If you take out Dolly Parton and Dollywood, this movie is a very lackluster production which almost could have been written by a phone app or a bunch of monkeys using past scripts and piecing them together. The story elements had no originality. The dialogue was blah. The acting was not worthy of note. There might have been a smidgen of chemistry between Danica and Niall.

I'm sure most viewers noticed Mckeller's real life book which in the story, and probably in real life, was being distributed by Dolly's foundation to children's charities. Someone made a reference talking to Danica's character saying that maybe she too would one day have her book from the movie story distributed by Dolly's organization.

The hype for "Christmas in Dollywood" was a little to much and I was expecting to love this movie. I mean who doesn't love Dolly Parton right? She's amazing!! I also love Nina Weinman, she is a beautiful storyteller and writes beautiful scripts! Keep her Hallmark! I personally did not feel Nail Matter was not a good fit for Danica! Or for this movie, I felt NO chemistry and NO sparks between them at all! The dancing scene was VERY hard to watch!! So sorry..... I have always loved Danica, especially in previous Hallmark movies with Paul Greene (When calls the Heart) they always have beautiful onscreen chemistry together (Campfire Kiss) And (Perfect Match) which I feel Paul would of been a much better leading man for Danica and for this part. Nail is just ok for me here, he mumbled his lines A LOT! I could not understand what he was saying most of the movie! He is much better suited with Erin Krakow (Finding Father Christmas) movies.

As a season pass holder for dollywood I was very interested in this movie. First of all, this move is not about the theme park, which was to be expected. It was the standard hallmark movie made in Canada. It has the usual career conflict. The party planner from the big city meets the local hero who wants more. Also all the town scenes were not in Tennessee. There was too much snow, not enough moutains, and no tourists to be pigeon forge. There are no western bars to which the locals go line dancing.

It was okay. The romance was fine. It was not very funny, but did have a few moments. Dolly Parton had a very minor role at the very end. The movie did not do the park's Christmas celebrarion justice as it was filmed on a very small portion of it.

I was hoping that the plot would center around the individuals who work in dollywood's shows and have a litte more real and human story. Somthing a little different. Even if had all been shot on site or in the area immediately around the park. This was not different at all. I think that is why it dissapointed me. In summary while it was okay, it could have been better.

The expected Hallmark Christmas film, saved by Dolly Parton and correct job of Niall Matter. Nothing new but a good show , nice details and good used pieces of a too familiar game. So, just nice.

6/10 - I love some Danica McKellar, but unfortunately this one did little to distinguish itself

Dollywood is beautiful but 2 worst actors Danica McKellar and Niall Matter no chemistry at all both come off as smart alecks .

Do not fit in Tennessee hominess. She is so controlling and bossy.

Awful fake eyelashes .

Has to be the center of attention so unattractive . Hallmark and Gac need to do better storylines great casting leaves enough to be desired. Because a person was a child star doesn't mean they can act as an adult. She has an irritating voice too. Stick to math .

Why do they make male actors have awful hair and beards . Niall is nice looking but get rid of beard please. Why are pdas so awkward between men and women?

6.9 stars.

An event planner in NYC gets an interview for her dream job to help plan an event for Dolly at Dollywood. She is up for promotion at her current employment and if she does well, will eventually secure it. A man is also interviewing for the same Dollywood event and he is up for a promotion at the Dollywood park itself. He has worked for Dolly for his whole adult life. Will they be able to work together?

This is all about building up steam for us to see Dolly Parton, and eventually she makes a bit more than a cameo, but not much. I liked the emotion this film generates, however it's a bit too formulaic and lacks any additional entertainment or intriguing drama. It's simply about a woman and her daughter enjoying Dollywood while she works with a guy and falls in love with him. Dolly herself is a very minor side show that we don't get to enjoy more than a couple minutes. The romance is building up and we anticipate something wonderful, but it sort of fizzles. I sense a lack of chemistry, but they tried. Not one to repeat more than once every 10 years.

9 out of 10 for a Hallmark movie, 3 out of 10 for a regular movie.

Few notes 1.) This is your typical Hallmark movie. Love story, career issues, and so on. It's not a documentary so it's not about Dollywood, it's a love story about visiting Dollywood to save the holidays

Lack of Dollywood: 1.) Dollywood is a busy park with multiple festivals and not just Christmas. Dollywood setup their Christmas lights in portions of Dollywood very early. We are talking before summer! Some of the movie was shot in August. The rest of it was shot first of November. Dollywood can't have the entire park decked out in Christmas all season. In August, it's 100+ degrees here at Dollywood

2.) The movie isn't a documentary about Dollywood, it's about a "Hometown Christmas" where they visit Dollywood

Don't come into it expecting a documentary about Dollywood. It's a Hallmark love story and that's it

Not a fan of Niall Matter. Danica always acts/plays the same type of character. There was a lack of genuine chemistry between the two of them. They never made the audience care for them or if they got together. The story was disappointing and not enough to hold the viewers' attention for 2 scenes nevermind 2 hours. This continues the weak 2019 Hallmark Christmas collection. An overall disappointing season.

Again you must remember these movies are mostly filmed well before Christmas so that's why they couldn't film all at once. I did pick up on Danica's sister's hair - most scenes her hair was brown and the next scene it was jet black which meant she probably had other projects in between filming this picture. I actually thought the main leads had great chemistry, I really like the male lead (hunk)!! I thought it was a really good movie although it would've been nice for Dolly to perform a song or two but it was great seeing her.... she still looks amazing. Well done to cast and crew!

The movie wasn't at all what I expected. Didn't have a Smoky Mountain Christmas feel at all. Honestly the acting seemed a little forced and fake. I was so excited for this movie, but after watching it I'm so disappointed.

Danica McKellar's appeal is lost on me. She's a weak actress who plays the same generically birdlike organizer character over and over. She appears incapable of holding her end in flirty banter or romantic chemistry. IMHO, the hair bump @ the top of her head is the worst style among the HMC parade of dated, limp female hair. She looks a decade older than her co-star here.

This is the 1st Danica McKellar film I've stuck with past the point it flunked the 15-minute test. Also, the 1st time I've seen Niall Matter give a half-hearted performance. He appears unconvinced and uncomfortable throughout; the dance scene was a real cringer.

In short, the plot and dialogue were dull, the acting was lackluster, the Dolly peekaboo got old fast, the OCD/boring job aspect overshadowed a faint romance, and (despite the title) most of the film was clearly not shot in TN.

If I could rate it 0 stars, I would have.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and even though it follows the Hallmark predictability route there was plenty here to keep it interesting. I might watch it another time or two this season.

This made for TV Christmas themed film missed their target audience by a country mile. Sorry Dolly, we love you but your earlier film in 2016 "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" was so much better and much more personal that touched on the true meaning of Christmas. This film which tried way too hard to make sure that every single scene that actress Danica McKellar appeared in would warm our hearts just did not work. Danica McKellar plays Rachel Davis a widower Special Events Planner whose childhood dream was to be a children's book writer.

Although Rachel reminisces around the family kitchen table with her own parents and her daughter while making homemade Christmas ornaments, the scenes felt so much staged that I thought I was watching an extended commercial that just dragged on.

Of course there is a romantic interest between Rachel (Danica McKellar) and Dollywood's new general manager Luke Hackman (Niall Matter) but the nauseating banter and shallow cat and mouse foreplay was just too much for Mrs. Shullivan and I to want to even watch the rest of this so called Christmas themed film with the phony cotton ball snow on the set, and the word Christmas repeated ad nauseum.

Most irritating though was how often the director thought the next scene would be the BIG tear jerker scene, but our tears were saying "oh please, let's get this show over with."

I give Christmas at Dollywood a paltry 5 out of 10 IMDB rating and will state affirmatively that this is a forgettable film that Dolly would be better served calling it Christmas Ad Nauseum.

I really liked this movie. Danica McKeller and Niall Matter were good together.

Danica is cute but apart from a few Songs sung by Dolly there isn't enough of her. A few minutes at the end. The story is boring. Dollywood looks okay the parade nice. Not too unique just a nice generic theme park set romance.

Danica is cute but the story is boring. There isn't much Dolly apart from a few songs and a few minutes at the end. A generic theme park and parade set romance.

I've been very critical of the Hallmark movies this season but have to say I really enjoyed this one. I'm surprised by so many negative reviews. I loved the cast and Dolly Parton made it that much more special.

2019 generally was not a particularly good year for Hallmark Christmas films, there certainly were some pleasant surprises sure but most were mixed bags or mediocre at best and didn't have much different from their Christmas output from previous years. 'Christmas at Dollywood' was actually one of my more anticipated viewings, as it contained a great setting and it is always a pleasure to see and hear Dolly Parton. Even if the story didn't sound much special.

'Christmas at Dollywood' was a disappointment. While not quite one of Hallmark's all time worst Christmas films, it is down there with their worst ones for 2019. There are a few good things, though you have to get through to towards the end to see the best thing of the film. Sadly, almost all of the crucial elements to get right are badly executed and in my mind 'Christmas at Dollywood's' interest points are squandered and deserved better.

As said, not everything is bad. It is beautifully photographed and the Dollywood setting has a real festive magic about it. Some of the soundtrack is very pleasant and nostalgic.

Parton herself is delightful and gives the only good performance in 'Christmas at Dollywood'. Which is why it is sad that she doesn't have anywhere near enough screen-time, when she is on screen though she really does shine and shows real professionalism, charm and sparkle lacking with everyone else.

Danica McKellar's performance is basically a samey and somewhat tired variation of the type of role one usually sees her in, and am not sure as to whether Hallmark keep putting her in the same type of role because they don't want to stretch her acting abilities or whether it's typecasting. Typecasting is not always bad, quite a number of actors have one particular role that plays to their strengths and showcase particularly well what they are so strong at and come back to it every now and then, the difference though is how good an actor/actress is at a certain typecast role. McKellar has always varied in this regard, sometimes she's charming and at other times she overdoes it or is too predictable and the latter is the case here. She does fare a little better though than Niall Matter, who looks truly indifferent throughout, mumbles and lumbers his way through his role and is so unappealing in a role meant to be likeable but acted with such dreariness. It is hard to buy what anybody sees in the character, with Matter portraying him in such a dull and phoned in way.

McKellar and Matter also have no chemistry whatsoever together, absolutely nothing sparkles between them and they never look as though they are in love. They even look awkward together and found myself unable to root for either of them. None of the other actors stand out in underwritten Hallmark stereotypes passing for characters, only Parton impresses. The direction is routine and other parts of the music needed a lot more subtlety in tone and placement. The script is as stilted and forced as McKellar and Matter's chemistry and is also as watery as melted ice. Other than the setting, the story has a lot of dull stretches and there is nowhere near enough of it to sustain the length, it feels over-stretched and lifeless and has no charm or heart to it. With it being yet another Christmas film to consist of pretty much constantly recycled ideas and doing nothing fresh with them (excepting Dollywood and Parton), making the film feels excessively predictable and tired too.

Summing, pretty weak. 3/10

Niall Matter is one of my favorites on Hallmark Channel and he DIDN'T disappoint me in this movie. I generally like Danica Mckellar but she left lacking something that was deeply NEEDED in this movie. Danica seemed like more of a robot repeating lines with no "sex appeal" between the two. The whole "Christmas at Dollywood" theme was definitely a stretch and lacking. I visit PF/Gatlinburg often as I live in Alabama, but this movie did nothing to show the beauty and awe of the area at Christmas, or any other time for that matter. I love Tennessee, specifically the PF/Gatlinburg area. Short of showing a few scenes of DW, it showed nothing else of the beautiful Christmas lights and shops around the area. I expected to see some of the places I visit, even if only 1 or 2, alas, nothing. That area has some beautiful places and showing them could only have helped the movie. Also, loved seeing Dolly but all of 2 minutes was disappointing as well.

Bottom line for me:

Niall was awesome and made this movie what it was, Danica not so much. Both are beautiful ppl, but this lacked the "chemistry" us avid Hallmark movie watchers have come to expect in these Romantic movies. I didn't hate it, however, I didn't love it. While I realize as a viewer that this isn't real life, we/viewers like to be drawn into the storyline, almost to where we forget it isn't real for the time we sit down to watch it...kinda a warm feeling inside. This definitely could have used a different actress or Danica to not be so complacent in her roles, almost stoic I usually don't write such bad reviews, matter of fact this is probably my first time.

Hallmark missed their mark Danica McKellar too mechanical Niall Matter too arrogant too structured. Mom casted should have dark hair and be older than their child (Danica McKellar)has no personality . Hint Christmas at Graceland Home for the Holidays Kaitlin Doubleday is talented amazing actress with personality Adrian Grenier he is great but wish he would lose facial hair . Danica McKellar and Niall Matter too arrogant hallmark needs to lose these two. Danica McKellar is a horrible adult actress so bossy opinionated my way or the highway Niall Matter Hallmark needs to keep sticking him in every movie bland arrogant no talent

I only started watching Hallmark movies in 2021 when I discovered Niall Matter by accident in Falling for Christmas and went looking for more of his films. I first found the Father Christmas Trilogy where I was struck by his authentic presence and genuine expression of emotion. I was hooked, and have enjoyed so many of his films.

I'm not alone. NIall's work has been recognized a number of times by professional organizations. Among other awards, Niall won a Leo (British Columbia Film and TV Award) for his performance as Adam in Frozen in Love, and was nominated for his role as Rip Van Winkle II in the time travel film, Rip in Time. (Rip came from 1789, and Niall carried his challenging discoveries of life in 2022 consistently and brilliantly throughout the film. He and Sarah shared what might be the best kiss in the rain ever filmed!) Niall was also nominated for a CSA (Canadian Screen Award) for Family History Mysteries:Buried Past. My favorite non-Hallmark role is his cameo as Andrew, "an amoral prick with a touch of likeable," in the multi-nominated indie film, Ally Was Screaming. His performance won him a best actor nomination by Alberta Film and TV Awards (AMPIA).

Dollywood was simply fun. Danica's Rachel seemed a bit forced at times, but there were some true moments, such as while Ava, Rachel's daughter, was visiting Santa, and Luke and Rachel were simply talking. And I enjoyed the dance! My favorite moments, besides Dolly's presence, were Luke's sweet moments with Ava. Niall has a special gift working with child actors. I enjoyed this film!

Sure, there was not even a shadow of a doubt that the 2019 Christmas movie "Christmas at Dollywood" was going to be one of those a-dime-a-dozen type of stereotypical Christmas movies. Of course it was, as it was a Hallmark movie.

Writer Nina Weinman and director Michael Robinson did manage to churn out a movie that certainly was watchable and enjoyable enough for what it was. But if you have seen any Christmas movie ever, then you have essentially also already seen "Christmas at Dollywood", because this was following that how-to-make-a-Christmas-movie blueprint to the letter. So it made for a somewhat generic movie actually, not a bad movie though, but a generic one.

The storyline is very generic and stereotypical for a Christmas movie, so there are no surprises along the way. If you enjoy archetypical Christmas movies, then you will most certainly enjoy "Christmas at Dollywood".

The movie actually does have a nice cast ensemble with the likes of Danica McKellar and Niall Matter in the lead roles. And the movie also had the likes of Christine Cattell and Dolly Parton on the cast list, so you are in for some good enough performances.

If you don't mind the Christmas cheese that oozes from the movie here, then "Christmas at Dollywood" is watchable for a single Christmas season. This is not a Christmas classic by any means. Cheesy, predictable and sappy romantic. Does it get anymore archetypical than that?

I am rating "Christmas at Dollywood" a five out of ten stars.