Accessibility

PAGE OVERVIEW
The Garden Theatre welcomes all of our patrons including those living with disabilities. This page provides general information about our current accessibility offerings. The first sections include contact information and operating hours, our physical address, the box office and the entrance to our building, information related to drop off locations for Access Lynx or other rideshare services, accessible parking, restrooms and concessions, as well as our policy regarding service animals. Later sections address specific accessibility offerings for patrons living with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive impairments.
CONTACT INFORMATION AND OPERATING HOURS
For general questions about accessibility at the Garden Theatre, please call the box office at 407-877-4736 extension 0 during operating hours. Operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and two hours preceding any scheduled performance. The box office can also be contacted via email at BoxOffice@gardentheatre.org.
If you need assistance purchasing tickets for an audio described performance or reserving an audio guide device, please contact Jean Boone at jean@gardentheatre.org or by calling 407-877-4736 ext. 208.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
160 W Plant Street
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
The historic Garden Theatre is located in downtown Winter Garden, Florida within walking distance of numerous restaurants, eateries, shops, and more.
RIDE SHARE, ACCESS LYNX DROPOFF LOCATION
If you will be using a rideshare service, the closest drop-off location is directly in front of the theatre at 160 Plant Street. For the driver’s information, the building is two-story, pale green, with an overhanging theatre marquee that usually includes the current or upcoming show.
Traffic can only move one direction down Plant Street and the theatre will be on the right. There are appropriate curb cuts for patrons using wheelchairs near a handicapped parking space just left of the theatre.
Before attending a performance where you will be using a ride share service, please inquire with the box office to be sure there are no special events that would prevent your driver from delivering you to the front entrance of the building. If there are, we will suggest alternative drop off locations depending on your specific disability and the extent of the street closures.
BOX OFFICE AND ENTRANCE
On the left front of the theatre building, two doors lead into the box office. The main entrance is located to the right of the box office, at the center of the building.
The entrance to the Garden Theatre is barrier free, with sloped floors entering the building from Plant Street.
ON-STREET PARKING
If you plan to park a car, there are a few handicapped parking spaces on Plant Street, several near the entrance to the theatre.
If the on-street spaces are taken, the next best option is in the parking garage located behind the theatre.
PARKING GARAGE AND WALKING DIRECTIONS TO THE THEATRE
Address: 160 South Boyd Street, Winter Garden, Florida 34787.
There are two entrances to the garage: one on South Boyd Street and one on South Lakeview Avenue. The handicapped parking spaces are located primarily on the north end of the garage, on the side of the building that faces Tremaine Street.
To reach the theatre from the parking garage, exit on the Tremaine side of the building and cross Tremaine Street. Directly across from the garage, near the center of the facing block, is a narrow courtyard, one block long, that leads to Plant Street and the theatre.
Take the courtyard north. When you reach Plant Street, turn left. The Garden Theatre is the third business on the left, past Axum Coffee, and Pilars Martini Bar.
NOTE: Tremaine Street is sometimes closed to vehicle traffic for special events, such as the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
LOBBY, RESTROOMS, CONCESSIONS AND ELEVATORS
Once you’re inside the building and are in the lobby, there is an accessible, single-stall, gender neutral restroom located to the right of the main entrance.
To the left of the main entrance is the theatre’s concession area.
Additional restrooms are located on the second floor of the building and can be accessed either by stairs or elevator. The stairs are found at the far-left end of the lobby, through a set of double doors, and lead up on the right.
The elevator can only be accessed from the courtyard found between Axum Coffee and Market to Table Restaurant. If you would like to use the elevator, please ask a theatre staff member or volunteer for assistance and directions. IMPORTANT You must exit the theatre and pass a considerable distance in order to reach the courtyard and the elevator.
SERVICE ANIMALS
If you are attending a performance with your service animal, please let the Box Office know in advance to ensure you are seated in an area that will be most comfortable for you and your animal. By law, the service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.”
Garden Theatre is unable to welcome Emotional Support Animals or other animals that do not meet the criteria set forth by the ADA. Only service animals are permitted inside the Garden building.
Please click here to review ADA law regarding service animals.

Vision
ACCESSIBLE PLAYBILLS
The Garden Theatre has sloped floors entering the building from Plant Street and in the theatre space itself, with lighted aisles. Large print playbills are available upon request.
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
In partnership with Central Florida’s Audio Description Initiative, audio description is available for select performances throughout the season allowing audience members who are blind or have low vision to enjoy live performing arts.
Using a headset connected to a receiver, patrons can listen throughout the performance as trained audio describers provide live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. Audio describers start pre-show notes approximately 15 minutes before the performance begins.
A limited number of audio description receivers are available per performance, and we recommend reserving one at the time of ticket purchase by contacting Jean Boone at jean@gardentheatre.org or by calling 407-877-4736 ext. 208 during business hours. Response time is usually less than one business day.
Hearing
ASSISTIVE LISTENING
Assisted listening devices are available upon arrival to the event. Please request a device from the theatre’s front of house manager.
ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES
In partnership with TOP Sign Language Interpreting LLC, Garden Theatre will present American Sign Language-interpreted performances throughout each season. Please refer to each show description on this website for the ASL-interpreted show date and time.
When looking at the stage, the interpreters will be located in front of the stage on the far right.
For more information and to procure the best seating to view the interpreters, please email Jean at jean@gardentheatre.org or call 407-877-4736 ext. 208.


Mobility
The Garden Theatre has sloped floors entering the building from Plant Street and in the theatre space itself, with lighted aisles. Removable seats and wheelchair designated spaces are available. These seats can be located on the seating map when selecting seats during the ticket purchase process. If you have difficulty locating accessible seats, please call or email the box office for assistance. Patrons with walkers will be escorted to their seats by an usher, with the usher securing the walker during the show. Ushers will also secure wheelchairs for those patrons who transfer into one of the theatre seats.
Cognitive
SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES
Sensory-friendly performances will be offered for select shows throughout the season.
Sensory friendly performances are for families that have members (both children and adults) with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and special needs.
Special modifications will be made for these performances, including reduced volume levels and modifications to lighting, haze, and other special effects.
Families are welcome to bring items (blankets, pillows, noise reducing headphones, snacks, etc.) to make their visit more comfortable.
