Found in San Antonio, Texas, Morgan’s Wonderland is a testament to the spirit of inclusivity. This “ultra-accessible” amusement park emerged from the remarkable dream of a young girl and her parents’ determination to create a space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, could have fun.
The inspiration behind Morgan’s Wonderland
In 2006, Gordon Hartman — the brainchild of Morgan’s Wonderland — experienced something that forever changed his outlook on family fun activities.
While vacationing, his daughter, Morgan Hartman, wanted to join and play with other vacationing kids at a hotel swimming pool. But the other kids, cautious of her, immediately left the pool. Gordon jumped into the pool and played with Morgan, but the scenario replayed.
“As I’m telling you this story, I can see it right now,” said Hartman in an interview. “Morgan turned to me like, I don’t get it, Dad. I just wanted to play.”
This vacation made Gordon and his wife, Maggie, realize how amusement parks and fun places often excluded individuals like Morgan due to disabilities. Morgan was born with physical and cognitive disabilities due to autism spectrum disorder — but that day, her dream had been to play to have fun.
So Gordon got to work.
An amusement park like no other
Driven to create a “beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers, ” Hartman made Morgan’s Wonderland a reality. But he did not want inclusivity to be an afterthought in this amusement park, so he engaged physical therapists, physicians, people with special needs, and caregivers.
“We didn’t go to experts; we went to the grassroots, the people who have special needs, the caregivers, the parents, the uncles, the grandparents,” Hartman recalls. “We asked them: What would you want to see if we were to build something like this? What are your needs?”
Hartman sold his real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance companies to pursue their dream of helping individuals with disabilities. Also, he established the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation with his wife Maggie. The project grew, and after three years, the gates of the 25-acre Morgan Wonderland finally opened in 2010.
“What was going to be a small, maybe a US$5 million to $10 million park,” Hartman says, “turned into a US$36 million park.”
Morgan’s Wonderland
Hartman likes to see this amusement park as an inclusive, fun place instead of a special needs amusement theme park. Within two years, the park had received over 200,000 visitors from 35 countries. By 2017, it had received over a million visitors from 69 countries.
Morgan’s Wonderland has more than 25 attractions and experiences, from a custom carousel, a Ferris wheel to off-road adventure rides.
Highlights of the amusement park include the “Taking Flight” bronze sculpture by artist Doug Roper. This work of art is a “larger-than-life reminder of our dedication to the special needs community.”
You can then move on to Morgan’s favorite experience — the “ultra-accessible Carousel” designed to accommodate all ages and abilities. For instance, it doesn’t have ultra-flashy colors to cater to individuals with sensory sensitivities, and it has unique wheelchair-accessible “chariots.”
Flutterby Theatre is one of their entertainment stops where you can enjoy magic shows, performances by solo musicians, participation in drum circles, and more. It is also a great photo op spot for your family. If you love this, you may also check out Starlight Amphitheatre while there.
Your family can also hop on Wonderland Express, a 1930s miniature train that takes you around the picturesque 8-acre lake. You may see ducks, turtles, and sometimes, herons during your ride. And if your kids would love to stimulate their creative side, let their imaginations go wild at the Sensory Village. You can also enjoy water sports in their Splash Pad.
Remember, Morgan’s Wonderland, unlike most amusement parks, doesn’t have balloons, fluorescent lights, or flashy lights. This caters to those sensitive to sounds, light, and children prone to seizures.
A model theme park
Morgan’s Wonderland is free for any visitor with special needs and children under 2, while adults pay a US$29 ticket fee. Children and seniors (62+) pay a ticket fee of $23. Also, since some individuals with special needs require a strict diet, you can bring your food.
Hartman, who gave up his successful contractor career and business in 2005, is happy with the project. He is also thankful to the donors who’ve helped him shoulder the financial weight of the project and keep the kids smiling.
“Some of this money has been mine, but I’ve also gone to the community for a lot of this money. This is about a community. You have to have a nucleus somewhere,” he said.
He’s also involved in other charities and owns a soccer team, the San Antonio Scorpions. He says he puts all the net profit from the soccer team into the inclusive amusement park. And although Morgan may not know the impact she’s had and the thousands of faces she’s lit over the years, her dad says she understands it’s named after her — which she thinks is fantastic.
Morgan’s Wonderland theme park is a testament to the power of family, empathy, sacrifice, and determination.
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