As Dollywood prepares to open its gates for another season of fun, this is the perfect time to let you in on some insider tips! Although the Pigeon Forge theme park can get quite busy during peak periods, there are plenty of ways to beat the crowds so that you can have a fun and productive day! Here are 5 insider tips on how to get the most out of your visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge TN:

1. Visit on a Weekday

Kids riding a roller coaster.Like most theme parks throughout the country, Dollywood is most crowded on weekends and during the periods when kids are out of school. If you are visiting during the spring months, Thursdays are historically the slower days, while both Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best days during the summer months. If you are planning a trip to Dollywood during the Christmas season, weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends.

2. Arrive Early

If you have ever heard the phrase “the early bird gets the worm,” you can apply that philosophy to your day at Dollywood! One of the most important things to know is that you should arrive to the parking lot at least 30 minutes before the scheduled opening time. This gives you sufficient time to park and walk to the entrance, beating most of the crowds into the park. Once inside, head to the most popular attractions and rollercoasters to get a ride or two while the lines are still short!

3. Pick Up a Show Schedule

Band performing music at DollywoodDollywood in Pigeon Forge TN has a variety of exciting festivals and shows throughout the season that are highly recommended! If you are interested in seeing the shows, pick up a show schedule at the front gate and plan your day around the showtimes. Remember that Dollywood is a 150-acre park, so the last thing you want to do is have to backtrack across the park to catch a show!

4. Purchase a TimeSaver Pass

If you have only one day to see and do everything that Dollywood has to offer, it can be worthwhile to purchase a TimeSaver Pass! This is the park’s fastpass style system where you can use expedited entrances on rides and attractions to skip the majority of the lines. Without waiting in line all day, you will have more time to enjoy the park’s shows, restaurants and shops!

5. Don’t Let Rain Spoil Your Day

Dollywood trainIf you happen to be going to Dollywood on a rainy day, this can actually be one of the best days to visit the park! Crowds will likely be low, and many rides still run with a bit of rain. You won’t have to worry about lines for shows and attractions, so just enjoy having the park practically to yourself! If it rains for more than one hour on the day of your visit, Dollywood offers a No Worry Rain Guarantee with a raincheck to return for free on another day!

Want to be close to Dollywood? Check out our selection of cabins near Dollywood in Pigeon Forge!

Check out all of our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals to plan your vacation near Dollywood in Pigeon Forge TN. We look forward to seeing you soon at Top Cabin Rentals!