re: Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg vacation

My family just got back from there.... first tidbit of advise..... DON'T GO!!!!!!! way too commercialized and the crowds can ruin the experience for you quickly!!!
Second tidbit... if you MUST go find a cabin away from the main strip and plan on spending time up in the mountains..... the scenery is beautiful. Take the drive through Cade's Cove and hit ALL the mountain coasters.... lot's of good eats but you will get tired of "home" cooking by the end of the trip. Most of the local places serve the same type of menu. The Hibachi place in Pigeon Forge is REALLY good but the service is terrible.
Dollywood is a neat place and I would recommend you allot 2 days to do that if possible. Don't bet the farm on the ski mountain because if they are having to make snow they won't have many slop)es open and things will book up fast.

(all that said, we were there at the worst possible time between Christmas and New Years so take that into consideration)