Fans of country music icon Dolly Parton and her sprawling Tennesee amusement park, Dollywood, were left disappointed this Thanksgiving weekend when crowds reached an unpleasant peak. Some theme park guests took to social media to complain about the sheer volume of people trying to gain access to the Smoky Mountain destination.

2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Dollywood, a fixture in the Pigeon Forge area since its opening. The holiday season is known to be one of the most popular times of year to visit as the theme park features enchanting holiday decorations, entertainment, dining options and more.

Of course, even more people flock to entertainment destinations when public schools and many employers offer time off for the Thanksgiving holiday. Kim Fox Walker attempted to visit Dollywood with her family on November 26 and shared her frustration with the large crowds on Facebook.

“Dollywood is super crowded,” Walker wrote alongside a photo of hundreds of cars waiting to pull into the theme park parking lot. “Just the walk to the parking lot takes an hour. It’s not a good week to visit.”

The post received thousands of likes and comments, many from other Dollywood guests. Many reported long lines at the theme park for roller coasters and other attractions.

“Definitely not worth the money,” wrote one.

“She’s getting richer and we’re getting annoyed with ourselves,” commented another theme park guest. “Makes no sense.”

Others blamed guests like Walker for their visit during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

“You can’t go to a tourist attraction during one of the busiest weeks and complain that the tourist attraction is full,” one Facebook commenter argued.

“That’s why you travel at a better time of year,” said another.

Still, some Dollywood guests made the most of their Thanksgiving visits by arriving early and planning ahead.

“Me and my family were there on Tuesday,” wrote one guest. “I was there an hour before the park opened and was allowed to ride all the rides and shop. It was a great time.”

Another said:

“My family and I were there yesterday, went straight to the park, hopped over to the tram and went straight to the entrance, walked in without having to wait, and had to wait on some rides later in the day. But I had a great time and enjoyed the light.”

When is the best time of year to visit Dollywood? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!