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."
I'm a far cry from a Disney Adult, but I've also been going to Disney every few years with friends.
This 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.
Immediately, I was impressed with the cheaper ticket prices.
Purchasing tickets was surprisingly cheap.
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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.
The grand entrance rivaled that of a Disney park.
The entrance to Dollywood.
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Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA is a staple at Disney World, and I was surprised to find Dollywood had its own version.
The buildings at the front of the park housed theaters, shops, and restaurants.
It was my first indication that Dollywood could stand against Disney World.
My first stop at the park was the Dolly Experience: Songteller, which is a museum of the singer's life.
The entrance to Dollywood's museum.
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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.
Exploring an amusement park devoted to one celebrity was unique and fun.
Inside the Dollywood Experience.
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Disney World is obviously centered on the many different characters and franchises that Disney owns.
On the contrary, Dollywood is focused solely on Dolly Parton — her childhood, her music, and her other achievements. This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive in a way Disney does not.
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.
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As someone who hates roller coasters, I always loved Disney World because the parks are home to calmer, iconic rides.
When I saw the list of rides at Dollywood, I was hesitant. 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 Disney. Plus, there were plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day.
There was no Dole Whip, but Dollywood's cinnamon bread changed me.
The cinnamon bread at Dollywood.
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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. Though it wasn't as refreshing as Dole Whip, it was as delicious.
Dollywood wasn't as crowded as I expected.
There weren't many crowds.
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No matter how much you enjoy Disney, it's just not a pleasant experience in the summer. The crowds are unimaginable. I've been to the parks in July and August, and during that time, the crowds are seemingly never-ending, and the lines for rides can go up to two hours.
Thankfully, Dollywood was the opposite. 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.
Unfortunately, Dollywood doesn't come to life at night like Disney does.
Magic Kindgom really comes to life at night.
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images
The one aspect I really missed about Disney while at Dollywood was how the park transforms at nighttime. The castle in Magic Kingdom lights up, and the fireworks show is something you just have to brave the busy crowds for.
Plus, the concession stands stay open and offer food through the closing of the park. Main Street USA also becomes a prime spot, as crowds fill the street, shopping and eating.
However, at night, Dollywood seemed to lack any energy. The park emptied out entirely. While the rides were still open, all of the restaurants and concession stands closed.
There was a fireworks show at night, which also included a drone show, but we didn't stick around because the park just didn't seem lively enough.
Pigeon Forge has just as much to offer as Orlando does.
The pool at Margaritaville Island.
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Disney World is located in a large city, Orlando, which has a lot to offer.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is also 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.
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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 the rides, the immersive theme, and the food.
Since I saved money and felt more relaxed at Dollywood, I might think twice before booking my Disney trip next time.
