400 Preemies and Families Fill Austin Theme Park for Halloween

Hundreds of children who spent their earliest days in hospital incubators gathered on Monday at Morgan’s Wonderland in Austin. The group, accompanied by their families, spent the afternoon on rides and in costume, marking a milestone in their lives away from clinical settings. The venue was chosen specifically because its attractions, from the ferris wheel to the WingZ of Wonder, are engineered to accommodate a wide range of mobility challenges and physical limitations.

The celebration is part of University Health’s annual Fall Fest, a tradition that connects the hospital’s three specialized care programs with the community. These programs include PREMIEre for premature infants, the NICU Graduate Program, and the Comprehensive Care Clinic. The latter two provide medical, developmental, and nutritional support to former preemies during their first two to five years of life.

Dr. Glen Medellin, a palliative pediatrician at University Health who has treated many of the attendees, observed the crowds from the sidelines. He noted that the event serves a dual purpose of entertainment and validation for the families involved. “It’s beautiful to see these children out here, not sick and with their families,” Medellin said. “It makes them feel normal.”

The park’s layout allowed the children to navigate the grounds without the usual physical barriers. Slides and carousels were accessible to those with developmental or mobility differences, enabling the group to participate in trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities alongside other park guests. The event concluded with families leaving the park after a full day of shared experiences.

University Health has held this event annually to maintain connections with patients after they leave the hospital. The program aims to track long-term health outcomes and ensure families feel supported during the critical early years of a child’s development. This year’s gathering drew participants from all three of the health center’s specialized clinics.