Freewheeling in San Antonio - visiting San Antonio, Texas, with observations on accessibility - Brief Article

Accent on Living, Summer, 2001 by Megan Kopp

There's dragons and goofy sea lions and tree houses and log rides and bubble-blowing -- whew! From the San Antonio Zoo to Seaworld, the Witte Museum and HEB Science Treehouse to Fiesta Texas and on to the Children's Museum, this swinging Texas town has a host of adventures for the young and young-at-heart. But just how accessible are these attractions.

In the heart of downtown lies the San Antonio Children's Museum, housed in a cavernous five and dime store building. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but wander through the doors and the whole city of San Antonio is played out in miniature. Designed to be interactive, it needs to be noted that there are a few areas in the Children's Museum that don't make the grade for freewheeling -- stairs into planes and airport towers, bubble-encasing fun that requires stepping into a ring, and no room for extra wheels in the kid-sized Holt front-end loader. That being said, accessible washrooms and an elevator to the second floor are provided.

To the north of downtown, Brackenridge Park houses the world- renowned San Antonio Zoo. The zoo is now the residence of over 3000 animals, including a pair of fast-growing, carnivorous Komodo Dragons. If dragons don't tickle your fancy, slither into the reptile exhibit and check out the Cottonmouth or shell out a quarter to feed birds in the Amazon River Forest or stop and visit the flamingos. Can you spot the differences between the Chilean and Lesser species? Hint: check out the legs!

Throughout the zoo's 50 acres of shade from oak, pecan and bald cypress trees make this trip a pleasant visit even on the warmest days. Note that redevelopment of the zoo is in progress according to a 20-year master plan. Areas of construction may limit mobility, but for the most part, the zoo is completely accessible.

Lying at the eastern edge of Brackenridge Park is the Witte Museum and HEB Science Treehouse. During the spring and summer season, visitors are all abuzz as they crowd around the plexiglass window of a working beehive.

The museum has accessible restrooms (including sinks), water fountains and vending machines. The main building and the Treehouse both have elevators and ramps. They are in the process of making the log cabins and exterior sidewalks in the yard accessible and less bumpy. Exhibits have large type wall labels. It always helps to contact Guest Services, or if it is a group, Guest Reservations to let them know about any particular needs. Although the Witte Museum doesn't currently have devices installed for the hearing impaired, with advance notice they can provide American Sign Language interpreters and copies of scripts for video and gallery theater performances.

On the western perimeter of the city, Seaworld of Texas is the world's largest marine life adventure park -- over 250 acres of fun in the San Antonio sun. Visitors ooh and aah during the Shamu Show, beat the heat at Shamu's Happy Harbor and Lost Lagoon and scream in delight and terror aboard the Steel Eel rollercoaster -- a hypercoaster guaranteed to bring about a feeling of weightlessness. In all there are more than 25 shows, rides, and animal attractions awaiting your arrival. For an additional cost, visitors can even go on a penguin encounter or dine with Shamu.

Seaworld is completely accessible. They provide a small pamphlet highlighting accessibility for guests with special needs which can be picked up at Guest Relations, the stroller/wheelchair rental booth, front gate booths or the First Aid station. Manual wheelchairs and mobility carts are available for rental. As with most theme parks, Seaworld staff are not trained nor permitted to lift wheelchair guests. Those visitors requiring assistance to board a ride must be in the company of a companion capable of performing this task.

Wheelchair entrances are clearly marked and these visitors will be allowed to ride without waiting in line. Assistive listening devices are available through Guest Relations for use at all shows and notebooks with scripts are also available. All stadiums have accessible seating areas.

Enroute to Hill Country heading north just off Highway 10, Six Flags Fiesta Texas boasts of the world's largest wooden roller coaster; it also claims to be one of the most accessible theme parks in the United States. Visitors can pick up a copy of the "Guests with Disabilities Guidebook" at the Hospitality Center in Los Festivals for detailed information on services for guests with disabilities and those who are hearing impaired. This guide is excellent, providing ride by ride descriptions, access, height restrictions, special requirements and cautions. Pick up a copy before freewheeling through the multitude of shows and screaming good fun to be had in Crackaxle Canyon, Spassburg, Rockville and Armadillo Beach.

Take your pick, from wildlife to wild rides, San Antonio's children's attractions offer something for everyone!

Car Rentals:

National offers accessible car rentals. Call 1-800-328-6323 for further information. Wheelchair Getaways offers accessible van rentals. Call 1-800-411-2292.