San Antonio Theme Parks

The purple and yellow Steel Eel roller coaster rising over palm trees at SeaWorld San Antonio in late-afternoon light
Steel Eel at SeaWorld San Antonio, after its purple repaint, in December 2022.

The San Antonio theme parks are three very different places. Six Flags Fiesta Texas, built into a former limestone quarry on the northwest side, is the thrill park, with big coasters and a water park. SeaWorld San Antonio, on the west side, mixes marine animals and shows with a strong coaster lineup and has its own water park, Aquatica, next door. Morgan’s Wonderland, in the northeast, was designed for people of all abilities, and guests with disabilities get in free. All three are a 20- to 30-minute drive from downtown, all charge extra for parking, and all are far cheaper online than at the advertised gate price. Schlitterbahn, up I-35 in New Braunfels, is the region’s big water park.

This guide is for visitors deciding which park fits their group and what a day will really cost. It compares the parks on age fit, ride profile, accessibility, water-park season, total cost and drive time. The caveat is heat and calendars: from June to August the average high is 92 to 96°F, and outside summer every park opens on select dates only, so check the calendar before you book. Prices, dates and policies were checked September 23, 2026 against the parks’ own sites and the other sources listed at the end.

Six Flags Fiesta TexasSeaWorld San AntonioMorgan’s Wonderland
Best forTeens and thrill seekersFamilies with mixed ages, animal loversFamilies of all abilities, younger kids
Ride profileBig, intense coasters plus kids’ ridesFour major coasters, family rides, shows and animal exhibitsGentle, fully inclusive rides and play areas
Tickets$45 online-only plus fees; “from $90” otherwise$53.99 online, listed against $102.99Adults $28 or $38; free for guests with disabilities and children 2 and under
ParkingFrom $39 online$36 plus taxCheck on arrival
Water parkHurricane Harbor San Antonio, extra fee from about $7Aquatica, separate ticket from $41.99Morgan’s Inspiration Island, May to mid-September
From the Alamo16.4 miles, about 27 minutes18.4 miles, about 30 minutes11.8 miles, about 19 minutes
AccessibilityAttraction Access Program with the IBCCES cardRide Accessibility Program; wheelchair and scooter rentalDesigned for every ability; waterproof wheelchairs free
Time neededA full dayA full dayHalf a day
Book ahead?Yes, online, for the lower priceYes, online, for the lower priceNo reservations; it can reach capacity

Drive times are free-flow OpenStreetMap routing from Alamo Plaza; add traffic.

Which San Antonio theme park is right for you?

  • Teenagers who want the biggest rides: Six Flags Fiesta Texas, without question.
  • A family with kids from 3 to 12: SeaWorld, where the animals fill the gaps between rides and the kids’ areas have low height limits.
  • A group that includes someone with a disability: Morgan’s Wonderland, which was built for exactly that, then SeaWorld or Fiesta Texas using their accessibility programs.
  • Toddlers: Morgan’s Wonderland or SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Bay of Play and Rescue Jr. areas, in the morning, with a nap after.
  • Adults without kids: Fiesta Texas for coasters, SeaWorld for coasters plus animals. If rides aren’t the point of your trip, the city itself is the better use of a day.
  • A hot summer day: a water park, whether Aquatica, Hurricane Harbor, Morgan’s Inspiration Island or Schlitterbahn, beats walking a dry park at 3 p.m.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

The blue track and red loop of the Superman Krypton Coaster against the limestone quarry walls at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Superman Krypton Coaster inside the old quarry at Fiesta Texas, photographed in 2008.

Fiesta Texas is San Antonio’s thrill park, set in a former limestone quarry at I-10 and Loop 1604, 17000 IH-10 West, about 16 miles from downtown. The quarry walls make it one of the most dramatic park settings in the country. The coaster lineup is the draw. Iron Rattler drops 171 feet at an 81-degree angle on steel track laid over a wooden-style structure. Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster was billed as the world’s first single-rail coaster. Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger plunges riders down a 95-degree, beyond-vertical drop at 60 mph. Superman Krypton Coaster loops through the quarry. Height limits are posted on each ride page and in the park map, so check them before you promise a nervous 9-year-old anything.

The red and gray track of the Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster curving through a station area at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster, one of Fiesta Texas’s smaller coasters, in May 2024.

For younger riders, the park has a separate set of kids’ rides and smaller family coasters, though its heart is the big stuff. Hurricane Harbor San Antonio, the water park inside Fiesta Texas that used to be called White Water Bay, costs an extra fee from about $7; its 2026 season dates weren’t posted when we checked.

Plan it: one-day tickets are advertised “starting at $90,” but online-only tickets start at $45 plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax; parking bought online costs from $39 for general, $49 for preferred and $55 for valet, plus fees. Fall events include Fright Fest on select nights from September 11 to November 1, 2026, Oktoberfest on select dates from September 5 to October 31, and Tricks and Treats on weekends from September 12 to November 1. Holiday in the Park runs on select dates from November 21 to December 23, with a New Year’s event from December 26 to 31.

Accessibility: guests who need ride accommodations register for the free IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card at accessibilitycard.org, which lasts a year, and then visit Guest Services to join the park’s Attraction Access Program. Six Flags is an IBCCES Certified Autism Center.

SeaWorld San Antonio

Sea lions lounging on sunlit rocks beside bright blue water at SeaWorld San Antonio
Sea lions at SeaWorld San Antonio, photographed in 2007.

SeaWorld San Antonio, at 10500 SeaWorld Drive off Highway 151, is the park most families will enjoy most evenly. It combines marine animal exhibits and shows with a coaster lineup that’s stronger than many visitors expect. Texas Stingray is the tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster in Texas, with a 46-inch minimum. The Great White is a floorless coaster with loops and corkscrews at nearly 50 mph, for riders 54 inches and up. Steel Eel is a hypercoaster with a 15-story drop, for riders from 48 to 77 inches. Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster launches jet-ski-style cars out over the lake, from 48 inches. Journey to Atlantis is a water coaster, and SeaWorld lists Barracuda Strike as its newest ride.

For little ones, Sesame Street Bay of Play and the Rescue Jr. area have rides with low minimums: Ocean Quest Express takes riders from 30 inches, Seabird Swing from 36 and the Beach Rescue Racer family coaster from 38, with smaller children riding beside a companion at least 14 years old.

Plan it: single-day tickets cost $53.99 online, listed against $102.99, or $93.99 with all-day dining; parking is $36 plus tax for general, $45 for Up-Close and $55 for Covered VIP. In fall the park opens on select dates from September 11 to November 1, 2026, with Howl-O-Scream on select Friday to Sunday nights from 7 p.m., included with admission and aimed at mature audiences. The Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

Accessibility: SeaWorld runs a Ride Accessibility Program, rents wheelchairs and electric scooters for a fee (reservable online), has companion restrooms and welcomes service animals. It’s a Certified Autism Center.

Aquatica

Colorful water slide towers and a shallow lagoon with swimmers and shade cabanas at Aquatica San Antonio
Aquatica San Antonio, SeaWorld’s water park next door, in 2012.

Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, sits next door and needs its own ticket, from $41.99 online for a single day. It opens on select days from March through October, and its parking costs the same as SeaWorld’s. On a July afternoon, it’s the smarter of the two.

Morgan’s Wonderland

Morgan’s Wonderland bills itself as the world’s first theme park designed for people of all ages and all abilities. Every guest can use its rides, playgrounds and paths, and it’s a welcoming, low-stress park for any family with younger children. Guests with disabilities or special needs and children 2 and under get in free, with no proof asked. Other adults pay $38 for both parks or $28 for the theme park only.

A smiling boy in a waterproof wheelchair pushed through a splash of water by a staff member at Morgan's Inspiration Island
A guest in a waterproof wheelchair at Morgan’s Inspiration Island in 2018.

The theme park is open from March to November, on weekends only in September. Its water park, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, opens from May to mid-September, lends waterproof wheelchairs free and has a heated splash pad. It’s in the northeast, about 12 miles and 19 minutes from the Alamo.

Plan it: there are no reservations, it’s first come, first served, and it can reach capacity at peak times, so arrive at opening on summer weekends. Allow half a day, and pair it with a pool afternoon.

How should you plan a day at each park?

The same rhythm works at every park: headline rides at opening, water or animals in the middle of the day, and the rides again as it cools. Here’s how it plays out at each.

TimeSix Flags Fiesta TexasSeaWorld San AntonioMorgan’s Wonderland
OpeningStraight to the headline coasters, Iron Rattler, Wonder Woman Golden Lasso and Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, before the lines buildTexas Stingray, Steel Eel and The Great White while it’s coolArrive at opening and start in the theme park
Late morningA second round of coasters; kids’ rides for the younger onesWave Breaker and Journey to Atlantis; Rescue Jr. for small childrenMorgan’s Inspiration Island, from May to mid-September
1 to 4 p.m.Hurricane Harbor with the add-on, or a long lunchAnimal exhibits and shows, or Aquatica with its own ticketLunch and home for a nap
EveningBack on the coasters as it cools; seasonal events on fall and holiday datesEvening rides and shows; Howl-O-Scream on fall weekends, for older kids and adultsDone; it’s a half-day park

Separate guides will go deeper on a one-day SeaWorld plan and on Fiesta Texas rides for kids. The one rule that applies everywhere: the first hour after opening is worth more than any three hours in the afternoon.

With toddlers

SeaWorld is the better of the two big parks for the very young. In Rescue Jr., Ocean Quest Express takes riders from 30 inches, Seabird Swing from 36 inches and the Beach Rescue Racer family coaster from 38 inches, with children under 48 inches riding beside a companion at least 14 years old. Sesame Street Bay of Play adds a gentle drop ride and a Ferris wheel. Morgan’s Wonderland is gentler still, and children 2 and under get in free. Fiesta Texas has kids’ rides, but most of what makes it special is built for bigger riders. With a toddler, plan one park morning, a nap and a pool, not a full day.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas or SeaWorld?

This is the question most families actually ask. A separate guide will compare the two in detail; here’s the short version.

Six Flags Fiesta TexasSeaWorld San Antonio
Thrill levelHigher: record-setting coasters and big dropsStrong but friendlier, with four major coasters
Beyond ridesA dramatic quarry setting and seasonal eventsMarine animals, shows and exhibits
Little kidsKids’ rides, but thinner for toddlersTwo kids’ areas with low height limits
Water parkHurricane Harbor, a cheap add-onAquatica, a separate park and ticket
Online ticketFrom $45 plus fees$53.99
ParkingFrom $39$36 plus tax
From the AlamoAbout 27 minutesAbout 30 minutes

Our verdict: with teenagers or a group of adults who love coasters, Fiesta Texas. With children under 10, or anyone who’d rather watch dolphins than drop 171 feet, SeaWorld. If you can only do one and your family is split, SeaWorld keeps more people happy for longer.

Which San Antonio water park should you choose?

Water parkWhereCostSeasonBest for
Hurricane Harbor San AntonioInside Six Flags Fiesta TexasAn add-on from about $7 with a Fiesta Texas ticketSummer; 2026 dates weren’t postedCooling off during a Fiesta Texas day
AquaticaNext to SeaWorldFrom $41.99 online; SeaWorld parking pricesSelect days, March through OctoberA dedicated water-park day with mixed ages
Morgan’s Inspiration IslandAt Morgan’s WonderlandIncluded in the $38 two-park adult ticket; free for guests with disabilitiesMay to mid-SeptemberGuests with disabilities and younger kids
SchlitterbahnNew Braunfels, off I-35Check the park’s siteSummer, with spring and late-summer bonus daysA full water-park day, teens and adults
Hemisfair splash padsDowntownFree9 a.m. to 9 p.m., March to OctoberSmall children, a free hour

A separate guide will compare the water parks in detail. The short version: Aquatica is the best standalone water park inside the city, Hurricane Harbor is the value add-on if you’re at Fiesta Texas anyway, and Schlitterbahn is the big day out.

Is Schlitterbahn worth the drive from San Antonio?

A children's splash pool with slides and a pirate-ship play structure under blue umbrellas at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
A kids’ pool at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, photographed in 2010.

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is a waterpark and resort in New Braunfels, a Comal County town between San Antonio and Austin off I-35, and it now operates under Six Flags. It’s the region’s best-known water park and a full day on its own. For 2026 it listed Surf & Blast Days on May 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 and August 10 to 14, in addition to its regular summer season. If your group loves water parks, it’s worth the drive; if you only want an afternoon in the water, Aquatica or Hurricane Harbor is closer. Check the park’s own schedule, since dates and hours change year to year. A separate guide will cover Schlitterbahn from San Antonio.

What does a theme-park day really cost?

Ticket prices get the attention, but parking, fees and food decide the total. Here’s what a family of four pays before food and drinks, using online prices checked September 23, 2026:

ParkFour ticketsParkingBefore food
Six Flags Fiesta Texas$180 at the $45 online-only price, plus processing fees and taxFrom $39, plus feesAbout $220, plus fees and tax
SeaWorld San Antonio$215.96 at $53.99 online, plus tax$36 plus taxAbout $252, plus tax
Aquatica$167.96 at $41.99 onlineSame as SeaWorldAbout $204, plus tax
Morgan’s WonderlandTwo adults at $38 for both parks; a child 2 or under or a guest with a disability freeCheck on arrivalAbout $76 for two adults, plus parking

How can you spend less?

  • Buy online, early. SeaWorld listed its $53.99 online ticket against $102.99, and Fiesta Texas’s online-only tickets start at $45 against an advertised “starting at $90.”
  • Buy parking online too at Fiesta Texas, where the online prices are the ones quoted here.
  • Use the add-ons wisely. Hurricane Harbor is a cheap upgrade on a Fiesta Texas day; Aquatica is a whole second ticket.
  • Consider Morgan’s Wonderland for younger kids: two adults pay $76 for both parks, and children 2 and under go free.
  • Mix in free days. The Hemisfair splash pads, the River Walk and the missions cost nothing, and they make a park day feel like a treat rather than the whole trip.

SeaWorld’s $93.99 all-day dining ticket is worth pricing against food for a hungry family; park food isn’t cheap anywhere. If you’ll visit the same park more than twice in a year, compare the season passes on each park’s own site before you buy single days. And whichever park you choose, buy online: the gap between the online and advertised prices is often large.

When should you go?

  • Summer (June to August): every park is open, and so are the water parks, but average highs run 92 to 96°F, with about 18 days a year at 100°F or more. Arrive at opening, ride the big coasters first, take a break from 1 to 4 p.m., and come back for the evening.
  • Spring (March to May): the most comfortable weather, with Aquatica opening on select days from March, Morgan’s Wonderland open, and fewer crowds on weekdays. May is the wettest month.
  • Fall (September to November): Fright Fest, Oktoberfest and Tricks and Treats at Fiesta Texas, Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld, and cooler afternoons by October. Parks open on select dates, so check the calendar.
  • Winter (late November to early January): Holiday in the Park at Fiesta Texas and the Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld, on select dates. Water parks are closed.

Outdoor rides can pause for lightning and storms, and September and October are among San Antonio’s wetter months, so keep an indoor backup like Natural Bridge Caverns or a museum in mind.

Seasonal events at the parks

EventPark2026 datesGood for
OktoberfestSix Flags Fiesta TexasSelect dates, September 5 to October 31Adults
Fright FestSix Flags Fiesta TexasSelect nights, September 11 to November 1Teens and adults
Tricks and TreatsSix Flags Fiesta TexasWeekends, September 12 to November 1Younger kids
Howl-O-ScreamSeaWorld San AntonioSelect Friday to Sunday nights through November 1, from 7 p.m., included with admissionMature audiences
Christmas CelebrationSeaWorld San AntonioSelect dates, November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027Families
Holiday in the ParkSix Flags Fiesta TexasSelect dates, November 21 to December 23, plus a New Year’s event December 26 to 31Families

How accessible are the parks?

ParkProgramWhat to do before you go
Six Flags Fiesta TexasAttraction Access Program; Certified Autism CenterRegister for the free IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card at accessibilitycard.org, then visit Guest Services
SeaWorld San AntonioRide Accessibility Program; Certified Autism CenterRead the park’s accessibility guide and reserve a wheelchair or scooter online if you need one
Morgan’s WonderlandDesigned for all abilitiesNothing; guests with disabilities get in free, and the water park lends waterproof wheelchairs
SchlitterbahnCheck the park’s siteContact the park before your visit

How do you beat the heat at a theme park?

San Antonio averages about 122 days a year at 90°F or higher and about 18 at 100°F or more, most of them in July and August. Theme parks are asphalt, steel and queues, so the heat hits harder than the forecast suggests. Arrive at opening, ride the headline attractions first, and plan a real break from 1 to 4 p.m., whether that’s a water park, a show, a long lunch indoors or a trip back to the hotel pool. Refill water constantly, wear a hat, reapply sunscreen after water rides, and watch small children for signs of overheating. If a summer afternoon storm rolls in, expect outdoor rides to pause until it passes.

Parking compared

ParkParking options
Six Flags Fiesta TexasOnline: general from $39, preferred from $49, valet from $55, plus fees
SeaWorld San AntonioGeneral $36 plus tax, Up-Close $45, Covered VIP $55
AquaticaSame prices as SeaWorld
Morgan’s WonderlandCheck the park’s site before you go
Schlitterbahn New BraunfelsCheck the park’s site before you go

What if you’d rather skip the theme parks?

A theme-park day isn’t the only way to thrill kids or survive a hot afternoon. These alternatives cost less, take less time and, in several cases, come with air conditioning:

AlternativeWhereCostWhy choose it
LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE San AntonioDowntown, in the Shops at RivercenterAges 2 and up ticketed; discounted online Monday to Thursday if bought a day aheadIndoors, walkable from the River Walk, ideal for ages 2 to 10
Natural Bridge CavernsAbout 37 minutes north by carTours from about $25, priced by date; parking $10About 70°F underground all year; a one-hour tour reaches 180 feet down
Natural Bridge Wildlife RanchNorth of the city off I-35Check the ranch’s siteA drive-through safari of more than 6 miles with over 40 species, in your own air-conditioned car
The DoSeum6 to 8 minutes north of downtown by car$18 per person age 1 and up; closed TuesdaysA children’s museum built for ages 1 to 10
Tower of the AmericasHemisfair, downtownAdults $19.50, ages 4 to 12 $15A 4D ride and a view over the city
Hemisfair splash padsDowntownFreeOpen 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from March to October

How do you get there, and where should you stay?

You need a car for the theme parks. From Alamo Plaza, Morgan’s Wonderland is about 19 minutes, Fiesta Texas about 27 and SeaWorld about 30 without traffic; all three charge for parking except where noted. Rideshares work but add up fast for a family, round trip.

For one park day, stay downtown and drive out; you keep the River Walk and the Alamo for evenings. For two or more park days, stay near the parks. Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa is close to Fiesta Texas, and the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is on the west side near SeaWorld. Our guide on where to stay in San Antonio compares the theme-park bases with downtown, including a resort with its own water park.

Who should skip the theme parks?

Plenty of visitors. If you’re in San Antonio for two or three days without children, a theme park costs you a whole day that the Alamo, the missions, the River Walk and the Pearl could fill, for a fraction of the money. The same goes for families with toddlers in August, when a morning at Morgan’s Wonderland or a splash pad does more good than a full day in the sun. The parks are worth it when rides are the point: for teenagers, for coaster fans, and for families with kids old enough to enjoy them. Our shortlist of things to do in San Antonio shows what else a day can hold.

How do you have a better theme-park day?

  • Buy tickets and parking online, days ahead, for the lower prices.
  • Arrive before opening and ride the headline coasters first, while lines are short and it’s cool.
  • Check heights at home. Measure your kids and compare them with each ride’s posted minimum, so nobody’s surprised at the gate.
  • Take a midday break in summer: a show, a restaurant with air conditioning, or the hotel pool.
  • Carry sunscreen and hats, and plan water stops. Check each park’s bag and cooler policy before you pack.
  • Don’t stack parks. Two full park days back to back in August are harder than they sound. Put a museum, a cave or a pool day between them.

If you’re fitting a park into a longer visit, our San Antonio itineraries show where a theme-park day works best, and our guide to San Antonio with kids covers the rest of the city by age.

San Antonio theme parks FAQ

Are San Antonio’s theme parks open year-round?

Not every day. Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld open daily in summer and on select dates in spring, fall and the holiday season, with events like Fright Fest, Howl-O-Scream and holiday celebrations. Morgan’s Wonderland runs March to November, weekends only in September. Water parks are seasonal. Always check the park calendar before you book.

How far are the theme parks from downtown San Antonio?

Morgan’s Wonderland is about 12 miles from the Alamo, roughly 19 minutes by car; Six Flags Fiesta Texas is about 16 miles, roughly 27 minutes; and SeaWorld is about 18 miles, roughly 30 minutes, all without traffic. Schlitterbahn is farther, in New Braunfels off I-35. Plan on driving; rush-hour traffic adds time.

Can you do two theme parks in one day?

Not well. Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld each deserve a full day, and they sit in different parts of the city, one northwest and one west. Morgan’s Wonderland is a half day, so it can pair with an afternoon at a pool or a museum. SeaWorld and Aquatica are next door, but they need separate tickets and a lot of energy.

Which San Antonio park has the scariest rides?

Six Flags Fiesta Texas, by a wide margin. Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger drops riders down a 95-degree, beyond-vertical slope at 60 mph, and Iron Rattler plunges 171 feet at 81 degrees. SeaWorld’s Great White and Steel Eel are intense too, but its lineup is built to be shared with younger riders. Morgan’s Wonderland has no thrill rides at all.

Are water parks included with admission?

It depends. Hurricane Harbor San Antonio is an add-on to a Fiesta Texas ticket, from about $7. Aquatica needs its own ticket, from $41.99 online. Morgan’s Wonderland sells a $38 adult ticket covering both the theme park and Morgan’s Inspiration Island, and guests with disabilities get in free. Schlitterbahn is a separate park in New Braunfels.

Is Morgan’s Wonderland only for people with disabilities?

No. It was built so that people of all abilities can play side by side, and everyone is welcome. Guests with disabilities or special needs, and children 2 and under, get in free with no proof asked; other adults pay $28 or $38. It’s also one of the gentlest park days for families with small children.

Do you need to buy theme-park tickets in advance?

For Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld, yes, if you want the best price: online tickets are far cheaper than the advertised gate prices, and parking is cheaper online too. Morgan’s Wonderland takes no reservations and works on a first-come basis, so arrive early on busy days instead.

Related San Antonio Guides

Sources and How We Checked

This guide was checked on September 23, 2026 and is compiled from the parks and agencies listed below, not from other travel lists; it describes the parks from those sources and claims no first-hand visits.

San Antonio Tourism Guide is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with Visit San Antonio, the City of San Antonio, the Alamo or any attraction listed here, and no one paid to be included.

Photo Credits