It’s no secret that amusement parks are often viewed as the perfect place to experience joy, especially for a child, and every child should have an equal opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day at a theme park. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of amusement parks for kids with disability that can serve as a starting point to help you decide on your next trip, based on the accessibility provided for wheelchair users in each theme park.
Morgan’s Wonderland, San Antonio, TX
Morgan’s Wonderland is one of the few amusement parks for kids with disability in the U.S. that was specifically created with wheelchair accessibility in mind. Morgan Hartman, who lives with cognitive and physical disabilities, is the inspiration for this entire park. Morgan’s father, Gordon Hartman, created the park for her when he noticed that she was having difficulty enjoying the same experiences as other kids while on vacation.
Morgan’s Wonderland is home to 25 total rides, all of which are labeled under the park’s trademarked term as being “Ultra-Accessible.” Rides include drivable cars, water play attractions, a train around their 8-acre lake, accessible playgrounds, and so much more. If you want a truly carefree experience for a vacation with your child, you can rest assured that Morgan’s Wonderland will provide that. As an added bonus, they also have a sister park next door, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, that serves as an accessible splash park.
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Hershey Park is host to many sweet treats, but the real treat is the adventures you can have within the park. While many rides require wheelchair users to transfer to the ride vehicle, there is plenty of additional entertainment to be had for those who don’t want to transfer.
Upon entering, pay a visit to Hospitality Services, where you can fill out a simple questionnaire to receive a customized guide based on your child’s specific needs. Hershey Park has plenty of wide, paved walkways with ramps and wheelchair-accessible entrances. As an added bonus, your ticket also provides you with entrance into ZooAmerica. Head to Hershey Park’s website to download a guide detailing the park’s accessibility to give you a better sense of what attractions might be the best fit for your child.
Disney World, Orlando, FL
It comes as no surprise that Disney World would have a spot on our list. Disney has made accessibility and inclusivity a major touchstone at their various parks around the world. In Orlando, accessibility begins at parking. Disney offers accessible parking with a standard disabled parking placard or license plate and even has special spots designed for wheelchair-accessible vans with side entry or rear entry wheelchair ramp. Disney also offers wheelchair rentals within all four of its Orlando parks.
Head to Guest Relations near the entrance of each park to sign up for Disability Access Service (DAS). This service allows individuals with disabilities to go up to any attraction and speak to an attendant to get a time they should return to the line. That way, you can find out when it’s best for your family to return to board the ride so that long waits won’t be a problem for anyone in your party.
Some of Disney World’s attractions may require the wheelchair user to transfer out of their chair and into the ride vehicle. But don’t worry, if this isn’t an option for your child, there are still plenty of rides and shows your child can enjoy right from their wheelchair. Disney offers an extensive accessibility guide for each park on its website. However, if you choose not to plan out your visit, Disney employees offer incredible, knowledgeable service and will help wherever needed.
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Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
If your child is a thrill-seeker, be sure to pay a visit to Cedar Point. Like most parks these days, Cedar Point can provide any wheelchair user with a special boarding pass. Each ride will have a gate attendant that you’ll present your boarding pass to, and they will write down a time for your child and up to 3 guests to return to board the ride with ease.
Many attractions also have elevators or side entrances to make boarding even easier. Cedar Point has guides to indicate which rides are best for varying levels of mobility. Walkways inside the park are also nice and wide, making getting around with your child much easier.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, Williamsburg, VA
Busch Gardens in Virginia is a hub for excitement and adventure. Busch Gardens’ intricate theming will allow your child to visit multiple “countries” in a single day. As with many of the parks on this list, you can download their accessibility questionnaire online and fill it out in advance of arriving. You can also fill out the same questionnaire at the Welcome Center just inside the turnstiles. This allows your child to receive a pass which will allow you to wait in a virtual queue after speaking with the attraction attendants. Keep in mind the geographical location of this park, as its many hills may present a challenge when it comes to getting around.
Additionally, Water Country USA is located right next door to Busch Gardens and provides an accessible way for everyone in your party to cool off in the summer. Water Country has many play areas and pools which are accessible via wheelchair. Visit their website to download extensive guides to plan your child’s trip.
Start Planning Your Accessible Amusement Park Trip
There are countless other theme parks in the U.S. that aren’t covered on this list that offer excellent wheelchair accessibility. The parks listed above are a good place to start for caregivers or parents trying to make an informed decision on where they should take their child for a carefree adventure. From the entrance to the experience within, your child will have every opportunity to create long-lasting memories at any of these amazing amusement parks.
Looking to plan a trip to amusement parks for kids with disability? We offer over 200 locations across the country to help you make your dream trip a reality. Check out our locations to book your wheelchair-accessible rental van today.