A Day at Dollywood

John had today off, so we decided to celebrate the day by heading to Dollywood. The kids are at such fun ages for it, and since we have season's passes, it makes it easier to go even if we don't want to spend all day. Which we did anyway.

Both the kids loved driving the old timey cars. When we first started, Christian was so nervous that he was driving, but after he warmed up to it, he laughed and smiled the whole time! (I think he especially liked the fact that our radio was playing "Flying Purple People Eater!")

 

Ansley was nervous to drive, too, but we let her in on the little secret (that you can't steer wrong) and then she was all smiles.

 

We watched a fun live animal show, PBS's Zoboomafoo. Then we got to see some up close. I will have nightmares about this one, but Ansley thought it was great.

 

Then we moved on to the snakes, which both the kids touched. I was okay with that - I actually touched the snake too. I think it was just a pleasant change from the tarantula images in my head.

 

Christian did not like the 4D experience (therefore I did not like it, either), but John and Ansley did. Two year olds are so finicky; what's not to like about darkness and strobe lights and loud noises? Beats me. Seems odd to me - tarantulas, yes! Darkness, no! I guess if some snakes were crawling around, we wouldn't have had the tantrum that ensued. I'd spend two days in darkness before I'd take five seconds with a huge freaky hairy spider. But then again, I am no two year old, so my mind obviously works very differently.

 

I think this was the favorite part in everyone's day: the River Rampage. We purchased a "Fast Pass" so we rode this twice with no wait. Do you know the Fast Pass? It means that you reserve the time on your little pager thing, and when it beeps you get to walk right past all the people who have been waiting for over an hour while they give you mean looks and think to themselves who do they think they are? But then you show them exactly who you are when you walk right on to the ride. You're the person who is willing to spend extra money so you don't have to wait in long lines while your children grab EVERY nasty, germy thing within a five foot radius. I think waiting is the worst part of theme parks, well that or the germs, that's really a toss-up, so it was definitely worth it to me. Anyway, both times we got a boat to ourselves, and we all screamed and giggled the entire time!

Here's me and Ansley before:

 

And John and Christian after. This photo makes me laugh!

 

I was surprised that Christian did well with it, but he loved it! We also rode the "Shooting Star" which takes you up around 40 feet and then drops you down, and goes back up and down several times. We were a little hesitant, but Christian loved that one as well. I guess because it wasn't dark and loud.

Then Ansley and I were able to use our "Fast Pass" again to ride the airplanes twice. She loved this one. I know it's hard to tell, but that's us way up there! (And if you have really good eyes, I just want to point out that they made me take my shoes off. Under NO circumstances, except force, would I ever let my bare feet touch the ground of a germ filled theme park. For the record.)

 

Ansley wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel, but after the "Fast Pass" spoiling, we saw the wait was 45 minutes and we were all who has time for that?

So we called it a day, and came home with two very exhausted, but very happy, children.

A fun day!

Comments

[MiMi]

That picture of John and Christian makes me laugh and laugh! I've never seen that look on Christian's face--I can't really tell the emotion. I remember when you and Jonathan drove those cars at Disney and you were so nervous about driving. You were probably 5 or 6 at the time. We didn't tell you the secret!! It looks like you all had a great time and fast passes (however they work) are a wonderful invention!! P.S. The gargonzola/pear pizza was wonderful--just like I remembered!!

[Renee]

Seeing your pictures reminded me of how much fun we had at Dollywood last year. Rides with our girls are such fun memories for all of us. :) I love Christian's face all wet after the river ride. That one was our favorites too! So glad you had such a fun time together.