Florida’s Newest Theme Park Shares Details on Ride and Play Accessibility And How its Preparing to be the Ultimate Theme Park for all Preschoolers

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2021) — The World’s First Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a Certified Autism Center when the park debuts on February 24, 2022. The new park shared this commitment along with a reveal of its newly designed ride vehicle to media at the IAAPA Expo today.

A full Accessibility Guide is also in development for all the park’s oinktastic experiences, including its six rides, six themed playscapes and water play area.

NEW! PEPPA PIG THEME PARK ENHANCES RIDE AND PLAY ACCESSIBILITY

Whee! When Peppa Pig Theme Park opens this February, little piggies and their families will ride to the sky to enjoy brilliant views from Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride. The colorful baskets, which have been crafted to look like a hot air balloon, have been specially designed to allow children who use wheelchairs to roll on to the “balloon basket” without needing to transfer from their wheelchairs. Merlin Magic Making, Merlin Entertainments’ creative and project delivery team, along with the ride manufacturers at Technical Park worked closely to develop this adaptation to a fan-favorite ride to ensure more children could experience it safely with a seated grownup, or adult companion.

In addition to this very special ride, the playful park’s marque water play attraction, the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad has developed with kid-friendly accessibity in mind. The ground is specially graded for wheelchair use and several heights of water play elements are being choreographed to be enjoyed by users of all abilities. This includes a tunnel of water hoops that can be navigated in a wheelchair and additional interactive splash surprises at all height levels.

Back on dry land, explorers and “little piggies” will find themselves in fun adventures that are sized perfectly for all fans. Children in wheelchairs will be able to maneuver and explore the sensory-rich trail of Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour without leaving their own wheelchairs. The greenery-covered maze walls of George’s Fort have also been mapped out to all ADA guidelines and standards. Additionally, all the Fun Fair game counters have been constructed to be at accessible heights to be easily enjoyed by everyone.

NEW! PEPPA PIG THEME PARK TO OPEN AS A CERTIFIED AUTISM CENTER

Peppa Pig Theme Park is partnering with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to earn its accreditation as a Certified Autism Center (CAC) when it opens on February 24, 2022. IBCCES will work with the Park to conduct a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training. The training reviews the areas of sensory awareness, environment, communication, motor and social skills, program development, and emotional awareness and includes a comprehensive autism competency exam. The extended commitment will require the park to continue ongoing staff training past its grand opening to ensure that team members have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament and expertise to interact with all families and children with special needs, specifically on the autism spectrum.

In addition to staff training, IBCCES is conducting an in-depth review of the new park to develop a detailed Sensory Guide. This guide features a review of every attraction by providing insight on how a child with sensory processing issues may be affected by each of the five senses. This will create a comprehensive planning tool that will provide the information needed to make it easier for parents and families to plan activities that satisfy their child’s specific needs and accommodations.

Located just steps away from Peppa Pig Theme Park, LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort has also committed to earning this designation by the grand opening of Peppa Pig Theme Park on February 24. This Resort-wide certification will include LEGOLAND^® Theme Park, LEGOLAND^® Water Park, LEGOLAND^® Hotel, LEGOLAND^® Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND^® Beach Retreat.

In addition to staff training, IBCCES is conducting an in-depth review of the new park to develop Sensory Guides for each ride or attraction. These guides will rate the impact of the ride or attraction on each of the 5 senses to help visitors with sensory sensitivities prepare for their visit.