Laughing Lindsay

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What to Pack for a Theme Park

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I know there are probably loads of other posts out there on what to pack for a theme park visit. However, like most things, I believe these lists to be subjective. I also believe we can all learn something from each other. So, I’m sharing the things I take when I visit one!

What to Pack for a Theme Park

What to Pack for a Theme Park

When thinking about what to pack for a theme park, you have to start with the bag itself. I know lots of people like to take a backpack. However, I prefer a crossbody bag because I can see my bag at all times. That way, I don’t have to worry about someone stealing from my bag. Perhaps I’m too careful, but I know thefts still happen on vacation.

The bag in the picture above is a Disney Vera Bradley Crossbody Bag. I purchased it at a VB Outlet store in Pigeon Forge, TN last year. I love that it’s a soft fabric, washable, and that particular pattern features the Walt Disney World castle. I take this bag when I’m visiting Disney parks. This is the second Disney Vera Bradley crossbody bag I’ve owned. The first one was starting to get worn in the crossbody strap, so I replaced it with this one. However, I had carried it for years. In fact, I think I got it about the time I went to Disney Social Media Moms.

Back in 2019, I purchased a black Michael Kors crossbody bag at that same outlet mall in Pigeon Forge, TN. I have been carrying it when I’m not going to Disney. The fabric is not as soft as VB, but it’s holding up well. It’s also stylish no matter what I pair it with.

List of What to Bring

Without further ado, here’s my list of things to pack for a theme park:

  • Sunglasses and/or Hat – I wear glasses, but have several pairs of sunglasses that go over my glasses. In fact, I never leave the house without a pair to protect my eyes. In recent years, I’ve gotten better about protecting my skin by wearing hats too.
  • Poncho – If you are traveling to Florida, you need a poncho. They frequently have short rain showers while remaining hot. So, a light poncho is perfect. Also, you can save several dollars by bringing your own! I also sometimes carry a mini-umbrella if it’s calling for rain.
  • Charger – You will be using your phone to take pictures as well as using the park’s app. It drains your battery quickly. Bring a charger and cord.
  • Wallet – You have to have your tickets/id anyways. I know some parks have gone cashless, but I’m already carrying my bag, so might as well bring my wallet too.
  • Sunblock and bug spray – You need to reapply through the day. I got a brush with powder sunscreen inside the handle last year and like carrying it around.
  • Hand sanitizer – Ideally, you wash your hands before eating. However, at least you can sanitize after riding a ride.
  • Gum – Disney doesn’t sell gum in their parks. So, if you are a gum chewer, bring your own gum.

So, did I forget anything? What do you pack for a theme park?

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

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I’ve been lucky enough to experience Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains several times. Here are my favorite things to see and do when I visit during that time of the year!

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

There is so much to see and do when you visit the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area! It can be hard to know what is worth your time and money. I think it’s even harder to decide what to do when you are visiting during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. To make it easier to plan your trip, I’m going to break down your options based on the three towns you can visit.

Christmas in Sevierville

If you are visiting Sevierville at Christmastime, then I recommend checking out Shadrack’s Light Show. I experienced the show at the Smokies Stadium in 2020 and found it to be a great way to see some lights while social distancing. This light show is a drive through experience, so you can stay in your car the whole time! 2022 will be the last year it will be held at the Stadium. However, they are starting a new show at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in 2022 as well. I’m sure it will be just as fun!

Christmas in Pigeon Forge

I just did a whole post highlighting Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge. In it I discuss everything from Dolly Parton Stampede Christmas Dinner Show to the Comedy Barn! I also have to mention how amazing Christmas at Dollywood is again! Additionally, the town of Pigeon Forge celebrates the holidays each year with Winterfest! During this time, you can see all kinds of Christmas lights around town for free! Plus, they just opened the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail! You can definitely plan a few days in Pigeon Forge around the holiday season!

Christmas in Gatlinburg

Lasty but not least is Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg decorates the town with branded snowmen, as seen in the photo collage above! They dot the entire main street and it’s fun to go around to see all of the different ones! You can also visit Anakeesta for Enchanted Winter/Christmas! Anakeesta also offers Breakfast with Santa on select weekends in late November/early December. To get an idea of what to expect at Anakeesta during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains, you can scroll through my pictures in the Instagram post below.

There are two additional options for celebrating winter in Gatlinburg that I’ve never experienced: Ober Mountain for skiing and snow tubing as well as Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. I’ve heard good things about each one, but haven’t had the chance to do them yet. Although, I have visited Ober during the fall and had fun there.

As you can see, there’s lots to do if you visit during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. Is there another must visit on your list?

If you are planning a trip to the area during a different season, here are my other posts to help you plan:

Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, TN

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Did you know that several attractions in the Smoky Mountains get a holiday makeover? For instance, there are several special Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge, TN! Here’s a look at the various options and my reviews of the experiences.

Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge

Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge

All of these places have year round offerings, but they change the performance for the holidays. So, if you are already a fan of the attraction or are just looking for a new way to get in the jolly spirit when visiting, here’s a list of Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, TN!

  • Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede – If you click that link, you can actually read my full review of this dinner experience. I’ve actually never gone to the original Dolly Parton Stampede show but I found the holiday North vs South Pole twist to be fun and jovial.
  • Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud – I reviewed the regular Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show previously and was lucky enough to attend the holiday version this past weekend! It was fun to see all of the characters add a little bit of red and green to their outfits (minus that one… Haha!). I also enjoyed hearing the festive tunes. You can see pictures from this visit in my Instagram post below.
  • Comedy Barn Christmas – It’s just never worked out for me to visit the Comedy Barn. However, I’ve heard good things about it. There’s no dinner served here, but it’s a variety act. Their holiday version just began on the 19th, so if you visit soon you will get to experience this one.
  • Country Tonite Christmas – I visited this attraction last year. Last year, they performed a good chunk of their regular Country Tonite show, had an intermission, and then switched it up to holiday music. If you are looking for something with lots of religion and patriotism in it, then this is for you. Also, it helps if you are a fan of country music.
  • Dollywood – Lastly, I would include Dollywood as a place to visit with Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge! There are several to choose from and a ticket for the day isn’t much more than a dinner show ticket! You can read my post for tips on visiting Dollywood at Christmas!

So, that’s the list of Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge, TN! Have you been to any of them? Which one is your favorite?

Christmas at Dollywood: What to Expect

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It’s hard to believe it, but it’s already Christmas at Dollywood! So, here’s a look at all of the things you can expect to see, do, and eat at the yearly festival!

Christmas at Dollywood

Christmas at Dollywood

From now until the end of the 2022 season (January 1, 2023), you can experience Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood! This festival includes seasonal foods, millions of lights, a weekend fireworks show and festive shows! It’s easy to make a full day at the park during this time of the year!

The Decorations

You can’t talk about Christmas at Dollywood without talking about the lights, so I will start there. Similar to my recommendations for experiencing fall at Dollywood, I suggest walking around the park at least once during the day and then again at night. This way, you can really experience the gorgeous decor! It’s nice to see all of the trees during the day and then again with the lights on! The same can be said for the other decor as well.

Another neat thing to know about the holiday decorations, is that each part of the park has a different color/theme! Santa’s Village is red and green. Glacier Ridge is blues and white. Craftman’s Valley has clear lights.

Additionally, new this year is the Dollywood Express Light Experience! You will be able to ride the train (something I recommend doing anytime of the year) and see new lights flickering by as seasonal music plays! This sounds like a fun experience for sure! Although, it tends to be cold on the train in the winter. So, make sure you bundle up and grab some hot chocolate!

The Food

Once again, the park is bringing back the tasting pass for the festival. In my opinion, this can be a great way to try several seasonal foods on a budget. However, you have to make sure you choose items that are worth over $6 to get your money’s worth. Otherwise, I recommend just buying items out of pocket. I can’t recommend a stop by the Spotlight Bakery enough. Everything I’ve ever had there is delicious!

Beyond the Gingerbread People Cookies, it appears that most of this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood menu is new. However, I am looking forward to trying the Chicken Pot Pie Bread Cone and Hot Chocolate Cupcake when I visit later this month! Keep an eye on my Instagram to see what I end up trying.

The Entertainment

One of the things Dollywood is known for is their entertainment. I just love being able to walk around the park and catch a performance. There are always loads of musicians around the park. However, Christmas at Dollywood brings special holiday plays too! I’m hoping to finally catch “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Appalachian Christmas”.

Lastly, if you are attending on a Friday or Saturday night, then you can catch the Merry & Bright, Holiday Light! Fireworks Show! I’m very disappointed that it has returned to just weekend nights as that blocks out the bring a friend passes from viewing them. We missed seeing them last year because it was too cold and we thought we could see them this year. However, since my mom goes with me on a bring a friend pass, that’s not possible this year. So, that’s a huge bummer. That being said, I’m sure they are great fireworks and the perfect way to end the day.

So, there you have it! An overview of everything you can expect to see, hear, and taste at Christmas at Dollywood! Have you ever been? What was your favorite part?

If you are planning a trip to the park during a different season, here are my posts on those seasonal events:

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

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Before I became a frequent theme park visitor, I wasn’t sure there wasn’t anything for me to enjoy at a theme park. I definitely didn’t think my husband or mom who both get motion sickness could have fun at a theme park. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely possible! In fact, here’s a list of theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who like to travel without needing to ride the most thrilling rides.

theme park tips for scaredy cats

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

Up until a few years ago, I assumed you had to be a thrill seeker to enjoy amusement parks. However, after visiting some great ones, I now realize that theme parks can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age and ability! So, here are my theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who don’t want to ride the big roller coaster.

  • Experience the seasonal events. As I’ve posted previously, there’s so much to see and eat during the fall season at Dollywood. However, the same can be said about pretty much any festival at Epcot or SeaWorld Orlando. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando is another seasonal event I highly recommend. Of course, the holidays at any amusement park are filled with special shows, décor, and food to enjoy!
  • See a show. Most amusement parks also have shows you can watch during the day. So, glance at a schedule for the day’s events at the park and catch a few! They can be a great way to escape the weather too!
  • Try out new food. Do some research before you arrive and see what food the park is famous for. For instance, you have to get the cinnamon bread at Dollywood or a Dole Whip at Disney Parks. Then, go and try as many of those foods as you can!
  • Ride a sight seeing ride. Most people can tolerate a train ride around a park (Dollywood) or on something like the People Mover at Magic Kingdom. So, be on the lookout for rides in the air to get a different view of the park. You might even spot a ride that looks less intimidating from up in the sky.
  • Do your research. I highly recommend checking out ride point of view videos on YouTube prior to going to any theme park, to get a feel for a ride and see if it might be tolerable for you or not. You can also read descriptions of rides on many parks’ websites, so if a roller coasters mentions inversions or a tall height requirement, it might not be for you.
  • Look for add-on events. Lots of parks have add-on events you can participate in for an additional cost. Often times this is not riding a ride. For instance, the Dine with Orcas at SeaWorld Orlando is an add-on event where you can eat lunch while watching a show with an orca! That is thrilling, but totally accessible to everyone! SeaWorld features tons of animal experience add-ons and Walt Disney World has several tours as well. Universal Orlando even has some free behind the scenes tours of their rides!

So, there you have my theme park tips for scaredy cats! Do you have any tips?