My Family Prefers Splash Country Over Dollywood. Here’s Why...
Updated: Sep 13
HOT TAKE... Our family prefers Dollywood's Splash Country over Dollywood Theme Park.
Now, don't get me wrong. We love Dollywood, but we LOVE water. For our family, Splash Country feels easier, more relaxing, and more naturally enjoyable.
When I say this, sometimes people are REALLY shocked, so I wanted to write and justify why Splash Country wins.
Splash Country Feels Less Complicated
Dollywood requires strategy, whereas Splash Country feels easier.
You arrive. You find your home base. You ride what you want. You float. You eat. You cool off. Then, repeat.
A Little Luxury at Splash Country
For this trip, we reserved a Deluxe Retreat. It started off as a group experience and then dwindled down to us and one other family, but to be honest... It was a game changer. I absolutely loved it.
We shared it with friends, and it gave us shade, seating, a place for our belongings, and somewhere to regroup throughout the day. That mattered more than I expected, especially during a busy holiday weekend (like Labor Day, when we went).
Instead of searching for chairs or wondering where everyone would meet back up, we had one central location. For families, especially groups with children, that alone can make the day easier.
Who I Think Should Consider a Retreat
Splash Country offers several different retreat options, so you do not need a huge group to make one worthwhile. We reserved one of the largest options, the Deluxe Retreat, which can accommodate up to 12 people. Ours had plenty of comfortable seating, a mini refrigerator, TV, and a ceiling fan, which was an especially glorious little luxury on a hot Tennessee day. The smaller retreat options are better suited to couples and smaller families, so there really is an option for several different kinds of trips.
I think a retreat is especially worth considering if you are:
A larger family or group traveling together. Our Deluxe Retreat could accommodate up to 12, and once you divide the cost among multiple adults or families, the upgrade becomes much easier to justify. I can absolutely see us doing this again with cousins and grandparents.
A family with younger children. Having guaranteed shade, a mini fridge, a place for everyone's things, and somewhere to retreat for snacks, naps, or downtime can completely change a water-park day.
A couple celebrating something special. Honeymoon at Splash Country? Anniversary trip? Why not? If you want to ride the slides but also want the day to feel a little more elevated, one of the smaller retreats could be a really fun splurge.
Someone who needs regular breaks or gets overwhelmed by crowds. Having a private space to step away from the activity of the park was one of the biggest benefits for us. You can still be right in the middle of everything without having to be in everything all day.
Anyone who wants a more elevated water-park experience. This is the category I apparently fall into. Give me a shady home base, comfortable seating, a refrigerator, a ceiling fan, and somewhere to put my stuff, and suddenly I am a water-park person.
If you are two adults who plan to spend three straight hours riding slides and then head home, you probably don't need a retreat. But I also wouldn't assume a retreat is only worthwhile for a huge group. Choose the size that fits the way you want to spend your day.
What to Bring
Splash Country is pretty easy to pack for. We keep it fairly simple: towels (they do not provide them), swimsuits, water shoes or sandals, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and a waterproof phone pouch.
I also like having a portable charger and a plastic bag for wet swimsuits at the end of the day. If anyone in your family needs medications or accessibility items, obviously add those to the bag before you leave.
If you aren't renting a retreat or other reserved space, lockers are available to rent for anything you don't want to carry around or leave unattended while everyone is in the water.
Hydration is another thing worth planning ahead. You can bring a refillable water bottle, or Dollywood sells refillable cups with refills available for purchase. We have the park cups, and because they can be used throughout the season, they make a lot of sense for us as season passholders.
Splash Country is also more flexible when it comes to snacks and drinks than Dollywood. We have brought snacks with us, which is especially helpful when you're traveling with kids or picky eaters. If you're planning to bring a cooler or a larger amount of outside food, though, check Splash Country's current rules before you pack. Park policies and what is permitted have been known to change from season to season.
And seriously. Don't forget the towels.
Splash Country is Cashless
Dollywood’s Splash Country is a cashless park, so plan to use a credit/debit card or another accepted cashless payment method for food, drinks, rentals, and purchases inside the park.
The Mrs.PIE Trick: Plan Your Visit on the Final Day of the Season
This is one of my favorite secrets to a PERFECT day at Splash Country. Towards the end of the season (Labor Day onward), crowds are extremely manageable, and late-season ticket pricing can sometimes be lower due to end of season promotional pricing.
Just remember that operating calendars, prices, and crowd patterns can change from year to year, so verify dates before planning around it.
Splash Country vs. Dollywood
Dollywood has more variety, entertainment, food, attractions, storytelling, and more to explore. But Splash Country gives our family ease.
We can settle in, cool off, and even split up for short periods without feeling scattered. We can rest without feeling like we are wasting valuable park time, and everyone tends to stay happier longer. That is why, for our family, Splash Country wins!
Not because Dollywood is not great. (Good Golly, Miss Dolly, IT IS!)
But sometimes the best park is the one that simply the park that fits your family best.
Do YOU love Dollywood's Splash Country? Leave a comment and let me know!
XOXO, PIE
Comments