Inclusive Design in Amusement Parks

and Attractions

Charlie Wickham

Iowa State University | ARCH 571 | Sup. Arvid Osterberg

Current Standards
The Right to Participation in Amusement Attractions - ADA Title III

Directly conflicts with operator’s responsibility to protect guests

ADA 206.2.9, 234 - Amusement Ride access and use

ASTM F2291-14 - Restraint analysis criteria

ASTM F24 Committee - All design standards

 Conventional Amusement Parks
Virtual Wait time - Guests wait outside

of the queue

Requires Doctor’s note

Conventional Amusement Parks
Accessible Routes

-No stairs

-Exits are accessible

Accessible Routes
Conventional Amusement Parks
Accessible Routes

-No stairs

-Exits are accessible

Specialty Parks - Give Kids The World Village
Non-Profit Resort for children with terminal diagnoses
Specialty Parks - Morgan’s Wonderland
World’s first “Ultra-Accessible Theme Park”

Opened in 2010 in San Antonio, Texas

35 Wheelchair Accessible Rides and Attractions

Fully Accessible Water Park

Next Steps
Improve Operator training to better service guests with disabilities.

Design attractions with established requirements to ensure rider safety.

Design additions to play areas and water parks with accessibility in mind.

Create a system with easy entry for those with less evident disability.
References
[1] Kathryn Woodcock, Determining Participation Eligibility for Amusement Attractions, Procedia Manufacturing, Volume 3,
2015, Pages 5389-5396, ISSN 2351-9789, <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.654>.

[2] United States Access Board, ADA Accessibility Guidelines,

<http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/buildings-and-sites/about-the-ada-standards/background/adaag>,
2014.

[3] Six Flags Great Adventure Accessibility Guide

<https://static.sixflags.com/website/files/sfgad_2018_accessibility_guide.pdf> 2018.

[4] Morgan’s Wonderland News and Media <https://www.morganswonderland.com/about-us/news-and-media/> 2018.

[5] Zamperla Donates Attraction to Give Kids The World

<http://touringcentralflorida.com/2018/11/22/zamperla-donates-attraction-to-give-kids-the-world/>