Wonderland, ‘1st ultra-accessible theme park’

Visiting theme parks is a summer staple that should be experienced by everyone, and this Texas theme park is on a mission to make that possible.

Morgan’s Wonderland is the “world’s first ultra-accessible theme park.” Sitting on 25 acres of land in San Antonio, TX, Morgan’s Wonderland was built with the spirit of inclusion.

The story behind Morgan’s Wonderland is just as inspiring as the park itself.

Founder of Morgan’s Wonderland, Gordon Hartman, spoke with Travel + Leisure about how a sad moment sparked an idea that would affect thousands. At times, Hartman would watch his daughter play alone as other children excluded her because she was different.

“I’ll never forget the anguished look of misunderstanding and disappointment on Morgan’s face,” revealed Hartman. “This incident convinced me of the need for more places where people with and without special needs can come together and interact in safe, non-judgmental, barrier-free environments. Thus, the mission of Morgan’s Wonderland and every one of our subsequent endeavors is inclusion.”

Hartman and his wife, Maggie, began the groundwork for funding the park after selling his homebuilding business and establishing the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation.

They created Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, which contained the plans for Morgan’s Wonderland theme park and other inclusive ventures, including Morgan’s Wonderland Sports and Morgan’s Wonderland Camp.

The park cost the family $36 million to complete and operates as a non-profit. Morgan’s Wonderland had its grand opening on April 10, 2010.

“Our devotion to this cause is inspired by our 29-year-old daughter, Morgan,” Hartman told Travel + Leisure. “Her soaring spirit despite physical and cognitive special needs kindled within us a deep desire to create colorful and unique Morgan’s Wonderland theme park, now known globally as a haven not only for those with special needs but also for their families, caregivers, friends, and the general public.”

Since opening, the park has seen more than two million guests from all over.

Inside Morgan’s Wonderland Theme Park

The first thing to welcome guests at the park is a 6,000-pound, 25-foottall sculpture titled “Taking Flight,” designed by artist Doug Roper. The Morgan’s Wonderland website said the artist completed the work of art as “a larger-than-life reminder of our dedication to the special needs community.”

“Ambassadors of Friendship,” including Friendship Fairies, The Wonderland Royal Court, and Joy the Butterfly, greet and assist guests throughout the park.

The entire park is wheelchair accessible and boasts over 25 attractions and experiences explicitly designed to accommodate riders in wheelchairs. The outlet shared that visitors’ favorite attractions include the Wonderland Express train that wraps around the park’s 8-acre catch-and-release fishing lake; the Whirling Wonder Ferris wheel, which offers panoramic views of the park; and a colorful carousel with wheelchair-accessible seats that move up and down like traditional carousel seats.

Other highlighted attractions include Picnic Place, playgrounds, Sensory Village, and a collection of storefronts with engaging imaginative activities. Guests can also find daily entertainment at the Starlight Amphitheater and Flutterby Theater, including musical acts, puppetry, and magic shows. An inclusive performing arts program for elementary school students also takes place at the theater.

In 2017, the world’s first “ultra-accessible” splash water park was added as a park attraction. Morgan’s Inspiration Island includes the River Boat Adventure Ride and five tropical-themed splash pads. Inclusion and safety are a high priority at the water park. The outlet reports guests in wheelchairs are provided with three types of waterproof chairs to enjoy the water in. One of the chairs is the PneuChair, a revolutionary waterproof motorized wheelchair developed by the park in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh.

The theme park has various food and beverage options, but guests are allowed to bring their own food to meet special dietary needs.