The Best Day to Visit Dollywood – Avoid the Crowds and Maximize Fun
Published Dec 30, 2024
A trip to the Smokies isn’t complete without a day at Dollywood. But the theme park attracts millions of visitors annually. What’s the best day to visit Dollywood if you want to avoid crowds?
Follow these tips to spend less time waiting in lines and more time enjoying Dolly’s rides, shows, and hospitality!
1. Visit on a Thursday.
Crowd prediction apps point to Thursdays as the least busy days, at any time of year. If you’re fitting one Dollywood day into a longer vacation, make that day a Thursday. The runner-up for least busy day of the week? Wednesday. Days to avoid? Weekends.
2. Avoid school vacation weeks and holiday periods.
Even the reliably less busy midweek days can explode with visitors during specific times. Avoid summer months, October’s fall foliage season, and the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pick these months instead:
- Mid-April through May. Schools’ spring breaks are over, and summer crowds haven’t arrived yet.
- September. The weather’s still beautiful, and visitor numbers drop as soon as Labor Day is past.
- Early November. Dollywood opens its holiday festival on Nov. 1, but the first week tends to draw lighter crowds.
3. Plan ahead to visit during a festival or special event.
Weeks-long, seasonal festivals draw plenty of eager folks. But you don’t need to avoid these colorful celebrations! Visit midweek and time your visit with care. Some festivals like Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Smoky Mountain Christmas feature nighttime light displays and evening entertainment, so you might want to arrive midafternoon and stay late, rather than arriving at the start of the day.
4. Navigate through crowds by using the right tools.
Download Dollywood’s app to see wait times for rides, park maps, restaurant information and more information to make your visit smooth and stress-free. Stay flexible, so you can switch the day’s plans if you hit a crowded attraction.
5. Choose a cabin close to Dollywood, so you spend your time at the park instead of on the road.
Returning for more days of fun and festivities is easy, when you’re staying just minutes away from the park! Reserve a Pigeon Forge cabin rental now and plan your Dollywood adventure.
