USA26 March, 20262 min read
DOJ Sues United Parks & Resorts Over SeaWorld Rollator Ban, Seeks Injunction, Damages, $118,225 Penalty
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DOJ filed civil rights lawsuit against United Parks & Resorts Inc. over wheeled walker ban. Lawsuit accuses the policy ban of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
New DOJ lawsuit and relief
The single most important new development is that the U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal civil lawsuit against United Parks & Resorts, the operator of SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, alleging that the parks’ rollator ban violates Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“The Department of Justice on Thursday sued the parent company of the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks, claiming that a ban on wheeled walkers with seats at its parks violates civil rights law by discriminating against people with disabilities.”
The suit, filed in the Middle District of Florida, seeks to stop the discriminatory policy, require changes to park rules, and secure damages for affected visitors, along with a civil penalty of about $118,225.
The complaint notes complaints from people with disabilities—including children and veterans—who were denied entry with wheeled walkers with seats, while other mobility aids remained allowed.
UPR defends the policy as a safety measure and says alternatives are offered at no cost, while the DOJ frames this as a pattern of discrimination that undermines equal access.
Policy details and impact
The complaint explains that the parks banned wheeled walkers with seats (rollators) and claimed safety concerns, while other mobility aids remained permitted. It also accuses the company of imposing unlawful surcharges by charging rental fees for some devices and refusing to make reasonable policy changes to avoid discrimination, even as alternatives were later offered at no cost. The policy change reportedly took effect in November 2025, with SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Discovery Cove Orlando, and Aquatica Orlando named in the suit.
The DOJ argues that the policy blocked children, veterans, and other guests with disabilities from full park access, despite ADA protections. The company defends the ban as safety-driven and says it provides no-cost alternatives to preserve accessibility.
Relief sought and procedure
The DOJ requests a court order to end disability discrimination, compel UPR to modify policies to comply with the ADA, and train staff on the law. It also seeks monetary damages for individuals harmed by the policy and a civil penalty (reported as over $118,000).
“The lawsuit seeks a court order to force UPR to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, to modify its policies to comply with the ADA, and to train its staff on the law. The lawsuit also seeks monetary damages to compensate aggrieved individuals subjected to UPR’s discrimination and demands UPR pay a civil penalty to vindicate the public’s interest in eliminating disability discrimination.”
The DOJ notes that safety requirements must be based on actual risk, not stereotypes about disability. The lawsuit was filed in Orlando federal court and seeks injunctive and monetary remedies across UPR’s parks.
Broader implications and context
The dispute highlights disability-rights enforcement as a live legal battleground for private entertainment venues in the United States. DOJ frames equal access as a core ADA guarantee, while SeaWorld’s parent company emphasizes safety and the provision of alternatives at no cost.
The case could influence other parks with mobility-aid policies and place UPR’s compliance under national scrutiny. The action is a federal civil case that may set a benchmark for balancing safety rationales with accessibility obligations in mass-audience attractions.
