If you’re looking for a great summer adventure and your special needs family member, it may be worth your while to consider a trip to San Antonio this summer.

What it is

Morgan’s Wonderland Park in NE San Antonio is a non-profit theme park which offers free admission for guests of all ages with special needs. Tickets for other family members are available for a reasonable cost.

The $36 million theme park has 25 rides and attractions and is entirely wheelchair accessible. Rides, playgrounds, a lake with catch-and-release fishing, entertainment, and picnic areas offer something for everyone.

Their mission: to provide a safe, clean and beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers that all individuals – regardless of age, particular need or disability – can come to and enjoy.

Inspiration Island

Morgan’s ‘Inspiration Island’ will be open through mid-September, with five splash pads, a Riverboat ride, and more.

Worried about their wheelchair getting wet? No problem. The Wheelchair Valet offers three different sizes of air-powered, waterproof wheelchairs for all ages and sizes. These are free to borrow so everyone can enjoy the water features without worrying about damaging their regular ride. Waterproof bags are available to protect ventilators and O2 tanks and water-collar covers for guests who need to cover tracheas. These are also available at no charge.

The variously themed splash pad include a pirate ship, a treehouse, and others. The warmed-water splash pad (for those who can’t tolerate regular temperature water) has an octopus, a sea turtle, starfish, and six squirting seahorses.

Sensory Village

Sensory Village includes a plethora of interactive experiences including a theater, stable, auto shop, grocery store, and television station where visitors can indulge in creative play. They may find themselves on the back of an Equicizer horse or as a news station weatherman.

Security

Worried about your family or group members getting split up? No problem. The park offers an optional GPS Adventure Band: a group ID and code embedded band to auto-track and locate all group/family members AND offers instant free photo-captures at several of the park features. These are sent instantly to you through email.

Events

Over a million people have been guests of Morgan’s Wonderland since it opened in 2010. There are educational, recreational, and other events which promote fun, learning, and relaxation under the umbrella of inclusion and cooperation.

In that spirit, the park hosts many group events, such as STRAPS, the South Texas Regional Adaptive Paralympic Sports Team, Girl Scouts, a coffee group for moms, senior days, and educational trips for schools and other groups. Not by accident, it is also situated right next to CRIT USA, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute of Teletón USA, the first CRIT in the U.S., which serves children with neurological, muscular and skeletal challenges.

If you have been to Morgan’s Wonderland Park, please let us know how you enjoyed the experience. If you’re considering a trip to the park, more information about the park, motel accommodations, and other features can be found here.