In a fascinating turn of events, a planned $2 billion theme park is set to be constructed near Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a daring and direct challenge to Disney’s stronghold on the entertainment industry. As Disney’s theme parks continue their stride towards left-leaning ideologies, this new project, The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, offers a refreshing alternative that embraces core American values and traditions. The announcement was made on Wednesday, sparking widespread anticipation and intrigue. The park, slated to open its fairgrounds in 2025 in Vinita, northeast of Tulsa, represents more than just an entertainment destination – it’s a stand for wholesome, homegrown American charm and heritage.
A new entertainment development is coming to Oklahoma! American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will offer a visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations. Three Ponies RV Park will open in 2025 and the theme park in 2026. pic.twitter.com/bLBNdsCNwV
— American Heartland Theme Park (@AmericanHrtland) July 20, 2023
Officials announced an audacious vision for the resort that aims to “attract visitors from around the world to celebrate all that we stand for, here in hometown America,” according to the buoyant proclamation by Vinita Mayor Josh Lee during Wednesday’s press conference. At the helm of this project is American Heartland, an affiliate of the Branson, Missouri-based Mansion Entertainment Group LLC, which already boasts successful operations in Branson. The company’s CEO, Larry Wilhite, expressed immense optimism about making Oklahoma the home of the American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a decision he attributes to the state’s business-friendly approach and innovative partnership efforts.
Initial plans for the park suggest a slow but determined progress, with the initial phase involving a camping park for RVs complemented by cabins, slated to open in the spring of 2025. The following year promises the unveiling of a full-scale theme park filled with thrilling rides and enticing attractions. The proposed resort sprawls across a 1,000-acre plot and boasts a 125-acre theme park, a scale comparable to Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.
In further exciting developments, a 300-room, world-class hotel complementing an indoor water park, and a theme park with an array of America-themed attractions are also in the pipeline, presumably to capture the nation’s vast and vibrant spectrums.
Gene Bicknell, American Heartland’s Founder and Chief Creative Officer, left no stone unturned in his excitement, viewing the park’s development as a beacon of peace, hope, joy, and economic growth. He said, “American Heartland will be a place families can come together to create lasting memories; a destination filled with joy, laughter, imagination, and wonder.” Steve Hedrick, Executive Producer, further echoed this sentiment. He promises a seamless blend of distinctly American landscapes assembled within the park, including Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis.
Set in the heart of the country, The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort seeks not only to entertain but also to remind us of our roots, presenting an American narrative enriched with hard work, boundless adventure, and spirited play. As we step into an era where conventional corporate giants like Disney appear to swing towards liberal ideologies, this ambitious project stands tall, making unapologetic strides towards reviving good, old-fashioned American values.
It is quintessential America at its best, a proclamation of pride and abundant optimism on a grandiose stage. And it’s right here in Oklahoma. As we approach 2025, we wait with bated breath for the opening doors of The American Heartland Theme Park, and with it, a fresh wave of opportunities, adventures, and a rejuvenated, unyielding embrace of our American story. Such a stride towards fostering unity through shared experiences offers a bold, yet wholesome interpretation of American value, one adventure at a time. Herein lies the creation of a tapestry interwoven with the threads of joy, hope, and timeless Americana – the dawn of a new chapter in entertainment history.
