Morgan’s Wonderland: More Than a Summer Hot Spot

You can feel the magic at Morgan’s Wonderland the minute you enter their doors. People of all abilities help you purchase a ticket and secure an armband on your child, who is most likely jumping up and down, ready to explore. While summertime at Morgan’s Wonderland includes Inspiration Island’s splash pads to cool down in, this San Antonio gem offers a lot more as we finally get a break in temperatures.

Morgan’s Wonderland and Inspiration Island are one of a kind. Named among TIME® Magazine’s 2018 World’s Greatest Places and USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best New Water Attraction of 2017, Morgan’s Wonderland and its water park are well worth a visit. While guests from 50 states and more than 73 countries have visited Morgan’s Wonderland and Inspiration Island since November 2018, we locals enjoy having a one-of-a-kind attraction in our own backyard.

Morgan’s Wonderland is like most theme parks in the sense that ticket prices can add up, but there is one huge difference. Did you know that when you purchase your general admission ticket, the cost covers entrance for one individual with special needs? Enjoying time with family and friends all while feeling a little better about the money spent is a win. Much less can be said of the money we spend elsewhere for entertainment.

We all strive to make the most of the free time we have as a family, and celebrating special events at Morgan’s Wonderland has become a tradition. Spending time at Morgan’s teaches families that inclusion is organic when you have the right tools, and the joy that comes from that is contagious. The staff at Morgan’s Wonderland creates an oasis for all adults and children, and upcoming fall and winter events make the off-season the perfect time to visit:

Morgan’s “More Delightful Than Frightful” Halloween Event, October 31, 4:30–8:30 P.M.

Wear your favorite delightful-not-frightful Halloween costume for a safe night of trick-or-treating! Tickets will be $5 on Halloween night, or you have the option to donate four non-perishable items to receive one free admission on Halloween night. Donations will be accepted in the Morgan’s Wonderland Welcome Center October 1–30. This will help entry into Morgan’s Wonderland go a bit faster as lines can queue for this once-a-year event. All food items and a portion of proceeds benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. Donation drop-off times are: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M., and Sunday, 11:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.

Maps will be provided for locating candy stations; staff and volunteers come dressed; and all rides are open. Since the theme is “delightful, not frightful,” masks are discouraged. This helps individuals with special needs to be able to know who they are interacting with. For children with food allergies, staff will have stickers to put on your trick-or-treat bag. Regular food items are for sale, and as always, you can bring your own picnic.

A Wonderland Christmas, November 29–30 and December 7, 14–15, 20–23

Our first time celebrating A Wonderland Christmas gave our family one of the most special gifts: a picture with Santa and his “elves,” including one with Down syndrome. Morgan’s Wonderland aims for inclusion with their actors, and our daughter with Down syndrome and our entire family celebrated as it was certainly “the most wonderful time of the year”!

Park doors will open at 4:00 P.M. (with the exception of November 29–30, on which dates the park opens at 1:00 P.M.) with Wonderland Christmas activities starting at 6:00 P.M. General admission rates apply with all added entertainment included. If you want a photo with Santa, it’s $5. There are so many more ways to enjoy A Wonderland Christmas: attractions covered in twinkling lights, visitors from the North Pole (arriving at dusk), a simulated ice rink, therapy animals, The Wonder Squad, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, a petting zoo, and more. An inclusive acting group will perform a Christmas show called Believe in Your Elf, and you may even see snow!

What is your favorite attraction at Morgan’s Wonderland?

Danielle
Danielle is a minivan-driving, Rick Ross-listening, wannabe Whole 30-eating mama to three little blessings. Born and raised in Florida, she is a Texan by marriage to Zach, whom she wooed with her passion for college football (go, Gators!). Their oldest is seven and rocking an extra chromosome, while their middle daughter is just extra in all things, like the red glitter tutu she insists on wearing 24/7, and their new baby boy is everything she never knew she always wanted. Danielle recently decided she will be on maternity leave for the next 18 years but continues to enjoy her work as a Speech-Language Pathologist in addition to the SAHM position. She is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and enjoys discussions on chakras, faith, and The Walking Dead.