Dollywood’s Splash Country Dives into 2011 Season May 21

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dollywood’s Splash Country opens Saturday, May 21, for another season of fun in the sun in the Great Smoky Mountains.

“After the cold winter months, we’re anxious to welcome guests to Dollywood’s Splash Country where soaking up the sun and enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains outdoors is a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” said Mike Brown, Dollywood’s Splash Country General Manager.

Named America’s Must-See Waterpark in 2009 by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, Dollywood’s Splash Country features more than 35 water adventure slides, along with The Cascades leisure pool, the Mountain Waves wave pool, the Downbound Float Trip lazy river, children’s water play areas and much more.

New for the 2011 season, Dollywood’s Splash Country offers waterside Swedish massages. Guests staying in Riverside and Waterside Retreats, private 200-square-foot rental facilities, can schedule a 30-, 60- or 90-minute massage or neck and shoulder massage. Guests renting Canopies, which offer a 65-square-foot shaded area and two chaise lounge chairs, can enjoy neck and shoulder massages. Prices start at $40. All are performed by a licensed massage therapist and offered in the privacy of the Retreat or Canopy. Massages must be scheduled in advance by calling 1-800-DOLLYWOOD. Visit dollywood.com for more details.

Saturday exclusives return this season for the waterpark’s season passholders. Passholders and their guests (park admission required) are admitted one hour prior to the posted opening time each Saturday. Plus, a selected ride is open during this exclusive hour and an exclusive merchandise offer is available. The park’s popular Slick Rock Racer is open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.

This season, Dollywood’s Splash Country features several events that welcome Guest participation:

* 9th Annual Dollywood’s Splash Country’s Float-A-Thon on May 28, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. benefitting the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House
* Water Safety Day on June 8, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on June 14, 2011, at 11 a.m.
* Eco Awareness Fair on July 18, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Valid Dollywood’s Splash Country admission required for all events. For more information, please visit Dollywood.com.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is located adjacent to Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Dollywood Vacations offers all-inclusive vacation planning through which cabin guests receive complimentary admission and free parking at Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, call 1.866.857.2123.

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Nation’s Best Christmas Event Begins Nov. 7 with Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Presented by Humana

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dollywood unwraps its 20th anniversary holiday season on Nov. 7 with the opening of its award-winning festival Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, which continues through Jan. 2, 2010.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival recently won its second consecutive Golden Ticket Award for Best Christmas Event. The awards are presented annually to the “best of the best” in the amusement industry by Amusement Today magazine from an international poll.

“I just love spending the holidays with family and friends, so I hope my Smoky Mountain Christmas festival brings families closer together this time of year,” Dolly Parton said. “My wish is for everyone to be wrapped in warm holiday memories, just like the ones of my family that I cherish and hold so dear.”

The Golden Tickets also honored Dollywood for Best Shows, which includes the park’s lineup of holiday entertainment. Dollywood’s live stage shows feature Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland, Christmas in the Smokies, O’ Holy Night, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, and An Appalachian Christmas. Multiple performances are featured each day, and all shows are included with park admission.

Set amid a colorful display of four million holiday lights, Dollywood also offers guests more than 20 rides and attractions, including The Polar Express 4-D Experience™ which takes guests on a magical journey to the North Pole. Guests can enjoy the world-renowned Thunderhead and Mystery Mine coasters, as well as the Dollywood Express, a 110-ton steam engine that takes a nostalgic railroad journey into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Santa’s Workshop is Santa’s home-away-from-home at Dollywood where a larger-than-life-sized display of toys awaits visitors. Santa also appears twice each evening in the Parade of Lights, joined by a cast of fun characters and brightly colored floats. Breakfast with Santa is featured from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Saturday during the festival. Seating is first-come, first-served for the meal which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, sausage gravy and grits. Prices are $15.99 for adults, $7.99 for children ages 4-11. Dollywood admission is required.

Seasonal favorites and special recipes from Dollywood’s best chefs are on the menu at the park’s many restaurants. Endless buffets featuring oven-roasted turkey and dressing with all of the trimmings are holiday favorites. Each year welcomes new additions, like this year’s chicken pot pie served at Backstage restaurant, all sure to become classic dishes offered for years to come.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

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Great deals, seasonal activities make pre-holiday a great time to get away

(ARA) – A vacation may be the last thing on your mind as the holidays draw near this year, but contrary to popular belief the holiday season is a great time to take a break. Pre-holiday season deals sweeten the appeal of a weekend getaway to decompress from the stresses of a busy fall and winter season.

“While airfares and hotel rates do rise on and immediately surrounding major holidays, the weeks leading up to those times can yield amazing deals and wonderful opportunities to escape the hectic pace of the holiday season,” says Brad Dean, president and chief executive officer for the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Still not convinced now is the time for a quick getaway? Consider these facts:

Getting There

Airports will be crowded and frustrating as soon as the holidays arrive. Yet airfares are lower and airports are less crowded in the weeks leading up to peak holiday season. You’re much more likely to score a good deal on airfare – and a less stressful airport experience – if you travel pre-holiday.

Driving trips are also easier before the holiday. Come Thanksgiving or Christmas, everyone will be visiting family and friends to celebrate. Highways are less likely to be clogged with traffic in advance of the holidays. To make the most of your weekend getaway, choose a driving destination that’s easily accessible and offers the most “bang for your buck.” Myrtle Beach, S.C., for example is a popular driving destination from many parts of the eastern seaboard and Midwest.

Hotel Deals

Hotel prices typically increase a day or two before a holiday – rates may even double over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. However, hotels are relatively empty and inspired to offer better deals in the weeks leading up to the holidays. In fact, rates can be reduced to more than half the cost of a room during peek summer season. You can find great package deals if you travel before the holidays, especially to affordable locations that are in their “off” seasons. Many beach resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive packages with admission to local attractions and many feature heated indoor swimming pools and even indoor waterparks.

Cool Prices on Hot Attractions

Attraction tickets that might seem pricey during high season will likely be more appealingly priced during the pre-holiday, “off season.” Some outdoor attractions in more temperate climes, such as Myrtle Beach will stay open through the holidays, as will shows, indoor attractions and sites. Plus, you won’t have to fight the “peak season” crowds or lines at year-round attractions like popular museums and aquariums.

A Taste of the Holidays without the Expense

What commercial venture in the United States doesn’t stretch the holidays? With Halloween items appearing on store shelves in early September, is it any surprise that resort attractions will don their holiday décor and feature holiday-themed events and shows long before the actual dates arrive?

It’s possible to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy themed shows, attractions and activities when you travel before the holidays. For example, the Myrtle Beach area offers everything from live holiday shows to candlelit gardens with carolers, Christmas tree festivals to holiday markets.

To learn more about a pre-holiday getaway to Myrtle Beach, go to www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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