SAN ANTONIO – Unique Morgan’s Wonderland, still the world’s first and only theme park designed with those with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment, today unveiled $6.5 million in new attractions to launch the park’s 2024 Grand Opening Celebration: New Year, New Rides, New Joy.
“Since the end of October, we’ve been busy adding new attractions and refreshing the park for the enjoyment of our guests from near and far,” said Gordon Hartman, who along with wife Maggie cocreated the nonprofit park, thanks to the inspiration of their daughter with special needs, Morgan. “This constitutes the largest expansion in our history that began in spring 2010. Four major attractions have been added to our core of 25 already-popular elements.”
These major additions are:
• the 4D Magic Cinema theater in Sensory Village, giving guests the sensation of riding a thrilling roller coaster;
• Pirate Island Cruises, a passenger boat ride across the park’s 8-acre catch-and-release fishing lake;
• Rocket’s Sky Flight Adventure, a four-seat zip line that soars above the lake and that’s named after one of the super-hero mascots comprising the park’s Wonder Squad; and
• Jette’s Wonder Bikes, a wheelchair-accessible ride named for another mascot that’s in keeping with the park’s butterfly theme of enabling everyone – especially those with special needs – to soar to new heights of enjoyment.
Upgrades to food outlets and other park facilities complement the new additions, said Richard Pretlow, Morgan’s Wonderland president. He added that guests can enjoy the refreshed park daily during spring break through March 17.
“We worked closely with the ride manufacturers to make sure our new additions are in sync with the rest of our Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive park,” Pretlow explained. “We’re excited about these new elements and updates to an already incredible park that’s known around the globe. We believe guests of all abilities will enjoy them as we pursue our mission of inclusion – bringing together those with and without special needs for fun and a better understanding of one another in a colorful, upbeat, non-judgmental environment.”
As part of the season-opening festivities, the first 100 park guests received colorful Fiesta San Antonio medals featuring the four new Morgan’s Wonderland attractions. Pretlow also noted that information about 2024 season passes for $50 per person and year-round annual memberships for $75 each can be found at https://MorgansWonderland.com/tickets-passes.
Pretlow provided additional details about the new Morgan’s Wonderland attractions:
4D Magic Cinema
“Sensory Village, a collection of storefronts housing attractions that stimulate the senses, is the site of the 4D Magic Cinema theater. We believe the Canadian manufacturer is the only one that’s able to provide a platform with unique features necessary for riders in wheelchairs to have the same rollercoaster-type experience as typical riders. Examples of the unique elements are electric actuators that deliver smooth and accurate motion effects, a custom video screen size for guests of all abilities and a motion-disengage option for those who do not wish to experience coaster-like sensations.”
Pirate Island Cruises
“All passengers, including guests in wheelchairs, board the covered boat from our newly constructed pier and dock adjacent to the Pirate Island playscape, then enjoy a smooth cruise around the lake. Passengers on the boat ride have the best view of guests enjoying the new zip line crossing directly over the lake.”
Rocket’s Sky Flight Adventure
“A manufacturer from Utah has installed a first-of-its-kind, 4-seater zip line that can accommodate riders with disabilities and special needs. This same company successfully created the first-of-its-kind 2-seater zip line at Morgan’s Camp. This newest zip line allows more riders to enjoy the thrill of zip lining at Morgan’s Wonderland. In this new iteration, a pair of riders sits back-to-back in the carriage that allows for two different experiences on one zip line. The carriage also has room for respiratory equipment or other gear required by the rider with special needs, plus additional restraints for riders with poor head and upper-body control.”
Jette’s Wonder Bikes
“The wheelchair-accessible Jette’s Wonder Bikes ride designed by an internationally-known Italian company features six hang-glider-style cars that gently fly in a circular pattern. Each is equipped with pedals that riders can use to make the cars swoop up and down. Guests unable to access the pedals can use hand cranks instead.”
Morgan’s Wonderland is located in Northeast San Antonio at 5223 David Edwards Drive, a halfmile west of IH 35 near the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive. For the latest information on days and hours of operation, admissions and special events, visit www.MorgansWonderland.org, or call (210) 495-5888.
Morgan’s Wonderland is a key element of Morgan’s, the nonprofit umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising, marketing and communications for the Morgan’s Wonderland “family” of Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive endeavors designed with individuals with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s benefit, said Dr. Brent Fields, Morgan’s CEO and also emcee for the 2024 Grand Opening Celebration.
Related Morgan’s ventures include Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, Morgan’s Sports complex, year-round Morgan’s Camp and Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) that offers coordinated medical and non-medical solutions to problems faced by children and adults with special needs. All of these and other initiatives focus on the Morgan’s mission of inclusion. To learn more, visit www.Morgans.org.
