Morgan's Wonderland facts for kids
 
Entrance of Morgan's Wonderland
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| Location | San Antonio, Texas, United States |
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| Coordinates | 29°32′20″N 98°23′31″W / 29.539°N 98.392°W |
| Opened | March 3, 2010 |
| Slogan | Where Everyone Can Play |
| Attendance | 500,000 |
| Area | 25 acres (0.10 km2) |
Morgan's Wonderland is a special theme park located in San Antonio, Texas. It's a non-profit park designed for everyone, no matter their age or ability. This amazing park opened in 2010. It was created by Gordon Hartman, who was inspired by his daughter, Morgan. She faces some physical and thinking challenges.
This park is the first of its kind in the world. It has welcomed over a million visitors from all over the United States and many other countries. The park cost $34 million to build. It is completely friendly for wheelchairs. You'll find more than 25 fun things to do there. These include rides, playgrounds, gardens, and even a fishing lake. There's also a big event center and an amphitheater for shows.
The park's main goal is to offer a safe and fun place. It removes any physical or money barriers. This means everyone can come and enjoy themselves. Their motto is, "Where Everyone Can Play!" People with special needs get in for free. Their family and friends pay a small fee.
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How Morgan's Wonderland Started
In 2005, Gordon Hartman sold his business. He wanted to start a foundation with his wife, Maggie. Their dream was to help kids and adults with special needs. One day, Morgan wanted to play with some kids in a hotel pool. But when she got close, they left. Gordon saw how sad Morgan was. He decided to create a place where everyone could play together. This moment led to Morgan's Wonderland.
Morgan's Wonderland first opened on March 3, 2010. A big celebration happened on April 10, 2010. Famous people like NBA legend David Robinson and actress Eva Longoria were there. Later, on June 17, 2017, they opened a new water park. It's called Morgan's Inspiration Island.
Both parks are famous for being welcoming to everyone. In 2017, Morgan's Inspiration Island won an award. It was honored for its accessible design and special waterproof wheelchairs. Morgan's Wonderland was named "Park of the Year" in 2017. Both parks also received the Barrier-Free America Award in 2018. Time magazine even called Morgan's Inspiration Island one of "The World's Greatest Places" in August 2018.
Fun Rides and Activities
The rides at Morgan's Wonderland are made for everyone. This includes people who use wheelchairs.
- Wonderland Express: This train ride goes for half a mile around the park's pretty lake.
- Off-Road Adventure: Here, you can drive cool all-terrain-type vehicles.
- Whirling Wonder Ferris Wheel: This Ferris wheel has colorful cars. It goes up over five stories high. You get amazing views of the whole park!
- Carousel: This carousel is special. It sits flat on the ground. The "chariots" move up and down. This gives wheelchair users the same fun feeling as riding the horses.
At The Wharf, you can steer remote-controlled pirate ships. You can also try catch-and-release fishing for catfish or bass. The Sensory Village has many shops. They offer activities that help you use your imagination and all your senses. There are also two big, shaded playgrounds. They have different kinds of swings, including ones for wheelchairs.
The Picnic Place is covered. You can buy snacks there or bring your own food.
Exciting Entertainment
Morgan's Wonderland offers live shows for all visitors. These shows celebrate how everyone can be included. On some days, you can meet park mascots and characters. There are also live stage shows, interactive performances, and street performers.
In 2015, The Wonder Squad joined the park's entertainment. These four superheroes, along with their "super-eye dog" Uno, turn challenges into "SUPER abilities."
- Morgan: She is the heart of the team. She is inspired by the real Morgan Hartman. Her powers are love and healing. She can fly with butterfly wings.
- Rocket: He believes you can go anywhere, even if you can't walk. He built his own super-powered wheelchair. He is super fast and clever.
- X-Ray: He has been blind since birth. But he sees the good in everyone. With his special goggles and Uno, he is ready to save the day.
- Jette: She has cerebral palsy but moves in style. Rocket designed her jet-powered crutches. She is the smart one of the team. She always says to think before you act.
GPS Adventure Bands for Safety and Fun
When Morgan's Wonderland was being planned, people said safety was most important. So, the park uses special technology called radio-frequency identification. This is in their GPS Adventure Bands. Every guest can choose to wear a band. Each band has a unique number. This number is linked to the guest and their group. You can scan your band at special stations. This shows where everyone in your group is in the park. This helps everyone stay safe.
The band also lets you do cool electronic activities. For example, you can scan your band at the Auto Shop. Then you can "paint" a car on a screen with your finger. You can even send the picture to your email! When you go on the Off-Road Adventure, the band can take a photo of you. It then sends it to your email.
Partnerships and Learning Programs
In 2012, Toyota became a main sponsor of Morgan's Wonderland. You can see special Toyota vehicles in the park. These cars are changed to help people with physical challenges.
Each spring and fall, the park hosts many school children. Over 8,000 elementary students visit from more than 130 schools. They come for educational field trips. These trips are made to fit state learning goals.
The park also works with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. It helps them earn badges and complete activities. All scouts who visit with their groups get a free Morgan's Wonderland patch. In 2017, the park started The Wonderland Inclusion Tour. This road show spreads the park's message of understanding and inclusion. It includes dance parties, puppet shows, and talks about stopping bullying.
Wonderland, Texas: A Special Community
Morgan's Wonderland is the main part of a bigger area called Wonderland, Texas. This area is for fun and helping the special-needs community. Other places here include a big soccer complex and Toyota Field. There's also Monarch Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland. This is a school for students with special needs. The Children's Rehabilitation Institute of Teletón USA (CRIT USA) is also here. It's a therapy center for kids with physical challenges. Wonderland, Texas is also home to STRAPS. This group offers sports for athletes with disabilities.
CRIT USA: Helping Kids Heal
The Children's Rehabilitation Institute of TeletónUSA, or CRIT USA, is a non-profit center. It helps children with brain, muscle, or bone problems and injuries. It opened in November 2014. It is the first center of its kind in the United States. It helps hundreds of kids from all over the country.
Morgan's Wonderland works with CRIT USA. They offer more ways for kids to get therapy. They also give families a fun place to relax while their children are getting treatment. Sometimes, physical therapy sessions use the outdoor playground and other attractions at Morgan's Wonderland.
STRAPS: Sports for Everyone
South Texas Regional Adaptive and Para Sports (STRAPS) helps athletes of all ages. It offers sports for people with physical disabilities. There are eight different programs. These include wheelchair soccer, wheelchair basketball, and goalball. Goalball is a sport like soccer for athletes who can't see well. Many STRAPS athletes compete at Morgan's Wonderland. This includes veterans who were hurt while serving their country.
Morgan's Inspiration Island: A Water Park for All
On June 17, 2017, Morgan's Wonderland opened a water park. It's called Morgan's Inspiration Island. This splash park is also fully accessible. It covers over three acres. It has five splash pads with tropical themes.
- Rainbow Reef: This area has colorful sea creatures. It also has heated water. This is great for people who don't like or can't handle cold water.
- Calypso Cove: Here, you'll find a musical rain garden.
- Will's Hang-Ten Harbor: This area has a big, constant water wave. It's designed like a surfer's spot.
- Shipwreck Island: This looks like a pirate's paradise!
- Harvey's Hideaway Bay: This is where you'll find a giant jungle tree house.
Morgan's Inspiration Island also has an accessible River Boat Adventure ride.
Guests who use wheelchairs can switch into special waterproof chairs. This lets them enjoy the splash park without damaging their personal wheelchairs.
Wheelchair Valet: Easy Access and Care
The Wheelchair Valet has three types of waterproof wheelchairs. It also has seven accessible changing rooms. You'll find Hoyer lifts and adult-sized changing tables for guests to use. Wheelchair users can switch into free waterproof wheelchairs. They can also get free waterproof bags for things like ventilators. There are also covers for tracheas.
Morgan's Inspiration Island offers different kinds of chairs. These include tilt and space chairs, manual chairs, and PneuChair pneumatic wheelchairs. The PneuChair is a special motorized wheelchair. It runs only on compressed air. It was created by the University of Pittsburgh's Human Engineering Research Laboratories.
Images for kids
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Gordon Hartman speaks at TEDx San Antonio in 2021
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Carousel
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The Whirling Wonder Ferris wheel
