Ultimate Guide to Bring-A-Friend Tickets

Bring-A-Friend (BAF) tickets are one of the most valuable perks of Dollywood season passes, yet many pass holders don't fully understand how to maximize their value. This guide will show you exactly how BAF tickets work and how to use them strategically to save hundreds of dollars.

What Are Bring-A-Friend Tickets?

Bring-A-Friend (BAF) tickets are special guest passes included with Dollywood season passes. Most BAF tickets are deeply discounted ($40-50 vs. $95 regular admission), while higher-tier passes also include some completely free tickets. These tickets provide substantial savings compared to buying regular day tickets for guests.

Key Facts About BAF Tickets

1. They Work at Both Parks

This is huge: if your season pass includes Splash Country access, your Bring-A-Friend tickets work at both Dollywood theme park AND Splash Country water park. This flexibility dramatically increases their value, as you can strategically use them at whichever park has higher ticket prices on any given day. Learn more about adding Splash Country to your pass.

2. They're Valid on Select Dates

BAF tickets can't be used on every park day. Dollywood publishes a calendar of eligible dates, which typically excludes major holidays and peak season days. However, there are still plenty of valid dates throughout the season, including most spring and fall weekdays and many summer days.

3. Discounted vs. Free BAF Tickets

Understanding the difference is crucial: Discounted BAF tickets cost $40-50 (vs. $95 regular admission), saving you $45-55 per ticket. Free BAF tickets (included with Gold and Diamond passes) cost nothing and save the full $95. A Silver pass provides 3 discounted BAF tickets, saving you $135-165 total. A Gold pass adds 1 free ticket on top of discounted ones, providing even more value.

4. One BAF Ticket = One Park Day

Each BAF ticket covers one person for one day at one park. If you're visiting both Dollywood and Splash Country on the same day, that guest would need two BAF tickets (or one for the park where you use BAF, and a paid ticket for the other park).

Strategic Allocation: Making Every BAF Count

The secret to maximizing BAF ticket value is strategic allocation. Not all uses of a BAF ticket save you the same amount of money. Here's how to think about it:

Prioritize High-Value Scenarios

Example: Family of 4, Three Trips

Let's say both parents have Silver passes (6 total discounted BAF tickets), and they're bringing two children on three trips to Dollywood. That's 6 child admissions needed (2 children × 3 trips).

Optimal strategy: Use all 6 discounted BAF tickets to cover child admissions across the three trips. BAF ticket cost: $280 (2 tickets @ $40 + 4 tickets @ $50). Without BAF tickets, those 6 child admissions at regular price would cost $510 (6 × $85). Savings: $230.

Advanced Strategies

Mixed Pass Strategy

For large families, sometimes it makes sense for only some members to get season passes, using their BAF tickets to cover everyone else at discounted rates. For instance, in a family of 6, having 2 adults with Gold passes provides 8 BAF tickets total (6 discounted + 2 free) – which can cover 4 other family members for 2 trips each at substantially reduced cost. Compare Silver, Gold, and Diamond pass options to find the right tier for your family.

Splash Country Optimization

If you have a season pass with Splash Country access, you can use BAF tickets at either park. Since Splash Country tickets are separate admission, using BAF tickets there can be especially valuable. For example, if you're visiting Dollywood for 2 days and Splash Country for 1 day, use your BAF tickets at Splash Country to avoid buying separate water park tickets.

Invite Friends and Extended Family

Don't forget: if you have leftover BAF tickets after covering your immediate family, you can bring friends, grandparents, or other extended family members. This is a great way to share the Dollywood experience without anyone paying full price.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Real-World Savings Examples

Scenario 1: Grandparents Visiting

You have a Silver pass and want to bring your parents (both seniors, 62+) for a day visit. Without BAF: $85 × 2 = $170 at regular price. With discounted BAF tickets: $50 × 2 = $100. Savings: $70. This alone provides significant value toward your pass cost.

Scenario 2: Large Family, Multiple Trips

Family of 8 (2 adults, 6 children) planning 2 trips. Adults get Gold passes ($480 total) with 8 BAF tickets (6 discounted + 2 free). Use all 8 BAF tickets for child admissions across both trips. BAF ticket cost: approximately $270 (6 discounted @ $45-50 + 2 free). Without BAF, those 8 child admissions would cost $680 (8 × $85). Savings: $410, which nearly covers the cost of both passes.

How Our Calculator Optimizes BAF Allocation

Our Dollywood Calculator uses a sophisticated algorithm to automatically allocate your Bring-A-Friend tickets where they provide maximum value. It considers:

• Which guests would otherwise need the most expensive tickets
• Which days could use multi-day ticket discounts vs. single-day pricing
• Whether Dollywood or Splash Country days benefit more from BAF usage
• How many BAF tickets you have available based on your pass selection

The result is a recommendation that squeezes every dollar of value from your season pass benefits, often saving hundreds of dollars compared to ad-hoc ticket purchases.

Bottom Line

Bring-A-Friend tickets provide substantial savings – typically $45-55 per discounted ticket, plus full $95 value for free tickets on Gold/Diamond passes. For families and groups, strategic use of BAF tickets often makes season passes economical even with just 2-3 visits. The key is understanding the mix of discounted vs. free tickets in your pass tier, planning visits around valid dates, and allocating them strategically. Wondering when a season pass pays for itself? For more comprehensive savings tips, read our budget planning guide.