Adding to our list of theme parks that are IDD friendly, this park in South Texas has taken fun to a whole new level. 

Morgan’s Wonderland has everything we’ve come to expect from a theme park: roller coasters, rides, fun and amazing food, but this park has a little something extra. Taking accessibility to the next level, this park has ADA-compliant doorways, sound absorbing floors, family restrooms with adult changing stations and showers, and pink noise availability for sensory sensitivities. Guests can also find wall panels, braille signage, service animal areas, and wheelchair availability throughout the park. Guests also have access to breastfeeding lounges, and quiet rooms for breaks.  

One standout feature of Morgan’s Wonderland is the Home Lab Area. Within The Home Lab, visitors have opportunities to practice activities of daily living (ADLs) with provider support in an inclusive, comfortable home-like setting. Here, people with IDD and their families can practice various ADLs alongside professionals who teach food preparation, eating, hygiene, housekeeping, dressing, and social skills with the use of assistive technology. By encouraging ADLs practice, The Home Lab aims to increase independence among IDD community members and improve their daily experiences in other environments. 

 “The first theme park where everyone can play.” 

By creating an inclusive environment for all, the entirely IDD-friendly park hopes to bring awareness to and generate a greater understanding of the IDD community. The inspiration behind the revolutionary idea is founder Gordon Hartman’s daughter, Morgan, who faced discrimination from other kids because of her disabilities. Gordon saw children exclude his daughter from social activities, often leaving Morgan alone. So, Gordon and his wife, Maggie, decided to create a space safe for all individuals of any physical and mental ability to enjoy, without the physical or emotional barriers. 

As Hartman identifies needs within the IDD community, he expands the park to accommodate. For example, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a water park with everything needed for a day in the sun, includes waterproof wheelchairs in multiple sizes to suit all heights and body types. And, according to their website, the park also supplies complimentary waterproof bags for ventilators and stoma covers for guests who need them.  

There is so much more to this unique space than just a day at the park.

Morgan’s Wonderland also developed an Ultra-Accessible™ three-acre sports center where athletes of all ages and abilities can take part in sports and fitness. In partnership with the charitable arm of the San Antonio Spurs and the San Antonio Football Club, leagues are available at no cost to the athletes. Basketball leagues are run by Special Olympics of South Texas.  

Through the South Texas Regional Adaptive & Para Sports (STRAPS) program, wounded service members and veterans become role models and mentors to those with disabilities with the goal of promoting development through sports. 

And is summer actually summer without the camp experience? Morgan’s Wonderland Camp is a place for everyone to experience timeless camp activities like arts and crafts, swimming, horse rides, archery, wall climbing and ziplines. Family weekends to Morgan’s Wonderland can make a perfect getaway, and nonprofits can rent the camp for their own programs.  

Morgan’s Wonderland hopes that by providing a centralized, intentionally designed play and learning space for health, living, and other resources for the IDD community, they help minimize the ability gap. In turn, the park hopes to create a more inclusive environment and acceptance of the IDD community for all.