Are you trying to decide if you want to spend the money on Dolly Parton’s Stampede? Are you having trouble deciding if this is the right show for you amongst the many dinner theater options in Pigeon Forge? I cannot speak for the other shows, but I can give you a good idea of what you will be paying for and what to expect from Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge.
Buying Tickets
The ticket you purchase includes a pre-show, dinner, and entertainment. Currently ticket prices are $69.99 for an adult and $34.99 for children ages 3-9. Two years and younger are free.
There is a military discount for $10.00 off an adult ticket. If you go online, I did not see an option for a military discount when paying, so it might be better to call for your tickets.
We bought our tickets a couple of months ahead of time and we purchased them over the phone. If you call over the phone you can avoid the convenience fees that are charged when buying them online.
I would recommend ordering your tickets weeks or months in advance for Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge since shows can sell out. You can purchase them either over the phone or online.
A big part of the show is the competition between the “North” and the “South”. When ordering your tickets, you can pick whether you would like to sit in the North or South section. The North section is red and the South is blue.
Preferred (or Premium) Seating
Another reason we purchased our tickets over the phone was to get preferred seating. For $5 extra a ticket, you can get preferred seating which means you will get a seat in the first three rows. (It looks like now, there is an option to get “premium” seating when ordering online).
A big reason that we chose preferred seating was because we had heard that people in the preferred seating might get picked to be involved in the show.
I CANNOT promise that anyone in your group will be chosen to be involved, but we did. Not long after we were seated, the waiter asked us if our two oldest boys would like to go on to the arena floor for part of the show for a competition. We said yes, but then he asked what shoes the boys were wearing. James and Charlie had flip flops on. The waiter said they had to have enclosed shoes.
I was SO thankful that I am always an over packer when we go somewhere, because I had brought their tennis shoes and they were in the vehicle. So my husband went and got their shoes and socks and they were ready for their big moment (more on this later).
Final note on seating: I don’t think there is really a bad seat in the arena. If you decide not to do the preferred seating, you will still have a great experience.
Picking Up Our Tickets
We decided to pick up our tickets before the day of the show. Since we were driving through Pigeon Forge, right by the Dolly Parton’s Stampede building, we stopped when there was no show going on to avoid any crowds.
It was easy enough to go to the ticket window, give our information, and receive our tickets. We also took this opportunity to visit the horse stables to see some of the horses that are in the show. You can find the stables along the outside of the building. We were there in the pre-Covid days so I am not sure if they still allow guests to see the horses.
Arrival
I would recommend getting there early. We arrived 30 minutes before the start of the pre-show. Even though we had our tickets, there was a long line to get in. The line goes through the building until you actually give your tickets and are admitted.
Then they will take a picture of your group. My family was there with my parents and my sister’s family. During the show, your waiter or waitress will come to your table and show the pictures with an offer to buy one. I declined, but my mom did buy a picture of our group.
Pre-Show
After your picture is taken, you will be directed to a saloon type area for the pre-show. It reminded me of a restaurant with a raised stage in the middle. If you want better viewing of the stage, you will want to try and get a seat on the upper level. We ended up on the bottom level.
There were concessions, and we bought popcorn for the kids to share to keep them busy while we waited. We also bought flags for the show which were fun for the kids to wave around. You will want to buy the correct flag for the side that you are sitting on because during the show you will wave them around to cheer for your side.
The pre-show included upbeat country and bluegrass music. During one of the songs, they had all the kids get up and make a train that wound around the area. The smiles on the boys’ faces told me they were having fun, even if they would not admit it.
Getting Seated
After the pre-show, everyone goes upstairs to enter the arena. It is a large oval shaped room with a dirt floor in the center. There are five rows of seats.
The seats have a narrow table in front of them which is where they serve the food. Your server will start you off with a drink.
The Food
When the show began, the food started coming. The website says it is a four course meal, but I only counted three courses. I’m not sure how they came up with four!
First they brought out a bowl of vegetable soup and a cheddar biscuit. Second, we got a whole little chicken, BBQ pork, half a small potato, and half of a piece of corn on the cob. I had read online that you eat everything with your hands since they do not give you any utensils. So, I was surprised that we did have forks at the table. After the main course, we got an apple turnover to finish our meal. The food was brought throughout the show.
I thought the food was pretty good and I ate everything. Most of my soup got knocked onto the floor when my son, Henry (who was sitting on my lap) spilled it. If you enjoy country style food from a diner, you should be happy with the food.
The Entertainment
The show was entertaining! There was a lot of trick riding with riders standing on the horses, jumping through fire, etc. Then there were competitions between the North and the South.
In the middle of eating it was time for the boys to go down to the arena floor, and my husband went with them. They had to chase a chicken to get it to cross the line before the South’s chicken crossed. Unfortunately the South’s chicken won. Even though they lost, the boys got a medal and a Dolly Parton book before they came back to their seats.
The last part of the show there was an audience competition. They started a flag at the end of each row and everyone in the whole arena had to pass the flag down to the end – once again the South won.
The show ended with a big patriotic piece. There was lots of red, white, and blue, American flags, and fireworks on the screen at the back of the arena. The show lasted about an hour and a half.
NOTE: After checking out the website, it looks like the show has changed some since we attended.
After the Show
After the show we stayed in the arena so that the boys could get the riders to sign their flags that we had bought before the show. We also took pictures with some of the cast.
Then we went to the gift shop. Charlie found a cute stuffed horse that we bought for his souvenir. When we finally walked out, there was no traffic in the parking lot and we drove right out.
Overall Thoughts
I am really glad we went to Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge even though it was pretty pricey. It was one of the highlights of the trip. The food was enjoyable; nothing too fancy but good. Our waiter was very friendly and did a great job. The entertainment was also great. It was fun to watch the horse-riding and tricks. I would like to take all the boys back again someday.
We had 3 of our 5 boys when we went to the show. James was almost 7, Charlie almost 4, and Henry was 19 months. The boys sat really well through the whole show. Having food for a big part of it definitely helped keep Henry in one spot. He did watch a lot of the show also.
So, if this sounds like a good time to you, and you will be in the Pigeon Forge area, do not hesitate to order your tickets!
Tips!
- Purchase your tickets early.
- Order your tickets over the phone to avoid convenience fees.
- If you want closer seats and a chance to participate in the show, get preferred seating.
- Pickup your tickets early to avoid lines.
- Arrive at least an hour early.
- Dress is casual.
- Buy a flag for your side to participate more in the show.
- Make sure to bring cash to tip your waiter.
- Stay after to get some pictures with the cast and to get your flag signed.
If you are planning a trip to Pigeon Forge or the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area, check out my post about our full trip!