From Dollywood to Darkmoor
Finding Queer Joy in Theme Parks
Dollywood is open for the season, and with it comes a fresh coat of paint, a splash pad for the kiddos, and that unmistakable family-centric energy that feels as wholesome as a country ballad. The buzzword of the moment? "Multi-generational family experience." It's catchy, it's inclusive, it's... nice. But there's a little pause I can’t help but feel.
Because when we talk about "family," what happens when yours doesn't quite fit the traditional, straight, nuclear mold? And why is it that, in all this talk of legacy and togetherness, our families (queer, chosen, blended) seem to be standing on the edge, just outside the frame of this picturesque scene? It's funny, isn't it? Maybe it's time to redefine what family means. After all, love, in all its messy, fabulous, untraditional forms, deserves to be front and center too.
The Complicated Queer Love for Dollywood
Let's be real: Dolly Parton is a gay icon. She's glamorous, she's generous, she's all rhinestones and big wigs, and let's not forget, she's a self-made success. Queer people have adored her for decades, and Dollywood, in so many ways, is like a love letter to her larger-than-life persona. But here's the thing, when Dollywood doubles down on the "family-friendly" brand, it often forgets a huge part of its fanbase. The ones who show up in glitter and fringe. The ones who worship at the altar of Jolene. The ones who don't have kids in tow but still find joy in the sheer spectacle of a well-executed theme park experience.
Dollywood has always been a place of warmth, hospitality, and good old-fashioned fun. But when it comes to explicitly acknowledging its queer audience, it's still playing it safe. While Disney is throwing Pride Nites and Universal's Halloween Horror Nights feels like a queer goth reunion, Dollywood remains conspicuously silent on the LGBTQ+ front. And that stings. Because if anyone knows how to make space for outsiders, it should be Dolly. This is the woman who built an empire on inclusivity, kindness, and a whole lot of fabulousness. Isn't it time Dollywood fully embraces its queer crowd and lets us twirl in those sequins without holding back?
Meanwhile, in Darkmoor: Where Monsters and Queers Run Free
On the other end of the theme park spectrum, Universal is preparing to unleash something far more chaotic—and, let's be real, much more queer: Epic Universe. Darkmoor, its horror-themed land, is leaning into transformation and theatricality, something queers have been doing since the dawn of time. The Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience lets guests step into Dr. Pretorius' lab and unleash their inner creature. And unlike Dollywood's focus on traditional family units, Epic Universe is doing something far more inclusive. The concept art shows everyone—adults, kids, anyone who wants to become a vampire, werewolf, or fabulously monstrous fiend.
This isn't just a theme park; it's drag in another form—performative, extravagant, and just a little dangerous. It’s the type of chaos that feels like home for those of us who thrive on breaking boundaries, flipping the script, and reinventing ourselves on our own terms. In a world where the straight-laced, picture-perfect family experience dominates, Epic Universe invites you to leave your ordinary self at the door and become something fantastical. For that alone, we should be grateful.
Where Do We Fit?
We show up for Dapper Days, Pride Nites, and any excuse to turn a regular day at the park into a full-fledged event. We create community in the gaps where official acknowledgment is lacking. I still dream of going to Dollywood, eating cinnamon bread, and screaming my lungs out on Lightning Rod. But it would be nice to know I'd be seen—to have Dollywood recognize that a huge part of its fanbase is queer and thriving, riding every coaster and attending every Dolly tribute show.
And when Epic Universe opens, you’ll find me in Darkmoor, where the monsters and the people who love them finally get their moment. If there's one thing we've learned from Frankenstein's monster or the oddball characters that have shaped theme park history, it’s this: we’ve always been part of the story. Maybe it's time for the parks to start seeing us for what we are—an essential part of the narrative.
Written by Daryl Marez | Hiya! Subscribe to my author newsletter to receive news & project updates—Check out my other links for more.