Disney4me Posted December 7, 2024 Report Share Posted December 7, 2024 A new theme park is in the works with the help of former Disney Imagineers…or is it?? ©American Heartland Last year, we learned that a new $2 billion theme park and resort project called American Heartland was being developed in northeast Oklahoma. One detail that stood out in the initial news about the theme park was that several former Disney Imagineers were included on the park’s development team. But, as excited as we were to see a new theme park in the works, we now have some concerns about the project. According to the initial renderings, the American Heartland resort will span 1,000 acres in Vinita, Oklahoma, and include a 125-acre theme park roughly the size of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, plus a water park, a large RV park with cabins, a dinner theatre, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and more. ©American Heartland The development team includes over a dozen former Disney employees with experience in special effects, technical design, entertainment, and more. ©American Heartland The theme park is planned to have six themed Americana lands: Liberty Village, Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Bit Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, and Electropolis. And considering the wealth of experience involved, we’ve been excited to see things come to life. ©American Heartland But it looks like there have been some serious bumps in the road in the creation of the park. The project was initially slated to open in the fall of 2026, with the Three Ponies RV and Campground, which will consist of an estimated 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins, expected to open earlier in 2025. But, two years before the theme park was originally set to open, things have changed. ©American Heartland In September 2024, construction was halted on the project due to financial issues. The expected cost increased from the initial estimate of $2 billion to $2.5 billion, and the developer, Mansion Entertainment, was accused of not paying the bills during the construction of the theme park. ©American Heartland According to Tulsa World, construction has not progressed one year after groundbreaking, and the 2026 opening will likely be pushed back at least three years. Developer Mansion Entertainment Group has also said it is awaiting permit approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ©American Heartland Several companies involved in the project’s development claim they are still owed money for completed work. Canadian design firm Forrec filed a lien in May against Mansion Entertainment, claiming it is owed nearly $5.5 million from unpaid invoices for design and planning work for both the theme park and RV park. Another company, Crossland Construction, filed a similar claim in May that alleges it is owed $352,429 for labor performed and materials furnished in February for the RV park and campground. ©American Heartland The project also encountered another major setback in May, when legislators declined to approve a requested $35 million for water and wastewater improvements to accommodate the resort. ©American Heartland On top of the financial and construction challenges, the theme park’s location has also caused hesitation in the minds of industry experts. American Heartland is being constructed in Vinita, Oklahoma, which is about 170 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, and far from any major city or airport. ©American Heartland Despite these setbacks, developers say that the project is still on, and have claimed that construction is “a few weeks away” from beginning. But considering the mounting financial and logistical issues, we’re getting concerned about the future of this planned new theme park. ©American Heartland We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any more news about construction on American Heartland, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates! Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde Just Shared a Fun Fact About One of Our FAVORITE Disney World Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are your thoughts on the future of American Heartland? Share with us in the comments!The post Why We're Worried About the Theme Park Being Built By Former Disney Imagineers first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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