Dollywood
Reviews and Complaints

I received a hateful message on messanger from a Pete Owens my Facebook has apparently been hacked but his smart [censored] hateful tone I will not deal with. Yes I did work Dollywood till 5/1/20 my family is part of ogles and we always spoke highly of Dollywood to the people that always rent our vacation homes but not now. I will not tolerate rudeness and accusing. It's a shame that he is the one that represents UCB a nice family place. Dollywood owner needs any help screwing up the image it's had how issues over the weekend? We will send all of our renters to soaky mountain. If this guy contacts me agian I will go legal and he had been reported to Facebook for harassment

We are Seniors and have enjoyed many years using Super Season Passes. Because of the dangers of Covid-19 We have been trying to request a refund because we do not feel it would be safe to risk our lives to go to Dollywood. after filling the on line form which includes our pass #'s and 2 phone #'s and email the only response I received was on 6/2/2020 from Vicki who left a voice mail telling me to call [protected] Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 11 am to 3 pm to request a refund. Well, after hours on the phone either does not connect at all or it says try back latter I feel some one should contact us by one of the phone # I provided or by the email or even our mailing address.. Again, we love Dollywood but we are not going out in public at this time, even our Doctors are not having in person visits, even need to vote by absentee ballot this election, and Dollywood site makes it CLEAR that it is not safe to go there and wants us to risk our lives to go? I really would appreciate a refund because we can not use our passes this year it is not safe and certainly not worth taking our lives in danger. Please refund our $474.80 so we can look forward to better days and much safer days ahead. Thank you for your consideration to this matter we much appreciate it.

Me and my family purchased season passes to both parks in 2016 and 2020. We we're very excited. However in 2016, we purchased them mostly due to the new ride Lightning Rod. We had visited Dollywood several times and figured it might be worth it because they had a nee big attraction to try. However, we visited the park three separate times and the ride was closed every single time. Tried revisiting when it was supposed to be up and running, but then the Gatlinburg fires happened. Now in 2020, purchased season passes and planned a trip for opening weekend. Reserved and paid for hotel and everything. COVID19 started spreading. We check the website a day and a half before we left and Dollywood announced they would still be opening as planned. So, we kept our reservations and so forth. Then 12 hours before we leave, Dollywood announces they are postponing the opening due to the virus. At this point, it was too late to cancel hotel or anything. Had no way of getting money back. Would have if we had known just the day before this. So, here we are out even more money. All Dollywood was giving in return to season pass holders is an extra bring a friend pass, which I have yet to get an email or anything for. I don't use the bring a friend passes, so this doesn't benefit me at all. I paid for a full season and didn't get it either year. I'm really fed up with how this has all happened. I attempted to contact Dollywood about both occasions with no luck. Nobody will return an email or anything

Mike and Andrea Cooksey, 641 Old Norcross-Tucker Road, Tucker Georgia 30084. 404.556.0202

The weekend of December 15, 16, and 17th we had reservations at Dream More. We thought we had purchased a package for ourselves and my daughter and her family. We thought we had purchased two rooms with King Beds and bunk beds. That part was okay. But we were suppose to have 2 two day tickets to Dollywood, and 2 free breakfast for each room. It turned out we only had the room. My husband was with me at the computer when we confirmed our reservation. We thought we were getting a good enough deal that we could afford to take our daughter, her husband and two young girls (2 and 4) to Dollywood. Once we arrived we asked about the package and were told we did not have a package. All we had were the rooms. We talked to Management and she suggested we get Dollywood tickets for one day to cut down on the cost. Breakfast for the six of us was $127.50 the first morning, and because Santa was there it was $149.50 the second morning. Not to mention having to buy the Dollywood tickets.
Our grandchildren want to go back Christmas 2020 except that we will need to take our sons (2) and their wives (2), their son 12 and daughter 15, and then our daughter and her husband and their 2 young daughters. We would have a total of eight adults, two teenagers, and two toddlers. We would need four rooms. Our son and his wife are both Law Enforcement Agents, his grandfather (Eugene Mueller) retired from Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri. This trip will be Christmas for our family this year. We would probably plan on coming somewhere around December 19, 20, and 21st for two nights three days. Or it could be 18, 19, and 20th. depending on scheduling. I would like to be able to start saving now as this will be the first time we have ever tried to take everyone at one time because of the cost involved. How can you help me make this happen for my family?

I purchased tickets online and was doing the 9 month payment plan. I was checking account and was charged full price instead. Called customer services and was told that I would now be unable to do the 9 monthly payments and would also lose the bring a friend free ticket for Christmas. I do not feel like this is right, since there was a mistake when I was purchasing. I was informed that I would be charged 9 monthly payments online. Not sure what went wrong during transaction.

We have been to Dollywood multiple times the weekend of Thanksgiving, but this year was horrible. My in-laws are season pass holders and come quite a bit. It has been our family tradition for the past 4 years to come over our Thanksgiving break. Now I know we come during a busy weekend, so the crowds and even waits for rides don't bother me so much. But when I have to wait over an hour for popcorn and a drink I am appalled. Every kiosk, food stand, restaurant had lines that were out the door and around the corner. You would think with lines like this that the wait staff would see and acknowledge this by moving a little faster? Nope, not at all. I had a waitress at Reds Diner literally take 3 minutes just to fill the ice cream machine with milk, then another 2 minutes just to walk over to the refrigerator to get whip cream for milk shakes. They had every line open which was great, but not a single person was moving at a relatively fast pace. Not a single person looked happy to be there, they didn't care they had a line of over a hundred people waiting to get food. They need to teach their staff to work at a speed that accommodates the amount of visitors in the park, and they need to realize that not everyday can be a lazy day in the south.

I feel so badly for my family and I'm disappointed beyond description over our visit to Dollywood!
We arrived at Dollywood on a rainy Friday evening, October 25, 2019 at approximately 5:00 p.m. Ordinarily, the inclement weather would have kept us away, but going to Dollywood's Fall Festival for the first time was a specific birthday request for our daughter's 40th birthday. We had watched costume events, sponsored by WBIR-TV, and quickly decided that our 3 year old granddaughter would just think the whole thing was fantastic/awesome. She had to be a dinosaur, I would be a scarecrow, Pappy a hotdog and Aunt Jill would be the witch!
Upon arrival at the ticket booth, I was informed that our daughter, would not be able to enter the park! I was told that you were not allowed to have anything on that would obscure a guest's identity. WHO KNEW! There isn't anything that is clear on the matter of wearing costumes at Dollywood. Based on previous media of Halloween at Dollywood, costume contests, etc., there is simply NO WAY one would even begin to think that a costume/makeup could prevent entrance.
I was told that they would allow her to enter the park IF she removed her face makeup. My husband and daughter were very upset, as was I, but we were willing to do what needed to be done; captive audience with a 3 year old in a stroller!
I was talking with my family and the ticket attendant, stating everything would be fine; we would see the lights and enjoy the park after dark and then return the next day. The attendant then said, "So you will be purchasing 2 day passes?" I know that my look was incredulous as I said, "No, we are here well after 3:00 p.m., so we will be returning at no charge in the morning." It was at that point I was informed pretty matter-of-factly that Dollywood did away with that rule in 2017. Needless to say, no adult in our party wanted to return to Dollywood the next day, or any other day!
We managed to get most of Jill's makeup removed and entered the "Park?" I completely understand the safety aspect of running the park. I am a Risk Manager. I understand that things can and some must close during rain. After paying full ticket price for what could be a 3.5 hour visit, it appeared that the park had more or less closed down. Nothing "lit up the night sky". It was so dark that it was difficult to see.
Our granddaughter was able to ride on the carousel and we all loved the gospel band that did continue to play. I gave the Lord thanks for the opportunity to be at Dollywood to hear them sing and play.
In total, our visit inside the park lasted approximately 2 hours. By the time we left, the rain was a steady downpour, making a very bad situation even worse. The roads exiting Dollywood were beginning to flood.
I think Dollywood's Mission begs to be addressed: CREATING MEMORIES WORTH REPEATING. I sincerely hope the memory that was created that evening is NEVER repeated and somehow forgotten.

We purchased 2 day tickets because I love riding roller coasters. Our first day. Monday October 21, on the first ride I chose, the lightning rod? I think was the name, I was struggling to buckle. The lady comes up and says " your to fat" and I can't ride. I'm only 250 lbs. I was humiliated as I climbed off and the roller coaster went on. I didn't ride any ride after that. we basically spent 100$ a ticket just to walk around a Craft fair. I spent $100 to be told I'm fat. Horrible first and last experience at dollywood

When I purchased my season tickets (2) last nov. 2018 I was given some free passes for my friends or family. I went to the park on sept. 11, 2019, I had several bar codes in a email from dollywood for the admittance of 2 guest
I presented these bar codes at the gate and I was told that all free passes I had were expired. I had not used any of thes passes at all and was waiting for my brother and his wife to come and visit from illinois. Very anoyed to find out that my free passes with the purchase of 2 season tickets were no good. When I asked why, I was told they had expired at the end of august, the end of the fall season. I wasn't aware that the fall season was over at the end of august. Long story short, we went home without attending dollywood and needless to say I will probably never come back to dollywood and make sure all my friends know about my experience at dollywood.

I am a single mom with a moderate functioning son with autism. We came for three days and stayed at the Resort and got three day passes- for $1, 395. Crossing the walking bridge, my Son wanted to watch the ducks swimming- the bridge is right between the Hot Rod/ 1960's area and the River Ride. Bridge is maybe four feet off ground, water was barely 8 inches deep. In the water swimming was a copperhead snake. A man confirmed this and said it was "like the alligator problem at Disney". Another patron had a double stroller- and toddler trying to feed ducks.
I am not a snake expert- and appreciate some are venomous but not poisonous, but the snake was too close and was obviously headed somewhere- unfortunately to a water ride. I was told that there are confirmed copperheads (and that theirs do get in the water), water moccasins/ cottonmouths, and a water type version of a garter snake. Unfortunately, you have to look at specific features to ascertain the type of snake. My Son saw the snake and was literally terrified. We went on the adjacent water ride- I was the only adult in a tube with three other children and my Son. Another snake- I honestly did not know what to do if they were injured. I could not calm them down. And then- in the dark area we did the water mine car ride. Another snake. We purchased the 2019 photo package for $87 to get pictures because we were told it is easier, we will not get phones wet or lost on rides, etc. We went mainly on water rides- and so we had 4 photos for the day. I asked why the photos were not taken during the water rides--- was told that a few rides had been removed for shake issues and that "since we are in the wilderness" that pictures of some water rides would document "wildlife"---/ i.e Snakes. I was told we would only likely to be with copperheads or the water garter- but again you have to look at a specific feature to determine which type the snake is.
So, basically I feel so stupid. I have a photo pass but had zero idea it might "document" snakes. I honestly did not think there would be a "snake problem" at a theme park, especially after Disney's incident, and definitely not in rides. Unfortunately, I was told the copperheads are territorial so when a ride is removed, they remain in the relatively same location.
But, there is no sign. I had zero clue. I feel so stupid. My Son was so upset with his autism, we didn't get there until 7pm today- solely to see the Halloween lights.
There clearly is a known problem- under pedestrian bridges where ducks are fed by children. And inside some water rides which is extremely upsetting to mr and my child. Just a sign or gate would have been nice to have- any type of notification to be on the lookout. I cannot I identify the snake, am definitely not going to lift on to look at it's designated features, and would mot know how to suck venom if require d.
I only told two employees there today because we were only there from 7-close at 9. - they confirmed "we have a a lot of wildlife' if I has known that, and was had three snakes, bear, bobcats, mountain lions, raccoon, skunks . There needs to be a warning in places where snakes are. They should not be in the ride waters. And my som and even I was terrified. Please address this. I don't want anyone hurt
. We lost 2 days of the park for it, and paid $1400. Wednesday night when this happened our room was under $400. The Halloween designs are beautiful! Ans nearly everyone is delightful and treated my autistic son with dignity and understanding. But, snakes are snakes We had not had a vacation in three years- my Son is an angel, but $1400 is a lot for the after we had ni sleep and a meltdown

Kindest Regards-
L.. Rohan

I know this could be trivial but when you pay almost 25.00 for two Cinnamon Buns (breads) and you get lumps of sugar and sugar deposits in it that not even edible; I have to complain. I stood in line for 25 minutes to get these breads and can't even eat them. Just uncalled for. I reason I bought two was that my girl friend and I bought one a couple of years ago and sat at a bench and it was so good we ate the whole thing.
I will never buy another one.

My boyfriend and I received free tickets to Dollywood through his work at friendship ford. This was his first day ever at Dollywood. We all wore the blue friendship ford shirts today with the puppy dog on the back. This being our only day off and getting free tickets and a meal for a family day meant everything to us as we dont get days off very often. We were riding a few rides and getting soaked we had changed some of our clothes. While walking through the park after enjoying time in the dolly museum we passed the entrance to explore some more of the park until i get a lady poking me from behind telling me she was told by someone that my shorts were riding up and to pull them down. This embarrased me and my boyfriend . I shook it off and kept walking. I wear crossfit style apparel and im used to gym attire and im not going to apologize for having a bottom that happens to be more full than some other people. When i walk my clothes ride up whether its a skirt or shorts thats my body type. I felt like her tone against me was to where she she thought i was allowing my shorts to ride up purposely. This was not the case. While continuing to walk she decided to follow me and complained to me again (as if she had a right to tell me to adjust my apparel ) and if i didnt do so she was going to let security know. My boyfriend offered to leave the park and i told her we had every right to be here and there were teenage girls walking around in tube tops and short skirts and shorts showing off their bellys that maybe she needs to talk to them. She told me they were allowed to show off their bellys. I felt discriminated and she ruined the rest of our day. After we continued on and tried to enjoy the rest of our time all i could think about was my clothes and how she made me feel. We walked around the park and there seemed to be security men following along so we decided to leave. We were enjoying the start of our day until this short little older gray headed lady ruined it. Maybe your staff needs to learn how to speak to customers because her customer service has made me never want to visit dollywood again. My shorts were no shorter than 30% of women, girls, and teenagers on this extremely hot day.

My husband and I attended Dollywood on Sunday, September 1, before labor day with my son and 2 granddaughters. We were in the kids area most of the time in the back of the park. Over 2 hours before closing, the food section closed. We had planned to eat supper and let my granddaughter ride the rides. I had to walk to another section to bring back food. We promised ice cream after supper only to find that closed too. At least leave the food stations open until the park closes! On that note, on a holiday weekend, you'd think you would keep longer hours☹

My Family and I were at the amusement park today 31 August 2019. Our daughter has to have her blood pressure taken every two hours due to a medical condition. It was time to check her blood pressure, and it was very warm at this time. We were near the restaurant that has a buffet, and wanted out of the sun. We saw a door open to the back patio eating location to the buffet restaurant. We went in and sat down, and took her blood pressure, and a guest saw this and complained to one of the gentleman that were cleaning the tables. The employee came out and asked us if we had a receipt for the buffet. I told him "no" and why we were in there. He told us we had to purchase food to be able to sit within the patio area, and told us if we do not purchase meals that we had to leave. He was very rude about this and the people next to us told him all we were doing was checking her blood pressure. We arose and was escorted out. This was approximately 14:00 hours. My wife was very upset over this and she wanted to leave, and go home. We have season passes, and get them every year for the last 3 years, and have always had great experiences with all employees. I did complain to guest services, and the nice lady there told me to document it there, and I told her my wife just wanted to go home, and not wait. The guest services lady suggested we go this site, and let you all know our experience via this avenue. Thank you for your time in reading this.

Sincerely,

Richard & Janet Sullivan
[protected]

I spent hundreds of dollars to take my family to the park and numerous shops and restaurants while there.
On the way out, carrying the stuff I purchased while in the park, I stopped at a counter in the emporium to ask for a cardboard box to put the things in I bought.
The lady at the counter found one that was supposedly headed for the trash but figured she better ask her manager if it was ok first.
The manager came over and said "no you can't have the box, best I can do is a plastic bag"
1st) after spending the amount i did only to be denied a cardboard box has nothing short of turned me away from spending another single dollar at any "dolly owned" establishment again! (Needless to day if I hadn't already paid for stampede tickets for later that night we would never have went.
2nd) Environmentally speaking, denying me a box that was probably headed to a landfill when I could have repurposed it and pushing another plastic bag ...makes no sense.
My family and I make a TN trip at least once a year and it's always included trips to one of Dolly's parks and to the stampede...tradition over!

On August 3rd 2019 our family and I attended dollywood. My daughter is a 1e year old type 1 diabetic whom requires insulin shots 5 times a day. As we was getting on a ride the attendant told her she had to leave her bag in which was strapped securely to her back at the front in a wood shelf. I explained that she couldn't leave the bag it was her lifeline and contained needles. The attendant was very rude and insisted. WE did not ride the ride and left soon after

My husband and I were sitting alone on a bench, where the Dollywood app shows a designated smoking area. Near the River Rampage. We both lite a cigarette and this man came and said that we must put them out immediately. As we were trying to explain about the app showing it as a smoking area, while putting out our cigarettes, he was talking to us like idiots. Very disrespectful! He said "it's really not that hard to figure out"! I was so humiliated! We have been coming to Dollywood for over 30 years and we have never been treated that way. I completely understand him telling us to put them out. I don't have an issue with that. But please train the green shirt "cops" to use some manors.

I am a 15 year disabled Army Veteran from West Virginia. I saved money and planned for 2 years to take my children on a trip to the famous DollyWood Theme Park. When I called DollyWood to ask about their Military Discount I was treated like trash by the host and she refused to let me talk to anyone else at the park and refused to give me her name. Well, my name is Jason C Jaggie, my wife Tamala R Jaggie, and my 2 children Jayden C and Landen D Jaggie. We live at 309 Hickman Street CLarksburg WV 26301.
My phone number is [protected] and my e-mail address is [protected]@GMAIL.COM! After saving money and vacation time, the time had come for our long awaited trip to DollyWood. When I called to plan my trip I was told, by a host, that my wife and 2 children would not be given my military discount because they do not have Dependent Id's. I very nicely explained to the host that Id's are not issued to Military Verteran and Disabled Military Veteran family members and Dependents. The host was very nasty and told me there was nothing she could do because of the way the policy is written. When I asked to speak to someone else she would not allow it. When I explained to her how Military Id's worked, she told me that I was out of luck because they have to follow the policy as it is written. This policy was written to contain false information on purpose, in my opinion. Obviously, whoever wrote this policy, has no Idea how the military works and who gets Military Id' issued to them. If you are a Verteran or a Disabled Veteran, the military will only issue the Veteran an Id! Spouses and dependents do not get Id cards and they should be smart enough to know that. Back to the policy. The host kept referring to how the policy is written. If you read the policy, it says word for word " U.S. active or retired military, disabled veterans, spouses and dependents receive the military discount with valid Military Id or dependent Id's. Since Veterans and disabled Veterans are the only people that get issued an Id, unless you are active duty or retired, spouses and dependents will not have Id's to present. Whoever wrote this policy either has no knowledge of how the military works or it was written like this on purpose as a loophole to deny the discount to Veterans and Disabled Veterans, their spouses and dependents. If Dollywood wants to provide an entire backstory of how the military discount came about and act like they are so generous to military members, then they need to know the facts and honor all military. To make things worse, they will not provide the discount online. They only make it available at the front gate of their park. Seems kind of fishy if you ask me. Dollywood defrauds so many people by offering a military discount to include spouses and dependents but it cant be applied until you are in TN at the front gate of their park. In my opinion, Dolly Parton is a disgrace to the U.S. Military, and lures military members to her theme park under false pretenses, just to deny them their military discount to include their spouse and dependents. Due to the amount of money that is charged and the amount of money the DollyWood park makes, it is disgraceful to do this to military members. I am not just one disgruntal person complaining about this rediculous policy. All you have to do is google it and see how many people feel the same way that I do. It makes me sick! We put our lives on the line and serve this country proudly and ask nothing in return. We get wounded, disabled, brain injuries and die everyday so this country can continue to enjoy their freedoms and rights. Millions of businesses show their gratitude by offering military discounts. DollyWood uses the premis of a military discount to entice people to come to her park, just to be denied their discount and to be treated and talked to by the staff terribly. This is absolutely unconstitutional and something must be done about it. Not just the staff or the people employed by DollyWood, but by Dolly Parton herself. Needless to say, my family and I did not go to DollyWood and we would not go even if they offered to pay for our entire trip. I strongly discourage anyone from visiting a place as big as this with the name it has because they are extremely rude, they are basicaly racists when it comes to the military, they falsely advertise, and absolutely do not care what they say to you or offend you. Hopefully this complaint will reach someone that can actually do something about the things listed within it. I say shame on Dolly Parton, and I can guarantee you if this was FGL Wood or FGL Land, Florida Georgia Line would honor every veteran that showed interest. VERY DISAPPOINTED, VERY DISAPPOINTED, VERY DISAPPOINTED!

Today our family was at Dollywood and got the time saver passes. We went to ride the dizzy disk and got into the fast pass lane. When we got to the front the worker saw our passes around our neck and let all the people in the regular line go before us and once everyone was on she came to us. The worker was an old woman named Mary. When she came to us I politely asked are there 4 seats that are together? She replied in a ugly tone, " I DONT KNOW, IM NOT UP THERE ON THE RIDE. HOW WOULD I KNOW?" We all looked at each other stunned, not believing what we just heard. We walked on to the ride and luckily there were four seats together. The ride began and not soon after she got on the microphone and began screaming, " GUYS KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE HANDLE BARS AND FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR!" We had no clue we were supposed to do this because we learned soon after that she had already played the rules on the speaker before we were allowed on the ride. After we got off the ride we decided to go on it again and went and got back in the fast pass lane. Once we got to the front she let all the people who were in the regular lane go in front of us on purpose. Before she opened the chain to allow us in she pointed right in our face and said, " NOW THIS TIME EVERYONE IS GOING TO KEEP THEIR HANDS ON THE BARS AND FEET ON THE FLOOR OR I WILL STOP THE RIDE AND THROW YOU OFF! NOW LETS TRY THIS AGAIN!" We all went up to the ride and had to each ride alone in the seats that were left. When she came around to check that the harnesses were tight she told one of us that if they didn't keep their hands down that she would slap them in the back. After the ride we walked by her at the exit and she smirked at us and said " HOPE YOU ENJOYED THAT RIDE." We have dealt with this woman Mary, once before on the same ride, but she has never been this ugly to us for no reason at all. It's actually an ongoing joke with our family that she always ruins all the rides. This woman eventually moved to the teacups ride, and we watched her do the same thing to another family. This is ridiculous and this woman should be fired.

For the first time ever, I am thoroughly disappointed with the experience. We have been season passholders for years but this year, we truly regret that decision. Absolutely appalled at the way we were treated yesterday as well as the state the park was in. Absolutely appalled. From start to finish it was a disaster. We lost several hours of our time due to negligence and lack of communication. We were cut off and talked to in a way NOONE should ever be. We spent well over $700 yesterday and, while that is not the issue, I still feel like we were ripped off. No one should be treated the way my husband, myself, and our 3 daughters were. If your employees are so miserable in their jobs, maybe you should find new employees. And for goodness sake, CLEAN THE PARK! There was trash everywhere! Broken interactive equipment in the hands on activities areas! Someone had thrown up in a ride and NO ONE stopped to clean it up! They actually expected us to just get on and ignore the vomit on the seat and in the floor. Gross!