A wheelchair friendly park guide
As a 2021 Accessible Travel Award Winner, it seems DelGrosso’s is in need of its own article!
The small destination of Altoona, PA, ended up being one of our favorite wheelchair accessible trips last year, and DelGrosso’s was a big contributing factor.
Before going, the major appeal was a park built on deliciously authentic Italian food (you know food is the main reason we go anywhere). The food definitely did not disappoint, but it was the accessibility of the water park that completely blew us away.
DelGrosso’s Accessibility Program
The amusement park’s accessibility program is fairly standard.
There are handicap spaces available by the entrances of both parks. The main entrance is on the water park side, and that’s the easiest place for starting your day.
Once you park, head to Guest Services, which is just to left outside of the main entrance, before you go through the gates. Here they can measure you and help you determine which rides will be best for you. They’ll print you a “boarding pass,” both for your own easy reference and to show ride attendants your eligibility to ride. The person with the disability or accessibility need will be given a wristband that allows them to enter rides from the alternate access point (usually the ride exit). Up to three guests may accompany the wristband wearer.
All rides require the ability to transfer safely from the wheelchair to the ride.
Laguna Splash Accessibility
I love when the list of things we can’t do is miniscule compared to what we can. That’s how I felt at Laguna Splash.
After you enter the water park, head to the first aide station next to the restrooms (by the waterworks). Here you can trade in your wheels for a water park friendly wheelchair! This PVC pipe chair can safely carry you into almost all of the water park attractions.
Laguna Waterworks
The waterworks is a giant water play area in a shallow pool. With your Laguna Splash wheelchair, you can enter the pool via the ramp. The pool is shallow enough that someone accustomed to a manual chair will be able to navigate the play area independently. It’s an adult sized wheelchair, so it was a little uncomfortable for my five year old, but he was still able to get around on his own.
There is a climbing structure in the center of the play area that is not designed for wheelchair users, but the water pours from all sides of the structure – so it’s still a great area for the whole family to play together!
Bambini Cove
This wading pool is designed with younger guests in mind. It’s zero-depth entry makes it easy for wheelchair users to navigate with the aquatic chair. There are also pop jets and fountains that you can wheel through. We actually did the pop jets in our own chair, since we were getting everything wet, anyway!
Wave Oceano
This wave pool also has a zero-depth beach entry point. Your personal chair is not allowed in the water, but you can roll right in with the park’s aquatic chair.
River Lazio
This lazy river has a zero-depth beach entry point for easy access. You will need a second person to take the chair back out of the water once the rider has transferred to a tube. The water here is deep enough that it’s not possible to take even the pool-friendly chair for the whole ride.
Red and Green Towers
These are the only part of the water park that were a no-go. They’re giant water slides with lots of steps. There’s just no great way to make that accessible.
Cabanas
If you’re like us and carry a lot of medical essentials with you, or have things you need to keep cool, renting a cabana in the waterpark could be a good idea. The chairs around the pools fill up by mid-morning.
Dining
Second only to accessibility, this is what sets DelGrosso’s apart from any other park. The family recipe for old world pasta sauce came to the U.S. in 1911… and has been making happy tummies ever since! The park has all the usual amusement park staples like funnel cake, ice cream, hot dogs, and cotton candy… but you must save space in your stomach for all of the authentic Italian.
Of course all dining options are fully accessible, and there are plenty of wheelchair friendly picnic tables.
Wednesday nights are for Spaghetti Wednesdays. There’s a dedicated pavilion on the park side for your spaghetti dinner – or the featured menu item of the week (which are all incredible).
If you can’t make it on a Wednesday, don’t cry. Pasta Fresca is on the water park side, with made to order pasta dishes on any day of the week.
You should also try the cannoli chips, pizza, cheesesteaks… and anything else you can fit! Maybe don’t swim immediately after…
Restrooms
All restrooms have accessible stalls. You can find family restrooms across from Pasta Fresca, outside Grill Americano, behind the information booth, and in the Picnic Grove.
