The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit today, March 26, 2026, against United Parks & Resorts—the parent company of SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay—alleging that its ban on wheeled walkers with seats violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Core Conflict
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, centers on a policy implemented in November 2025 that prohibits rollators (wheeled walkers with built-in seats).
| Position | Key Arguments |
| Department of Justice | Argues the ADA requires parks to permit manually powered mobility aids. Claims the ban discriminates against veterans, children, and seniors who rely on these specific devices for stability and rest. |
| United Parks & Resorts | Contends the policy was created for “guest safety” due to repeated incidents of misuse—specifically, guests being pushed by others while sitting on the rollators, which is not their intended design. |
Key Allegations in the Lawsuit
- Barred Entry: The DOJ cited specific cases where visitors, including two veterans and an 8-year-old girl with a custom walker, were stopped at security and denied entry with their own equipment.
- Illegal Surcharges: The complaint alleges that by forcing guests to leave their personal walkers behind and rent park-approved wheelchairs or electric scooters, the company imposed “impermissible surcharges” on people with disabilities.
- Inadequate Alternatives: While the parks claim to offer seatless walkers or wheelchairs at no cost as a substitute, the DOJ argues these do not provide “equal access,” especially when a guest’s specific medical needs require the seating function of a rollator.
What the DOJ is Seeking
The federal government is asking the court to:
- Halt the ban and force a policy overhaul.
- Mandate ADA training for all park staff.
- Award monetary damages to guests who were turned away or forced to pay for rentals since November.
- Impose civil penalties against United Parks & Resorts.
This legal action follows a months-long investigation that began shortly after the ban was first announced last year
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Fine waste of taxpayer money.