Bluegreen Laurel Crest

We've stayed at Bluegreen Laurel Crest twice, and honestly, it's one of the better resort deals in Pigeon Forge if you can snag it. The location is perfect — tucked back on Laurel Crest Lane about a mile off the main strip, so you get that quieter mountain feel but you're still close enough to walk to a trolley stop that'll take you straight into the chaos.

The pools are what sold us the first time. They've got this cascading waterfall setup that looks way fancier than most resort pools, plus indoor and outdoor options so weather doesn't kill your plans. Our kids practically lived in that outdoor pool, and there's enough deck space that you don't feel like sardines even when it's busy. Fair warning though — request a room away from the pool area if you're not into hearing kids shrieking until 10pm.

Those full kitchens save you serious money, especially if you're doing a week-long trip. We hit the grocery store on our way in and probably saved $200 by making breakfast and packing lunches for Dollywood days. Some units have mountain views, but don't count on it unless you specifically request it when booking.

The maintenance fees if you're looking at timeshare ownership run around $1,943, which isn't terrible compared to other Pigeon Forge properties. But honestly, we just book it like a regular hotel when we want to come back — rates start around $207 a night depending on season.

One thing that caught us off guard was how spread out the property is. If you get stuck in the back buildings, it's a bit of a hike to the main amenities, especially with kids and pool gear in tow.