Dollywood opened to the public again in June of 2020 with some new guidelines in place to help keep guests safe. Make the most out of your trip to Dollywood this summer and read all about the newest festivals still taking place!
Flower & Food Festival
The Flowers
Dollywood’s inaugural Flowers & Food Festival was supposed to take place in the spring of 2020. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic this festival was pushed back. Dollywood fans were excited to learn this spectacular festival would still take place in June & July of 2020.
This stunning displays of flora consists of multiple colorful plants and shrubs throughout the theme park. In fact, more than half a million plants are on display all throughout the park! Perhaps the most stunning plant sculpture in the park is a 14-foot tall piece featuring Avie Lee Parton – Dolly’s mother. The Coat of Many Colors display is based on one of Dolly Parton’s most popular songs and tells the story of a coat sewn together from scraps to keep the young singer warm when she was a child.
Throughout the park you’ll see numerous displays of all shapes and sizes. Check out mosaics of turtles, butterflies, bears, and even raccoons. These stunning sculptures make for excellent family photo backdrops, too! The sculpture displays were created out of steel, then filled with soil & covered in fabric. Then, the plants can be attached. Some of the plant mosaics in the park have more than 5,000 plants covering them!
The Food
Of course, the Flowers & Food Festival wouldn’t be complete without the food! Some of the featured dishes include:
Appetizers: Caramelized Brussels sprouts
Main Dish: Pork sliders with a sweet & salty pineapple chutney; lobster roll with salt & malt vinegar kettle chips; Greek orzo pasta with a lemon & garlic vinaigrette
Sweet Treats: miniature blueberry tart, served with a slice of lemon; chocolate ganache brownie topped with a frosting flower; toasted coconut cupcake made with coconut milk and topped with a toasted coconut buttercream frosting
Drinks: Watermelon lime fresca – fresh watermelon juice combined with lime; blueberry lavender lemonade – fresh squeezed lemonade with a kick of blueberry and lavender for a unique flavor combination
Of course, classic Dollywood staples like their famous cinnamon bread, funnel cakes, and regular dining establishments are also available during the festival.
Umbrella Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJL2mKrRtI
One often-talked about feature of the Flowers & Food Festival is the Umbrella Sky. This dazzling multicolored umbrella display covers the sky above Dollywood’s Showstreet. The whimsical spring display invites you to walk underneath during the heat of summer and enjoy the warm breeze with a brilliant hue of colors.
Thrill in the Hills
This summer, Dollywood also presents the Thrills in the Hills festival. Designed for the roller coaster enthusiast, this festival takes place July 10-11. The event is $65 for season pass holders and $105 for non-season pass holders. You’ll also receive a free T-shirt with your booking.
This festival features behind the scenes tours of your favorite Dollywood rides & exclusive ride time, too! Get a rarely seen glimpse into what it takes to keep the rides running at the Friendliest Theme Park in the US.
Check out this blog post by Dollywood Insider Andrew Courtner about his recent behind-the-scenes glimpse at the off-season roller coaster maintenance that takes place every year.
Home of plenty of thrills, from mild to wild, Dollywood has a roller coaster for just about anyone in your group who loves them. Guest favorites include the Wild Eagle – America’s first wing roller coaster reaching 21 stories above the park, giving riders a chance to feel like they’re flying above the mountains. There’s also the Tennessee Tornado – a zooming roller coaster with a 128-foot drop through the mountainous hillside, hitting speeds of nearly 70 mph!
Can’t make a trip to the new festival this summer? You can still get in the spirit by checking out these great coloring pages provided by Dollywood for kids or adults.
Splash Country
While no festivals are taking place at Dolly’s Splash Country this season, it’s definitely worth a look for the dog days of summer. Whether you want to relax or want to ride a thrill ride, Splash Country offers an attraction for the entire family.
Lazily float the 1500-foot Downbound Float Trip – a relaxing meander down a lazy river with a 200-foot waterfall to cool you off. The Mountain Waves pool makes a great place to catch some rays or head off for one of the shaded canopies. Float, play, or just make a splash! Don’t forget about the private cabanas for more relaxed experience.
Excitement can be found at Splash Country, too! If the whole family loves thrill rides, check out the Big Bear Plunge – a 3-4 person ride through dark tunnels with twists and bends and even some exciting drops. You’ll definitely get wet splashing through the waterfall before riding a bumpy “cliff” to the finish.
For the more competitive thrill seekers, check out the Slick Rock Racer – a multiple lane racing slide where you can hop on your stomach and race head first to the bottom of the 300-foot slide.
Make Your Reservation for the Parks
Dollywood requires reservations for all visitors in 2020, and you can make your reservations to visit the park here.
Clicking the link will show you how many tickets are still available for the days your family will want to see the park.
Book a Stay
After you’ve decided on your dates and bought your tickets, you need a place to stay. Let American Patriot Getaways help! We have plenty of cabins close to Dollywood and Splash Country! From cozy studio-style cabins for couples to large cabins for an extended family vacation, we have something to fit every need and budget. Check out all our amazing properties on our website. You can also give our friendly Reservations Department a call at 800-204-5169 for assistance in choosing the perfect property for your trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.
Give our Reservations staff a call at 800-204-5169 or check out our website. No matter your group size or budget, American Patriot Getaways has a cabin for you!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest area information. Check us out on Pinterest for easy recipes to cook in your cabin, decor inspiration, and more!
