A new $2 billion amusement park is being built in northeast Oklahoma about 300 miles north of Dallas.
American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will sit on a 1,000-acre lot located in the northeast corner of Oklahoma, near the town of Vinita, just west of historic Route 66.
The amusement park will feature a number of rides, live shows, family attractions, and waterways — all in an Americana-themed environment. There will also be plenty of food and beverage offerings, according to a July 19 news release from the American Heartland leadership.
“The 125-acre theme park will feature a collection of six distinctly American lands to welcome guests on a journey through the best of the American story,” American Heartland said in the news release. “Families will find thrilling rides and heartwarming shows as they discover Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis.”
Once the park is complete, it will be comparable in size to the Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida and the Disneyland resort in California.
Oklahoma Rep. Rusty Cornwell said the theme park “will attract visitors from around the world to experience and celebrate the rich cultures and hometown values America has to offer.”
Construction of the theme park will be completed in multiple phases, according to the news release.
The first phase of construction will consist of a 750-space RV park with 300 cabins plus amenities due in early 2025.
The second phase will consist of the actual amusement park and resort and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.
A 300-unit hotel and a modern indoor water park are also included in the project.
“This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region,” said Oklahoma Sen. Micheal Bergstrom in the news release, noting the “transformative” impact the park will have on the area’s long-term economic growth.
“Tourism is already one of Oklahoma’s top industries, and this project will elevate our state even further. Since tourism is a doorway to economic development, American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will draw new businesses not only to the surrounding area but also throughout the region and state,” Bergstrom added.
Gene Bicknell, American Heartland’s founder and chief creative officer, believes the theme park will be a gathering place for families to create meaningful memories.
“There is so much to celebrate about our country: its landscapes, its cultures, and most importantly, its people. No matter where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home at American Heartland,” said Bicknell.
The Dallas Express reached out to Jacqueline Sit, American Heartland’s media contact, but had not heard back at the time of publication.
A number of new theme parks are slated to open in the coming years a bit closer to Dallas, including a Peppa Pig Theme Park in North Richland Hills and a Universal Studios Theme Park in Frisco, as previously covered in The Dallas Express.