DOJ Sues SeaWorld Over Wheeled Walker Ban

0:00The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit against United Parks and Resorts, the parent company of SeaWorld Orlando and Bush Gardens, Tampa Bay. The suit claims the company's ban on wild walkers and role-lators with seats violates Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This policy affects multiple theme parks and water parks they operate across Florida and the U.S. It all started back in November 2025 when FOX-35 first reported on the policy shift at SeaWorld Orlando and other parks. SeaWorld said the change was for safety reasons, pointing to incidents where guests used the seated walkers like wheelchairs, which manufacturers say, is not allowed. Guests with disabilities felt the hit hard. One regular visitor named Nancy was led in one day with her seated walker, then turned away the next. Without their own devices, many faced renting wheelchairs or electric scooters for $40 to $100 a day, sparking complaints that led to the federal probe just weeks later. SeaWorld has since updated its approach. They now

1:04store banned walkers securely and offer free wheelchairs or seatless role-lators with breaks and baskets to those affected. Walkers without seats plus personal wheelchairs and scooters remain okay. The lawsuit pushes for a court order to end the discrimination, revise policies, train staff on the ADA, pay damages to those harmed and cover civil penalties. As this plays out of federal court, accessibility at these parks stays in the spotlight. Stay informed with Dallas News Today, AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with The Story.