MORE Dollywood: A Weekend in Pigeon-burg Trip Report - Part III

Hello again! :}

Welcome to the 3rd installment of "A Weekend in Pigeon-burg," featuring even more Dollywood shenanigans! Due to some morning rain, Dollywood was almost empty for much of the first half of our day!

Before we went into the park, however, Michael, Josh and I started our day with a free breakfast at the hotel's restaurant!

This doesn't look creepy at all.

Michael's got his kettle corn bucket and is ready to go! 

Together again and it feels so good!

It was significantly colder today than yesterday. I sought shelter in the various shops for warmth. :}

Hoo! This is a good day to stop and smell the daffodils again. 

As you can see, the park was very busy. 

Very busy.

Hey, look! It's a picture of Mystery Mine! We didn't have many of those in the last update. 

There may not be many people here, but Roller Coaster Row is alive and well!

Mystery Mine, your line was out of control yesterday. Glad to see you've come to your senses.

THERE'S NO LINE FOR FIRE CHASER!!!! :D

This is definitely a marathon-friendly ride. I look forward to ERT on this at some point. 

Michael and Josh are earning their wings!

Even in spotty rain, Fire Chaser Express is hard at work saving the day!

We clearly need to be saved from these lines.

In fact, we only waited in one line the entire day...

...Blazing Fury! Reduced to one train operation, BF had about a 15-25 minute wait all day. The ride received some new upgrades for this season and looks GREAT. 

After Blazing Fury, it was time to pay the eagles a visit. 

Today it looked like they were filming an all-eagle version of The View.

Next we went to the candle shop because it has candles and is warm. :}

I still have the small Coke glass candle I got on my very first trip to Dollywood.

We also checked out the general store for a bit.

I don't think I could've pictured Dollywood ever looking this empty!

We, of course, had to stop at the glass shop as we made our way down Craftsman Valley.

There is a part of me that would love to intern as a glass worker. A significantly larger part of me is concerned that I would burn my fingers to a crisp.

The Easter Tree is out! :}

Like, if I didn't know better, I'd think the park was closed. Seriously.

It's not getting any warmer, so warm kettle corn is in order!

FIRE CHASER SWAG!

Actually, the kettle corn made me even more hungry than before. Better get some stir fry. 

Ooh. That stir fry was good. I bet it would be followed up well with something from here. :}

We ended up back at the front of the park, so we figured it was as good a time as any to investigate the Emporium. I love Dollywood's merchandising department, and it seems that they're now embracing the classic butterfly motif more than ever. SO many wonderful new butterfly goodies are now available!

Dollywood is so full of lovely details that some are easy to miss. There's so much to see when you take your time at Dollywood. :}

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Hoo! I think a train ride is in order!

But first, how about a Ferris Wheel ride?

The Country Fair is quiet today, but still fun as ever!

Ahhhhh. Fabulous Smokey Mountain view. 

All aboard!!! As soon as we passed the Grist Mill, I was overcome with the sudden urge to attack some cinnamon bread. More on that later. :}

Since #192 is the only operating coal engine at a U.S. park, Dollywood is the only park in America where waving at train passengers from the railroad crossing comes with the risk of being covered in soot. 

The train ride is a great way to see some nature,

and a great way to see Dollywood!

Trains seem to be a reoccurring theme here. :}

Take a good look at the train's upper turnaround. I have a hunch that it won't look like this for too much longer… ;}

If you keep your eyes peeled, you might just see some salvaged remnants of Adventure Mountain being stored just past Thunderhead. Perhaps we'll see these pieces being re-purposed in the future??

Everybody wave to Thunderhead and Mystery Mine!

Ok, cinnamon bread time!! :D

*o*

*dies*

After our cinnamon bread snack, we decided to visit the birds again. This eagle says "Welcome to Dollywood. GIMME BREAD." 

"We cannot have bread!" exclaimed the other eagle. "It would ruin our balanced diets!"

This egg-sitting eagle is the star of the latest TV sensation "The Real Housewives of Dollywood: Foul Play."

This barn owl says "Imma do a dance!"

And this hawk says "How can you expect me to eat this?? I asked for medium-well; this is clearly medium-rare."

Okay, enough birds. Back to coasters!

Wait! Just kidding. There's always time for Eagle. :}

For real, though. Coaster time! The boys and I picked up a few more rides on Roller Coaster Row before heading out.

*swoon*

Goodbye, Dollywood! Thank you for a wonderful time!!

Woohoo! What a great way to kick off the coaster season! Thank you to Coaster Crew for inviting me to Chase Fire with Dolly, and thank you to everyone who showed me a good time! 

Next week, Thrillography heads to Kentucky Kingdom to help get the park ready for its grand re-opening! See you there! :}