BIG Changes in 2023: Everything You Need to Know About Dollywood Season Passes

Are you visiting Dollywood soon and can’t decide on what type of ticket or pass to buy? Here’s the scoop on everything you need to know about Dollywood Season Passes including the all new 2023 Dollywood Season Pass options!

It’s a question that I often got asked when I was an inaugural Dollywood Insider and especially now that I’m a Dollywood Insider again – should I invest in buying a season pass?

Locals know that a season pass is always the way to go, but what if you’re just visiting for a few days? Is it still worth buying a season pass?

Today I’m going to tell you everything you need to know!

**Dollywood Season Passes are changing in 2023!
Find out ALL the NEW INFORMATION below!**

Why are we talking about 2023 Dollywood Season Passes now? Because you don’t have to buy Dollywood season passes at the beginning of the year to get ALL the benefits.

In fact, now is the BEST time to buy a 2023 Dollywood Season Pass because there’s still lots of time left in the 2023 season. Dollywood season passes are never discounted even near the end of the year. They do not go lower as the season goes, but can go up in price.

What is a Dollywood Season Pass?

Since every theme park handles passes a little different, it’s important to know how Dollywood treats their season passes. Dollywood’s pass runs for an operating season. A 2023 Dollywood Season Pass is good for the entire 2023 operating year.

Dollywood opened on March 11, 2023 and will end the season on January 6, 2024. Be sure to read all about the important dates of 2023 and Dollywood hours before you visit!

What types of Dollywood Season Passes are there?

There are a few different types of Dollywood season passes, which might confuse you at first glance, especially with the brand new changes for 2023. I’ll break them all down below and help you decide which is best for your family.

• Dollywood Silver Season Pass – This is the lowest priced season pass for 2023. It is definitely the best economical choice of a season pass that Dollywood offers. One of the biggest changes for 2023 is the blackout dates. PLEASE be sure to read all the information below to understand exactly what this means.
• Dollywood Gold Season Pass – This is similar to the Gold Pass of previous years, but does have some changes. We’ll discuss those below as well!
• Dollywood Diamond Pass – The ultimate Season Pass – it sparkles with benefits as bright as Dolly’s favorite dresses! It’s the BEST pass of all and we’ll check out the perks below. *SOLD OUT for 2023*
• Summer Splash Pass – This is a Season Pass for Dollywood’s Splash Country only. More on that below!
• Add-on Splash Country Season Pass – You can still add a Splash Country Season Pass to your regular Dollywood Silver or Gold Pass, for $55 more. Splash Country comes automatic with the Diamond Pass. More on that below!

Benefits of the NEW 2023 Dollywood Silver Season Pass:

• Unlimited Visits to Dollywood Theme Park EXCEPT for Blackout Dates, which run November 24th – January 6th.
• Dollywood has announced that the Silver Kids’ season pass will NOT have blackout dates!
• There are also Blackout Dates on the Silver Splash Country Pass, which include July 3rd – July 9th.
• Friends & Family Discount – $5 off regular 1-Day admission for friends to the Season Pass’ respective Park; Passholder must be present and purchase at the Dollywood front gate.
• 10% off Dollywood Cabins overnight accommodations (Passholder only); Subject to availability.

Benefits for the 2023 Dollywood Gold Season Pass:

• Unlimited Visits to Dollywood Theme Park – NO BLACKOUT DATES!
• FREE General Parking every operating day for either park. How much is parking at Dollywood? $25 a day! This is a HUGE benefit as you get FREE PARKING ALL SEASON!
• Preferred or Valet Parking Discount – $5 Off
• TimeSaver Discount – $5 Off
• Golden Hours: TimeSaver Access First Hour Each Operating Day
• Golden Events: Exclusive Gold & Diamond Passholder Events
• Friends & Family Discount – $10 off regular 1-Day admission for friends to the Season Pass’ respective Park; Passholder must be present and purchase.
• 15% off Dollywood Cabins overnight accommodations (Passholder only); Subject to availability.
• 15% Off Food, Merchandise, and select Rentals at the Gold Pass’ respective Park. Another benefit that can really add up on meals and souvenirs purchased at the park. *This has decreased from 20%*

Dollywood Insider Expert Tip: I always used to only encourage 1 person in the family to buy a Gold Pass, but with the BIG changes to 2023 Season Passes, I would definitely encourage everyone in the family to have the same style pass.

Benefits for the *SOLD OUT* 2023 Dollywood Diamond Season Pass:

**These passes are SOLD OUT. I’m leaving the information so you can be prepared and buy the Diamond Season Pass in 2024, if you’re interested.**

• Unlimited Visits to Dollywood Theme Park AND Dollywood’s Splash Country.
• FREE General Parking every operating day for either park. How much is parking at Dollywood? $25 a day! This is a HUGE benefit as you get FREE PARKING ALL SEASON!
• Preferred or Valet Parking Discount – $10 Off
• Golden Hours: TimeSaver Access First Hour Each Operating Day
• Golden Events: Exclusive Gold & Diamond Passholder Events
• Friends & Family Discount – $15 off regular 1-Day admission for friends; Passholder must be present and purchase.
• 20% off Dollywood Cabins overnight accommodations (Passholder only); Subject to availability.
• 20% Off Food, Merchandise, and select Rentals. Another benefit that can really add up on meals and souvenirs purchased at the park.

• Souvenir Refill Mug – All-Season Unlimited Refills Mug. These are ONLY available for a limited time so they may not come with passes purchased next year – but you will get them now!
• $10 Off a TimeSaver Pass Purchase
• 4 Bring-a-Friend Free Tickets – The new Diamond BAF Tickets have NO blackout dates!!

Extra Benefits [outside of Dollywood]:

You may not be aware, but being a Dollywood season passholder can get you some great savings outside of Dollywood also. This applies to ALL Dollywood Season Passes [Silver, Gold, and Diamond]

Be sure to check the Dollywood website for exact details on extra savings for visits to:

• Biltmore – Passholders can get $10 Off Regular Adult Tickets
• Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Pirate’s Voyage, The Comedy Barn – Passholders can save $5 off Adult Tickets and $3 off Children’s Tickets
• Ripley’s Attractions located in Sevierville & Gatlinburg – Passholders get 20$ off Admission to certain Ripley’s attractions
• Silver Dollar City – Passholder receives 50% off 1 Day Admission Ticket
• Stone Mountain Park – Passholder receives 50% off 1 Day Admission Ticket
• Tennessee Aquarium – Passholders can save $5 off Adult Tickets and $3 off Children’s Tickets
• Titanic – Passholders can save $5 off Adult Tickets and $3 off Children’s Tickets

2023 Summer Splash Pass for Dollywood’s Splash Country

This pass is an excellent deal if you’re looking to just visit Dollywood’s Splash Country, but you’ll have to hurry as it will only be on sale until June 4th. Plus you get 1 FREE Bring-a-Friend ticket to Splash Country!

This pass will get you unlimited visits to Dollywood’s Splash Country with 1 week of blackout dates only, from 7/3-7/9. This is a VERY crowded week for the water park, so I wouldn’t advise visiting then anyway! The Splash Country season runs from May 13 – September 10.

2023 Dollywood Season Pass Prices:

Now here’s the information that everyone wants to know, right? Here’s the easiest breakdown you’ll find anywhere of Dollywood Season Pass prices:

• Dollywood Silver Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $164
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $154 [NO BLACKOUT DATES!]
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $154

• Dollywood Silver + Splash Country [2 Park] Season Passes [with blackout dates]:
  • Regular [ages 10-61]
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $209
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $209

• Dollywood Gold Pass
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $229
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $219
  • Senior [ages 62-99] – $219

• Dollywood Gold + Splash Country [2 Park] Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $284
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $274
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $274
• Summer Splash Pass [with Blackout dates]:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $99
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $89
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $89

• SOLD OUT – 2023 Dollywood Diamond [2 Park] Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $314
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $304
  • Senior [ages 62-99] – $304

Things to keep in mind when purchasing Dollywood Season Passes:

• Children under the age of 4 do NOT need a pass or ticket. They are FREE!
• 2023 Silver Dollywood Passes will NOT get you into the park from November 24th – January 6th. This is the biggest change in Dollywood Season Pass history, in my opinion. You definitely need to weigh this when choosing which season pass to purchase for your family.
• If your child is 4-9, definitely consider buying them a Silver pass this year. Dollywood has announced that they REMOVED BLACKOUT DATES for kids’ Silver passes.
• Only 1 person in your family needs to have a Gold or Diamond Pass to use the benefits of Free Parking and Food & Merchandise Discounts, but they MUST be present at the park.
• You can add on the Water Park Dining Pass [$50 + tax] to any Season Pass that includes 2 Parks.

Dollywood Pre-K Pass

Did you know that there’s a Dollywood Pre-K Pass? Just like a Season Pass, it will get your Pre-K aged child in the park unlimited times during the operating year. And the best part? It’s FREE!

While Dollywood advertises that all kids 4+ need to buy a Season Pass, you can get a Pre-K Pass for FREE if your child was born in either 2018 or 2019!

But this pass is only available for a limited time – you can’t get it just anytime! Be sure to register your child if they were born in either 2018 or 2019!

Still looking for more ways to save money at Dollywood? Check out my newest post below!

When is the best time to buy Dollywood Season Passes?

The answer is EASY – NOW… for a few reasons:

1. The Payment Plan! Dollywood gives you the option to spread your payments out over 3 months – with no interest charged!

But really any time is a good time to buy a Dollywood season pass. One day Dollywood tickets cost $89 for a regular adult ticket. Purchasing a Silver Dollywood season pass is only $164. Even if you only visit twice, you’ve saved enough to justify buying season passes!

Dollywood Insider Expert Tip: I definitely recommend buying your season passes BEFORE you get to the park. It will save you time and money, especially if you purchase a Gold or Diamond season pass. Otherwise you’ll have to pay to park on your first visit.

I hope this has helped you understand buying Dollywood season passes a little better. While I think the benefits speak for themselves, if you want my opinion, I always encourage visitors to upgrade to season passes. At a cost of less than 2 days to the park, with ALL the extra benefits, you definitely get your money’s worth.

Visit Dollywood.com to purchase your Dollywood Season Passes today.

Want to know even more about Dollywood? Check out some of my other posts here:

**Always consult Dollywood’s website as prices and promotions change frequently.

This post was originally published in May 2017 – latest update – May 28, 2023.