Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s family focused theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We have been several times over the last few years, and each time my girls have been ready to try new things. It is one of the few theme parks we visit where we don’t feel rushed to do it all at once!
Take your time to enjoy all that Dollywood has to offer. If you just can’t wait for the rides, check out this list of the best rides for kids in Dollywood.
The Best Dollywood Rides for Kids
I want to preface this list by stating that I’ve got two kids that are polar opposites of one another. Even as they have aged, they still don’t have the exact same idea of what is “fun” and what isn’t.
Caroline has recently become our resident thrill junkie, while Mackenzie opts to play it safe. Now that we’ve added one more little person to the mix, we have a lot to consider when it comes to theme park attractions.
Rides by Area in Dollywood
Dollywood Theme Park is broken up into distinct areas such as Jukebox Junction, Timber Canyon, and Wildwood Grove. Knowing which area of the park hosts which ride is crucial in making the most of your time. It also helps to formulate a plan so as not to zig zag across the park all day long!
Country Fair
First, upon entering Dollywood, guests will have to decide to go left or right. If you choose right, you’ll head toward an area known as Country Fair. This is the “kiddie” area of the park with rides in varying stages of height requirement.
Sarah’s Tip: Before you choose a direction, make sure you visit the centralized measurement station at the front left of the park! Children can be measured and fitted with a colored wristband that allows workers to see if they meet the height requirements right away! No more sad faces after waiting in line only to find out you’re not tall enough!
In Country Fair, you’ll find:
- Amazing Flying Elephants
- Busy Bees
- Demolition Derby
- Dizzy Disk
- Lemon Twist
- Lucky Duck
- Piggy Parade
- Scrambler
- Shooting Star
- Sky Rider
- Waltzing Swinger
Most of these rides are low, circular rides, but a few of them are high in the sky, small thrill rides. Demolition Derby is probably our favorite because bumper cars are just too fun to pass up!
Craftsman Valley
Next, Blazing Fury is a thrilling attraction that requires guest to be at least 42 inches in height. As you zoom along through an town from the 1880s, watch out! A fire is threatening to blaze out of control!
It looks like a coaster, but it only has one hill at the very end of the ride that is big enough to warrant the lap bar that secures you to the seat. Blazing Fury may be a little intense for some younger riders, so you may want to hold their hand on this one.
Jukebox Junction
After Craftsman Valley, head over to Rockin’ Roadway at Jukebox Junction. This ride reminds me a lot of another family favorite ride of ours at a different theme park.
Children under 42 inches must be accompanied by someone at least 16 years old or older, but they can still “drive” the car if they so choose! I’m really glad we are past that height restriction as the cars aren’t exactly roomy enough for the long legs of an adult!
Owens Farm
Caroline wasn’t so sure about Mountain Sidewinder until we got on it! Be prepared to get a little wet as you race down the hill on a toboggan-like ride vehicle. Children will need to be at least 39 inches tall to experience the thrilling turns and twists of this cool ride!
Rivertown Junction
On a hot day, Smoky Mountain River Rampage is awesome! This ride is your typical “raft” ride down the stream and around the corner.
It’s not a long ride, but look out if you get stuck waiting to get back into the “raft house.” I ended up on the wrong side of the raft and got soaked not once, but twice, by the nearby geysers! Thankfully, it was a hot day, and I ended up drying off pretty quickly.
Timber Canyon
One of the girls’ favorite areas of the park, besides Country Fair, was Timber Canyon. Home to the newest kid-friendly coaster, Whistle Punk Chaser, Timber Canyon has some exciting rides for parents too!
In addition to Whistle Punk Chaser, Lumberjack Lifts allow kids (and parents) to hoist themselves up as high as they can go. Think of it as a “strong man” challenge to see how high you can get!
Wildwood Grove
Wildwood Grove opened just a few years ago and is one of the most welcome additions to Dollywood there could be. The only true thrill ride in this section is Dragonflier, and boy is it fast! Guests must be a minimum of 39 inches to ride Dragonflier.
The other rides in this area that have a height requirement are Great Tree Swing, which is your typical “boat” style swing ride, and Mad Mockingbird. Both rides have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches.
Other notable rides that kids of all ages will love, and have no height requirement, include:
- Frogs & Fireflies
- Black Bear Trail
- Treetop Tower
The Village
Located adjacent to Country Fair, The Village is home to Dollywood Express and the Village Carousel. Mackenzie loves riding the Village Carousel. If your child can manage on their own, you don’t have to ride with them. If they need a little help, you can stand on the carousel platform next to your child and assist them.
Finally, the Dollywood Express is the perfect way to end your day and give your feet a little rest. It circles the park and ends right where it started. Too bad it can’t drop you back off at the front of the park when you’re ready to go home!
If you have suggestions for some rides that I left off, let me know! Hope you enjoy your vacation to Dollywood!
