My questions are these:
1. Will there be enough for my kids to do? Even the little one?
2. I can't see them being interested in seeing any shows. We will probably stick with rides, rides, rides. Is there any one show that is a must-see?
3. Is the Q-Bot (not sure about the name) worth it? even without seeing shows?
4. Is three days enough to do DW and Splash Country?
Thanks in advance for your help,
Amye
I went to Dollywood with my family last year for about a day and a half (actually spent more time driving than in the park). After that whirlwind trip I posted a trip report that should answer some of your questions. I leave it to others on this site to fill in the blanks.
I will say this much: we did not visit the water park, so I can't help you there. And sadly, Adventure Mountain, which I spoke of very highly in my trip report, is no more. *sigh*
While each kid and family is different, I would think most kids of any age would enjoy the park. There is the usual assortment of classic amusement park rides (including a solid selection of kiddie rides in the Country Fair area) along with unique attractions like Blazing Fury and the Dollywood Express.
The shows are Dollywood are generally solid, although their appeal may vary on what your family's level of interest. One of my personal favorites is Dreamland Drive-In, a fully-produced musical production featuring a large cast, a live band, and a surprisingly touching story. That said, its running time is just under an hour so it might test the patience of uninterested parties. You could probably float by one of the open air theaters and catch some of the other live musical shows without having to worry about seeing any of them in their entirety.
Dollywood's line management system is called Q2Q. Like most parks with such services Q2Q is most "worth it" on busy days. Generally speaking you can have a perfectly fine time with it on most park days following the usual tips of getting there when the park opens, riding at off-times, etc. We've never had a problem outside of busy periods like weekends and when major events are occurring in the park and/or Pigeon Forge.
Three days would be plenty of time to experience both parks. Again, this all depends on how leisurely you would like your pace to be. Dollywood is a park that is best experienced by slowing down and soaking in the atmosphere and pleasant vibe of the place.
It is worth noting that Dollywood's Christmas event, Smoky Mountain Christmas, is one of the best holiday park events out there.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions let me know!
