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Jessica Shafer

Insider | Dollywood Insiders



Jessica is a West Tennessee native who fell in love with East Tennessee while attending college and law school. She now lives in Knoxville with her husband, their five children and their two tiny dogs. Jessica loves encouraging families to try new things and make memories, which she does on her Instagram account. After visiting Dollywood for the first time in 2016, her family knew they had found a new favorite place. They now visit most every month, and you can find them hitting the coasters as soon as the park opens. As an Insider, Jessica is excited to share the things she loves about Dollywood with you!

About Dollywood Insiders

Dollywood Insiders is a panel of folks who love all things Dollywood and enjoy sharing their knowledge of our theme park, water park, resort and cabins. They will reveal their favorite spots, how to pack for a Dollywood trip, tips on getting the best value and more!

Latest Posts by Jessica

Bringing Dollywood Home in the Off-Season

Bringing Dollywood Home in the Off-Season

The off-season is officially here. Dollywood is closed during January and February, meaning we miss our favorite rides, snacks and shows. As we count down the days until the park reopens in March, we can bring a little of the Dollywood fun home by creating our very own family Dollywood day. While there are countless ways to bring the joy…

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What’s in My Park Bag? (Stroller Edition)

What’s in My Park Bag? (Stroller Edition)

You’re off to Dollywood, but what should you take? If your children are young enough to need a stroller, you may need to pack a bit heavier than the average theme park guest. With proper planning, you can be sure to have everything you need without weighing your stroller down with unnecessary baggage.

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Toddler Day at Dollywood

Toddler Day at Dollywood

Is taking a toddler to Dollywood worthwhile? Absolutely! Although a toddler may not be able to experience all the thrills Dollywood offers, there is more than enough fun at the park to provide an incredible day for any age. While there is no wrong way to enjoy Dollywood, exploring the park in the following order has worked well for our…

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A Guide to Dollywood’s Playgrounds

A Guide to Dollywood’s Playgrounds

Dollywood is home to some amazing rides, but have you checked out the playgrounds throughout the park? With six official play spaces to explore, the playgrounds at Dollywood are sure to be a favorite part of your child’s day. From fire trucks and sprayers to a giant indoor play structure, make sure to include play time in your visit to…

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Gem Mining at Dollywood

Gem Mining at Dollywood

Dollywood is so much more than just rides! Throughout Craftsman’s Valley, you can find several interactive experiences, and one of our family’s favorites is gem mining at Lucky 7 Mine. With mining options at a range of price points, this is a fun activity for any age. Grab a bag of mining rough, sift away the dirt and see if…

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Make a Customized Sign at Dollywood!

Make a Customized Sign at Dollywood!

Are you interested in creating a customized, unique souvenir on your next trip to Dollywood? Check out the Tin Sign Shoppe in Craftsman’s Valley! This shop offers hundreds of designs that you can personalize, allowing you to take home a one-of-a-kind treasure. So, how does the Tin Sign Shoppe work?

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5 Reasons to Love Fall at Dollywood

5 Reasons to Love Fall at Dollywood

Any day at Dollywood is a great day, but there is something special about fall at the park. From the cooler temperatures to the amazing festivals to the gorgeous scenery, fall is my favorite time to visit Dollywood. If you haven’t already planned a fall trip, let me share five reasons fall at Dollywood should be on your to-do list.…

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Tips for Taking Children to Great Pumpkin LumiNights

Tips for Taking Children to Great Pumpkin LumiNights

Harvest Festival is a gorgeous time to enjoy Dollywood, and one of the Harvest Festival highlights each year is Great Pumpkin LumiNights. As the sun sets, the park glows with thousands of intricately carved pumpkins and large pumpkin sculptures.

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5 Reasons to Run the Light the Way 5k

5 Reasons to Run the Light the Way 5k

Did you know that you can run through Dollywood’s five million Christmas lights? Dollywood’s Light the Way 5k happens in November and offers an exclusive opportunity to enter the park after hours and enjoy the incredible Christmas lights as you run or walk through Dollywood.

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Golden Hour-How Much Can You Do?

Golden Hour-How Much Can You Do?

Dollywood's Gold and Diamond Season Passholders enjoy many benefits, such as dining and merchandise discounts and access to exclusive events, but my family's favorite benefit is Golden Hour. During the first hour of each operating day at Dollywood, Gold and Diamond Passholders can use the TimeSaver entries for all TimeSaver-eligible attractions. This means that Gold and Diamond Passholders can ride…

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Top 5 Activities for Kids at Smoky Mountain Christmas

Top 5 Activities for Kids at Smoky Mountain Christmas

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas is packed with family fun! From lights to rides to shows, Christmas brings a wide range of seasonal experiences to the park.

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All About Dollywood's Mosaicultures

All About Dollywood's Mosaicultures

Flowers come to life in Dollywood’s gorgeous Mosaicultures! As part of the Flower & Food Festival, you can find floral sculptures on Showstreet, in Rivertown Junction and in the lower portion of Craftsman’s Valley. With raccoons, a beekeeper, bears, Dolly’s mother creating her famous Coat of Many Colors and more, these Mosaicultures help make Dollywood gorgeous throughout the spring, and…

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Building Courage at Dollywood’s Splash Country

Building Courage at Dollywood’s Splash Country

The water slides and rides at Dollywood’s Splash Country provide amazing summer fun, but they can also be intimidating for some of the little ones in your family. If your child wants to experience the fun of the big slides but needs a bit more encouragement before tackling them, this plan should help him or her build courage at Dollywood’s…

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Big Bear Mountain Child and Parent Review

Big Bear Mountain Child and Parent Review

Big Bear Mountain is open in Wildwood Grove, and it promises to become a new family favorite! With a height requirement of just 39 inches, the whole family can ride together and experience the fun of searching for the elusive Big Bear. This new coaster is smooth but thrilling—check out the reviews in this video from a mom and her…

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Dine with Characters from the Imagination Playhouse

Dine with Characters from the Imagination Playhouse

Make your next summer visit to Dollywood even more special by having breakfast with favorite characters from the Imagination Playhouse! During the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, you can eat a delicious breakfast buffet and meet a few characters from your favorite stories all before Dollywood officially opens. This exciting event takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through August 5,…

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Top 5 Summer Celebration Activities for Children

Top 5 Summer Celebration Activities for Children

It’s summer at Dollywood, and the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is packed with family-friendly fun! If you are traveling to the park with children, be sure to check out these five summer attractions before the festival ends on August 6.

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