We had planned a family trip earlier this year to head to Gatlinberg. Chad and I have been there a couple times (both when I was pregnant) but never with the kids. It is a nice area in the mountains. They have a lot of things to do for families and some great hikes. We knew there was a great aquarium and a few other things we wanted to do. Hurricane Irma was going to be playing with the weather while we were there but we were not sure how much.
We headed down on a Sunday and the kids did OK. It is not as long of a drive as it is to get to the beach. We ate lunch about half way down and then got out at the Bass Pro Shop which is right off the interstate where we turn to go through Seiverville and Pigeon Forge to get to Gatlinberg. The kids always love Bass Pro!
Check-in was officially at 5:00 but we called ahead and it was ready at 4. We got to the resort and checked in to our place. It was nice and had two bedrooms. The master bathroom was also large enough it served as Hunter's room for the pack-n-play. This is most likely the last trip we will be taking that he will be sleeping in the pack-n-play. That time is limited for sure!
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| entertainment while we wait |
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| Playground at the resort |
On the way up to the resort you could easily see where the fire was last year. It was amazing how some houses were completely burned down and the house next door was still standing. Part of the resort where we were staying was burned and they are still in the rebuilding process.
Monday was our first full day and it was rainy all day. We decided to take the trolley to the Aquarium. Well, the rest of Gatlinberg also decided to go to the Aquarium that day as well and it was packed! The kids still had fun but really did not spend much time at any one spot. They did like the sharks and penguins.
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| Hunter out on his own! |
They also loved the trolley ride! While we were on the trolley we passed a park, Mills park, which had great play equipment. We ended up going back the next afternoon to play for a while.
Tuesday morning we also went to the Rainforest Adventures Zoo. It was a great place! Most of the animals were inside with a few outside. Many animals that we had never seen before! The kids really enjoyed it. We also fed the animals outside, Australian sheep and goats. One goat grabbed a hold of my food bag. You should have seen the feeding frenzy that went on!
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| The goat that got my bag! |
We then headed to one of our favorite places to eat, the Apple Barn. Good stuff. Both kids really enjoyed the apple fritters!
Wednesday morning we headed back to Mills park for a while. There were some other kids around which was fun for Hannah and Hunter. That afternoon, after nap, we headed to Dollywood. It was our first time going to an amusement park with the kids. We did not realize that they closed at 6 and we were arriving just after 4. If you go to the park after 3 you get to go the next business day for free. It was actually nice to be there so late in the day since there were not really any lines to speak of. We first went on a Ferris Wheel which the kids loved. Then there was a smaller version of a free fall that Hannah wanted to go on. She loved it and once Hunter saw how much fun she was having he wanted to go as well! He was just tall enough! Then it was on to some ducks and bees. Then flying elephants and spinning teacups. We ended on the Carousel. Hannah did not want to leave but we reassured her that we would be coming back another day. She had seen a number of rides she wanted to try but she was just a few inches too short. Next year.
Thursday was going to be another potentially rainy day so we had decided to head to an indoor water park. We went out for breakfast and then headed back to the room so that Hunter could get a nap. He had been up since 5:30 (he was also up at 4:30 but did fall back asleep for a little while). He resisted his nap but finally fell asleep. The indoor waterpark was fun. It had the longest lazy river I have ever been on. Lots of areas for the kids to play.
Hunter liked the slide. Chad and I even each had a ride on the large water slide. The kids were both too short for the big water slide. We played and swam for a few hours then back to the room for lunch and naps. Both kids slept well!
We then ventured out to the pool on site. Chad had stuck a foot in earlier in the week and found out it was a heated pool. The kids got their fill of water for sure!
Friday morning we headed out to a different park and then back to Dollywood for the afternoon. Hannah went on her first roller coaster! She enjoyed it! We of course went on the drop one again. Even though it was Friday, luckily there were short lines and really it was not bad. Also not too hot.
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| Hannah kept busy while Hunter and I were on the drop ride. |
It was a great trip. Dollywood will be more fun in the future when the kids can ride on more rides but they thoroughly enjoyed themselves this time. The ride back home was OK. The kids really are great travelers which we are thankful.
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