I Spent 4 Days at Dollywood with My Kids and This Is What It Cost

Every summer, I pile two of my kids into my minivan with a cooler full of snacks, a giant duffle bag, and a suitcase. We drive from our home in Washington DC to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, where I drop my daughter off for a week of other-worldly adventures while my son and I go on an adventure of our own. On the way to Huntsville, we usually make several stops. My favorite, and the only one that makes a repeat appearance year after year, is Dollywood.

In the past, we have stayed at off-site hotels and ventured to the park each day. That was in part due to cost, and in part because, before this year, Dollywood only had one on-site hotel that usually sold out before I got around to planning our annual road trip.

However, this year, I wanted to fully immerse myself in the “Dolly bubble” and I hoped it would be possible since Dollywood recently opened a new hotel, Heartsong Lodge and Resort. I splurged on two nights and my kids and I had a great time riding roller coasters, enjoying Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread, and lounging in the resort’s enormous pool. We also explored Pigeon Forge, the fun and kitschy town where Dollywood is located.

Here is a breakdown of what I spent on a trip to Dollywood for myself, my 13-year-old daughter, and my nine-year-old son.

About the travelers

Job: Freelance writer and adjunct professor
Annual salary: $61,000-$80,000 per year
Location of residence: Washington DC
Additional travelers: Children, aged nine and 13
Age: 40s

About the vacation

Where: Dollywood en route to Huntsville, Alabama
How long: Four days
Planned budget: $2,000

Upfront costs

Snacks for the ride: $75.24. It’s about a seven-and-a-half-hour ride from my home in Washington DC to Dollywood. Snacks are key to keeping my kids happy, minimizing stops for food, and helping me stay alert. $75 is more than I typically like to spend on junk food, but under the circumstances, I believe it was money well spent. My kids were happy throughout the ride and I consumed enough sugar to keep me alert.

Lodging and park tickets: $1,365.78. This was the highest cost of the trip by far. I booked Dollywood’s “Stay and Pay Package” for $1250.18. The package offers a discount versus booking a room and park tickets separately. The price included lodging in a double queen room with a balcony and two two-day tickets to Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country USA waterpark. I purchased an additional two-day pass for my son for $115.60. It’s important to note that prices fluctuate constantly for Dollywood lodging and tickets, based on the time of year, demand, specials the park and hotels might be running, and other factors. Even if I were to book the same trip for next year for the same dates it’s unlikely that my costs would be exactly the same.

Stays at either of Dollywood’s resorts include several perks that made staying at one worth the higher cost for my family. In the past, we have stayed at hotels with small pools that were not very inviting. I really liked that Heartsong offered a resort experience with a huge pool, hot tub, and activities for the kids throughout the day. Guests of Dollywood resorts also get a free shuttle to parks which saves on pricey parking fees, admission to park before it opens to the general public, and five Timesaver Passes, which allowed us to skip the line for several popular rides. Plus, never having to leave the “Dolly bubble” while on vacation is priceless.

Day by day