What is going on with the theme park that previous Disney Imagineers are building?
©American Heartland
We have been keeping an eye out for any updates about American Heartland, a theme park being built in Oklahoma. This new theme park, which has a team of former Disney Imagineers working on it, has been dubbed the Disneyland of Oklahoma. It is set to cost around $2 billion and will span 1,000 acres, including a 125-acre theme park, a water park, a large RV park with cabins, a dinner theatre, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse. The park was expected to open in 2026, but it seems that the opening date will be pushed back.
Last month, we learned that the park had been experiencing financial troubles. Construction was halted, and the project’s cost increased from an estimated $2 billion to $2.5 billion. The developer, Mansion Entertainment, was accused of not paying the bills during the construction of the theme park.
©American Heartland
Some, like Rusty Cornwell, a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, were cautiously optimistic that the project would still come to fruition. Well, we finally have another update about this park’s fate. 2 News in Oklahoma reported that the park’s developers are facing delays due to needing approval for new construction plans. When the park initially broke ground on the RV site, a design review was done. It was determined that the developers would need to change the site’s footprint to accommodate the flood zone.
©American Heartland
Once these new plans are approved, construction will continue on the RV park and start a year later on the theme park. The theme park portion is expected to take two to three years to build, so it could be delayed until 2028, two years after its expected opening.
©American Heartland
While the delays are not ideal, it is good to know that plans are still in motion to start construction on the park. The park’s development team includes over a dozen former Disney employees with experience in special effects, technical design, entertainment, and more.
©American Heartland
If built, the park will have different themed areas, including Liberty Village, the Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbour, and Electropolis.
©American Heartland
We will continue to monitor any news regarding an updated timeline for the resort and keep our fingers crossed that the new plans are approved! For all the latest theme park news, make sure to follow along with the Disney Food Blog!
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That’s already enough to convince me it will never get built, or, even worse, be built and immediately go bankrupt like Hard Rock Park. Looks great on paper, but it’s all just blue skies daydreaming if the money isn’t there. Permits are likely just a stall for time.
Sad
We need a conservative amusement park in the USA.