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Dollywood's Splash Country, Ober Gatlinburg offer new ways to beat the heat this summer

It's getting hotter, and that's not a bad thing--there's plenty to do to stay cool.

It's getting hot outside, but you can find some relief pretty easily in East Tennessee.

Dollywood's Splash Country and Ober Gatlinburg are here to help.

The gates are finally open.

"We're pretty excited," said Splash Country season pass holder Stephanie Stout.

Splash Country welcomed folks from all over Saturday, just in time for the heat.

RELATED: More shade & less time in line | Splash Country opens with new amenities

Stout and her family are from Harriman, and just bought season passes this year.

"We've been wanting to go swimming for a long time," Stout said.

That's just one way to beat the heat.

Publicist Amber Davis says there's nearly 12,000 more square feet of shade around the WavePool, and more shade while you're waiting in line.

RELATED: What's new in Pigeon Forge this month? A lot!

"We get it," Davis said. "You're going to be in the water a lot. But when you're not, you need places to be in the shade."

And, she says Splash Country listened to parents--they've created Picnic In The Park.

You can pre-order you food the day before, and pick it up at the park.

"As a mom, I know my family will take advantage of it because I can go online and order ahead of time, so you don't have to get here and figure out what everyone wants and wait in line," Davis said. "It's already done."

Ober Gatlinburg isn't just for fans of winter sports either.

"It's beautiful up here, and it's great that we have this in our own backyard," Mel Whaley said.

RELATED: You'll be able to go tubing this summer at Ober Gatlinburg!

Whaley was beating the heat with her family.

"My kids--they're enjoying themselves definitely," Whaley said.

Ober Gatlinburg Marketing Director Kate Barido says the summer tubing opens next weekend and should be a big draw.

It's a lot like the winter tubing.

"We're adding four 250 foot lanes and you'll slide down the hill--the same hill that you slide down in winter tubing--in a hard-bottomed tube with all your friends," Barido said.

RELATED: It's time to hit the slopes in Ober Gatlinburg

Plus the water raft rides and ice skating are all cool ways to enjoy the day.

"We have some water raft rides that you can do--we have three of those," Barido said. "You don't have swim suits, you can ride down in your regular clothes. It's just a fun way to cool down."

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