Spring Trip 2024
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1 – Thursday, April 25th, 2024
TBA – Arrive In Pigeon Forge
3:00 PM – Hotel Check-in at:
The Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center.
6:00 PM – Group informal Cocktails/Hors d’ oeuvres at the hotel.
7:00 PM – Dinner on your own
DAY 2 – Friday, April 26th, 2024
Enjoy a hot breakfast at the hotel
8:00 AM – Load Busses and depart for a guided tour of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Each bus with have a tour guide for a live interactive tour.)
11:15 PM – Free time to enjoy Historic Downtown Gatlinburg shopping and lunch on your own.
Choose one of the included tours: Sky Bridge and Skylift, Space Needle, or Anakeesta.
2:30 PM – Load bus for the hotel to get ready for the Parade
3:30 PM – Load bus for Parade staging and line up
TBA – Parade Step Off in the Music of the Mountains Parade (Formerly the Dolly Parton’s Hometown Parade
6:30 PM – Group Dinner at Harpoon Harry’s – Enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking the Little Pigeon Forge River
8:30 PM – Load busses and depart for Hotel
DAY 3 – Saturday, April 27th, 2024
Enjoy a hot breakfast at the hotel
Free time explore Pigeon Forge
5:30 PM – Four-course dinner feast at Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner & Show
8:30 PM – Arrive at the hotel -the evening is yours to enjoy
DAY 4 – Sunday, April 28th, 2024
Enjoy a hot breakfast at the hotel
Depart for home.
Ready to sign up? We are now accepting deposits of $100 per person via online portal. Click below to access the portal.
Need some help funding your trip? Sign up to work Bucs games and other events at Raymond James Stadium with your Rounder friends!
Trip FAQ
Do we need to register for the season to join the Gatlinburg trip?
Yes! Register for the band here.
Are we on our own for transportation from Florida to Gatlinburg?
- Transportation to Gatlinburg is **NOT** included in the price. The closest airport is Knoxville Tennessee (TYS) and is serviced by DIRECT FLIGHTS on Allegiant Airlines from St. Pete/Clearwater airport (PIE). Driving is also an option for those who prefer a road trip.
What is the nearest airport you recommend flying into?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park / Knoxville, TN (airport code TYS) which is serviced by Allegiant Airlines out of St. Pete/Clearwater (airport code PIE). The flights are direct and reasonably priced.
Can non-band members come too? Yes! We encourage members to bring tagalongs.
What hotel are we staying at?
The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center
Amenities include – Huge indoor waterfall and hot tub, outdoor patio with firepit, free guest parking, Pigeon Forge trolley stop on the property and more.
What if I don’t want a tour package?
We do highly recommend the tour company (Box 5) trip packages! Members who attended past trips with both the ‘participation fee’ version and the ‘full package’ version report that the package deal comes with way more fun, friendship and comradery than the participation fee version. Plus, the band must meet a minimum number of hotel rooms in our block to make the trip happen. If you’re considering booking a trip package via Box 5, please do!
If you would like to participate without a tour package, there is a $99 participation fee. This fee helps cover shared group expenses, like transporting equipment and the cost of insurance. The fee does not include any other amenities, but those who pay the fee (via check or online portal) can meet us at the start of the parade/concert and perform with the group.
How do I get from the airport to the hotel and back?
The hotel does *not* have a shuttle. There are a few options:
- – Car rentals are reasonably priced at the TYS airport.
- — The hotel recommends contacting Angel Taxi (865-771-1936) or Mountain View Taxi (865-809-9186)
Since many Rounders will likely be on the same flights, we recommend sharing rides to cut down on costs.
I would like a roommate/carpool buddy/ but don’t have one yet. How do I find one?
For now, please register for the trip and list your roommate as TBD. Roommate changes can be made through the end of the year.
To find a roommate, we created this helpful Google Doc. Please list your roommate/carpool requests there.
How do the rooms work?
· Each person needs to sign up. Determine the room configuration based on occupancy preference from Single – Quad.
· Single will default to one king bed
· Double will provide an option to request one King or two Queen beds
· Triple will have two Queen beds
· Quad will have two Queen beds.
· People may change the room type or companions through the end of the year.
· Rooms will be secured based on occupancy selection. Enter room companions’ names on the trip questionnaire page or at a later date by entering a note ‘To be determined.’
· This will cross reference and it will secure only one room.
What’s the deadline for registration?
November 1 is the last day you can register at the current price. 2 payments of any kind before November 1 will lock in the price. We strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible so that so we can make sure we have the minimum number of rooms reserved and the right instrumentation!
What is the cancelation policy?
Any money submitted prior to Dec 1, whether an individual or the band as a whole cancels, is fully refundable.
Anyone can cancel prior to 45 days out with the potential for a small (approx 10%) cancellation fee.
After that the cancellation penalty ramps up.
Within 45 days prior to departure – There is a $150 per person cancellation fee plus any fees levied by hotels,
transportation companies, and other retailers and vendors.
Within 30 days prior to departure – There is a 50% per person cancellation fee plus any fees levied by hotels,
transportation companies, and other retailers and vendors.
Within 15 days prior to departure – No refund will be given.
If Box 5 cancels any program you will receive a full refund including the group deposit.
Enhanced trip protection is also available through Box5 during registration if you would like extra protection.
For those going to Dollywood, how does that work, since it is not part of the group itinerary?
This is an add-on ticket that you can purchase to explore the park as you wish. You can choose to go to the park on Saturday, April 27th, or Sunday, April 28th. Just remember that we have a group dinner at Dolly Parton Stampede on Saturday. You don’t need to add the ticket now you can wait but must add it before final payment.