Morgan’s Wonderland reveals plans for largest expansion in its history
Morgan’s Wonderland – a Texas-based theme park which caters specifically to people with disabilities – has revealed plans to add attractions worth US$6 million in 2024.
The major additions will include a 4D cinema giving, a passenger boat ride across the park’s eight-acre fishing lake, a zipline soaring above the lake and a wheelchair-accessible "bike ride".
The 4D theatre, located at the park's Sensory Village, gives guests the sensation of riding a thrilling roller coaster.
Designed to accommodate guests in wheelchairs – and to give them the same roller-coaster-type experience as "typical" riders – the cinema will feature electric actuators that deliver smooth and accurate motion effects.
It also has 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.
Elsewhere, the zipline – called Rocket’s Sky Flight Adventure – is a first-of-its-kind, four-seater ride that can accommodate people with disabilities and special needs.
The carriage will have 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.
Meanwhile, the wheelchair-accessible Jette’s Wonder Bikes will have 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.
Gordon Hartman, who co-founded the park with his wife Maggie – and named it after their daughter Morgan – said: "Thus far, Morgan’s Wonderland has welcomed 2.7 million guests from all 50 states and more than 120 other countries.
"t’s now time to refresh and add new elements that will constitute our largest expansion since we opened in 2010.”
Morgan’s Wonderland was designed to be accessible free by all special needs individuals and to be enjoyed by everyone.
It was seeing his daughter Morgan, who has cognitive delay, struggling to interact with other children on a family holiday that gave Hartman the determination to create an attraction everyone could enjoy together.
To read an interview with Hartman from 2014, click here for Attractions Management, issue 1/2014.
Morgan's WonderlandUltra-accessible sports facility planned by wheelchair accessible theme park Morgan's Wonderland
Morgan's Wonderland prepares to open world-first waterpark for the disabled
Morgan's Wonderland unveils world-first waterproof pneumatic wheelchair
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Early-onset MS inspired Adria Lake to explore resilience as both a healing modality and an approach to design in the creation of her new home and company headquarters in Colorado