your own knife! I do wish that they would allow people to make online reservations for the crafts ahead of time. Unfortunately, you have to show up at the craft location early in the day to book your spot.
  • Admire the park – Dollywood is a gorgeous park. It’s nice to visit during the different seasons to really appreciate the beauty of it all. I love just looking at the different seasonal decorations around the park. Plus, I can take as many photos as I want without feeling like I’m boring someone.
  • Catch a show – One of the things this park is known for is its shows. I highly recommend catching at least one. If nothing else, you need to catch at least some sort of musical act.
  • Ride rides – Of course, the main perk of visiting a theme park by yourself is riding whatever rides you want. In fact, you can ride them over again if you want. Alternatively, you don’t have to ride rides either. It’s up to you.
  • Eat what you want – Dollywood has several great food options. From festival food booths to fast service restaurants and a few sit down places, there’s something for everyone. Feel free to try a few things during your visit. There’s no one there to judge your choices.
  • Move at your own pace – Ride a bunch of rides back to back. Sit and enjoy the ambiance. It’s up to you.

Visiting Dollywood Alone

As you can see, there’s lots to do when you take a solo Dollywood trip. So, have you ever visited Dollywood by yourself? If so, what do you like to do? If not, what is stopping you?

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Solo Travel, Tennessee, Theme Parks

Is A Dollywood Season Pass Worth It

March 11, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

You may soon be wondering: is a Dollywood Season Pass worth it? I thought I would write a post to help people decide.

Dollywood Season Pass

Dollywood Season Pass

Dollywood opens for the 2026 season on Friday, March 13th. So, you may soon be wondering if a season pass is worth the money. I would argue it depends on your situation and it’s getting harder to recommend a pass due to decreased benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

Season Pass Options

Dollywood has drastically changed their season pass offerings over the past several years. So, I’ll start this post by urging anyone considering one to closely read over the current passes and their benefits. Don’t assume that since a pass came with certain benefits last year that it retains those same benefits this year.

Currently, there are two Season Passes available for purchase: Gold and Silver. Diamond was available for purchase at the end of last year for this season. I took advantage of the early passholder sale to upgrade to Diamond for 2026. I intend to examine its value in a future post.

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Bring-A-Friend Tickets

The biggest change to the pass program has been the gradual reduction (and in some cases elimination) of Free Bring-a-Friend passes with each pass. As of 2026, only the two highest tiers (Gold and Diamond) are given any free Bring-a-Friend passes! DW completely eliminated this benefit for the Silver passholders and is instead offering 2 discounted tickets. Plus, Gold is down to just 1 Free Ticket and 2 discounted tickets! Diamond came with 2 Free tickets. That’s a huge reduction from the 4 I received 5 years ago!

Previously, I wrote a post on how to save money at theme parks and I recommended getting a season pass just to save on park admission for families. However, the deduction and elimination of this benefit makes it harder to recommend it for some families.

However, if you are planning to visit for multiple days or planning multiple trips this year, it’s worth it for the value of admission and discounts.

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Passholder Discounts

Another perk of being a season passholder is the food, merch, and lodging discounts. Silver Passholders receive a 10% discount on shopping and dining. Gold Passholders receive 15% off. Diamond gets 20%. I will admit, it sure was nice to be able to use that 20% discount on my last trip in 2025 to purchase a Christmas Dollywood hoodie and to help pay for our meals.

Gold Passholders save $5 and Diamond Passholders save $10 on the seasonal guided tours. It looks like those tours have gone up $10 from 2025 to 2026 though. So, it definitely doesn’t feel like a savings anymore. You can read my I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review and Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review to get an idea of what you can expect with those tours.

Also, Gold and Diamond Passholders get free general parking! So, that’s a good savings, especially if you go multiple days.

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Is a Dollywood Season Pass Worth It?

A Dollywood Season Pass is only worth it for me if I’m planning to visit multiple times in a season. I don’t typically visit more than one day during a trip. It takes at least 2-3 days to break even on admission pricing alone. However, I enjoy knowing that there’s a theme park I can take myself to and not have to worry about paying for admission.

I think the erosion of benefits (and increase of pricing) has made it more difficult to recommend a season pass. I still find value in it for myself though. I don’t know if I will renew in 2027, especially at the pricy Diamond level. I will let you know towards the end of the season if it was worth it.

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Theme Parks

Burbank Studio Tours Compared

March 4, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Having previously visited and reviewed the three big film studios north of Hollywood, I thought I would compare the Burbank Studio Tours!

Burbank Studio Tours

Burbank Studio Tours

For those who don’t know, there are three working studios located near each other in the Burbank/upper Hollywood area: Universal, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney. Each place handles tours differently and seems better suited to different demographics. So, if you are wondering how each of these tours compares and which one is for you, keep reading!

Universal Studios Tour

I’ll start with the first one I did and I would wager is lots of people’s first (and only?): Universal! You see, you can’t actually schedule a straight Universal Studios Tour. However, there’s a ride at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park that takes you on a cart ride through the studios! The “ride” is included with park admission and can be repeated to see different things.

You can get an extended look at the lot by booking a VIP Tour. I was lucky enough to book it and posted a Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour Review back in 2024. We were able to get off the bus and walk through some of the props department. We also got to step on the lot where some “Pirates” movie and “The Good Place” show was filmed.

Neither of these options guarantees access to specific lots though and experiences can vary greatly. The tours can’t access lots where filming is taking place. Plus, Halloween Horror Nights can interrupt the studio tours with props and houses.

I think Universal Studios Tours are more of an add-on to a theme park day. Yes, you visit the back lot and maybe get to walk on a lot when you are VIP. However, it left me wanting more from a studio tour and I was happy to have the WB Studio the next day. If you are curious what a studio lot is like and don’t want to spend all day at a studio, then this is sufficient.

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour

The second option is the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. WB has really leaned into the studio tours with multiple tour options. They also host seasonal events to celebrate movie anniversaries and/or holidays throughout the year. On my visit, I only had time to do the standard studio tour. This gets you a 1 hour guided tour of the lot with access to other experiences they estimate will take 2 hours. In my Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Review, I stated that it took me about 2.5 hours total. However, I could have taken much longer if I hadn’t had something else planned for later in the day.

I think the Warner Bros. Tour is best for the folks who really want to see and experience a back lot. Even the standard tour allows you to get off of the cart and walk onto a set! Plus, after the guided portion, then you get to see sets from “The Big Bang Theory”, “Friends”, and more! It was so cool to get a picture on the “Friends” couch/set! There’s sections on “Harry Potter”, “Game of Thrones”, and “Batman”.

Warner Brothers is for people who really want to learn more about the movie making process. You can easily spend a whole day here. I hope to take a longer tour someday, personally. I really enjoyed this tour. However, I enjoy learning about how things work. If you think your group might get bored with a multi-hour experience, then this probably isn’t for you.

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Walt Disney Studios Tour

Lastly, there’s the Walt Disney Studios Tour. I think it’s great that the D23 Disney fan club is offering this tour for members. It’s wonderful to visit where the magic was made. Although, this tour focuses on the company’s animated films, which makes it a totally different experience.

As I stated in my Walt Disney Studios Tour Review with D23 this storied lot gave me real pinch-me moments. However, it was a little dry (compared to the other two tours). I would say this is best for hardcore Disney fans. It was amazing to be able to visit Walt Disney’s office and see what it was like when he was alive. It was so cool to walk around where history was made. However, it’s not a traditional studio tour like the others. You don’t get to walk onto a set. Rather, the tour focuses on the animated films that were produced here in the Animation Building. It also highlights the Disney Co. history that happened here.

I love that the tour includes a visit to the Disney Legends Plaza and you get to shop in the special studio employee store for unique merch! Overall, I’d suggest this only for the big Disney fans.

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Which Burbank Studio Tours is the best?

I know that people will want to know which Burbank Studio Tours is the best. However, I think it’s subjective and you need to pick the one that suits you/your group best. Universal is a theme park with the studio tour as an add-on. That’s probably better for folks with children. The Disney one is best for big Disney fans. Warner Bros. is great for getting a more intimate look at shows/films actually being made.

So, have you done a studio tour? Which one did you prefer?

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Burbank, California, Disney, Universal Studios Hollywood

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

February 11, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

When I was planning my trip to South Carolina last year, I wish I had encountered a Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide. So, I thought I would post my own.

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

Myrtle Beach Shopping Guide

If you enjoy shopping, then Myrtle Beach is an ideal travel destination. There are loads of little shops along the beach. However, there’s also two outlet malls and two different shopping/entertainment districts. Given the popularity of those four locations, I’m going to focus on highlighting their differences to help you narrow down where you might want to spend your money and time.

Tanger Myrtle Beach – Hwy 17

The first place I want to discuss is the outlet mall on Highway 17. It was our top priority for shopping because it has a Disney Outlet! We love to hit up Disney Outlets to get discount park merch. We also liked that it had a Vera Bradley outlet. Unfortunately, on our visit the Victoria’s Secret store here was a regular one, not an outlet store. Additionally, this outlet mall seemed a touch nicer than the next one.

Tanger Myrtle Beach – Hwy 501

After striking out at the VS at Hwy 17, we headed over to the one at 501. As of spring 2025, the Victoria’s Secret at this outlet mall was a real outlet store with lots of discounted merch. This mall has a lot of overlap with the above outlet mall. However, it felt like it was more spread out and there were more crosswalks where you had to watch out for traffic.

Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing is a shopping/entertainment district in North Myrtle Beach. During our first trip here, they were in the process of building it. So, it was nice to re-visit it and see it completed. It’s a nicely themed, classy place to do some shopping and relaxing. It’s nice to sit and look out at the water. I also recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Blueberry’s Grill! We really enjoyed our breakfast here one morning! We also grabbed a couple of ornaments to remember this trip by at the Christmas Mouse!

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Broadway at the Beach

Broadway at the Beach is another shopping/entertainment district. However, it’s in Myrtle Beach proper. As such, it is definitely more family friendly. We started our day here by visiting the Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. There’s also a Pavilion Park Fun Park that has lots of amusement rides for kids to enjoy. So, if you are looking for something to entertain the kids while you shop, this is a great option!

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Where should you go shopping in Myrtle Beach?

While there are lots of other little shops you can visit in Myrtle Beach, I think these are the four main options. I hope I’ve given you enough information to help you decide which places you should visit on your vacation. Where do you like to shop in Myrtle Beach?

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Best Things in Universal Studios Florida

January 28, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I want to highlight the best things in Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort!

Best Things In Universal Studios Florida

The Best Things in Universal Studios Florida

In 2025, I posted my favorite things in each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. So, in 2026, I thought I would do the same thing with a look at each of the three theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. I figured I’d start with the OG theme park at UO – Universal Studios Florida! Opened in 1990, it’s the park that started the resort! The park’s premise is bringing your favorite TV shows and movies to life! There’s currently 8 themed lands in the park with something for everyone!

Best Quick Service Restaurants

The place I find myself returning to the most in this park for a bite to eat is Today Cafe! The I Heart Vegan sandwich is a good way to get some more vegetables in my diet when I’m visiting. I also love that they have a rotation of seasonal desserts here. I sometimes think about the butternut squash tart and peanut caramel bar I got during the Halloween Horror Nights Daytime Tour back in 2023. It was a tasty meal that allowed me to eat in a hurry! Yummy!

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I have also enjoyed the addition of the Illumination’s Minion Cafe to this park. Otto’s Pet Rock is tasty for peanut butter and jelly fans!

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Best Full Service Restaurant

I’ve previously reviewed two of the full service restaurants in this park: Lombard’s Seafood Grille Review and Finnegan’s Bar and Grill at Universal Orlando Review. My mom and I weren’t overly impressed with Finnegan’s. However, it’s currently closed for refurbishment. So, I’m interested to see what it’s like afterwards. We enjoyed Lombard’s though. It had relaxing vibes and tasty key lime pie.

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Best Ride

I think the title of best ride in any theme park can be controversial. Also, I’m not super into roller coasters, believe it or not. However, I grew up with Harry Potter and enjoy the highly themed area. So, I’m going to say the best ride in this park is Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts!

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Seasonal Events

My absolute favorite thing about Universal Studios Florida is the seasonal events! It’s the location for Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and the Holiday Parade! It’s hard to decide if HHN or Mardi Gras is my favorite though. Mardi Gras is included with park ticket, not scary just fun, and is carefree. HHN is separately ticketed, crowded, and high energy. Either way, these are fun events that no other theme park can rival yet.

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The Best Things In Universal Studios Florida

Well, those are my favorite things in the original UO park. What are some of yours?

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: Florida, Orlando, Theme Parks, Universal Orlando Dining, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Florida

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