food IS a theme park
We recently took a trip to visit Dollywood, and now, this one hotel feature has us begging Disney for an upgrade.
Dollywood!
I wasn’t expecting one of my favorite parts of staying at Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge & Resort to have absolutely nothing to do with the pool, the food, or even the location. But after spending a few nights there, I came home wondering one thing: why doesn’t every Disney World hotel have this?!
In case you didn’t know, there is an absolutely gorgeous theme park hidden in the Smoky Mountains, and it’s owned by Dolly Parton!
Showstreet!
Yes, we’re talking about Dollywood! We recently stopped by this theme park to check it out, and it’s safe to say we’ve fallen in love. There are tons of things to enjoy about the theme park, like that iconic cinnamon bread, but there’s also one major warning you need to know about before heading into the park!
Life in Disney World is so much easier with a refillable resort mug by your side.
Disney World Resort Refillable Mug
You buy a mug at the start of your vacation and get unlimited refills during your stay — there’s nothing better than that. WAIT! Actually, there is something better — Dollywood’s refillable mug! And we think Disney World should take a note out of Dollywood’s book to make their system better!
Sometimes the best theme park snacks aren’t the flashiest ones on the menu.
Chargrilled Corn on the Cob at Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner
If you’ve been walking past Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner at Dollywood without giving it a second glance, it’s time to rethink your strategy. This casual counter-service spot is turning out simple, satisfying bites that hold their own against anything else in the park, and one menu item in particular had us stopping mid-stride. Here’s our full honest take on what to order and whether it’s worth your time and appetite.
Dollywood is basically the Disney World of Tennessee. There are rides, there is food, there are themed hotels — what more could you ask for?
Showstreet!
But with this also comes the crowds, which means there will be a lot of waiting in lines and a lengthy amount of time to get back to your resort after a long day. However, if you’re staying at either the HeartSong Lodge & Resort or DreamMore Resort & Spa, you’re in for a couple of perks that could make those issues disappear!
Disney Adults are very good at Disney World. Maybe too good. We know where the good bathrooms are. We know when to mobile order. We know which benches have the best afternoon shade. We know that a Lightning Lane window can turn an otherwise normal person into a tactical commando with a phone battery problem. But Dollywood? Dollywood is a different creature.
Welcome to Dollywood!
It’s still a theme park, yes. There are coasters, shows, snacks, shops, crowds, strollers, and at least one food item you will think about during a random Tuesday staff meeting six months later. But this is not Disney World with more banjos. Dollywood has its own rhythm, its own rules, and its own little Smoky Mountain personality quirks. So, if you’re a Disney Adult heading to Pigeon Forge, here are the rules you’re probably going to break on your first visit.
Who’s ready for a treat that practically screams “theme park snack“??
Dollywood!
With a name like “Disney Food Blog,” it’s no secret that we love tasting our way around the theme parks. And we’re just as dedicated to snacking even when we head outside of the Disney parks! We recently took a trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and tried a TON of food, including Dollywood’s most iconic treat. Now, who’s ready for a closer look at a Dollywood snack that puts a twist (literally) on the classic theme park hot dog??
Yes, we are still talking about our recent trip to Dollywood, and this meal included one of our favorite dishes we tried on our trip!
Dine with us!
You know we enjoy our theme park food here at DFB, and the food in Dollywood was no different. Located in Tennessee, Dollywood is becoming a name in the theme park food space. We had to check out the restaurants at the HeartSong Resort, and this is everything we tried!
Southern comfort food hits different when it’s done right, and Granny Ogle’s Ham and Beans at Dollywood is doing it right.
Spread at Granny Ogle’s Ham and Beans
Theme park dining has a reputation for playing it safe, which makes it all the more satisfying when a spot leans fully into its roots and actually delivers. Granny Ogle’s is that kind of place, and it deserves a lot more attention than it typically gets. We stopped in recently and tried a couple of menu staples, so here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
We’re pretty massive Disney fans, but that doesn’t mean we don’t check out the other theme parks. One that we’ve been loving lately has been Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
©Dollywood
We’ve been trying lots of food, and of course checking out the rides, and one of the newest rides, NightFlight Expedition, has been high on our list to check out. Unfortunately, it seems like we’re going to have to wait a little bit longer before we’re able to climb on and ride.
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