- Dad builds pleasure park for $51 million
- Morgan’s Wonderland opens for special needs children
- A million tourists visited last year
It’s an old story but a goodie. When Texan dad in a million Gordon Hartman sold his business, he dedicated a new $51 million amusement park to his disabled daughter, Morgan, in 2010.
Morgan was born with cognitive and physical special needs and she struggled to find recreational spaces because of her special needs – so Gordon decided to fix it. He wanted to create something where all children with special needs could play, laugh and create special memories.
Theme park in San Antonio
Bringing together a team of doctors, therapists and families, the theme park in San Antonio, Texas, was opened as Morgan’s Wonderland in 2010 – with continuous improvement to the rides and facilities down the years.
Since opening, Morgan’s Wonderland has received more than a million visitors from 67 countries and from all 50 US states. A third of the park’s staff have a disability and access is free to all guests with a condition.
Back in 2017, a water park was added costing an additional $17 million (£13 million).
Morgan’s Inspiration Island
Today, adapted rides at Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island include a half-mile train ride, ferris wheel, carousel, fishing dock, 4D theater, pirate cruise, and even a zipline— all fully accessible. The park also boasts an “Ultra-Accessible” splash park and sports complex.
“It’s the small things that make the big difference: Having fun,” Hartman told CBS.
One dad jokes fan we spoke to quipped Gordon’s generosity was far removed from his own old man – who wouldn’t even help him to build a Lego spaceship when he was 10.
