Dreaming of Dollywood’s Splash Country

When the nights are long,
And the days are cold,
I will dream,
Yes, I will dream,
Of Splash Country.

Okay, so maybe the cold has snapped my brain, because I’m now singing odes to Dollywood’s Splash Country. Here in Tennessee we had a brief glimpse of spring followed by weeks of cold, and it has me scrolling through last summer’s photos of our days at Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Just the thought of warm pavement, cool water, and the feel of the hot sun as it soaks into your (sunscreen-protected) skin makes me feel warmer already.

I’m already dreaming of more days spent at Splash Country. Last year we spent most of our time at Little Creek Falls and The Cascades, with a few brief stints in the wave pool. Just these few areas totally satisfied our young kids, and we had a blast. This year, our kiddos are a bit taller and that means we can start exploring some of the rides! This may seem like a small achievement, but our kids have been asking to ride these attractions since last summer, and I’m thrilled I’ll get to say yes more this year! You can find a list of all the great attractions at Splash Country here.

Insider Tip

Head to Centralized Measuring first to get your wrist band and avoid disappointment. The color-coded wrist bands coordinate with the map to show which rides you’re eligible for!

We are an adventuresome family, so it’s exciting to get to see my kids discovering new things to explore at a favorite place. Our older child, who is now tall enough for TailSpin Racer, likes to approach things a little cautiously before diving in. To prepare him for this summer’s fun, we’re already showing him this great video of what it’s like to ride the six-lane mat racer.

This way he feels prepared, and we get to dream together about our summer plans. We’re thrilled that our younger son will be tall enough for us to do Big Bear Plunge and Raging River Rapids as a family, and my husband and I can take turns doing RiverRush and Slick Rock Racer with our older son.

Although our two kids are always with us at Splash Country, it can be relaxing as well as thrilling. Last year, on the Downbound Float Trip, our toddler fell asleep on me. I was on an inner tube, floating down the lazy river, and he fell asleep! Life jacket and all! Clearly, there are some very soothing rides.

Despite, or perhaps because of, these colder temps, I’m already planning our Splash Country summer. I can’t wait to experience the warmth of the sun, the thrill of the rides, and keep making memories to look back on next winter.

About the Author: Christine Derr

Christine Derr (Dollywood Insider 2017-2019) has put down roots in East Tennessee after years of living adventurously in several different states, from Florida to Alaska. She loves exploring East Tennessee with her husband and two energetic boys, and always cheers for the Seminoles and the Vols. She writes about their adventures at Paw Prints in the Sink. Christine works as a freelance writer and loves reading, writing, baking, and playing outside with her family and dogs in her free time. She’s excited to continue to explore Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country as an Insider and looks forward to sharing her knowledge with you!