New American Heartland Theme Park in Oklahoma

CaptainMickey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster

$2 Billion American Heartland Theme Park designed by former Disney Imagineers to be built on Route 66 in Oklahoma

Aerial view of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort in Oklahoma


A new Americana-themed amusement park and resort complex — with amenities comparable to Disney World — is coming to Oklahoma.

The $2 billion theme park destination, American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, is proposed to be a 1,000-acre resort destination that is expected to attract around 5 million guests per year, the park said in a press release shared on Wednesday. The project’s design team is made up of over 20 former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers.

American Heartland will be located outside Vinita on the historic Route 66 and will feature a large-scale RV park, world-class theme park, 300-room hotel, and modern indoor water park.


A rendering of the entrance to the American Heartland Theme Park in Oklahoma


COURTESY OF AMERICAN HEARTLAND THEME PARK AND RESORT

The anchor of the proposed destination will be American Heartland Theme Park, which will feature an Americana-themed environment with a variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways as well as restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings."

“Thrilling rides and heartwarming shows” will be spread across six distinctly American themed lands: Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village and Electropolis.

At 125-acres, it will be comparable in size to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World.


Aerial view of Three Ponies RV Park in Oklahoma


COURTESY OF AMERICAN HEARTLAND THEME PARK AND RESORT

“We are thrilled to make Oklahoma the home of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” American Heartland CEO Larry Wilhite said in the press release. “At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination. The state’s business-friendly approach and innovative partnership efforts have helped make this possible. We look forward to bringing unforgettable generational experiences to Oklahoma.”

Adjacent to the theme park will be the 320-acre Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, anticipated to be the largest campground in the Central United States. The RV resort will feature 300 cabins, 750 RV spaces, and on-site amenities.

“There’s no better place to represent the heart of America than northeast Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom in the press release. “This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region, and its long-term economic impact will be transformative.”

American Heartland is set to be built in phases with the RV park expected to be complete in spring 2025 followed by the theme park in 2026. The project is being developed by American Heartland, an affiliate of Manson Entertainment Group, a leading Branson, Missouri-based company.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...-and-Resort-Development-in-Northeast-Oklahoma
 

Vegas Disney Fan

Well-Known Member
Never getting built. Much smaller, less-funded parks that aren't attached to a big chain can barely survive. No chance this one could. Reminds me of that Dreamvision fiasco in Alabama, which involved several former Disney folks...
I’ll believe it when I see it also but one of the owners is involved in an investment fund worth tens of billions, he likely has access to massive amounts of capital.

Oklahoma though, unless they’re expecting this to be the next “empty swampland” turns into Orlando transformation I don’t see it.

I think Disneys left an opening for a theme park to the right of them right now, I just don’t think the financials work on this.
 

MaximumEd

Well-Known Member
Never getting built. Much smaller, less-funded parks that aren't attached to a big chain can barely survive. No chance this one could. Reminds me of that Dreamvision fiasco in Alabama, which involved several former Disney folks...
It was called Visionland, but you got the fiasco part right.
 

CaptainMickey

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
5 million visitors a year does sound a little rich. I don't think any parks in the U.S. outside Orlando or California get that many people.
Nearby Branson, Missouri attracts 10 million visitors a year.
"Within a days drive of 50% of U.S. population" is interesting. How fast would they have to be driving?
 

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