I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass FAQ
If you’re visiting Dollywood during the annual I Will Always Love You Festival, one of the best ways to experience the event’s limited-time foods is with the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass. The pass lets guests enjoy multiple seasonal menu items while saving money compared to buying each dish individually.
From sweet treats to savory festival bites, the tasting pass makes it easy to explore the special dishes created just for this celebration, inspired by the music and legacy of Dolly Parton.
If you’re wondering whether the pass is worth it and how to use it, here are five helpful questions answered to guide your visit.
I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass FAQ
1. How does the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass work?
The I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass is a pre-paid lanyard that allows guests to redeem five festival food items from the special festival menu.
Each time you redeem a menu item, the lanyard is scanned . Once all five redemptions are used, the pass is complete.
One of the biggest perks is flexibility. You don’t have to use all five items in a single visit. If you plan to return during the festival, you can spread your tastings across multiple park days.
Just keep in mind that the pass must be used before the festival ends on April 12, 2026.
This makes the tasting pass a great option for season passholders or guests visiting the park multiple times during the festival.
2. How do you know which dishes are eligible for the Tasting Pass?
Finding eligible menu items is easy once you know what to look for.
At festival food booths and participating restaurants, menu items that qualify for the tasting pass are marked with a pink butterfly icon. Any dish displaying that butterfly symbol can be redeemed using one of your tasting pass redemptions.
Because the festival menu includes both savory dishes and desserts, the pass gives guests the freedom to mix and match items throughout the park.
Pro Tip: Take a moment to review the Festival menus before redeeming your first tab so you can plan which items you’re most excited to try.
3. Where can you purchase the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass?
Guests can purchase the tasting pass at several locations throughout the park. These locations make it convenient to pick up a pass no matter where you begin your day.
Participating locations include:
- Crossroads Funnel Cakes
- Hickory House BBQ
- Iron Horse Pizza
- Lumber Jack’s Pizza
- Market Square BIG Skillet
- Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner
- Potato Tornado
- Showstreet Ice Cream
- Spotlight Bakery
- Sweets and Treats
- Till & Harvest Food Hall
- Wilderness Pass Restaurant
Guests also have the option to purchase the tasting pass online in advance, which can save time once you arrive at the park.
4. Are there discounts on the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass?
Yes! Select Dollywood season passholders receive a nice perk!
Gold and Diamond Season Passholders can purchase the tasting pass at a discounted price of $45.39 after tax.
If you plan to buy the pass online, be sure that you are logged into your Dollywood account before completing the purchase. The system will automatically apply the passholder discount once your account is recognized.
For frequent visitors, the discount makes the tasting pass an even better value.
5. What’s the best way to maximize the Tasting Pass?
The key to getting the most value from your tasting pass is choosing higher-priced items.
Many festival dishes are priced differently, so selecting items valued at $9 or more helps you maximize the savings included with the pass.
Here are a few helpful strategies:
- Use the pass on larger or specialty dishes rather than small snacks
- Check multiple menus before redeeming a tab
- Share bites with friends or family so you can try more items
With a little planning, the tasting pass can turn your visit into a festival food tour across the park.
Is the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass worth it?
For guests who love trying new foods, the I Will Always Love You tasting pass is one of the best ways to experience the festival menu!
It encourages you to explore different dining locations, sample limited-time recipes, and enjoy the culinary creativity that makes this early-season festival so special.
If you’re planning a visit during the festival, the I Will Always Love You Festival Tasting Pass is an easy way to add a delicious adventure to your day at Dollywood.
