The Ultimate Guide to Dollywoodwritten by Erin K. Browne, is the new reference work on the world of Dollywood. Situated in the enchanting Smoky Mountains, Dollywood has built a reputation as one of America’s most popular theme parks, combining thrilling attractions, moving shows and Southern authenticity. Yet, despite its immense popularity, the literature on this park is lacking, especially compared to the number of books devoted to the Disney parks. This unofficial guide seeks to fill that gap, packed with anecdotes, recommendations, and more.
So, is The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood worth our attention? Here are our thoughts on whether this book has a place in your collection of theme park books.
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What I liked about The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood
To begin with, The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood is easy to read and well structured. The book is organized by areas of the park (Showstreet, Craftman’s Valley, etc.). Each attraction, show, restaurant and shop is present there, with particular attention: each entry has a dedicated double page (without exceeding two pages). Each attraction includes information on what it is, where it is, an expert tip, why you should see it and practical advice.
The icing on the cake: each attraction is accompanied by a nice illustration and each section of the book contains an illustrated map. The whole gives an impression of high quality.
The book has been updated throughout 2024 (published September 2024) and includes information about Big Bear Mountain and Heartsong Lodge. It will be interesting to see if the author updates the work every year.
What I liked least about The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood
The main drawback is the lack of actual images taken inside the park (probably due to its unofficial nature). Although I appreciate the style of the illustrations, actual photos would have greatly enriched this book.
A detail to point out, the designs of the roller coasters lack precision. Sure, 99% of readers of this guide probably won’t notice it, but it would make sense to use aerial images available on Google Maps to represent the layout of these attractions. If the photos are not there, let’s hope for at least an effort on the realism of the illustrations.
Unfortunately, Dragonflier is the most “exact” roller coaster design in the book, illustrated as two separate tracks.
Finally, I would have appreciated if the author devoted more space to certain historical attractions like Blazing Fury and Dollywood Express, rather than limiting them to a simple double page spread like the other attractions. It’s amazing that a hot dog stand has the same space as Lightning Rod.
Conclusion
So, is The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood worth reading? If you’ve visited the park before, you won’t learn much new. On the other hand, for those who have never set foot there, this guide is an excellent way to prepare before a first visit.
The Ultimate Guide to Dollywoodby Erin K. Browne, is available for around 15 euros on Amazon.
Have you read The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood? What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Tags : book review, books, Dolly Parton, Dollywood
This book highlights the importance of guides adapted to various amusement parks. At a time when each experience becomes unique, what role can these works play in our future vacation choices? Let’s think together about the importance of preparation when visiting iconic places.
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