Thinkin of headin to Dollywood...any advise?

[Flame]

Maybe 2nd week of December want to leave deep east Texas and travel to Smokey Mountains and Dollywood for some pre Christmas fun. Just the wife and I. How bad are the mountains? I have driven West Virginia and Pennsylvania mountains but in a small Dodge Magnum station wagon and it was August. Should we be in snow? We're not going to "see" snow...just wanting the siteseeing road trip and visit Dollywood. Any surprises we should be expecting mid December?? Anyone been to Dollywood??

[Offwego]

We have been to Dollywood at Christmas time three times in recent years. We really enjoy the quality shows and entertainment as well as the lights and decorations. I would recommend a visit.

As for mountains, really no problem unless weather happens to be a threat. I’m not sure of the likelihood of snow. Perhaps someone else can address that question. It can be very cold, especially in the evenings, that time of the year. Dress warmly for Dollywood if cold, because you will be outdoors a fair amount of your time there.

[dougm]

Depends completely upon which interstates or Hiways you plan to travel on. I am from Nebraska, i hate steep mountain driving so when i drove my Chinook to Weldtec Designs in El Cajon, California last winter i drove south and went across New Mexico and Arizona into California. The mountains were nothing more than hills to me after having driven into Gunnison, Colorado once years ago. Since youre coming from southern Texas i would assume you will head north west threw Arizona and up from there, mountains wont be a real concern for you IMO. I have also been to LA, San Francisco, Aneheim, Hollywood, Santa Monica, San Diego, ect.... I for one can live out the remainder of my life without ever stepping foot back in California again for any reason.... Again i am from Nebraska, flat as a pool table, if the mountains didnt bother me they shouldnt be an issue for you folks.

[Flame]

We booked rooms and tickets at Dollwood and mapquest our route. we will hit Interstate 20 awhile and pick up 59. We will actually go around and north of the Smokey mountains and not thru them. Yaaaay!! Pigeon Forge Tenn. says elevation is only 1000 feet. We will start our journey December 1st and return home by December 6th. Just don't know how much ice or snow to expect first week of December?? We will not sleep in the rv but got a hotel-tickets-package deal. 860 miles one way. Not a bad deal. Got 3 nights hotel for 2 adults and tickets to Dollywood for 2 days for 2 adults all for under $400 and that included taxes!! Biggest expence will be fuel at 10mpg!! The Smokey Mountain Christmas theme will be up and running so it should be very nice!!

[dougm]

Oh my bad, i thought you meant Hollywood. Im not familiar with Dollywood..

[chin_k]

Never been to Tennessee, but I don't think there is any worry about the mountain road. One of the steepest grades I took was the Teton Pass (22) between WY and ID, and it was 10% grade. There is no issue going up it at highway speed. I don't think any "mountain" on the east coast is that steep since they are so old already. For the snow, I only experienced it in a regular car, but I assume you just have to keep it at safe speed, and keep extra distance.

Edit:
Come to think of it, it was not "highway" speed when going up (I do 80 mph on my regular car regularly), but I did not feel I was going slow, and you got the idea. On the way down, I used the lowest gear so that the brake won't burn up.

[Xatlatc]

I would recommend staying at Pine Mountain RV Park in Pigeon Forge. I believe it’s the best in the area and the trolley stops across the street. Park your Chinook and use the fifty cent trolley. Traffic can be a mess. I have been in the area many times to visit my brother and I’ve never had a snow issue. It’s amazing how that area has boomed into a major attraction. Dollywood is hilly as you walk around but they really dress up the whole area for Christmas. If you have the time go visit the Baltimore House in Asheville, NC. It’s beautifully decorated and the craftsmanship is outstanding.

[pdemarest]

I second Xatlatc's motion to see the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. While in Asheville you should also check out the Park Grove Inn. Its an historic hotel that goes all out for Christmas and hosts an annual gingerbread house competition that has some amazing displays. Also, the comment about traffic in Pigeon Forge is true - its a mess. If you can take a trolley you're better off. We drove through Pigeon Forge one year in early December to see the decorations and it took almost an hour to drive from one side of town to the other.

[Flame]

Offwego, I sent you a private message. Thanks