Gilroy Gardens Accessibility Guide: Wheelchair, DAS, and What to Know
Overview of Accessibility at Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens takes accessibility seriously for a regional park of its size. The park has made all pathways, buildings, and ride loading areas wheelchair accessible. Its disability accommodation program, the Boarding Pass Program, functions similarly to Disability Access Service (DAS) programs at larger parks and provides meaningful queue relief for guests who cannot tolerate prolonged standing in standard lines.
The park does not use a third-party digital accommodation system. Everything is managed in-person at the park, which means you need to arrive with time to set up your access at Guest Services before hitting rides.
The Boarding Pass Program
The Boarding Pass Program is Gilroy Gardens' accommodation for guests with mobility restrictions or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as other conditions that make standing in conventional queues difficult or harmful.
How it works:
- Request a Boarding Pass at Guest Services (Welcome Center, just inside the front gate) when you arrive
- The pass allows the cardholder and their party to access rides through the exit/alternate entrance rather than the standard queue
- At each ride, a team member stamps or writes a return time on the Boarding Pass equal to the current standby wait
- Return at that time and board through the alternate entrance
What this means in practice: Instead of waiting 30 minutes in a line, you have 30 minutes to go do something else, visit a garden, sit in the shade, eat, then return and board without standing.
Who qualifies: The program is designed for guests with mobility restrictions or ASD, but the park evaluates need at Guest Services. Bring any documentation that supports your request, though the park's published policy does not require official medical documentation.
Cost: The Boarding Pass Program is offered at no additional cost beyond park admission.
Wheelchair and ECV Rentals
Rentals are available at Garden Essentials, located just inside the front gate.
- Single stroller: $17
- Double stroller: $22
- Standard wheelchair: $25
- Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV): $55
Wheelchairs and ECVs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak summer weekends, ECVs can sell out early in the day. The park strongly recommends reserving in advance through the Snacks & Souvenirs section of the park's website. If you're bringing your own mobility device, you can use it throughout the park without restriction.
Pathway Accessibility
All park pathways are paved and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The park is hilly in places, there are elevation changes between sections, but accessible routes exist throughout. The main challenge is the terrain at the outer edges of the park near the Bonfante Railroad route and some garden sections. If mobility limitations make slopes difficult, ask Guest Services at arrival for the most accessible route to the areas you want to visit.
Ride Accessibility
Accessibility varies by ride. Most rides have an accessible loading option, but some have specific restrictions based on physical requirements (must be able to hold an upright seated position, transfer from wheelchair, etc.).
The official Guest Assistance Guide, available at Guest Services or downloadable at gilroygardens.org, details every ride's physical requirements, including:
- Whether you must transfer from a mobility device
- Minimum physical requirements (grip strength, torso support, leg positioning)
- Whether the Boarding Pass can be used at that specific ride
Download or request the Guide before your visit. It will save significant time and prevent surprises at individual rides.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome throughout Gilroy Gardens. Under the park's policy, a service animal is defined as a dog or miniature horse individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. The animal must be under control at all times. Emotional support animals are not covered under the same policy, so check with Guest Services for current guidance.
Sensory Considerations
Gilroy Gardens has some advantages over larger parks for guests with sensory sensitivities:
- The park is quieter overall than major theme parks. There are no large-scale light-and-sound parade experiences during regular park hours.
- Most queues are outdoors with open airflow rather than enclosed indoor queues.
- The botanical garden sections offer genuinely quiet, low-stimulation spaces, the Claudia's Garden area and Camellia Garden are particularly calm.
- The Monarch Butterfly Greenhouse (accessed via Sky Trail Monorail) is a calm, temperature-controlled environment.
During seasonal events (Great Big BOO, North Pole Nights, Carnival Nights), sensory load increases significantly due to music, performances, and crowds. If sensory sensitivities are a concern, weekday visits during regular season will be calmer than event dates.
Parking Accessibility
Handicap-accessible parking spaces are available in the main lot adjacent to the front gate. Standard accessible parking rules apply.
How to Prepare
- Call ahead if you have specific questions: Guest Services at 408-840-7100
- Arrive early to set up the Boarding Pass before the Guest Services line builds
- Pre-book wheelchair or ECV rentals online if you need them
- Download the Guest Assistance Guide from the park website before your visit
- Review which rides have transfer requirements if traveling in a wheelchair
For standard line-skip options at the park, the skip-the-line guide covers Fast Lane and free strategies.
Thoosie