Amusement Park News

WingZ of Wonder is a new interactive and accessible tower ride at Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas.

The 39-foot-tall swing tower seats 16 riders, with two seats on each gondola. During the 90-second ride, guests or their companions can control how high they soar simply by moving their arms.

Park President Catherine Lorenzo says the attraction allows guests with mobility challenges to enjoy the full tower-ride experience even if they are unable to move their arms. A companion seated beside them can control the gondola's movement, ensuring everyone can participate.

Whether independently or with assistance from a companion, riders have complete control over their experience. Zamperla developed the attraction under the name WingZ because it allows guests to make their gondolas rise through arm movements that mimic a bird flapping its wings. The ride was first introduced at the 2025 IAAPA Expo.

The system operates through sensors that respond to either the rider or a companion. These sensors lift the gondola based on passengers' arm-flapping motions. According to Zamperla North America Sales Manager Michael Coleman, the “motion-activated movement system on the WingZ gives guests of all sizes and abilities the opportunity to flap your arms and find the fun in life.”

The only restriction involves power wheelchairs because of weight considerations. Guests who use power chairs may temporarily transfer to a manual wheelchair provided by the park in order to enjoy the attraction.

According to Zamperla, WingZ can accommodate up to 320 riders per hour with a 90-second ride cycle and an efficient 90-second loading and unloading process.
The inclusivity of WingZ of Wonder is consistent with Morgan's Wonderland's broader mission of providing a theme park experience that everyone can enjoy, regardless of physical ability. Lorenzo notes that the attraction required years of planning and collaboration with Zamperla. Developing the ride took considerable effort and involved significant technical complexity.

Coleman is understandably proud of the overwhelmingly positive response the attraction received both at its IAAPA debut and at Morgan's Wonderland. He says amusement industry professionals should “stay tuned for more installations around the world.”

The ride's design makes loading and unloading seamless. Two gondolas function as platforms that allow wheelchairs to roll directly onto the ride and be securely positioned. The interactive mechanics are equally user-friendly.

Lorenzo says she particularly appreciates the “smooth transition for our wheelchair users from ground to the gondola and up.”

While traditional ride seats are suspended above the platform, the two wheelchair-accessible gondolas remain grounded and stabilized during boarding. Lorenzo describes the process as “easy and very secure” and emphasizes that the park's “number one priority” is safety.

The new tower ride represents another milestone in the partnership between Zamperla and Morgan's Wonderland. Both organizations share a commitment to inclusion and accessibility. Their collaboration became even more formal with the launch of the Morgan's Inclusion Institute, which is dedicated to “turning accessibility into belonging.”

The institute works with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations to implement meaningful changes that foster “a more inclusive world” and inspire cultural change. Its mission extends beyond regulatory compliance by helping organizations achieve true inclusion through creative problem-solving.
Other accessible Zamperla attractions at the park include Joy's Happy Swing, Jettee's Wonder Bikes, and the Balloon Wheel, which has operated at Morgan's Wonderland since the park opened 16 years ago.



Coleman notes that “inclusivity and accessibility have been a cornerstone of Zamperla's mission for nearly two decades.” That commitment began with company founder Alberto Zamperla, who believed everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy amusement rides.

The company initially offered three fully accessible rides. Today, that number has grown to ten, with additional attractions currently in development.

Regarding WingZ of Wonder, Coleman says the attraction represents another example of Zamperla and Morgan's Wonderland working together to “continue to support one another and help drive the mission forward.”

Lorenzo says guest feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Summing up the attraction's appeal, she asks, “Who doesn't want to go up a tower almost 40 feet by flapping their arms and then have that immediate control of the ride?”

The ride features blue-sky-and-cloud theming, while each seat incorporates the butterfly design that has become a trademark of Morgan's Wonderland.



As riders ascend, they enjoy sweeping, rotating views of the park's east side. Height requirements are 48 inches for unaccompanied riders and 36 inches for riders accompanied by a supervising companion. WingZ of Wonder requires a footprint of just 44 feet in diameter.

The attraction also includes numerous safety features, including a locking seatbelt system with an additional strap that passes between the rider's legs.

WingZ of Wonder is a welcome addition to Morgan's Wonderland's lineup of accessible attractions. Beyond its rides, the park offers a catch-and-release fishing lake, live entertainment, gardens, and playgrounds. Adjacent to the theme park is Morgan's Inspiration Island water park, which opened nine years ago and shares the same commitment to inclusion and accessibility.