Feeling like Fall at Dollywood

Y'all, it is hot in Tennessee. Our August was cool and mild, but September and so far October have been hot, humid, and muggy. Ugh. Not cool for fall (pun intended). It's been hard to get in the autumnal spirit when I'm still wearing shorts and tank tops. Thankfully Dollywood invited the Insiders out for a day at the park to try out the Harvest Festival fun.

We drove in from a different direction, and had a generally leisurely attitude about the day. It was nice to go in without rushing and just enjoy the experience of the drive and the Harvest Festival.

The park is all dressed up and looking beautiful. Hay bales, pumpkins, and fall colors are in full bloom. The temperature may have been in the high 80s, but we still felt fall in the air at Dollywood.

The fall accents compliment the typical Dollywood experience that includes delicious food, fun rides, and plenty of memory making moments. The combined effects of no college game, fall break, and higher temperatures meant the crowds were out in full force. But we still had a blast with the kids riding their favorite rides.

The Great Pumpkin LumiNights are glowing after dark, with fun fall and Halloween decorations placed throughout the park. Bats with pumpkin heads fly high overhead, while intricately carved pumpkins populate the landscape. There's such beauty to be seen.

With Halloween around the corner, there are plenty of spooky-but-not-scary decorations for a less frightful way to celebrate the season. With rides and buildings lit up in red, purple, and green, the thrill of Halloween and the exciting rides at Dollywood combine for a delightful experience.

 The Great Pumpkin LumiNights experience also includes a fun glow maze for kids. It isn't really a maze- there's one entrance and one exit and only one path in between, but the black lights, bright colors, and glow in the dark paint make for a grand adventure for little ones.

 Special shows are currently taking place at Dollywood's Harvest Festival, including the Southern Gospel Jubilee performances. The Pumpkin Boogie Dance Party is fun for all ages each evening. Seasonal food includes the Pumpkin Cupcakes (my personal favorite this season- they're just the right amount of pumpkin!), warm apple cider, Candy Corn Kettle Corn, Caramel Apple Sundae, Candied Apple Slices, and Candy Apple Cider. It's all delicious and the perfect way to make your sweet day at Dollywood's Harvest Festival even sweeter.

What else makes your day sweeter? Saving $5 per ticket! Buy your tickets online here, and enter the code DWInsiders5 when you check out. You'll print your tickets at home and take them to the park with you. This offer isn't available at the gate, so make sure to buy your tickets in advance and save! Then come back and share your favorite Dollywood Harvest Festival memories in the comments!