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?

The 5 Best Things To Do at Dollywood

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I wanted to do a best things to do at Dollywood post because I have posts detailing what you can expect to encounter during their seasonal festivals. This post will list my favorite things to do, no matter when you go!

Best Things to Do at Dollywood

The Best Things to do at Dollywood

DW is a unique theme park with lots of tasty eats, beautiful scenery, and fun experiences! So, it’s impossible to visit and not enjoy yourself. These are the things I enjoy doing whenever I visit.

  1. Take a train ride. Did you even visit Dollywood if you didn’t ride the train? You will see and hear the train making its way around the park during the day and it’s an integral part of the park. In fact, the park had its early start around the train. You have to ride it at least once! It is a neat way to see the park and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
  2. Eat cinnamon bread. You have to visit The Grist Mill to try the infamous cinnamon bread. Although, you can also pick up a loaf at the DreamMore Resort, it feels more special when you pick one up at the Mill and eat it in the park. If you are craving a more substantial meal, I recommend trying Aunt Granny’s at least once.
  3. See a show. Dollywood has some of the best theme park entertainment around. There are different shows to see based on the time of the year you go. However, they are known for the Dreamland Drive-in show which you can catch anytime of the year. It has a cute story with music everyone can enjoy. At the very least, it’s a great way to get some air conditioning on a hot day.
  4. Walk around the park and enjoy the sights. Dollywood has to be one of the most beautiful theme parks. The mountains serve as the backdrop and create picture worthy scenes no matter the season. Another fun thing to look at is Dolly’s old tour bus!
  5. Ride a ride. To be honest, I have taken at least one trip to Dollywood and didn’t ride a single ride. However, they do have a good selection of rides. I like the Dragonflier and enjoy riding the Demolition Derby a.k.a. bumper cars with my mom.

So, there you have the 5 best things to do at Dollywood no matter what time of the year you go. If you are wondering about their season events, here are my posts on those:

Summer at Dollywood 2022

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If you are planning a summer vacation and are wondering what all there is to experience during the summer at Dollywood, then I’ve got you covered! From the new Roadside Attractions around the park to the delicious foods and awesome drone show, there is lots to do during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration!

Summer at Dollywood

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration

During the 2022 summer at Dollywood, Dollywood has Roadside Attractions around the park to fit the theme of a summer road trip! These attractions include a Bubble Foam Zone (one for children and one for adults), Lazy Loungers (chairs to lounge in), Giant Spinning Tops (to sit on and/or spin), the Largest Bean Can, Noodle Takeover (a beautiful rainbow of hanging pool noodles), and the gorgeous Kite Sky (to replace spring’s Umbrella Sky)! It’s lots of fun to simply wander around the park to look and play with these things.

Summer at Dollywood Food

Another wonderful part of the fun of summer at Dollywood is the food! I personally recommend trying the Mountain Berry Lemonade, BBQ Burger, and Cookies and Cream Liege Waffle! My husband really enjoyed the Melon Delight, which is a great dairy-free way to cool down on a hot day! We both purchased a Tasting Pass and enjoyed walking around the park selecting different foods to try throughout the day. You can see most of the things we enjoyed in my Instagram post above. Although, be warned that some of the locations sold out of items before we got to try them around dinner time. Also, note that most dining locations close before the park does so get snacks for the drone show early.

Summer at Dollywood Entertainment

Dollywood is known for having some great entertainment, so it should come as no surprise that summer at Dollywood is no different! For instance, they have the Gazillion Bubbles Show Aurora returning this summer and it is definitely worth seeing! It’s hard to explain, but it’s a neat bubbles/laser show that allows you to sit in air conditioning for 40 minutes! You can also catch the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration shows Hydro Jive Junction and Liquid Beats.

Lastly, you can’t miss the amazing Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights 3D Drone and Fireworks Show, shown in my Instagram post above! It was our first drone show and it won’t be our last. It was neat to see all of the drones in the sky coming together along with the music. Plus, there’s a fun Summer Nights Dance Party prior to the drone show that gets you in the mood. It’s a wonderful way to end a summer day in the Smoky Mountains!

You can enjoy Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration until August 7th!

If you are planning a visit to the park during another season, here are my posts to help you: