The following is information that you need to know about Morgan's Wonderland, which is located in San Antonio, Texas.
When Gordon Hartman observed his daughter play by herself at a hotel pool where other children were excluding her because of her disability, he realized he needed to take matters into his own hands and establish a location where children of varying abilities could congregate and have fun together. This was the impetus for the conception of Morgan's Wonderland, which bills itself as "the world's first ultra-accessible theme park."
"I'll never forget the anguished look of misunderstanding and disappointment on Morgan's face," Hartman tells Travel + Leisure. "I'll never forget it." "This incident has convinced me of the need for more places where people with and without special needs can come together and interact in safe environments that are free of judgment and barriers," she said. In light of this, inclusivity serves as the overarching goal of each and every one of Morgan's Wonderland's and our following undertakings.
Following the sale of his highly profitable homebuilding company, Gordon Hartman and his wife Maggie formed the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. As a result of their efforts, they have established Morgan's Inclusion Initiative, which includes not just the theme park Morgan's Wonderland (which first opened in 2010), but also a number of other accessible and inclusive businesses and organizations, such as Morgan's Wonderland Sports and Morgan's Wonderland Camp.
"Our devotion to this cause is inspired by our 29-year-old daughter, Morgan," Hartman writes. "She is the driving force behind our commitment to this cause." "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," which is now known around the world as a haven not only for people with special needs but also for their families, caregivers, friends, and the general public. "Her soaring spirit despite physical and cognitive special needs inspired us to create colorful and unique Morgan's Wonderland theme park."
Theme park known as Morgan's Wonderland
The park was built with a budget of $36 million, and it features over 25 different attractions and activities, such as rides, playgrounds, gardens, picnic spots, an amphitheater, and an 8-acre catch-and-release fishing lake. The park is also totally accessible to wheelchair users. The visit to the non-profit park's 25 acres is free of charge for guests who have impairments; however, family members who accompany the guest are obliged to pay a small fee. It is the most popular attraction in the Wonderland complex, which serves as its primary mission to provide assistance to those with disabilities and the loved ones of those individuals.
More than two million people from all around the world have visited the park since it opened in 2010. Visitors have traveled from all across the United States. According to the website for Morgan's Wonderland, the first thing visitors see when they enter the park is a sculpture called "Taking Flight" that weighs 6,000 pounds and stands 25 feet tall. The sculpture was designed by artist Doug Roper and is described as "a larger-than-life reminder of our dedication to the special needs community."
Activities & Attractions Available at Morgan's Wonderland
It is Morgan's Wonderland's goal to ensure that not a single member of your family is left out of the enjoyment by guaranteeing that every attraction there is capable of accommodating riders using wheelchairs.
Universal Studios to build a new theme park, and it won’t be in Florida or California. It will be in Frisco, Texas, about 30 miles north of Dallas. pic.twitter.com/CEQwxSDw1n
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) January 13, 2023
The Wonderland Express train, which travels around the park's picturesque lake, the Whirling Wonder Ferris wheel, which provides panoramic views of the park, and a colorful carousel that even has wheelchair-accessible seats that move up and down just like the other traditional carousel seats are some of the highlights of the park's attractions. Other attractions include Picnic Place, which features playgrounds with shaded areas, as well as Sensory Village, which features a mix of stores and activities that allow children to use their imaginations.
The Starlight Amphitheater and the Flutterby Theater are two venues where guests can discover daily entertainment. These venues showcase a variety of events, such as musical acts, puppetry shows, and magic shows. Throughout the park, travelers are greeted by wandering "Ambassadors of Friendship," such as Friendship Fairies, The Wonderland Royal Court, and Joy the Butterfly.
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Additionally, the park has a strong emphasis on educational outreach; for example, it is home to an all-inclusive performing arts program as well as community-based training for primary school kids.
Island of Motivation and Inspiration for Morgan
In 2017, the world's first "ultra-accessible" splash water park opened in Texas as a method for all visitors to cool off from the sweltering heat of the state. The relaxing haven, which has been given the name Morgan's Inspiration Island and features a River Boat Adventure Ride as well as five splash pads with a tropical motif, encourages tourists to forget their concerns and have fun while they splash the day away.
As a result of the extensive on-site assistance facilities, guests who use wheelchairs have the option of making a private transfer to one of three different types of waterproof chairs, which protects their own wheelchairs from being damaged. One of these chairs is called the PneuChair, and it is a breakthrough motorized wheelchair that is waterproof and was developed jointly by the park and the University of Pittsburgh.
How to Make Your Way Around Morgan's Wonderland
Morgan's Wonderland is accessible all year round on specific occasions and can be found in the northeastern part of San Antonio, less than eight miles away from the San Antonio International Airport. Donations from individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations make it possible to waive the admission fee entirely for those who have some kind of physical limitation. Single-park and dual-park tickets, as well as seasonal and annual passes, are all available for purchase online for tourists visiting the park for any other reason. Admission to a single park for a single day starts at just $13, while season passes start at $45 per person.
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It is possible for guests to bring their own food into Morgan's Wonderland, in addition to the restaurants within the park that sell both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food.
Morgan's Wonderland has partnered with a number of hotels in the area to provide guests with accessible rooms and discounted room rates. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio North – Windcrest and the Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Airport are two of these partners.
Because of its widespread fame, Morgan's Wonderland has inspired the Morgan family to keep expanding their welcoming retreat. The Morgan's Wonderland Camp is a year-round, 102-acre summer camp-style experience created for persons with and without disabilities to enjoy completely inclusive outdoor activities. These activities include swimming, a wheelchair-accessible obstacle course, and a state-of-the-art zipline, among other things. Morgan's Wonderland Sports is a fitness and sports complex that spans 3 acres and is easily accessible. It is situated within walking distance of the amusement park. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities here, such as softball, tennis, baseball, and more.