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Do you hate Alton Towers?

IntruderAlarmAbatis

For Alton Towers, also read Flamingo Land, Lego World, Chessington World of Adventure, and any other "Theme Park"

A bit of background to the question. I've been coaching and supporting a young person today who is Autistic, is 17, and has gone to Alton Towers for the first time.  I didn't go on the trip as I've been a few times before and ***ING HATED IT BEYOND EMOTIONAL POSSIBILITIES.  If you hate it, I don't need to explain, but "the noise" is only the tip of the iceberg. 

This young person had a terrible time, describing themselves as being overwhelmed, having to leave a shop because they were going to cry, and all the *** shame something like that feels like, being surrounded by NT peers who are loving it. One of the final comments I made to this young person was going to be along the lines of "don't worry, all Autistic people hate Alton Towers" but I didn't send it because I realised I was projecting my own thoughts and feelings onto all autistic people.

So I thought I'd ask this community if there were any types of Autism which don't mind or even LOVE Alton Towers

Parents
  • IntruderAlarmAbatis said:
    I didn't send it because I realised I was projecting my own thoughts and feelings onto all autistic people

    This is a wise observation.

    For people with a special interest in the theme of the part and a higher tolerance for being around NTs then it can be quite enjoyable.

    I have been to the local roller coaster amusement park and quite enjoyed it in spite of the teeming hoardes of noisy kids. 

    For me the prep was to think of all the positives of the visit, try to really lean into the idea of being made to feel weird on the rides when they are spinning you upside down etc and generally go with the flow. The positive mental attitude makes a huge difference to me as the odd time I went when I was a bit down then I hated it, which shows that for me at least, it is largely in my own head.

    A few sensible precautions like taking paracetamon before arriving helped take the edge off the noise impact, staying hydrated and avoiding the junk food stopped me feeling ill and taking time now and again to sit and re-center myself meant I could make a good day of it.

    This is just for me though.

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  • IntruderAlarmAbatis said:
    I didn't send it because I realised I was projecting my own thoughts and feelings onto all autistic people

    This is a wise observation.

    For people with a special interest in the theme of the part and a higher tolerance for being around NTs then it can be quite enjoyable.

    I have been to the local roller coaster amusement park and quite enjoyed it in spite of the teeming hoardes of noisy kids. 

    For me the prep was to think of all the positives of the visit, try to really lean into the idea of being made to feel weird on the rides when they are spinning you upside down etc and generally go with the flow. The positive mental attitude makes a huge difference to me as the odd time I went when I was a bit down then I hated it, which shows that for me at least, it is largely in my own head.

    A few sensible precautions like taking paracetamon before arriving helped take the edge off the noise impact, staying hydrated and avoiding the junk food stopped me feeling ill and taking time now and again to sit and re-center myself meant I could make a good day of it.

    This is just for me though.

Children