SAN ANTONIO – The newest goodwill ambassadors for unique Morgan’s Wonderland – the Friendship Fairies – will debut Thursday, July 7, and emphasize how important and easy is to make new friends.
Attired in eye-catching costumes, three Friendship Fairies – “Shimmer,” “Sparkle” and “Sunny” – will move throughout the world’s first theme park designed for those with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment. They’re scheduled to appear from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays during the park’s summer season as well as every other Tuesday through Aug. 14.
“We decided to add the Friendship Fairies to our popular corps of goodwill ambassadors because we’re all about inclusion – bringing together those with and without special needs for fun and a better understanding of one another,” said Matthew Cassi, entertainment manager. “Friendship is a tremendously valuable benefit of inclusion. The Friendship Fairies will show that it’s not only OK but also very rewarding to interact with people of different backgrounds and abilities.”
As part of their duties, the Friendship Fairies will greet Morgan’s Wonderland guests, hand out friendship stickers, pose with guests for selfie photos and show by example how easy it can be to make new friends, Cassi explained. Sometimes they’ll also appear with other goodwill ambassadors – costumed character Joy, the park’s butterfly mascot, and the Wonder Squad, four young super-heroes who’ve not allowed their special needs to limit being active and having fun.
“At times, the Friendship Fairies also will be accompanied by the ‘Queen Fairy,’” Cassi said, “and we’re in the process of creating two additional Fairies – a younger fairy named ‘Star’ and a teen fairy named ‘Sprite.’ All in all, we believe our entire corps of goodwill ambassadors will help park guests have more fun and make even more great memories.”
The latest information on Morgan’s Wonderland operating days, hours of operation, admissions and special activities can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com/tickets-passes/ or at (210) 495-5888. The Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive park is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive near the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive, a half-mile west of IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio.
The success of world-renowned Morgan’s Wonderland led to creation of Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative, the nonprofit, umbrella organization that coordinates planning, fundraising and communications among a “family” of ventures designed with those with special needs in mind. Others include award-winning Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park; Morgan’s Wonderland Sports complex; new Morgan’s Wonderland Camp, which offers a summer-camp-type experience year-round; and projects in progress such as the Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland, or The MAC. For more information, visit www.InclusionStartsHere.com.
Ultra-Accessible™ refers to removing both physical and economic barriers that confront children and adults with special needs. This means that those with and without special needs can come together in a fully-inclusive environment for fun and a better understanding of one another.
