Some people love theme parks – they get a thrill from the lights, the noise, the adrenaline rush of the rides, and even the smell of some of the world’s unhealthiest food. And more power to them.

Then there are those of us who prefer a quiet library.

But there are also young people who want to take part in the excitement of theme parks but have trouble coping because of the barrage of sensory stimuli. Maybe they can partake for a short time but prolonged exposure can lead to great discomfort.

Now, Dollywood, the Dolly Parton-funded theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on the outskirts of the gorgeous Smoky Mountains, is making sure that all kids can come and enjoy what’s on offer.

As of 2016, autistic and other special needs children who come to the park can spend time in their “calming room,” the first of its kind in any theme park in the country. (Now, Legoland in Windsor, UK has one as well – and the trend seems to be spreading!)

This lets families cater to multiple children or simply allow their special needs kids a chance to have some fun but also take the break they need.

Now, you might be thinking “sure, we all need a break after that kind of stimuli,” but in reality, the kind of calm that people with sensory processing disorders require is different. They have a vastly different neurophysiological response to sights, sounds, touch, etc. It can make it impossible for them to function.

So the calming room is not for people who just need to get away from the chaos for a moment (although it appears anyone is welcome to stop by). It’s there for those who wouldn’t normally be able to come to the park without such a facility.

According to their website:

“Dollywood’s calming room has been created for the purpose of helping our guests with special needs who may have sensory overload while visiting our park. The calming room is a quiet, relaxing environment where the guest and his/her family can feel safe and at ease.”

People who would have had to miss a family or friends outing altogether can now go to the park with the knowledge that there’s a place for them to recover. And those attending with special needs guests can stay longer and partake in more activities knowing that they’re not putting a burden on these guests.

The rooms are safe and private and there are kid-friendly activities and toys as well as rocking chairs and bean bag chairs to relax. Whether your child needs soft toys or silence and a book or a nap, the room has it all. There are even “sensory items such as a weighted blanket, fiber optic strands and a teepee.”

Dollywood also has outdoor areas that make it a good choice for families with kids who have sensory issues – there are plenty of shaded areas and “off-grid” locations away from the excitement but still outside to decompress.

While Dollywood’s calming room can’t accommodate a lot of kids at once and requires a parent to be present, it’s a huge step in the right direction for making the park accessible to everyone.

To get more information about the calming room, you can call 1-800-Dollywood (1-800-365-5996) in advance of your visit or if you need help while in the park, you can stop by the Ride Accessibility Center.

Be sure to scroll down below for one family’s review of Dollywood’s sensory room.

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Source: Melanie Czoka Simmons via YouTube, Parents Magazine, Dollywood – Accessibility