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Erik & Misty's Smoky Mountain Adventures


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^^ Sorry. What I meant was, that photo was the weirder-ness. Not that it got weirder from there. Because, as you say, that would be impossible.

 

 

What happened to the bridge??? Its in Patriot Park...You love bridges and you didn't show the bridge. Sad

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The Pigeon Forge Trolley Tour of Lights runs Monday through Friday evenings, November through January, and costs $5.00 per person.

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Imagine if you’d never heard any nursery rhymes before, and you were driving down the street and saw this.

 

I think I would turn around and go back home.

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...Mother Goose's Fantasy Lane.

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And now, let’s swing over to Teaster Lane, also know (during Winterfest) as...

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For the very first Winterfest, Pigeon Forge had exactly one display, which looked very much like this one.

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This is Pigeon Forge’s largest light display. But only now does it occur to me that there’s almost no sense of scale in this photo. So…you see those sticks in the background? They’re not bushes; they’re the tops of trees on the hillside behind.

 

Okay, how about this? Each one of those light-trees is about twice as tall as you are.

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The "train station" recently got toppled by high winds...but here’s what it used to look like.

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But the main focus is the city-built light displays.

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As well as a private home or two.

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...and less tasteful.

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The tour also provides views of many of the town’s Christmas-decorated attractions, both tasteful...

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Okay, we’re off. Let’s get oriented, shall we?

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Our narrator (Winterfest sweatshirt) and driver (Christmas tree hat).

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And I'm wedged into my seat. (These tours are very popular. So the trolleys will almost always be full.)

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We have our tickets!

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So, of course, this is where you have to go to partake of the Tour of Lights.

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As mentioned earlier, Patriot Park doubles as the “Fun Time” Trolley Center.

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That's it for Fantasy Lane, and for the Trolley Tour of Lights. Pretty snazzy, eh?

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It doesn't show up well here, but a little mouse runs up and down the clock.

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It's a shame they don't do the tours on the weekends... Hope it's good weather this Sunday!!! Love all the updates. I never have the time or the money to do all the quirky things in Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg but it's nice to live them vicariously through your updates. Thank you Erik and Misty!!

 

-James Dillaman

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^^ Looks like I'm a go for the super-unofficial Dollywood meet-up on Sunday, December 20th. Misty's probably not going to be able to make it, though.

 

But the current weather forecast is for a high of 40-degrees that day, which puts coaster operation at "iffy."

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Distinct from the other light displays (in that these are taken down at the end of December, whereas the others stay up until March) are The 12 Days of Christmas.

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Merry Christmas, from Erik & Smisty!

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And a partridge in a pear tree!

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Two turtle doves,

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Three French hens,

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Four calling birds,

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FIVE GOLDEN RINGS,

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Six geese a-laying,

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Seven swans a-swimming,

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Eight maids a-milking,

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Nine ladies dancing,

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Ten lords a-leaping,

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Eleven pipers piping,

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Twelve drummers drumming,

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On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...

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Erik, As far as I know, everyone on the trip has all the credits, so it isn't a big deal if the coasters aren't running. We're all interested in the holiday event itself. I hear it's pretty good. Great updates. On the last one, though, I always thought "eleven pipers piping" meant like bagpipes or something like that. It looks like the display are trumpeters or buglers or something. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

-James Dillaman

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I always thought "eleven pipers piping" meant like bagpipes or something like that. It looks like the display are trumpeters or buglers or something. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

Um...did you see the four birds a-calling??

 

Anyway, I always picture flutes, myself. I shall write the mayor immediately!

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Here at last, what will probably be my last update of the year, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas.

 

A few words about this update:

 

I knew I wanted this one to be different/special, so I set for myself the goal of only using night photos.

 

This was, of course, an incredibly stupid decision, as both Misty and I only have point-and-shoot cameras, and neither of us owns a tripod.

 

As a result, a lot of time and effort went into making this update relatively blurry-free. So feel free to say nice things.

 

As with all my updates: If you're just looking for 15 photos of each major coaster, you're likely to leave disappointed. I'm much more about the total park experience, which is what I try to capture.

 

Still with me?

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In the exit gift shop, Misty gets our custom Dollywood ornament for this year.

 

Memories worth repeating, indeed.

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Back at the front of the park, just in time for one more ride!

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Sparkly "Twilight" reindeer! Except, at night. So never mind.

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"I'm a happy gingerbread man! Hug me! I won't electrocute you!"

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The path that connects Timber Canyon back to the front of the park.

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Cold, but awesome.

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Thunderhead is the least decorated of the park's big attractions. Probably to accentuate the whole "riding in the dark" aspect.

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A UFO?

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Thunderhead's always rather temporary-looking gift shop has been removed (not sure why), and all of its merchandise transferred over to Mystery Mine's.

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Mystery Mine gift shop tree.

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There seems to be a bit of a smudge on the midway there.

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Buzz Claws?

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River Battle is, of course, closed. But Mystery Mine isn't.

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Sky Zip is open, but check out the hours.

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More carefully hurled lights.

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Tennessee Tornado exit theming. (Not really Christmasy, but still....)

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Not that it makes all that much difference, in terms of night photography. (Can you spot the train in this photo??)

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I don't think the ride way actually running when I took this one. (It has to be at least 40 degrees outside.)

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Its traditional way being, "lights just thrown everywhere."

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As is Tennessee Tornado, in its tradition way.

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This inside of the old schoolhouse is decorated for Christmas, too.

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Kudos to the entire Blazing Fury crew. They really outdid themselves. Hopefully, this will become a tradition.

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Fire in the hole!!!

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And it's pretty much just the first two-thirds. (Outlets were apparently the problem with going farther with it.) Still, very, very cool.

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Of course, they're impossible to photograph in a way that really conveys how awesome it is.

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Yes, Blazing Fury has Christmas lights!

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It's my understanding that the crew decorated the inside of the attraction on their own (although, of course, Dollywood signed off on it).

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For me, the highlight of this year's Smoky Mountain Christmas has been Blazing Fury.

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The blacksmiths have created their own "smelt tree."

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Looks just like it.

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Dollywood has their own Ne'Qwa ornament for sale. (Knowing what I'm talking about is probably a bad thing, right now.)

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Inside the glass shop.

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I've always thought it humorous that this huge building houses only a drink stand. All the more so, now.

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The usual "Christmas Pyramid" display, in front of the Grist Mill, has been replaced with this giant snowman.

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Leaving Train Town, we pass by the Lucky 7 Mine, which has the this rather interesting tree in it.

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...for some pizza soup!

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Parade's almost done already. Then to Victoria's...

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Mostly because it's short. (Less than 5 minutes.)

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This is the best parade ever.

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People lining up for the parade.

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Care to get your picture taken in period costume?

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I can never remember what this area of the park is called. Let's just call it "Train Town."

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Super fast carousel!

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I've no idea how I did this. Looks kind of cool, though.

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The Veggie Tales kiddie coaster is decorated nicely.

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Yes, Dollywood does have bumper cars. "Demolition Derby."

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You can't go wrong with wacky cutouts.

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(Psst. If you look on the right of this photo, you'll see the true main attraction in Santa's Workshop.)

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Pictures with Santa.

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While Misty made a Christmas shrinky dink and a crazy ornament!

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I wrote my letter to Santa. (Why not? It's free.)

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...toys, and activities.

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Inside are lots of pretty decorations...

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Santa's Workshop is located is the Country Fair section of the park.

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Even the prizes at the games are Christmasy!

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...as well as many of the trees.

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Pretty much all of the buildings are decked out...

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I post only the very best photos of my Smisty.

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This is where Dolly sleeps when she's in town.

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And I do believe it's time for dinner.

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The green and yellow building is Aunt Granny's.

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"Carol of the Trees." Lights, music, trees. It's kind of like pancakes: all exciting at first....

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Now leaving Jukebox Junction.

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Why not lights out on the course? Or at least a big Christmas tree?

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Rockin' Roadway got a few lights on the building, but I think they could have done more.

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...complete with an Elvis tree.

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Walker's is in the Christmas spirit...

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Dolly's Closet should always look this way, don't you think?

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And I become even more five.

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The motion simulator becomes The Polar Express.

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I'm really proud of myself; I made it almost halfway through before leaving!

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Since I'd heard so many good things about it, we decided to see a show.

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This tree sits in what is normally a fountain.

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Dollywood's de facto "main midway."

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While Dolly...um....

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Smisty decides to play with Mr. Percy instead.

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But I prefer peppermint ice cream.

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Candy is dandy (especially when it's freshly made).

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The Sweet Shoppe looks inviting....

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The flower butterfly gets a high-tech upgrade for Christmas.

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A penniless, cookie-less customer looks on longingly.

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If many of Dollywood's other special events come off as a bit half-baked, not so this one.

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All the lights were done by us, the fury crew. David came up with the idea and planned it out.

 

There is a total of 4,320 lights in the entire ride this year, we are hoping to do it again next year if given the chance.

 

Be sure to come by and see them if you get a chance, Blazing Fury is open till January 2nd 2010

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^ Well, y'all did a great job!

 

 

In other news....

 

While I was snapping photos, Smisty videoed the Christmas Parade!

 

Unfortunately, I did not realize that she was doing this--which is why you can hear me singing like a moron in the background.

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=DW_Xmas_Parade_uxci[/coastertube]

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I'm so bummed I'm not at Dollywood now =( Thanks for the photos! It looks very, very pretty. The park said they will save my two tickets until January 2nd, so if some miracle pops up, I'll head down...I doubt it though.

 

Thanks for offering hospitality, Erik!

-Zach

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I actually enjoyed "Babes in Toyland", when I saw it last season. Good luck with that Christmas wish list.

 

Really, my Christmas list is for all of us. (And, for the record, I have been really good this year.)

 

I'm sure that my leaving early is no reflection on Babes in Toyland. I'm really just not a show guy.

 

 

 

I'm so bummed I'm not at Dollywood now =(

 

And, of course, as it turns out, the park is open today. Sorry, man.

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Cool to see all the updates and changes to a great park. Wow on no Christmas Pyramid this year.

 

Yep, brings back some great memories and agreed with Larry, Babes in Toyland was a good show. The acrobats almost stole the show, but all did well. I'm not a show guy either, but it was a good time, as were the some of the others.

 

Terriffic coverage and thanks!

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