The Issue:
To a less mobile guest, this sprawling, 130-acre park featuring over 40 attractions and various award-winning shows is going to be overwhelming!
The solution:
Dollywood goes to great lengths to ensure everyone who enters the park has a safe and enjoyable day, surpassing even some of America’s biggest parks when it comes to accessibility standards.
So, you want to make Dollywood part of your Smoky Mountains visit? Whether you’re visiting with a guest who has disabilities, a visitor in a cast, or an older family member, every guest’s good time is a priority here. Take the stress out of your visit with the below disability information.
Accessible Arrival and Parking
Good news! Parking is easy at Dollywood with van-accessible spots located at the main entrance. To make the unloading process hassle-free, there is also a guest drop-off & pick-up area at the front entrance. Plus, a convenient tram service will transport guests to the entrance from each section of the parking lot. Service animals and wheelchairs are allowed on the tram, so you can easily get your whole group to the park.
Accessibility Inside the Park
Once your group goes through the accessible ticket area, resist the delicious smell of BBQ and head to the Ride Accessibility Center. Here you will find the park accessibility guide, assisted listening devices for shows, and information on special park services.
If someone in your group has oxygen equipment or medications requiring refrigeration, take them to one of 3 separate first-aid areas at Jukebox Junction, The Village, and Timber Canyon.
Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicle (or ECV, similar to a scooter) can be rented for a daily rental fee of $38 for ECVs and $12 for wheelchairs. These are available in limited quantities at the Stroller & Wheelchair Rental, located at the park entrance.
Or, plan ahead and add a wheelchair or ECV to your ticket purchase on Dollywood’s website. You can also reserve by phone at 1-800-365-5996.
The park offers six disability accessible restrooms throughout, as well as relief areas for your service animals when nature calls.
Accessible Attractions and Rides
Don’t worry about missing a show: the park offers early admission to show venues if requested. Listening devices and show scripts are also available, and service animals are allowed into the shows.
Want to give the rides a spin? No problem. Many of the rides at Dollywood are accessible for wheelchairs via flat-ramp access or elevators—even the rollercoasters! Still unsure? Each attraction has a symbol that indicates what rides are safe for wheelchairs. This ratings system also ranks the rides based on intensity and movement, and advises who should avoid them for safety reasons.
For a guide of these symbols, and list of accessibility ratings for all the rides in the park, see Dollywood’s in-depth Disability Guide.
When You Get Hungry
Dollywood planned ahead! All of the park’s restaurants, games, and shops are easily accessible for those in wheelchairs and ECVs.
Ready to plan your trip to the Great Smokies but need easily accessible accommodations? View our portfolio of AccessEasy Smoky Mountains Vacation Rentals!
