Morgan's Wonderland

In San Antonio, Texas, a father's love for his daughter was the catalyst for a wildly ambitious project that would go on to change the landscape of entertainment for individuals with special needs across the world.

Faced with the realisation that traditional theme parks lacked the accommodations necessary for his daughter, Morgan - who has cognitive and physical challenges – to fully enjoy herself, Gordon Hartman asked himself a question: Could he create a place where she could experience the unrivalled joy of a theme park like any other child?

Using his experience as a property developer, he set about designing a theme park that individuals of all abilities could enjoy. Where they could “laugh, play, and create long-lasting memories together”.

The result was a far cry from those backyard, um, “theme parks” you’ve probably seen videos of online.

After years of planning and spread across a vast 25 acres in San Antonio, Morgan’s Wonderland - the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park – was born.

Opened in 2010 at a total cost of £26 million - and with the help of doctors, therapists, parents and others - it featured attractions meticulously designed to be inclusive for individuals of all ages and abilities. This included wheelchair-accessible rides, sensory experiences, play areas, sports courts, quiet zones, musical gardens, live entertainment, and areas with fully adjustable sound and lighting.

It was a colossal achievement, and in the years since, Morgan's Wonderland has continued to innovate and expand with new attractions and experiences that further its mission of inclusivity. This is most evident in the park’s biggest addition; Morgan's Inspiration Island - a ground-breaking inclusive water park that opened in 2017.

Morgan's Wonderland is a fully-fledged theme park in every sense, but it’s also so much more than that. Since its inception, the park has delighted visitors from around the world and sparked conversations about the importance of accessibility in all aspects of society.

What began as an idea borne from a father's love for his daughter has since blossomed into a global symbol of accessibility.

A place where differences aren’t just accommodated, but celebrated.

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Read more about Morgan’s Wonderland at the park’s Official Website.

You probably don’t have the means to build your own theme park, but if you’d like to learn more about how it’s done, check out Theme Park Design: Behind the Scenes with an Engineer.

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