Innovation in Motion
Innovation in Motion
BALTIMORE – June 10, 2025 — At SimEx-Iwerks, we don’t just create great attractions—we create possibilities. That spirit of innovation came to life when our team was approached by Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first theme park designed with accessibility at its core. Their request? A fully immersive 4D experience where every guest, regardless of ability, could feel the same thrill, motion, and magic of the show.
Thanks to the creative leadership of our Senior Vice President Mike Frueh and engineering expertise of Vice President Alex Gil, who collaborated closely with the Morgan’s Wonderland team, we developed their Ultra-Accessible® 4D Magic Cinema featuring a first-of-its-kind wheelchair motion platform.
"We were searching for a vendor who could design a theater that would accommodate users in wheelchairs without them having to transfer out of their wheelchair, shares Richard Pretlow, President, Morgan’s Wonderland. “With very little hesitation, SI accepted the challenge. They took our mission of Ultra Accessible and user-friendly attractions seriously."
The design of the motion platform considered everything from safety, experience, and reliability while delivering three degrees of motion freedom and synchronized special effects to guests. “We approached this platform with the mindset that accessibility should never come at the expense of thrill, said Alex Gil, Vice President, Technology & Operations. “Every element was engineered to ensure guests using wheelchairs have the same experience as every other rider.”
We are excited to share that our wheelchair motion base is available as an option for new SimEx-Iwerks theaters and as a component for any theater project—an important milestone in making immersive entertainment more inclusive than ever.
Our goal is to provide more inclusive options for our cinematic attractions. Currently, we can create shows in any of our venues with adjusted volume, 2D viewing, and reduced effects to meet individual sensory needs.
“The Morgan’s Wonderland project is one we’re truly proud to have been part of,” said Mike Frueh, Senior Vice President. “It’s a thoughtful example of how collaboration can lead to meaningful progress, and we’re glad to contribute something that may benefit other venues looking to expand accessibility.”