Member Reviews

Even as some one who's been to Dollywood to many times. I found this Ultimate Guide to Dollywood to be extremely helpful. for both newbies and veterans of the park.

Was this review helpful?

What a great resource for visiting Dollywood! It was filled with lots of insightful tips and descriptions of each restaurant, snacks, show, and rides. One chapter was dedicated to the festivals held throughout the year. I also liked that Dolly facts were sprinkled throughout the book. I didn’t notice any photos in my copy. I would have liked to have seen some photos included in the book. Funny tidbit: I read the book with a southern accent! Not sure why I just felt like it was appropriate for reading this book! I can't wait to use all the knowledge I gained when I visit the Park in the near future.

Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

I've never been to Dollywood but I've always wanted to go. This guide was certainly thorough and informative. But there were no maps or pictures, and sometimes it felt more like an advertisement than a guide. I would have appreciated more "guide-like" features like prices.

Was this review helpful?

As we hope to take a fall trip to Dollywood, I was delighted to receive an advanced reader copy of this book. It is very well done and definitely helps plan a visit. The tips will help with lodging, dining and activities. The simplicity of the chapters makes it easy to pick and choose your itinerary. This is definitely worth adding to your travel library. The opinion is my own.

Was this review helpful?

As a lifetime visitor of Dollywood, "The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood" brings to life the park through the seasons, festivals, rides, games, crafts, treats and shows. Stories of the park's history also spotlight things that have changed over the years and brings back fond memories of attractions long gone. I truly hope this book will be available for purchase at one of Dollywood's many gift shops, as it's a must have for visitors old and new.

**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Was this review helpful?

So…this gets a little breathless at times. The author is extremely enthusiastic about everything. We get paragraphs long descriptions of bumper cars, a primer to funnel cake, and…rocking chairs.

But my, the author’s enthusiasm is catching!

By the end of this book, I was ready to book a trip to Dollywood. I want to eat at the restaurants, visit the eagle sanctuary, and yes…I want to play with the Dolly paper dolls!

Dolly Parton is an icon for a reason and this park seems so wholesome and fun.

The author did their job and I’m all fired up!

• ARC via Publisher

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful book for travel newbies and pros alike!

First things first, this book is gorgeous! Not only is it a great reference if you're planning a trip to Dollywood but it is also beautiful decor for any Dolly lover's home. As a travel agent I was incredibly impressed with this book and will recommend it to all my clients and fellow agents. The breakdown by area of the park is incredibly well done and thorough.

Was this review helpful?

I've never been to Dollywood but I love looking at vlogs and reading about the park. The book is very well researched but it didn't meet my expectations because it lacked photos or illustrations of some sort. It was all text, besides the maps throughout.

Was this review helpful?

Fantastic resource and filled with so much information. I took a lot of notes for a future trip! It was great to read about the background of the park and Dolly. I do wish it had more about dietary restrictions or disability/ambulatory issues.

Was this review helpful?

If you’re planning a trip to Dollywood—whether it’s your first time or your tenth—*The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood* by Erin Browne is the perfect companion. As someone who’s been dreaming of visiting this Smoky Mountain treasure, this guide felt like chatting with a friend who knows all the ins and outs of the park.

Browne’s passion for Dollywood shines through every page, making it more than just a guidebook—it’s like having a Dolly Parton superfan by your side, sharing all the best-kept secrets. From the thrill of the Lightning Rod, the world’s fastest wooden roller coaster, to the charm of Red’s Drive-In, where Dolly had her very first hamburger, Browne makes sure you know exactly where to go to make the most of your visit.

What I loved most about this book is how it combines practical tips with personal anecdotes. Browne doesn’t just tell you about the attractions—she gives you the backstory, the little details that make each spot special. Whether it’s Dolly’s $750,000 tour bus, which was her home on the road for 15 years, or the Dollywood Express train ride through the Great Smoky Mountains, every page is packed with insights that make you feel like you’re getting the inside scoop.

Planning to visit during Christmas? Browne has that covered too. Her tips on where to see the best lights, which festive foods to try, and how to navigate the holiday crowds make sure your trip is as magical as you’ve imagined.

In short, *The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood* isn’t just a list of attractions—it’s a heartfelt guide that helps you experience the park in a way that’s personal, fun, and full of the warmth that Dolly herself embodies. Whether you’re there for the roller coasters, the music, or just the chance to walk in Dolly’s footsteps, this book is a must-have to make your Dollywood adventure unforgettable.

Was this review helpful?

For Themepark lovers everywhere "The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood" provided an area-by-area guide to ensure you don't miss anything on your must do list. Whether you're there for the rides, the food, looking for a history of the park or a mix of it all this is an invaluable took no matter how many times you've visited.

Was this review helpful?

LOVE THIS GUIDE!! FIRST OF ALL! DOLLY IS QUEEN! ALL HAIL! When I saw this guide up for review I KNEW it was going to be as big as Dolly's gorgeous golden, country locks! This guide led me through all things Dollywood! Rides, goodies, and more! Each location, along with its illustration, gave me the ultimate book bound paper tour! Dolly's personality shines through this guide and it's never leaving my coffee table. Where any one entering my home can see this work of art. The art work was perfect and fun!

Was this review helpful?

I was really pleased with this book. I’ve been to Dollywood numerous times over the years, and there is always something new, or that I’ve missed on previous visits. This book provides some great into on all of Dollywood; the rides, the shows, sit down restaurants, festivals, and even including all the shops and counter service food stops. Now I have been given even more new things to look for at the park.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Erin Browne ( @ebrowniebites ), Adams Media ( @adams_media ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood early (comes out September 17, 2024).

This book is everything you need to know about the theme park Dollywood. It also includes sections on the water park, Dollywood’s Splash Country, and two places for lodging, DreamMore Resort and HeartSong Lodge & Resort

I have been a season pass holder to Dollywood for YEARS. And I’ve been visiting the theme park before it was even Dollywood (remember Silver Dollar City), so I wasn’t sure what, if anything, I’d learn from this book. Let me tell you—I learned something NEW ON EVERY PAGE!!

This book provides so much detail into every part of Dollywood - the rides, the shows, sit down restaurants, festivals, and even including all the shops and counter service food stops. This really is the ultimate guide to everything Dollywood!

I can’t wait to go back to Dollywood to look for some of the items I never knew about and previously overlooked.

#TheUltimateGuidetoDollywood #NetGalley #ErinBrowne #AdamsMedia

Was this review helpful?

I live in Tennessee and go to Dollywood at least once a year. This book would serve as a great guide on planing your trip. It provides accurate information to plan a trip to Dollywood and it gives a lot of tips or fun facts that even a regular visitor of Dollywood might not know. 5 star and would recommend this book for people interesting in Dolly Parton and Dollywood Theme Park.

Was this review helpful?

So I gave this three stars as a neutral rating. I requested to get this ARC to help me decide about going to Dollywood, I was disappointed because save for a few thumbnail cartoons of the roller coasters there was not a single photo or illustration. Lost of seemingly good descriptions of stores, restaurants, shows, etc. but it didn’t help me to decide whether to go.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy of, The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood, by Erin Browne, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have not been to Dollywood since the 90's, this book makes me want to plan another trip there. Dollywood has so many great places to see, eat at, and ride. I really enjoyed this book about Dollywood.

Was this review helpful?

A great guide to the Dollywood theme park! The book is broken up by section of the park, with each thing within the section (like ride, store, entertainment, etc.) given a description plus tips. It also has maps for each section with pretty illustrations. I thought this was so informative and easy to read! It also really made me want to go to Dollywood!

Was this review helpful?

The minute I saw Erin Browne’s “The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood” I knew I needed to read it. I grew up going to Dollywood and view it as one of my happy places. This book does an amazing job of ensuring that any question you could have about any part of Dollywood is answered. It even covers where you can keep your dog. I love that it includes fast facts, which can provide quick knowledge for people just skimming the book. There are also many fun facts, from tidbits about Dolly to the park itself. It is conveniently broken up into areas of the park, which can make it easy for someone to plan. I think this book is most helpful as a reference, rather than to read straight through. It might be a lot of information at once, and feel somewhat repetitive.

Was this review helpful?