Dollywood attendance down 5%

[Dukefan]

Given the economy and gas prices, perhaps it would have been even worse if they hadn't added a new ride this year:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/aug/16/dollywood-adventure/

[sdcforever]

^That's not bad at all, actually.  I agree with Dolly; I'm also amazed it's doing as well as it is.  River Battle has definitely helped ease the pain.  Adventure Mountain should help next year, in case the economy doesn't rebound a bit.

[Swoosh]

See I find that interesting since Worlds of Fun is way up this year.
Perhaps since Dollywood is more of a "destination park" and WoF is a "local park to a metro area" that is what the difference is.

[Copper]

I agree with you Swoosh. Families that would usually be traveling a good distance are probably taking advantage of what is in their own back yard. I hear Disney in Orlando is doing well thanks to the foreign dollar. Betamike might know about this.

[Mine Rider]

 I know 12 people in my family didn't go this year due to the
reduction of privileges on the gold pass we use to buy.  Were
only four hours from SDC and eight from DW.  I would say more
people are in the same boat.

[Swoosh]

Honestly we didn't add DW on one of our trips this year since SDC pass holders for some reason have to pay 50% of the ticket now to get in.  It wasn't that way last year.

I do not understand why Cedar Fair and Six Flags parks can offer the perk of visiting other parks in the chain for free if you buy a certain level of pass and yet Herschend Parks cannot do the same thing... especially if you own the All-City Pass.

...and I still do not understand why the charge for parking at DW.