Bye bye, Disney!
A 125-acre theme park is being developed in northeast Oklahoma with the goal of providing families a journey through American history through six areas filled with rides, live shows, and other attractions.
The park in Grand Lake is scheduled to open in 2026.
"We are thrilled to make Oklahoma the home of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort," American Heartland CEO Larry Wilhite said in a press release on Wednesday. "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."
Here are two basic 3D renderings of what the park will look like:
The six areas of the park will be named Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis.
The initial phase of the park, the 320-acre Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, will open in 2025. When complete, the park will also include a 300-room hotel with an indoor waterpark.
The team creating American Heartland is comprised of more than 20 former Disney park designers. The park will create an estimated 4,000 jobs and bring in millions of dollars in revenue for the area.
The real questions?
- How family friendly will it actually be? (At the first sign of anything gay, this endeavor dies.)
- Will my family actually learn anything about American history, or are you just using the 'Merica Eagle Screech™ brand to sell tickets?
- Is it going to cost me a second mortgage on my house to go?
I'll remain cautiously optimistic until we see!
