Millionaire who built $51 million theme park for his disabled daughter

Many dads could modestly claim to be the world's greatest father, but how many have splashed out $51 million to make their child happy?

Gordon Hartman, from Texas, doled out the eye watering amount to build a theme park for his daughter, who has the cognitive understanding of a five year old.

The millionaire dad was inspired to embark on the endeavour after noticing that his daughter, Morgan, struggled to fit in with other children on a family holiday.

When Morgan got into the pool with other kids, Hartman saw quickly leave the pool as they weren't sure how to interact with a disabled person.

BBC

When Hartman tried searching for an inclusive place to take his daughter for holidays, he realised that one didn't exist.

So he decided to make one for her.

The former property developer set about creating a theme park in 2007.

Hartman told the BBC: "We wanted a theme park where everyone could do everything, where people with and without special needs could play."

Bringing together a team of doctors, therapists and families to help advise on the facilities, the theme park began construction on a 25 acre site in San Antonio, Texas.

Morgan's Wonderland opened in 2010 to the tune of $34 million (£26 million) and includes a fully accessible Ferris wheel, adventure playground and miniature train.

The park also includes a carousel specially designed for wheelchair users, allowing them to go up and down alongside the animals.

BBC

It took Morgan three years to work up the courage to go on the carousel however.

Her dad told the BBC: "When we opened she was too scared to go on it. She didn't understand why it was going around and the animals were going up and down.

"First she would stand near it, then she'd get on an animal but we wouldn't start it. It was a slow process but now she loves going on it. Overcoming something she was scared of meant a lot to her. Little things achieved in play can make a big difference."

Since it was opened, Morgan's Wonderland has received over a million visitors from 67 countries and from all 50 US states.

A third of the park's staff have a disability and access is free to all guests with a condition.

Back in 2017, a water park was added onto the park, costing an additional $17 million (£13 million).

Speaking of the expansion, Hartman said: "Fewer people were visiting in July because the wheelchairs got too hot. So we decided to create a water park next door.

"It helps people realise that though we are different in some ways, actually we are all the same," he says.

"I saw one girl in a wheelchair go up to another girl without special needs, and they began playing together. That was really cool."