Just got back about 2 hours ago, the weekend was awsome. We arrived around 4pm on friday, traffic was hell figured it was just everyone arriving. The rest of the weekend traffic wasnt bad, base traffic is far worst. The town reminded of a beach town, with all the little shops, rides etc. There was far more to do though, better than OC by far, and i would put it on level with Orlando with the exception of Disney. We did the Dixie Stampede, best dinner show i have ever been too. We also did a helicopter tour, it was well worth the money the view was amazing. They have alot of Ripleys stuff too, the Aquarium was pretty cool.
If you decide to go try to plan out what you can there is alot to do, we where about 10 miles from Sevierville, and 15 from Gatlinburg. ITs a great place to go, the food was great, alot better than most of the stuff around here. Pretty sad when the golden corral down there is better than most places up here.
It is about 8 hours from Hollywood, to Pigeon Forge so its not terribly bad.