Are Dollywood Rides Fat Friendly? A Plus-size Guide to Coaster Weight Limits
Theme park ride restrictions can be a stressful topic for the plus-size community. It’s never a great feeling to be told that you’re too big to ride. Since we often get the question, "Is Dollywood fat friendly?", we decided to create this handy dandy guide to give you an idea of what to expect before you arrive at the Dollywood theme park.
Will I fit on the rides at Dollywood? Is Dollywood plus-size friendly?
Before we begin, it’s important to remind our readers that no two bodies are exactly alike. What works for some may not work for others, even if they have similar proportions. When in doubt, always use the test seats when available. At the time of this writing, test seats are available at the entrances of the following rides:
- Barnstormer
- Dragonflier (coaster)
- Drop Line
- FireChaser Express (coaster)
- Lightning Rod (coaster)
- Mystery Mine (coaster)
- Thunderhead (coaster)
- Wild Eagle (coaster)
The general Dollywood policy on ride size limits can be found in their accessibility guide.
Dollywood height and weight limits
Generally speaking, according to the Dollywood accessibility guide, certain attractions may not accommodate individuals approaching 270 pounds or 6 feet 4 inches in height. It may also be important to note that most Dollywood rides have a 6 foot, 6 inch height maximum. Guests under 270 pounds and 6 feet, 4 inches are unlikely to have many problems.
If you are on the borderline, you may be asked to ride in the middle seat of a coaster row, just to be safe. Overall, you will be happy to know that Dollywood wasn’t named the Friendliest Theme Park in America for nothin’. Overall, the staff members are accommodating, and waiting areas are conveniently located outside most major attractions.
Plus-size 'safe' rides at Dollywood
While there are never any guarantees across the board, most plus-size guests report the following rides to be generally “safe” for larger guests because of adjustable velcro restraints or lack of restraints. These rides include:
- The Dollywood Train
- River Rampage (water ride)
- Daredevil Falls (water ride)
Dollywood rides that may be difficult for plus-size guests
There is also, according to guest reports and reviews, a list of rides that can be problematic for those approaching or above the 270 pound, 6 foot, 4 inch suggestion mentioned in Dollywood’s accessibility guide. These rides include:
- Mystery Mine (coaster)
- Sky Rider
- Drop Line
Guests also report that the Wild Eagle tends to be less accommodating for women with larger busts due to the U-shaped shoulder restraint.
What is there to do at Dollywood besides rides?
For those who either can’t or don’t want to partake in the rides at Dollywood, there’s still plenty of fun to be had elsewhere in the park. There are a variety of shows and theaters on site, with genres including bluegrass, southern gospel, contemporary, 50s tunes, Christmas shows and animal shows (bald eagles). There are also plenty of crafting opportunities like knife-making and candle-pouring classes in Craftsman’s Valley.
Dollywood also essentially serves as a Dolly Parton museum of sorts with a tourable replica of Dolly Parton’s childhood home and the brand new Dolly Parton Experience opening May 2024 on-site (included with general admission). Fans are even allowed to hop aboard Dolly’s actual tour bus for a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity. And last but not least, there’s always the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. The Eagle Mountain Sanctuary is the nation’s largest presentation, spanning over 30,000 square feet, of non-releasable bald eagles. These activities alone are more than enough to fill up an entire day inside the park. Who needs rides when you have Dolly?
How can I get Dollywood discounts?
Booking through Tripster can usually save you a couple of dollars off the price of regular admission. Also, be sure to check the Dollywood website for current deals and promotions.
In your experience, do you consider Dollywood to be a “plus-size friendly” park? Let us know in the comments!