This year Dollywood in beautiful Pigeon Forge, TN received several awards and honors for being such a great theme park, and they are well deserved! We hadn’t visited for many years, but ended up going several times this year. When we visited in years past, my kids were very small and needed frequent breaks. It was so tiring to visit an amusement park. Now that they’re older and self-sufficient, it has been a joy to hang out at Dollywood! My husband and I find ourself sitting on benches (I even take a book to read). While there over the holidays, I treated myself to the Dollywood Tasting Pass. Is it worth it? Let’s take a look!

During the fall months they had a Harvest Festival Tasting Pass which I also purchased when we visited over fall break.

At various food vendors and booths throughout the park, special food offerings are available. You need to look for the menu board signs that are posted (like the one below). You can also scan the QR code on the back of the tasting pass to find the list of available options.

There are so many unique, seasonal, and limited-time menu items that you’ll have to narrow down your choices. The Tasting Pass allows you to try up to 5 festival foods. You just present your pass and the cashier scans it, immediately taking off that credit. It reminds me a little bit of the dining snack credits you used to be able to get at Disneyworld with the Disney Dining Plan. The Tasting Pass runs $34.99 per person, while Gold and Diamond Passholders can get $3 off that price.

I think it’s important to note that when you order an item with the Tasting Pass, you don’t always get a full-size food item. For example, the special gingerbread funnel cake is about 1/3 the size of the “regular” funnel cake when you use the Tasting Pass. I only knew this because I watched them make it. However, this can be a really good thing. A smaller item is still sharable. I figured that each item runs about $6.40 using the pass (the regular size one was $9.99). The funnel cake was the perfect sharing size, and I didn’t get sick from eating a whole one by myself. Worth it!

Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of the other 4 items I bought with the Smoky Mountain Christmas pass. We spent most of our time near the lodge where there were not a lot of Tasting Pass choices. We were rushed before leaving, so on our way out I quickly purchased 4 items that we shared while sitting on a wall. I got the 2 Holiday Limeades, Chicken Pot Pie Bread Cone, and Christmas Toastie Sandwich. The pot pie was terrible — even though I had to wait 10 minutes for it, it was cold and the biscuit cone was tough. We threw it away after 2 bites. Unfortunately, I deem the pot pie Not Worth It. The toastie sandwich was delicious, and I could have eated it all myself. The limeades were also very tasty! Both of those = worth it. I’m glad I got the tasting pass, but wish the offerings were spread out better in the park. It seemed like most options were concentrated near the entrance, so when we wanted a quick snack in between rides (not near the entrance), we were out of luck.

I did, however, get pictures of all the items I bought with the Harvest Festival pass. This was the pumpkin sausage pizza, found near the lumberjack attraction. It was very tasty, with a savory and slightly sweet flavor. My vote: Worth it. I had to wait a REALLY long time for it, though.

The smoked sausage mac & cheese was super filling and rich. I feel like this picture makes it look like a super small serving. I’m not sure if it was the same size as the regular-price option, but this was just enough for sharing. We each got a few bites and it was enough. Worth it.

I probably wouldn’t have chosen the Three Bean Pumpkin Chili with Pumpkin Cornbread for myself, but my husband is a chili lover so I decided to get him this. It was hearty and delicious. Final vote: Worth it. We’ve stopped at the Bush’s Beans Visitor Center on the way to Dollywood. This made me want to go again.

I can’t remember the official name of this dish, but it was a baked sweet potato with pork belly. Delicious — so rich and filling! Definitely shareable. Worth it.

I love a good funnel cake, so I had to try the Maple Bacon Walnut version. My goodness, was this ever good! Absolutely worth it.

In the end, the Tasting Pass is worth it to me. I love that I can try several food items with the reasonable price of $32 (we have a Gold pass). If we’re in the park for a few hours, my husband and I can share a few items and enjoy that experience together. If I were by myself, I could not eat it all. If I had to choose just one item to get, I would usually pick a savory item, not a cookie or ice cream. Since I don’t usually finish a whole meal, the smaller sizes are just right. I don’t purchase the pass for my kids, though. They would rather eat one big meal and spend the rest of their time on rides. The snacks they usually choose are not on the Pass (hello Dippin’ Dots).

Is the tasting pass right for you? Make sure to look at the menu options and see if they’re appealing to you. Also keep in mind that almost every item is available at only one spot — so you’re going to have to search it out when you get to the park.

There are lots of places throughout the park where you can sit and enjoy your snacks. Find a bench or rocking chair if a table isn’t available. You can even rest a while on a brick wall or rock!

Also, Dollywood has really stepped up their decor theme game, I have to say! I was so impressed with the fall theming. I insisted on going back for Smoky Mountain Christmas, and we loved it. We stayed until dark so we could enjoy the lights. TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Have you visited Dollywood? Would you consider getting the Tasting Pass?