Silver Dollar City or Dollywood in October

Dollywood is a great park. Clean and friendly staff with great rides. Haven’t done silver dollar city but I’ve heard similar nice things about that one as well. Don’t think you can go wrong if that’s your main reason for going to the area

Dollywood by a mile.

Perfect timing ... We just got back from Branson yesterday and spent 2 whole days at Silver Dollar City. Last July we went to Pigeon Forge and spent 2 whole days at Dollywood. My kids are currently 14 and 12.

Rides:
I recall Dollywood having one or two more roller coasters. I can't ride them (motion sickness), so I couldn't tell you which ones are better. I can say the the water rides at SDC are better (I can ride those). I always buy the "line skippers" so the kids can get more rides in. I think they rode one coaster 20 time at SDC. Same last year at DW. They rode till they were exhausted.

Size / Crowds:
Crowds about the same at each place, but you never feel crowded. Also, DW seems more spread out and you'll walk more. Both are hilly. Both have a lot shade.

Food:
About the same quality. SDC seemed to have more options. Not cheap and not expensive either. We packed a backpack full of snacks and water bottles and tried to limit how much we spent. SDC would even let you bring in a small cooler.

Honestly I think it's wash between the two. I would say to go the one that is closer to you. Or if there are other attractions that you want to get in, then let that decide you destination.

We are in Baton Rouge and it took about 12 hours to get to Pigeon Forge and about 10 hours to get to Branson.

Silver Dollar City the second half of October was awesome. Fall foliage everywhere, the park was decorated with hundreds of pumpkins, and light displays at night. The day we went the weather was perfect.

This might help you.

Dollywood named top theme park in the United States

Tripadvisor said Dollywood was #1 in the US and #10 worldwide.

quote:

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Kids enjoy mid size coasters like at universal. Which would you go to for a long weekend out of silver dollar city or Dollywood?

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We do SDC every fall break in October. They have the place decorated with pumpkins and what not, that the kids love. Usually not too cool and not too hot during October.

Never been to Dollywood, so cannot comment on it. SDC is a very short drive for us.

SDC is always very clean with lots of good food options. We enjoy all the coasters, but mine enjoy Time Traveler, Powder Keg, and Wildfire the most. The new Fire in the Hole opened this year as well. It’s not a super exhilarating coaster, but it tells a story and is indoors. It’s an interesting ride. With Time Traveler, I am not sure if there’s another roller coaster like it around. The cars you sit in rotate as you’re riding, which makes for a very interesting experience.

YouTube of 2024 SDC coasters

Dollywood hands down. Has a water park next door

Coasters:
Lightning rod
Big bear mtn
Tenn tornado
Thunderhead
Wild eagle
Firechaser
Mystery mine
Dragonflier
Blazing Fury

Also
Barnstormer
Daredevil falls
Drop line
Mad mockingbird
Smoky mtn rampage


* traffic flows better in the Pigeon Forge area
* more amusement areas: go-kart tracks, simulators, indoor snow park, water parks, ziplines, rafting, mountain coasters, etc
* outlet shopping is better
* Gatlinburg and the National park is a short drive away
* Lots of food options
Holstons
Mellow Mushroom
Pancake Pantry
Applebarn grill
Margaritaville
Paula Deens
Old Mill
Local Goat
Blue Moose
Graze burgers
Calhouns
Five Oaks
Aubreys
Dreammore resort breakfast buffet
Largest Bucees in the US


We just got back from there

The parks are about the same. Probably because they're owned by the same company.
The Branson area has more of a religious atmosphere. Some folks like that, some folks don't.