Wilderness at the Smokies Resort
For anyone looking for a family friendly vacation in the Gatlinburg area, check out Wilderness at the Smokies. They have something like six waterparks – four I think are indoor. It’s a really nice family resort. Or seems to be – we haven’t gone yet. It’s brand new – just opened on June 20th of this year. But, they seem pricey – a lot more than what we would pay. But, they are running a special right now that if you book a vacation before July 15th, you get $75 off! You can travel anywhere between now and September 6th with that discount. Our room with 2 queens was $159. That is a little higher than we would normally pay, but we also decided to do that instead of going to the Dollywood water park so we did save money in the end. If we weren’t doing it this week, I think I would schedule it for a pre-back to school trip.
We’re heading out Monday for a day at Dollywood, a day at the resort’s water park, and then to my aunt’s house for the 4th weekend. I am so ready to sit by her pool, chill, and just enjoy doing nothing time. Or as much doing nothing as I can with three kiddos! 
I love our traditions here for the 4th, but it’ll be fun to do something a little different. And it’s about the only week we could go.
Going to Dollywood is a little funny. Working at Opryland, we always made fun of pokey Dollywood. It was more kid-centered then too, but I’ve heard they’ve really added a lot in the past few years. It’s still very kid-centered, but that’s a reason to like it now. I’ll give my review when we return for sure!
(IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A REVIEW, SEE MINE HERE)
What are you doing for the 4th?
Have Fun!– I Love Dollywood. Oh, and I am working on July 4th- yay for me.
– I just realized- I’m going to be commemorating Independence Day at work where really I’m kinda like a slave. I have no independence there at all. Oh the irony.
Oh, cool. Let us know what you think about the resort/water park. Have fun if I don’t see you before!
I can’t believe we’ve yet to go to Dollywood. I think it’s the whole two little kiddos thing that deters us. We wanted to try and slip away for a day this summer. Maybe we’ll still get to? I know this isn’t really about Dollywood, it just got me thinking. Oh Dolly, I just love her!
We may go to the lake, not sure. That can always get interesting. Then we’re heading to LHBC like good Christians (wink) that night.
hey sis-
We’re going to Dollywood too! We will be there next Monday. I think that’s the 8th?? Me, Lu, and Allie!
I’m calling you… XOXO
We’ll be at the local small town parade! I am doing to decorate their wagon this year!
hello there wanna be your friend pleae give me a chance jjuukohery@yahoo.com
Hey girl! We love Dollywood! Our two (7 & 2) kiddos really love it there. We’ve season passes this year.
-angel
We’re going to a cookout on the 4th. Then we are headed up to Dollywood and the mountains. Have a great trip!
WE JUST STAYED AT THE SEVEIRVILLE-WILDERNESS AT THE SMOKIES RESORT. IT IS STILL HUGELY UNDER CONSTRUCTION,ESPECIALLLY OUT OF DOORS. WE HAD ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION FOR OUR BALCONY VIEW…LANDSCAPING & BUILDING. ON JULY 2ND INDOOR PAINTING STILL IN PROGRESS. A WORD OF WARNING, ONLY THE OUTSIDE WATERPARK IS COMPLETE. THE INDOOR WATERPARK IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE IN DEC. ‘08. THE WATERPARK IS MUCH SMALLER THAN THE TV ADVERTISED ONE AT ANOTHER RESORT LOCATION. THERE IS NOT A POOL OVER 3 & 1/2 FEET DEEP ON THE PROPERTY. THE SLIDES ARE BIG FUN. YET, MAINLY FOR KIDDOS & CROWDED. THE ROOM WAS VERY NICE…GREAT MATTRESS & LINENS & TOWELS & BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED TO BOOT. AT THIS POINT WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE TO AMENITIES RATIO FOR ME. THE STAFF WAS COURTEOUS & EFFICIENT. THE WHOLE FLOOR PLAN OF HOTEL VS. PARKING DECK & THE LACK OF SYNCHRONIZED NUMBERING CAN BE QUITE CHALLENGING, EVEN FOR THE EXPERIENCED MAZE ARTIST. I WOULD NOT GO BACK UNLESS THE RATE WAS CUT IN 1/2. I DO NOT HAVE KIDS & IT IS NOT A PLACE FOR ADULTS ONLY SORT RESORTING.
We just got back from the park last Sunday. All I can say is DONT GO! Waste of money. There is still construction going on and was awoke at 7 am two mornings in a row to the sound of men drilling, sawing and heavy machinery. Not once was I informed the resort was still under construction nor my room would be over looking the water park being built in the middle of the resort. The rooms and building is nice enough, but the customer service was lacking, food way overpriced, unappetizing and security was a joke. My two year old was ran over by two teenage boys running through the toddle area in the water park. My older son started to chase the boys down and was yelled at by a young punk Lifeguard. Nothing was done about the boys who knocked my baby down but my son was threaten with removal. Then that night (Fri) there were about 100 kids on our floor running up and down the hallway screaming, laughing and get this, wrestling outside my door at 12:30 pm. We called the front desk and was told security had been notified and were on there way. They must have been in Gatlinburg because they finally showed up 40 minutes later after me and 3 other pissed off fathers were in the hall telling the kids we were calling the police if they didn’t shut up and get into their rooms. The next morning I asked to speak to a manager. A 20 something year old kid named Ryan came out to talk to me. No help and I was more pissed off than when I went to talk to him.
So after spending close to 800 bucks for three nights, I was more tired checking out than when I checked in. Then we were told the resort was closing down for a Fire Marshal inspection at 12 noon after we were told at check in we could use the water park the day of checkout until closing as it was part of the fee charged to stay at the resort.
Best advise…….DONT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!