Dollywood - a neurodiverse point of view.

Yesterday we drove 1.5 hours to @dollywood and almost turned around before we made it to the gate. It was the busiest it’s been out of all the times we have gone. I tried to pay for preferred parking but it was already sold out. I drive flustered for my husband to drop us off because there was no chance of our son riding the tram. The lady who was just doing her job tried to force us in a different direction. Flustered and almost in tears I yelled, “we are just trying to go to the drop off, my son won’t ride the tram”. People don’t get it, he can love rollercoasters all day long and still hate waiting in line for a tram and sitting close to people he doesn’t know and while not having his safe space (his @wonderfoldwagon).

A kind employee saw the distress in my eyes while I paused and asked if there was any chance they would allow us to park near the handicap parking. She ushered us through, and once again I remembered why I’ll choose @dollywood over anywhere else.

We packed our wagon with all our essentials: our @spioworks, noise canceling headphones, special food and our tablet. Once we made it inside we went to the disability access center. I asked for a card for the calming room because we were already off to a rough start… I bring our passes from the prior visit because measuring doesn’t always go smoothly. This pass allows my son and our family to wait outside of the line. Yes, for most rides we still have to wait the wait time like everyone else, but he’s able to do so while in his wagon, playing on a playground or riding a different ride. You see, he loves rollercoasters, he loves driving the cars on the raceway… but if he had to wait next to you in line we would probably have to leave in tears before our turn 9/10 times.

“Why do they get to walk right on.”

“I wonder if she’s faking it to get a fast pass.”

“They should have to wait in line like the rest of us.”

These comments are so common. We go monthly because Dollywood is one of the few places my kids feel safe, and respected to be who they are. So before you judge a family on an invisible disability please remember most of us would rather be able to wait in the line with our littles.