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All planning tips for Dollywood

See which daypart is historically most favorable per ride, including more specific time windows and comparisons with the other dayparts.

Historical comparison from 2026-05-09 through 2026-11-04. Only available measurements during operating hours are included.

Late time slots only apply on days when both the park and the attraction are open then. Days with short and long operating hours are compared together; check the hours for your visit.

Complete opening hours for 2026-11-05 are unavailable. This does not necessarily mean the park is closed.

Check opening hours for your visit
View park data
Dollywood
Tips 8
Measurements used 38.794
Most opportunities Evening
Ride advice

Morning tips 08:00-12:00

3 tips
Smoky Mountain River Rampage

This historical advice for 10:00-11:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Morning

Smoky Mountain River Rampage

typically 15 min 48% shorter wait

Plan Smoky Mountain River Rampage early in the day. Around 10:00-11:00, the historical wait is about 11 min. That is usually 9 min better than evening.

  • Usually opens 20 min later than the park.
Best time 10:00-11:00
Wait time 11 min
Shorter than average wait 48%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 15 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 35 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 24 min
Based on 5.146 historical measurements.
Tennessee Tornado

This historical advice for 09:00-10:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Morning

Tennessee Tornado

typically 14 min 35% shorter wait

Plan Tennessee Tornado early in the day. Around 09:00-10:00, the historical wait is about 5 min. That is usually 7 min better than evening.

  • Usually opens 20 min later than the park.
Best time 09:00-10:00
Wait time 5 min
Shorter than average wait 35%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 14 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 23 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 21 min
Based on 4.493 historical measurements.
Dollywood

This historical advice for 09:00-11:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Morning

Shooting Star

typically 10 min 38% shorter wait

Plan Shooting Star early in the day. Around 09:00-11:00, the historical wait is about 5 min. That is usually 6 min better than evening.

  • More downtime-prone in the Evening.
Best time 09:00-11:00
Wait time 5 min
Shorter than average wait 38%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 10 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 17 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 16 min
Based on 4.390 historical measurements.
Ride advice

Afternoon tips 12:00-17:00

1 tip
Dollywood

This historical advice for 14:00-15:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Afternoon

Piggy Parade

typically 7 min 69% shorter wait

Move Piggy Parade to the middle of the day. Around 14:00-15:00, the historical wait is about 5 min. That is usually 23 min better than evening.

  • More downtime-prone in the Evening.
Best time 14:00-15:00
Wait time 5 min
Shorter than average wait 69%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 30 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 7 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 30 min
Based on 24 historical measurements.
Ride advice

Evening tips 17:00-24:00

4 tips
Thunderhead ®

This historical advice for 19:00-22:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Evening

Thunderhead ®

typically 12 min 33% shorter wait

Save Thunderhead ® for later in the day. Around 19:00-22:00, the historical wait is about 9 min. That is usually 6 min better than afternoon.

  • Usually opens 20 min later than the park.
Best time 19:00-22:00
Wait time 9 min
Shorter than average wait 33%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 28 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 18 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 12 min
Based on 7.011 historical measurements.
Dollywood

This historical advice for 20:00-22:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Evening

NightFlight Expedition

typically 45 min 9% shorter wait

Save NightFlight Expedition for later in the day. Around 20:00-22:00, the historical wait is about 36 min. That is usually 6 min better than afternoon.

  • Usually opens 39 min later than the park.
Best time 20:00-22:00
Wait time 36 min
Shorter than average wait 9%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 54 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 51 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 45 min
Based on 3.022 historical measurements.
Mystery Mine ®

This historical advice for 20:00-22:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Evening

Mystery Mine ®

typically 19 min 23% shorter wait

Save Mystery Mine ® for later in the day. Around 20:00-22:00, the historical wait is about 14 min. That is usually 6 min better than morning.

  • Usually opens 20 min later than the park.
  • More downtime-prone in the Evening.
Best time 20:00-22:00
Wait time 14 min
Shorter than average wait 23%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 25 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 28 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 19 min
Based on 7.101 historical measurements.
Lightning Rod ®

This historical advice for 21:00-22:00 only applies when opening hours allow it.

Best in the Evening

Lightning Rod ®

typically 16 min 25% shorter wait

Save Lightning Rod ® for later in the day. Around 21:00-22:00, the historical wait is about 9 min. That is usually 5 min better than morning.

  • Usually opens 20 min later than the park.
Best time 21:00-22:00
Wait time 9 min
Shorter than average wait 25%
  • Morning 08:00-12:00 21 min
  • Afternoon 12:00-17:00 25 min
  • Evening 17:00-24:00 16 min
Based on 7.607 historical measurements.