How to Visit Morgan’s Wonderland: A True San Antonio Treasure

By Sara Branstetter | July 16, 2024

There are a number of things that make San Antonio a really special city. Obviously, the Alamo and the San Antonio Riverwalk contribute to this. But so do a number of other things like the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Fiesta San Antonio, the San Antonio Spurs, and of course, breakfast tacos. But below the list of the obvious, SA specific attractions/events/activities, is a lesser known list of gems that are true San Antonio treasures. One such gem is Morgan’s Wonderland.

What is Morgan’s Wonderland?

Morgan’s Wonderland (now part of the Morgan’s family of entities – more on that later) is the world’s first, ultra-accessible theme park. This means that every activity available at the park is open and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. No disability is a disqualifier at Morgan’s Wonderland – and that goes for all the rides, the attached waterpark called Morgan’s Inspiration Island, the playground, and sensory experiences. All of it, all available.

For any families with members of varying abilities or disabilities, theme parks can be trying at best, or downright impossible to navigate at worst. The crazy roller coasters at Six Flags can’t accommodate wheelchairs. The water slides at SeaWorld’s Aquatica are not great options for people with vision impairments. And for individuals with sensory disorders, developmental delays, or autism spectrum disorders, theme parks are often more stimulating than is safe or tolerable.

But Morgan’s Wonderland has gone to epic and innovative lengths to not just mitigate, but eliminate, these difficulties so that everyone can come and play. If you have a limitation, Morgan’s Wonderland has an accommodation, simple as that.

The rides and splash pads are all wheelchair accessible (Morgan’s even has motorized, submersible wheelchairs for use at the water park), braille signage and 3D park models are available for those with vision impairments or hearing loss, there aren’t any bright/flashing lights that could trigger a seizure, and there is even a rest area for service animals who are more than welcome at Morgan’s. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to accommodations at Morgan’s.

Perhaps the best accommodation of all, those with qualified special needs resulting in long-term physical and cognitive disabilities, are entitled to free admission. All the time. I can think of no other companies that put their money where their mouths are when it comes to inclusivity like Morgan’s. They truly are a San Antonio treasure.

History of Morgan’s Wonderland

Morgan’s Wonderland is the brainchild of a local dad with a special needs daughter. In 2006, successful businessman Gordon Hartman, along with his wife Maggie, took their family to Florida on vacation. Their daughter, Morgan, who has significant physical and cognitive disabilities, was at the hotel swimming pool and really wanted to play with the other kids who were in the pool. But the other children were uncomfortable with her inability to communicate and avoided interacting with her.

Hartman’s heart broke both for his daughter, and for the other kids who didn’t have a context to interact with people who were different from them. He vowed on the spot to create a place where all people could come together to play and learn how to better understand one another.

After selling off his homebuilding business, Hartman established a nonprofit, and Morgan’s Wonderland officially opened its doors in 2010. With Hartman’s vision and the collective outside-the-box brainpower of a number of individuals, Morgan’s has radically changed the world of play for people with special needs.

Since that time, Morgan’s (the umbrella organization over Morgan’s Wonderland) has expanded to include an ultra-accessible waterpark (adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland) called Morgan’s Inspiration Island, Morgan’s Sports, year-round family camp, Morgan’s Camp, and Morgan’s MAC, a multi-assistance center geared toward delivering innovative coordinated care to individuals and families with special needs. Morgan’s will be growing even more in the very near future by adding an accessible fitness center, ultra-accommodating hotel, and another brand new Morgan’s Wonderland in another city in Texas (the announcement on the exact location is coming soon!!).

Photo Credit: Facebook Morgan's Wonderland

Hartman’s work at Morgan’s has exploded into a global phenomenon. With guests from all 50 states and more than 120 countries worldwide, Morgan’s is the go-to theme park for families with special needs. This exposure led Time Magazine to list Morgan’s Wonderland as one of the “World’s Greatest Places” for 2018, and San Antonio, often referred to as “Military City, USA,” to now be called “Inclusion City, USA.”

My Personal Take

Morgan's Wonderland Morgan and Playground

Now, I’m not Time Magazine and certainly don’t have the reach or the clout that they have. And my children, none of whom have significant physical or cognitive disabilities, are teenagers now and have largely outgrown the activities at Morgan’s Wonderland. Nonetheless, Morgan’s Wonderland remains far and away my favorite theme park in San Antonio. The rides aren’t as flashy as Six Flags and they don’t have the animals like SeaWorld does. But what Morgan’s Wonderland does have is an almost intangible magic that just makes it feel…special.

I’ve never been anywhere quite like Morgan’s. It is a one-of-a-kind-place (although soon to be two-of-a-kind-place, I guess) that positively brings together people from all different backgrounds. Kids can play, regardless of special needs, and learn how to interact with those who might be different.

Goodwill. Inclusion. Diversity. Dignity. Love. And loads of fun. That’s really the secret sauce. And if you haven’t yet experienced it, it’s time to remedy that problem.

Where is Morgan’s Wonderland?

Morgan’s Wonderland (as well as Inspiration Island and the MAC) is located off of Wurzbach Parkway at Thousand Oaks. The park is just across the street from Toyota Field where FC San Antonio plays. Parking is free and available to both the east and north of Toyota Field.

What’s there to do at Morgan’s Wonderland?

So, so much! Rides, shows, and food – it is a theme park, after all. Just a few of the rides at Morgan’s Wonderland include a zip line, 4D cinema, boat ride, train, carousel, Ferris wheel and, and more. Rides here tend to be on the calmer side and are perfect for children 12 and under, for those of any age with special needs, or for anyone who just loves a good time.

In addition to rides, kids can hit the gargantuan playground, get dirty in the sand pit, shoot off water cannons, go fishing, or explore the sensory village (which is AMAZING and really, really fun!).

Two interactive shows are also performed each day – a puppet show and an inclusion dance party. And ambassadors of friendship (Morgan’s Wonderland’s answer to theme park characters) stroll the park for pictures, hugs, and special surprises.

Morgan’s Inspiration Island offers a number of themed splash pads, slides, play areas, pools, and custom water features. There is also a riverboat adventure ride which takes guests through a five minute tour through the African jungle.

Morgan's Wonderland Friendship Ambassadors

Photo Credit: Facebook Morgan's Wonderland

What About Food?

Guests to Morgan’s are welcome to pack a lunch (can’t do that at other theme parks!) and enjoy it at the Picnic Place, or hit up one of the food vendors, Morgan’s Munchies or Lakeside Snacks. This is another area where Morgan’s Wonderland absolutely shines. No overpriced theme park food here – food is actually reasonably priced. Entrees range from $4-$8, which is insanely low when compared to traditional theme parks that often start around $15 for a mediocre hamburger or hot dog.

Can I Buy Merch?

You bet! Visit the Squad Shoppe for all your Morgan’s Wonderland branded merchandise. Snacks, drinks, and candy can also be found here.

Tickets, Info, Hours, and Dates

Morgan’s Wonderland is open from early March to early November and Morgan’s Inspiration Island is open from mid-May through the end of September. When school is in session, the park is often closed during the weekdays, so it is best to check the calendar for information before heading out.

Park hours run 10:30am to 6pm at Morgan’s Wonderland and 11am to 6pm at Inspiration Island. Tickets for both parks are $34 for adults ages 14-61, $26 for seniors and children ages 3-13, $28 for military, and free for those 2 and under or with special needs.

Season passes are also available for $55 that include unlimited visits to Morgan’s Wonderland and Inspiration Island, as well as other discounts on food/beverage/merch/rentals.

WEBSITE | 5223 David Edwards, San Antonio, TX 78233