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 2022 Dollywood Season Pass options!

NOW is the BEST TIME to buy a Dollywood Season Pass! Why? Because you get UNLIMITED VISITS for the remainder of 2021 AND the entire season of 2022! Keep reading to learn which pass is best for you!

It’s a question that I often got asked when I was an inaugural Dollywood Insider – 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 for 2022!
Find out ALL the NEW INFORMATION below!**

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 2021 Dollywood Season Pass is good for the entire 2021 operating year.

Dollywood opens on March 13, 2021 and will end the 2021 season on January 3, 2022. Be sure to read all about the important dates of 2021 and Dollywood hours.

While a Dollywood Season Pass used to get you in the door anytime during the year, things are running a bit differently now as we are still dealing with lower capacity. At this time, Dollywood is still requiring season pass holders to make a reservation to confirm their attendance. You can read more about the reservation system here.

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 new changes for 2022. 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 2022. It will get the passholder unlimited visits to Dollywood for the entire operating year.
• Dollywood Gold Season Pass – This is similar to the Gold Pass of previous years, but does have some changes. We’ll discuss those below!
• 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.
• Splash Country Season Pass – You can still add a Splash Country Season Pass to your regular Dollywood Pass, for $55 more. Splash Country comes automatic with the Diamond Pass. More on that below!

Benefits of the new Dollywood Silver Season Pass:

In addition to unlimited visits to the parks for the entire season, there are many other great benefits of purchasing any Dollywood season pass.

• Unlimited Visits to Dollywood Theme Park.
• Friends & Family Discount – $5 off regular 1-Day admission for friends to the Season Pass’ respective Park; Passholder must be present and purchase.
• 10% off Dollywood Cabins overnight accommodations (Passholder only); Subject to availability.
• 2 Bring-a-Friend Free Tickets – The new BAF Tickets do have some blackout dates. Be sure to check the website for those dates!

Benefits for the NEW 2022 Dollywood Gold Season Pass:

• Unlimited Visits to Dollywood Theme Park.
• FREE General Parking every operating day for either park. How much is parking at Dollywood? $20 a day! This is a HUGE benefit as you get FREE PARKING ALL SEASON!
• Preferred or Valet Parking Discount – $5 Off
• Early Saturday Ride Times – At least one of the Dollywood rides will be open to Gold Season Passholders an hour before the park opens!
• 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%*

• Souvenir Refill Mug – One-Day Unlimited Refill 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!
• Golden Hours and Events – This hasn’t fully been explained by Dollywood yet, but it seems there will be certain events that only Gold and Diamond passholders are invited to attend. You’ll also be able to use the TimeSaver Pass line for the first hour of the park opening!
• $5 Off a TimeSaver Pass Purchase
• 4 Bring-a-Friend Free Tickets – The new BAF Tickets do have some blackout dates. Be sure to check the website for those dates!

Dollywood Insider Expert Tip: Have Mom [or the person who will always be with your family visiting the park] purchase a Dollywood Gold OR Diamond Pass to take advantage of FREE parking and the 15% food discount. All the members of your family do NOT need a Gold Pass to get those 2 extra benefits. BUT if you want a mug, everyone to enjoy golden hours, and more BAF Passes, you will want to buy the higher passes.

Benefits for the NEW 2022 Dollywood Diamond Season Pass:

• 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? $20 a day! This is a HUGE benefit as you get FREE PARKING ALL SEASON!
• Preferred or Valet Parking Discount – $10 Off
• FREE One-Time Preferred Parking Pass
• Early Saturday Ride Times – At least one ride will be open to Diamond Season Passholders an hour before the park opens!
• Friends & Family Discount – $15 off regular 1-Day admission for friends to the Season Pass’ respective Park; 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!
• Golden Hours and Events – This hasn’t fully been explained by Dollywood yet, but it seems there will be certain events that only Gold and Diamond passholders are invited to attend. You’ll also be able to use the TimeSaver Pass line for the first hour of the park opening!
• $10 Off a TimeSaver Pass Purchase
• 6 Bring-a-Friend Free Tickets – The new BAF Tickets do have some blackout dates. Be sure to check the website for those 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

2022 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] – $139
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $129
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $129

• Dollywood Silver + Splash Country [2 Park] Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $194
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $184
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $184

• Dollywood Gold Pass
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $194
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $184
  • Senior [ages 62-99] – $184

• Dollywood Gold + Splash Country [2 Park] Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $249
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $239
  • Senior [ages 62+] – $239

• Dollywood Diamond [2 Park] Season Passes:
  • Regular [ages 10-61] – $304
  • Child [ages 4-9] – $294
  • Senior [ages 62-99] – $294

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!
• 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 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 2017 or 2018!

But this pass is only available for a limited time – you can’t get it just anytime! Registration for the Dollywood Pre-K Pass opens on November 1st! Be sure to register your child if they were born in either 2017 or 2018!

When is the best time to buy Dollywood Season Passes?

The answer is EASY – NOW!!!

Right now you get the lowest prices of the season for 2022 Passes, you received up to 6 Bring-a-Friend Free passes PER Season Pass purchased, and a Souvenir Mug with Free Refills!

One of my favorite season pass options is to buy during the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. If you don’t have a season pass for the current year, you can buy one for the next year in November and you’ll get the remainder of the current year FREE!

1. You get unlimited visits during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival [until the park closes in early January] and ALL of the next operating season! 
2. You’ll get up to 6 Bring-A-Friend passes.
3. You can spread your payments out over 8 months, with 0% interest payments.
4. You’ll get FREE PARKING all of the Smoky Mountain Christmas season and the next year if you purchase a Gold or Diamond Pass [more details on Gold & Diamond Passes are above, but believe me, you should upgrade at least one of your passes to this amazing deal.]

But more importantly, any time is a good time to buy a Dollywood season pass. One day Dollywood tickets cost $84 for a regular adult ticket. Purchasing a regular price Dollywood season pass is only $139. 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:

This post was originally published in May 2017.