As a native of E.TN and a 20+ year resident of Nashville, I can't help but weigh in on this topic. Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, etc. is a eye sore at the very least and in my opinion, an abomination to the Smoky Mts. The area is as described - lots of redneck tourists traps purveying nothing but garbage.
The park is still magnificent but you have to run this gaunlet of garbage to get there unless you approach from NC. The route thru Townsend is better than through Pigeon Forge but still not good.I have only been to the park once in the last 10 years because of how low end commercial it has become.

Having said that, it does appeal to many, many folks. Not everyone can/wants to vacation in Hong Kong, Paris or Cairo as I and many on these boards do.It serves a purpose for a targetd clientele. I just wish it wasn't at the base of one of nature's greatest exhibits