Dollywood Food Experience

Dollywood is a theme park located in the Knoxville-Smoky Mountains metroplex in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  The 150-acre theme park is host to thrilling rides, Splash Country water park, traditional crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, DreamMore Resort and Spa and more. I recently spent a little over 24 hours in Dollywood to experience a food-centric media tour that included a myriad of delicious sweet and savory bites as well as a couple of surprises along the way.

Dollywood’s Food & Drink

Dollywood’s food and drink is not your average theme park food.  In my opinion, Dollywood’s food provides a fun, yet, elevated experience with a gourmet twist served in a casual environment for all to enjoy.

Dollywood Sweets

Ice cream is my Achilles heel, so it was no surprise that one of my favorite foods on the tour was Splash Country’s s’mOreo Gourmet Milkshake.  It is an insanely delicious mash-up of Oreo® cookies and vanilla ice cream served in a chocolate-rimmed cup and topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, graham crackers, an Oreo®, chocolate drizzle and a s’mores brownie. I loved every bite.  Note, you will need both a spoon and straw to tackle this baby!

Funnel cakes are synonymous with theme parks, but Dollywood’s Crossroads Funnel Cakes, takes the classic to a new level with their Chicken & Waffle Funnel Cake.  Tender, juicy pieces of fried chicken sit atop a golden and sweet funnel cake and both are drizzled with a special mandarin orange sauce for an extra zing each bite.

Lately, the maple bacon craze has hit the foodie scene and the duo can be found on anything from vegetables to dessert. I have tried my fair share of maple-bacon inspired foods, but Dollywood’s Maple Bacon Cupcakes wins my vote for the best execution of this combo in a cupcake.  The generously sized savory cupcake has crumbled bacon in the batter and is topped with maple icing and a generous piece of candied bacon.  It is literally breakfast in one bite.

Other Dollywood sweet treats include the Sweet Shoppe’s Ice Cream Sandwich, which features hand-dipped ice cream sandwiched between two giant chocolate chip cookies. For a smaller treat, the ice cream shop features 10 delicious ice cream flavors that can be served in a homemade waffle bowl, sundae or milkshake.

Ever heard of a MoonPie BeaverTail? Don’t worry, neither had I, until my Dollywood Splash Country visit. BEAVERTAILS® pastries are made from whole wheat dough and are cooked fresh and served piping hot. Choose from a classic flavor like Cinnamon & Sugar or go rich and decadent with a chocolate hazelnut spread topped with Reese’s Pieces and peanut butter.  This year, MoonPie flavor makes its debut and it is delicious!

Spotlight Bakery is home to the Lodge Skillet 25 lb. Apple Pie and is just one example of the Dollywood’s award-winning food.  Each single serving of apple pie weighs three pounds!  If one slice is not enough, the bakery can package an entire 25-pound apple pie and ship to your home.  If you think you might crave that apple pie at midnight, go ahead and buy it.  One of Dollywood’s awesome perks is that guests making a purchase at the theme park can have their purchases delivered to their room at the DreamMore Resort.  Guests can continue to enjoy the theme park at their leisure without having to carry any of their purchases during their Dollywood experience.

Dollywood Savory Bites

If ice cream, pie and all that sugary goodness does not strike your fancy, Dollywood has several savory bites to satiate your taste buds. My favorite savory bite during the tour was the Hickory House BBQ Smokehouse BBQ Pork Fries.  Crispy, seasoned french fries are piled high and topped with slow-smoked, pulled pork, cheddar cheese, sweet and mild bbq sauce, sour cream and scallions.  All of these combined make one delicious bite!

Meat lovers must swing by the open-air Market Square’s for a Festival Ribs Sampler. ¼ rack of expertly prepared dry rub ribs, sausage, and tender pulled pork and a slice of Texas toast make up the meaty sampler. Top it off with a choice of sweet & mild, spicy or golden barbecue sauce.

Granny Ogle’s Ham and Beans makes a mean BUSH’S® Cowboy Beans Skillet.  A combination of BUSH’S pinto beans, baked beans, great Northern beans and black beans are topped with tender, slow-smoked BBQ pork, smoked sausage, and sautéed green and red peppers, and onions.

Not in the mood for BBQ?  Dollywood offers other cuisines including Tex-Mex and good old-fashioned southern cooking.  Tex-Mex options include Loaded Tots smothered in chili and cheese and Trailhead Tacos. The latter Tex-Mex option allows guests to build a base with nachos, a bowl or tacos.  Guests can then pile high their choice of meat that includes chicken, pork, or beef.  Top the Tex-Mex dish with dressings, like sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños and more.

Dollywood truly has it all, including its own Food Truck!  The Food Truck serves up Frannie’s Famous Fried Chicken Sandwich , a 1/3 lb. chicken marinated in pickle juice and fried.  Every sandwich bite is guaranteed to pack a punch.

For a little bit of everything, visit Aunt Granny’s, which features a dine-in All-You-Care-To-Eat Lunch & Dinner Buffet. My buffet favorites include the fried chicken, green beans, cornbread pudding, black-eyed peas and brussel sprouts. But wait, the buffet has so much more to offer including dessert.

Dollywood’s Lighter Side 

The most surprising foodie find at Dollywood are the healthy options available!  The reality is not everyone can eat ice cream, cupcakes, fries or funnel cakes.  My favorite healthy bite included Market Square’s watermelon salad.  Sweet grilled watermelon sits atop a bed of arugula, is topped with feta cheese and a balsamic drizzle. Other light bites include a beautiful seasonal fruit salad served with a scoop of chicken salad.

Although I personally do not have any food allergies, many children and adults are afflicted with varying forms of food allergies.  Dollywood’s Front Porch Cafe can accommodate a meal for any food allergy,  however, it is imperative to ask one of their chefs and coordinate in advance, if possible.

Breakfast at Song & Hearth

Waking up early in Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa is easy when you can visit Song & Hearth’s Buffet Breakfast.  The buffet style eatery has an omelette station, baked goods, fresh-baked biscuits, a cereal bar and traditional southern items like cheesy grits, biscuits and gravy, and corn beef hash, just to name a few. It’s the perfect way to fuel up before an action packed day at Dollywood’s theme park.

The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort

After a long hot day at the park, mom and dad will love The Lounge’s Pink Lemonade Moonshine.  The specialty cocktail is made with Ole Smoky Distillery moonshine! Sweet & delicious. This is the perfect refreshing libation to sip on after a day of amusement park fun. The pretty pink drink & other delicious cocktails are only available at The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.

Other fantastic delights at The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort include the Passion Panna Cotta.  The sophisticated dessert is made with Coconut Dacquoise, Passion Fruit Gelee and Mango Chutney.  And YES – it is as delicious as it sounds.  In the mood for cheesecake?  The Goat Cheese Cheesecake is full of flavor and will satisfy the most discriminating taste buds.  The no-bake whipped Goat Cheese is served atop a Graham Cracker Cookie Crust and served with Raspberry Compote.

The “Build your Own Donut” is the perfect sharable dessert for both kids and adults.  Warm glazed miniature donuts are served with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache, Chantilly Cream, Caramel and Sprinkles for some delicious fun.

Dollywood DreamMore Resort & Spa

DreamMore Resort

DreamMore Resort is not only beautiful, but full of positive energy and whimsical decor.   A combination of these three elements makes you feel like you are visiting your favorite-stylish aunt in her very-very-very big house.  My room was equipped with a queen bed and two bunk beds.  This is a perfect and fun accommodation for parents traveling with children.  The room, like the entire resort and theme park, has a subtle ode to Dollywood’s signature butterfly motif, which can be found on the bedding, carpet and in a special Welcome note from Mrs. Dolly Parton.

DreamMore Spa

Guests wanting the full Dollywood experience should indulge in the DreamMore Spa services that include massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more.  Before or after your scheduled service, peruse the spa products that include FarmHouse Fresh range of gourmet and epicurean focused products that include hand creams, softening masks, body scrubs and more.  Other product lines include skinauthority and my favorite, milk_shake, a salon professional hair care brand that smells delicious and is perfect for nourishing summer hair.  Note, you do not have to be a guest at the DreamMore Resort to enjoy the Spa, so if you are in the neighborhood, call in for a reservation.  Pigeon Forge residents scheduling a service at the DreamMore Spa are especially lucky as they are eligible for a local resident discount.

Explore the Park

Dollywood’s 150-acre theme park offers more than 40 world-class rides, Splash Country water park, live entertainment, various dining options, shopping and more.

Dollywood Water Park

The water park is the perfect oasis to chill in during a hot day. Whether you choose to float the river in a tube or seek a little bit more adventure on Splash Country’s water rides, there is something for the young and the young at heart to enjoy.

 

Chasing Rainbows

Chasing Rainbows is one of my favorite Dollywood attractions.  Guests can admire the many gorgeous costumes and gowns from Dolly’s entertainment career.  In addition to clothing, visitors can see special notes, pictures, keepsakes and other unique memorabilia that chronicle Dolly Parton’s story.

The Dollywood Experience

The Dollywood Foodie Experience was fantastic, but I also found the theme park to be immaculate and peaceful.  All guests were genuinely happy and calm.  Not once did I witness a parent or child in distress!  That’s pretty fantastic for a theme park, in my opinion.  Dollywood provides a little for everyone to enjoy including the thrill seeker, the summer lovin’ water park fanatic, the foodie and guests eager for a little rest and relaxation.

The Amusement Park is the proud recipient of many accolades including the Golden Ticket for Best Shows of any theme park in the world for the ninth year in a row.  More than a theme park, Dollywood truly fosters a positive, fun and family friendly environment that every single family member can enjoy.

For more information on Dollywood’s theme park, food options, resort and/or spa reservations, click here.  I hope you have the chance to visit Dollywood this summer!  If you do visit or have visited the theme park, please share your favorite food and park experience in the comment section below!