April: Hello and welcome to Explore the Smokies. A podcast focused on bringing you fun and informative interviews that will help you plan your trip to the mountains. We offer travel tips and information for those planning their Smoky Mountain getaway and this podcast is sponsored by explorethesmokies.com, where travel planning is easy. I’m April.

 

Aaron: I’m Aaron, and we want to use this episode to introduce ourselves and let you know what you’d expect from the podcast.

 

April: That’s right. Hi, Aaron. How are you doing?

 

Aaron: I’m doing great, April. How are you? Hey, tell me something about this explorethesmokies.com. What is it?

 

April: So, great question. So a lot of people love to vacation, but they don’t necessarily love the piece of it that comes with actually planning the vacation. You have to go to this website and that website and make this phone call. And so, what explorethesmokies.com does, is it makes it easy for people who are planning their trips to come to just one spot. They can pull up an itinerary, say I want to go for a girl’s weekend. I can go to explorethemokies.com. Click on girls’ weekend. We’re interested in shopping, Spa, outdoor activities.

 

And I will have a slew of tried-and-true itineraries that pop up based on other people’s experiences, what they liked about the day, what they didn’t like, and I can pick and choose the entire itinerary. I can put pieces of it in my cart and it will just basically help me plan my trip from things to do, places to stay, events that are going on in the area, and also, it will offer a place where you can join the Community Forum, ask questions about people’s experiences and suggestions about places that they can go. So, it’s a one-stop shop.

 

Aaron: That’s awesome. So I can find somewhere to stay, I can find a sample itinerary. I can’t even do my own itinerary as well, right?

 

April: Yeah, that’s right. If you’re not into reading a bunch of itineraries, we obviously have the individualized option. So, if you want to go on there and you’re looking for restaurants, you can go on, look at all the restaurants, and when you see one that you like. You can just click on add to my itinerary, and at the end, you’ll have an entire sheet that’s focused on what you want to do when you’re down in the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Spearville area. So…

 

Aaron: Awesome.

 

April: Yeah, it’s pretty cool. And I know you said about places to stay. This is an awesome platform because while you’ve got options, resorts, cool places to go, we really like to focus on independent rental. So, people who advertise and have their properties on Airbnb and VRBO, we cherry-pick, choose some of the best that we like and you can still check out on those platforms that you are comfortable with. We are not a booking site, but we’re more of an advertising place, marketing site for high-end places that people like to stay when they’re traveling to the Smokies.

 

Aaron: Oh, that’s perfect. It’s perfect. Hey, what if I want to advertise on the site for my rental property or just advertise on the site because I own a business?

 

April: Great. Great question. You just go to explorethesmokies.com. There’s a whole area for being a partner for rentals, and you will get all the information that you need there just by signing up. And you can also… actually I think that they could email you, Aaron, at Aaron@explore the Smokies.com, A-A-R-O-N.

 

Aaron: That’s great. What do you have going on today?

 

April: I’m really excited today because we have Heather, right with us. Heather is a Dollywood Insider. She lives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with her husband and her family. She also has a blog called the Smoky Mountain Mom and Instagram, and a lot of followers. And we’re really excited to have her here. Hi, Heather. Are you there with us?

 

Heather: I am so glad to be here.

 

April: Well, thank you for coming on with us today. I have to say having a Dollywood insider in the house is pretty exciting. So, why don’t you tell everybody what that is?

 

Heather: Well, a Dollywood Insider is… we are people that have gone through an application process, it happens yearly, and if this sounds like something that you’re interested in doing, applications actually open up, I think July the 5th[?]. If you look up Dollywood Insiders on Google, you can find all the information. Because[?] the application process is for people that obviously love Dollywood.

 

And we write, we either blog or Vlog for the Dollywood insiders blog for a full year. We pitch ideas and we get to cover things that we’re interested in, or that we think would be helpful for other people that are visiting Dollywood. And then we also get invited to all the media events, we get all the press releases. So we know some things first before the general public, it’s a really fun thing to do.

 

April: I think that’s what everybody really wants to know. What do you know that we don’t know? People who are coming to Dollywood, what Secrets or tips can you offer?

 

Heather: Well, one is, if you look into Dollywood for any amount of time, within the first 30 seconds, you will read that cinnamon bread is the one thing that you must have at the park. But the secret is yes you can get it at the park but everyone stands in line forever to get it. But you can also find it at the bakery, the Spotlight Bakery. When you first walk into the park, or if you were just in the area and you really want the cinnamon bread, but you’re not going to the park that day, go to the dream or Resort and Spa, and the pantry which is just on the right when you walk in the lobby carries the bread to it [?] it’s first come first serve. They do sell out and then they don’t make more, but you can get it there.

 

April: I’ve heard so much about this bread. Oh my gosh. Have you tried this bread, Aaron?

 

Aaron: I’ve not tried the bread but I do love to eat and my question, Heather was, can you bring snacks in the Dollywood, a cooler or backpack, or anything like that?

 

Heather: I think they will tell you they would prefer you not to bring your own food in. I have always traveled with the child, and so we have brought in little snacks especially to keep the hunger at bay, keep kids happy in line, that thing.

 

April: Okay, so mental note for that. We actually had somebody on the Community Forum that wanted us to ask you a question that has to do with half-day entry. I know about five years ago we got tickets for one day, but we were able to enter after four o’clock the day before, and I don’t know if they do that anymore, offer half-day park passes.

 

Heather: They don’t anymore. That was fun we did that a lot too, but they don’t offer that.

 

April: Okay. All right. Well, that’s okay because people are going to come no matter what, we know it’s been really busy down there. And what we’re trying to find out is some tips that when you’re going into the park, most people, families that are traveling there, they’re going to be there for one, two days stop. What are some of the tricks that you can share with them to help them experience as much as the park has to offer?

 

Heather: My first tip would be to plan ahead, check out the Insiders blog. There are all sorts of information from the rides that little ones can ride, what to do if you’re not into riding things, where to find… little things from where to find coffee to where to eat breakfast before you get to the park, it’s all there. Another great option is the Dollywood app. There’s an interactive map on the app, and you can even search if you’re looking for a sit-down restaurant or a certain dietary need for food, or where a show might be going on, or if you want the show schedule, everything.

 

So plan ahead is number one. Number two, when you enter the park it just seems like traffic moves naturally to the right. So, go against the grain, take a left. And this might help you especially if you’re entering in the morning as it opens, this might help you avoid some of the traffic and some of the long lines. If you go to the left of the Park first. And my third tip is, Dollywood is a park for all ages.

 

My parents have had season tickets for years and while my dad will ride a ride every once in a while, they are there for the festivals, they go to every festival because the food changes, the shows change, they love the decor. So they go and they eat, and they watch shows, and they walk around and look at the decorations, and they make great use of their past and never even ride a ride. So,  you want to do it all if you’re in Dollywood, so two days is great if you can do it that way you can do all the shows, all the rides and enjoy it all.

 

April: I’m sure the shows are fantastic after all, it is Dollywood. Have you seen Dolly Parton ever at the park?

 

Heather: I have.

 

April: Have you?

 

Heather: Because as an Insider we get to do media events, and so she does typically…Pre-Covid she would always help open each festival with a media event.

 

April:  Awesome.

 

Heather: So, I did get to see her several times.

 

 April: Oh, that is very cool.

 

Aaron:  I want to see her. I want to see Dolly when I go. Hey Heather, do you know if the tickets are cheaper online or the same at the gate? Is there a benefit to buying them online?

 

Heather: There is a benefit to buying them online. It reserves your day if you buy them online. During COVID this is a big thing. They require reservation and as things are opening back up, the reservation system is not as important especially if you’re a season pass holder. But if you buy your tickets,  that guarantees entry,  because in the summer especially on holidays during school breaks they do meet capacity. So if you plan on showing up to buy your ticket, there is a chance that you won’t get in if the park is…

 

Aaron: Oh, that’s good to know.

 

April: Yeah, absolutely. So what about fast passes? I don’t know if that’s what they call them there, but I’m thinking Disneyworld fast passes. Is that something they do at Dollywood?

 

Heather: They do and that is something that you can if you stay at the dream or Resort, it comes with your stay. But if you are just going to the park for the day, they sell a limited amount. And I believe you can buy them online ahead of time and reserve yours because that is also something that sells out. But it gives you… there’s a couple of different levels this year and I think it depends on… We haven’t actually used some this year but I think it gives you more… the two different levels give you more rides on the bigger rides, the bigger roller coasters, the things that typically have the longer rides longer line. They’re definitely nice to have because you can skip a lot of waiting.

 

April: Got you. So, we’re going to be talking on another podcast about The Trolley system. Is that something that you would suggest taking over to Dollywood because of all the traffic and parking issues? Or what are your thoughts on that?

 

Heather: Yes, if you are staying in a place where you have access to the trolley or you can park. I know there are some parking lots around Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg where you can park and ride the trolley, I would recommend that. Parking gets crazy especially if you plan to arrive at the opening or staying. Like right now the Summer Night Celebration is going on, and so everybody leaves at the same time, so traffic getting out of the park is crazy. So, if you have the ability to ride a trolley, that certainly eliminates having to either pay to park or waiting in line to get in and out of the park.

 

April: Great.

 

Aaron: And Heather, I have a little background secret trolley info and I happen to know that they have direct routes. One of the few places they have direct routes on The Trolley system to and from Dollywood.

 

April: Awesome, that’s good information. And they can obviously find those routes online and we’re going to have that posted on explorethesmokies.com. But Heather we now are going to transition a little bit into something a little more fun, something personal. Give some back story about who you are and your experiences down there. Aaron’s got some questions.

 

Aaron: We’re going to do this, Heather, quick and fast. You’re familiar with Family Feud.

 

Heather: Yes.

 

Aaron: I’m going to put 20 seconds on the clock. The first thing that comes to your mind, and we’re going to go through this, it’s just five questions, so we’ll get them out quickly. Ready?

 

Heather: I am ready.

 

Aaron: Your favorite place in the Smokies?

 

Heather: Top of [Inaudible].

 

Aaron: Your favorite place to eat?

 

Heather: I love Clifftops at Anna Kista.

 

Aaron: Favorite spot for a perfect photo or selfie.

 

Heather: That’s a hard one.

 

Aaron: Time is running.

 

Heather: I know. I know let’s see. There is a great mural in Sevierville of butterfly wings, or you can also get your selfie made with the Dolly Parton statue in Sevierville. Lots of fun places at Dollywood, anywhere in the woods with a sanddune[?] behind you.

 

Aaron: All right. We’ll accept those three answers. And if you had a day, just one day to visit, what are the two places you must go to in Dollywood?

 

Heather: In Dollywood, I would ride the lightning rod and I would see a show, that’s what I would do at Dollywood, and the smokies in general. I would get into the national park, that is the top thing I would suggest doing.

 

April: Awesome.

 

Aaron: Awesome. One reason why you think people love coming to the Smokies year after year?

 

Heather: Oh, it’s gorgeous. It is beautiful year-round between the obvious landscape that is beautiful, the light, the… There’s just so much to see and do, I think that’s the magic.

 

Aaron: That’s great. Hey, can you tell me one last thing, the significance of the butterflies in Dollywood? Is there a significance?

 

Heather: Dolly Parton loves them.

 

Aaron: She loves them, okay. Here we go.

 

Heather: Se loves the butterflies.

 

April: That’s right. That’s all needs to be said. I love crowns, so if I get to Dollywood I am going to have crowns all over the place. Aaron, you’re going to be wearing the crown.

 

Aaron: I guess I am.

 

April: Okay. Thanks, Heather. You can read more travel tips from Heather on explorethesmokies.com and ask her your burning questions. You can also follow her blog at the smokymountainmom.com and follow her on Instagram. Thanks for joining us, I’m April.

 

Aaron: I’m Aaron.