Dollywood is Dolly Parton's theme park in Tennessee! Actually she has two now. But the water park is closed at Christmas.
"Dollywood's "Smoky Mountain Christmas" holiday festival is one of the Top Twenty events in the Southeast. Not only is Dolly Parton's famous themed amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee overflowing with sparkling lights, so is Pigeon Forge, itself, as well as the city of Gatlinburg. In fact, the millions upon millions of glittering Christmas lights continue right up to the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
The nationally renowned event runs from mid November to late December within Dollywood but continues straight through March in the surrounding area. Just about every building along the ten mile strip of Newfound Gap Road (route 441) is outlined with colorful lights and special scenes, some of which are animated.
Some of my favorites are the giant crystal chandelier, snowflakes that "fall" onto pine branches, Mount Rushmore, The Golden Gate Bridge, a liberty bell large enough to walk through and an 80-foot riverboat that seems to glide alongside the Little Pigeon Forge River. That's just in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is equally as fantastic and a true joy to experience.
The entire ten mile area is filled with craft villages, factory outlets, amusement parks, specialty shops, superb restaurants and other world class attractions."
www.dollywood.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=115
There is an all-year-round, every day is Christmas hotel in Pigeon Forge:
www.innatchristmasplace.com/
(dial 1-888-HOLY NIGHT)
but we'd prefer something like this:
www.auntbug.com/daretobear.html