Gatlinburg trip recos?

hav2run

Vacation is back on.  I need to get away in the worst way.  We scrapped plans for FL tonight.  Airfare is rediculous at this point.  So we are contemplating a trip to Gatlinburg in two weeks.  We want to rent a cabin or chalet.  Great view, hot tub, jacuzzi, and a pool table are must haves.  Where should I look first for rentals? 

Also, what activities are must do things for 2 year olds?  Looking for some things in Gatlinburg or Pigeon forge that appeal to the little ones.  I am letting my work pick up the tab after the 4 months of anguish they provoked lately, so I am not too concerned about cost.  

If you have food recos, I would love to hear about those too.  We love the Park Grill, but we havent been in the past 4 years, so I am open to new places and undiscovered treasures as well.  

Baby rental companies?  We will need bed rails or a crib, and a booster seat.  I would rather not carry much with us.  

Thanks!

kel716

We've booked our cabin with www.alpinechaletrentals.com....  but the last time we went to Gatlinburg was 2004 (though if you read my earlier post this week we may go back).  They seem to have reasonable prices, and we really liked our cabin for 2.  We haven't stayed anywhere bigger yet, but they have lots of options. 

If it were me, I'd go and buy the magic bumpers on amazon- $28 ish for a pack of 4 (2 sides of the bed) and they travel easily- in other words, they'd fit in your suitcase if you ever go and fly somewhere.  They're foam and each one is 2'... they probably weight less than 1 lb total.  Much more economical, and they really do the trick for B in his bed. 

As for restaurants, beyond the Park Grille which is one of our faves too, I don't know where to recommend....  For your daughter, I'd definitely do one of the mini golf places with her, probably the aquarium, and I don't know what  else.  GL planning and I'm looking forward to seeing what others say as we're contemplating a trip to Gatlinburg later this year too. 

baze2

We go every year with my whole family. However we stay at the "Queen of the Mountain" Chalet. However, it has 8 bed rooms. So I am no help there. Sometimes the Chalet rental companies have "cribs" or bed rails. 
I like the idea of the bumpers from kel!

We usually go hiking. We have found a few that are paved with streams and rocks etc to throw in to the stream (hours of fun). These are easy hikes too so a two year old does fine.

They have all types of entertainment in pigeon forge. I have never been to a "show" but I am sure a two year old would love any of the animated ones.

 

Have fun planning 

Miller238

I highly recommend where we stayed in August.  The website is https://www.awesomemountainvacations.com/

You are way up there and the view is breathtaking.  The cabins are newer and so nice!  Here was the view from the front porch,

 

 

 

MrsMoher

Ditto the acquarium.  They have a newer penguin exhibit that E LOVED.  Mini golf at the Ripley's places was also a big hit.  E kept picking up the balls and depositing them into the hole after his initial shot, garenteeing himself a hole-in-two each hole.  Adorable!  He loved the first one in Sevierville... Old MacDonald golf.

I don't know if B would enjoy it, but E was also a big fan of the Dixie Stampede.  We got front row seats so he could really get close to the horses and he loved every second.  And they let kids 3 and under I believe eat from your plate for free if they "sit on your lap".  E sat between us on the bench (which the premium seats are benches, but I can't recall if the rest were benches or seats).  Heck the waitress even had an empty seat down from us and gave Eli the empty plate so he could have his own and his own drink!  She was awesome.

We eat at the mill everytime we go, but try to go during the week and go early with a little one.  They get JAM PACKED early.  That one was more for us that Eli, but he loved looking out at the river and the mill... AND don't forget the ducks!  Also the trolley hub and the Mill Square candy and ice cream are right there too.

 

kyfirewife

We've stayed with Auntie Belhams a couple of times and been very happy with the cabins & the value.

https://www.auntiebelhams.com/

We took DD when she was 18 months, and the activities that stick out to me as her enjoying the most were:

the Aquarium
https://gatlinburg.ripleyaquariums.com/

the Sugarlands Visitor Center
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm#CP_JUMP_48430

Dixie Stampede
https://www.dixiestampede.com/

megntom07

We rented from here and it was awesome! Whenever we have the $$ to go back, we will definitely rent from them again. 

https://www.mountainchalets.com/Rentals/RentalsByName.aspx

As far as things for B, I recommend the Aquarium and Dixie Stampede. Hunter was 1 when we took him to both and he loved it so I'm positive a 2 year old would love it even more.  

Lucky_N_Love

We are headed there again in May (we went last May as well) so I am excited to read everyone's ideas for activities. We booked through www.patriotgetaways.com and got an awesome deal. I have had friends use them too and were very happy.

 We did the aquarium last time we were there not sure if we'll do it again or not. I am thinking about going to Dollywood or Wild  Bear  Falls indoor water park if anyone has info on these. (sorry to highjack your post hopefully we will both benefit )