RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesI visited Dolly Parton's Dollywood last summer. Ron Davis/Getty Images
I'm a longtime Disney World fan, but last summer, I visited Dollywood for the first time.
The park in Tennessee was cheap, had few crowds, and had great snacks.
Dollywood pleasantly surprised me and taught me about Dolly Parton's lasting legacy.
Disney World has long been my dream vacation.
Since I was a kid, I've loved heading down to Florida and spending time in the parks, jumping on some of my favorite rides like "Soarin'" and " Pirates of the Caribbean ."
Last summer, I decided to switch it up. I've heard great things about Dollywood in Tennessee , but I was unsure if it would be worth the trip.
After talking with a few friends, we decided to bite the bullet and book the trip. I was pleasantly surprised and learned a lot about Dolly Parton herself.
A year later, I'm still dreaming about my day in the park, and now with Dolly's passing, I'm eager to get back to the place that celebrates the musical legend.
I've long been a fan of her music, so I was excited when the grand entrance welcomed me into the Dolly-verse.
The entrance to Dollywood. Frank Olito/Business Insider
The buildings at the front of the park housed theaters, shops, and restaurants. It was my first indication that Dollywood was about to transport me into the icon's world.
I was impressed by the cheap ticket prices.
Purchasing tickets was surprisingly cheap. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Before I even arrived in Tennessee, I realized the biggest difference between Dollywood and Disney: the price.
I'm used to spending $150 or more for a ticket to Disney World.
For this trip, I paid just $99 for admission to two parks — Dollywood and Splash Country . It was well worth it.
My first stop at the park was the Dolly Experience: Songteller, a museum about the singer's life.
The entrance to Dollywood's museum. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Walking through a museum while at an amusement park was a new experience, but it set the tone for the rest of the day.
This wasn't an amusement park set around an IP of movies and TV shows. It was a place to celebrate Dolly Parton's life .
I remember this museum the most a year later because it taught me just how influential the singer really was.
Exploring an amusement park dedicated to a single celebrity was unique and fun.
Inside the Dollywood Experience. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Dollywood is focused on Dolly Parton — her childhood, her music, and her other achievements. This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive.
From the moment you enter the park, you explore different parts of Dolly's life. I entered replicas of her childhood home and schoolhouse. The whole park is a celebration of her hometown: the Smoky Mountain region .
I wasn't expecting much from the rides at Dollywood, but there was plenty to do.
There were plenty of roller coasters. Frank Olito/Business Insider
As someone who hates roller coasters , I was always hesitant when I saw the list of rides at Dollywood. There were a lot of roller coasters, and I am decidedly not a thrill seeker.
Even though I only went on a few rides, they were comparable to some of my favorites at other theme parks. Plus, there were plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day.
Dollywood's cinnamon bread changed me.
The cinnamon bread at Dollywood. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Disney's frozen treat, Dole Whip , is iconic, and I certainly missed it while in Tennessee, but Dollywood arguably had something better: cinnamon bread.
Throughout the park, you could smell the warm scent of cinnamon all day long.
When I finally got my hands on a loaf, I instantly melted. The fluffy dough was the perfect treat in the middle of the day.
Dollywood wasn't as crowded as I expected.
There weren't many crowds. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Thankfully, Dollywood wasn't impossible to maneuver. Even though it was July, the park was not packed, so I felt more relaxed. It was easy to move around. Lines for rides were manageable, too; none of them exceeded 45 minutes.
That meant I got to immerse myself in all aspects of the park and learn more about the musician.
Pigeon Forge also had so much to offer.
The pool at Margaritaville Island. Frank Olito/Business Insider
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a tourist town, and I loved visiting. It's filled with every activity you can imagine: mini golf, go-karting, dinner shows, shopping, carnivals, and world-class restaurants.
I stayed on Margaritaville Island in Pigeon Forge and loved being close to the stores and restaurants. The view of the Ferris wheel from the hotel pool was also great.
My first visit to Dollywood far exceeded my expectations.
Dollywood. Frank Olito/Business Insider
I didn't know what to expect when I first booked my trip to Dollywood, but I was pleasantly surprised at every turn.
Dollywood was a great vacation spot because of its rides, immersive theme, and food.
It's also the perfect place to celebrate the life of Dolly Parton — something I'm hopeful to do again in the future.
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