WHAT TO EAT AT DOLLYWOOD'S HARVEST FESTIVAL

10/13/2019

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Dollywood for allowing me to visit their theme park for Harvest Festival.
All opinions are my own.

Happy Fall friends!

I've been a Tennessean my whole life and I'm ashamed to admit that I've never been to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN... until now! We had an open weekend available so jumped at the chance to see and experience Dollywood's highly talked about Harvest Festival, featuring their Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Now I don't know about you, but food is always a focal point of my theme park experience along with the rides, of course. Keep reading to find our what we recommend eating while visiting Dollywood's Harvest Festival!

So it's not surprising to hear that your typical amusement park food options aren't exactly the healthiest. But that's not really the point... healthful eating is also about pleasure as much as it is about vitamins and minerals and the reality is that overeating once, no matter how extreme, will NOT ruin everything! Here's how we ate during a day at Dollywood's Harvest Festival, bellies and hearts full.

During Dollywood's Harvest Festival, a variety of fall specials make there way onto menus throughout the park! Now there are only so many meals and snacks to be had in one day at the park -- typically 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during October -- so we prioritized the limited-time only items that you can only get this certain time of year. The good news is that Dollywood has a variety of dining options to suite any visitor -- sit-down restaurants (like Till and Harvest, Front Porch Cafe, and Granny Ogle's Ham n' Beans), quick-service concepts, and concession stands. Keep scrolling for our recommended eats and insider tips from our recent visit.

FRIED GREEN TOMATO BLT @ MARKET SQUARE

Stop by for a made-to-order Fried Green Tomato BLT in Rivertown Junction's Market Square. This upgraded sammie will not disappoint with it's thick bacon strips and crisp fried green tomatoes.

INSIDER INFO: There are "Dollywood Harvest Festival" signs (like pictured above) all around the park to call out the special fall-time features and menu items in the area.

PUMPKIN SPICE FUNNEL CAKE

Nothing screams fair food like funnel cake! This special Great Pumpkin LumiNights version is full of fall flavors -- pumpkin spiced funnel cake, sweetened maple pecans, whipped cream, and caramel sauce. This is 100% a sweet tooth's dream! Find this treat at Splinter's Trailside Snacks (where you can also order your Fried Apple Pies) and Crossroads Funnel Cakes.

ROASTED CHICKEN @ FRONT PORCH CAFE

OK, OK, so technically this dish isn't exclusive to the Harvest Festival, BUT it was waaay too good to not to plug. You'll find the Front Porch Cafe near the park's entrance, and at about the perfect time after you've finally made it all the way around the park. Here you can sit down, be catered to, and give your feet a much needed break. The Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans is an absolute must as the mushroom sauce is to die for!

INSIDER INFO: Cheddar biscuits are served complimentary and they are delish!

ADDITIONAL INSIDER EATING TIPS:

DO take peak at what eats are available at the park. This park map will help you see what's available in each area so you have a better sense of what you and your family do (and don't) want to plan for.
DON'T buy water! One of the best amenities at Dollywood is that they offer complimentary cups of water at ALL park restaurants so just ask! Also, if you bring in empty water bottles like we did you can fill 'em up at the water fountains located near all restrooms.
DO share. Portions are plentiful at Dollywood so while it may seem like you're paying a lot per food/drink item you'll likely also getting a large quantity.
DON'T delay in getting to Dollywood's Harvest Festival! Come early November, these autumn items won't be around and you will be so sad.

lindsey

P.S. Do you enjoy posts like these? Be sure to check out 'How I Maintained Healthy Habits While on a Disney Cruise'. Let us know what you want to hear more about in the comments below!

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Dollywood for allowing me to visit their theme park for Harvest Festival.
All opinions are my own.

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