Dollywood + DreamMore Resort

Back in January I was laid up in the bed on a heating pad for about a week and a half with THE WORST kidney stones of my life.

What does this have to do with a Dollywood trip?

Everything.

You see, while browsing my emails one day I received the most awesome "Christmas in July" special from Dollywood, one of our favorite places to visit. A place I've made so many memories at since I was a child and we took Cade once when he was two and a half. He loved it.

The special gave us reduced rates at Dolly's DreamMore Resort (which I've wanted to stay at since it was built just a few years ago) + FREE tickets to Dollywood (two per room) with your stay. When I looked at the blocked off dates for the special, I knew it would be perfect timing - the perfect trip for me to spend QT with the boys, rest a little, and just recharge after my busiest two weeks of the year. 

I booked it asap. 

One room for me, the boys, my sister and niece (our men have missed enough days at work this year but lucky for us as small business owners - we can take week days when the parks are less crowded!) + a room for our mom (also employed by us so again, makes perfect sense for us to take off any time we want. Its the best. thing. ever) and her boyfriend of like 15 years - Charles (works different shifts at Michelin and has several days off in a row, so that was easy). I told them it would be part of their Christmas and it is/was because a trip to make priceless memories is waaaaaay better than any gift money could ever buy. Charlie and Macy got in free being 3 and under, then we just bought an extra one day Dollywood child's ticket for Cade.

Anyhoo, long story short off we went to Pigeon Forge last Wednesday and finally arrived at Dolly's AMAZING DreamMore Resort!!! (Have I mentioned how much I love Dolly? More on that later.)

Since we couldnt check into DreamMore until 4pm, we stopped by The Island and had a late lunch at Paula Deen's Bag Lady (Court and I split the pimento cheese & chicken salad scoop + homemade pita chips + sweet tea. Definitely recommend). We did a little bit of shopping and exploring and watched the water show a few too many times. Around 3ish we decided to go ahead and drive over (about a 5 min drive) to DreamMore.

As soon as we pulled up to those big white gates adorned with the most perfect Christmas wreaths, we knew we were in for a treat. We pulled right up, let the helpful men grab all of our luggage while I checked in, then we self parked (you can also valet). Once inside the lobby, the first thing you see is this HUGE Christmas tree just beyond the large staircase and two story foyer. Cozy sitting area that looked like the inside of Dolly's home, huge fireplaces and lots of pics of Dolly (and butterflies, you know that's her thing). You walk by a cute "market/pizza place/Starbucks coffee" where you can get grab & go items to take to your room or sit and eat at the tables by the fireplace with huge windows that overlook the pool area/fire pits/playgrounds etc...

There's also a small, super cute gift shop and then there's the elevators. Our room had the bunk beds and a full Queen. Again, just perfectly decorated with Dolly's touch EVERYWHERE. I mean, right down to the DM (DreamMore) initials on the toilet paper. Nope, not kidding.

our view from the room...

We unpacked, rested a bit then got ready for dinner at The Dixie Stampede! Now this was my mom's gift to us. I had only been as a child and since we've taken Cade to Pirate's Voyage several times in N Myrtle Beach, I kneeew he would absolutely love and I knew Charlie would just be amazed. When we headed down to the lobby to leave for the show, there was one of Santa's elves (!!!) set up serving really delicious hot apple cider from 4-6pm...

(Macy, a little unsure but we were just rolling with it....)

Quick photo op by the fountain where you pull up to check in, etc...Oh that little smile. Had to snag these matching button ups + dress from Carter's when they were on sale!

I was sooooo excited about a much needed "date night" with my two handsome men. We were just missing daddy, who was actually having HIS busiest week of the year - delivering aaaaall the Amazon packages from Cyber Monday for USPS. Bless him. We said we'd definitely have to bring daddy back to DreamMore...for sure.

I'd say Grami is a bit smitten with her baby girl. Aren't we all!!??

We drove over to Dixie Stampede - just a few minutes away and super convenient to get to. You never even have to get out on the main parkway.

It was a FANTASTIC Christmas show! 

Cade got asked to "chase the chickens" and win a point for the "South Pole"...he won a book from Dolly and received a Dixie Stampede metal. Fun times.

of course, St Nick made an appearance and it even snowed ;) the kids were mesmerized.

We were all wore out from the day and ready to hit the sack as soon as we got back (uhhh...like 9pm...) Matching pjs from Hanna Anderson for the win....

The next morning we went downstairs for the breakfast buffet at Song & Hearth restaurant. No, not a free breakfast or anything but worth every penny. I don't think I've been to a nicer buffet in. my. life. It was amazing. They truly thought of everything! We didn't go for breakfast until 10 or so (stopped serving at 11) because Dollywood didn't open until 2pm. They're open 2-9pm this time of year but what we COULD have done, had we not went to Dixie Stampede the night before, is go to the park after 3pm and then you can go the entire next day as well. That's their ongoing treat with their one day ticket price. So it's a great way (I would think) to go see a lot of shows at night and be dressed for that, then the next day do all the rides with the kids, etc... We did a little of both - all in one day - but anyhoo, back to the breakfast...yes, delish...highly recommend...

We explored more around the resort...

Then it was time to load up on the trolly that takes you directly from DreamMore to a secret entrance at Dollywood. SO convenient and one of the best perks of staying at the DM Resort.

and we were off...it's about a five - ten minute ride. super quick!

WE MADE IT!

now let the FUN begin. Charlie hasnt even been to the fair much or had the chance to ride many rides, so I was anxious to see how he would be. He's my more shy, timid child. I was nervous. 

Well, HE LOVED IT.

sat there on the piggys all by himself and just had a ball...

they all did...even Macy!

we hit up the "Country Fair" (best rides for the little ones) and then when it was nap time we rode the big choo choo train aaaand Charlie was out! 

It got dark quick and then there was aaaall the lights. If you haven't been to Dollywood at Christmas...yes....GO.

We even got to sit in Santa's lap in Celebration Hall. Charlie didn't scream this year but he was not exactly thrilled, as you can tell...

Ferris wheel ride at night...they loved it...

Macy didn't know WHAT to think about Santa

We had a late lunch at Red's Diner and then it began to drizzle rain so we saw the Christmas in the Smokies show (awesome!) and then grabbed candy, cinnamon bread from Old Grist Mill (famous for it. DO NOT miss it) and hot cocoa to wait on the parade of lights at 8:15

in front of Dolly's bus...

the parade is short but the kids get to see Santa and it's cute with all of the lights! After the parade we headed to the "secret entrance" again and hopped right on a trolley back, no wait. Super easy.

We ordered a pizza from downstairs market and they texted us when it was ready. Also convenient and a great way to end the day in the room!

The next morning we had to pack up and leave (waaaah!) and check out was at 11. We made it out around 10am (after taking a few more pics...) and went straight to our favorite place to snag breakfast in Pigeon Forge: The Apple Barn.

The Apple Barn is a place you can get a GREAT big farmhouse breakfast (at great prices) that starts off with their homemade "apple juice concoction" (it's good even though I forget what they tell us is in it) + homemade apple fritters (to die for). Then there's the Apple Barn Winery, Apple Barn Creamery, another place you can sample the cider and get a fresh apple turnover. So many gift shops, just tons to do and tons to EAT. We enjoyed browsing and shopping after a big ol' breakfast. Always our favorite place to stop and will be yours too if you try (and if you love apples, of course :) 

I think they love each other...

such fun "cousin time" and we hope we can make this a tradition each year!

As an small business owner/entrepreneur myself, Dolly Parton is #GOALS. Award winning singer, actor and entrepreneur of aaaaall the things. She's simply amazing, keeps her faith front and center, gives back and takes to time enjoy living. Always inspiring. 

If you haven't been to visit Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, DreamMore, the Dixie Stampede and more...again, Christmas is a great time to go and make sure you sign up for emails to keep up with fun specials!