An Americana themed entertainment park is set to open in Oklahoma, along US’ renowned Route 66, in 2026. The project, called American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, will be a $2 billion entertainment destination, just west of Grand Lake, which Oklahoma state officials were excited to announce on 19 July.
Developer American Heartland has partnered with Executive Producer Steve Hedrick and a design team made up of the world’s best theme park designers including 20+ former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers. Design firms include THG, FORREC and Cuningham, whose portfolios feature the world’s foremost theme park brands including Six Flags, Disney Parks and Universal Studios.
At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination.
Larry Wilhite, American Heartland CEO
“American Heartland will be an anchor tourist destination on Route 66 set to attract more than two million out-of-state visitors to Oklahoma each year”, said Kristy Adams, senior executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mansion Entertainment Group, American Heartland and Three Ponies. “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”, added State Senator Micheal Bergstrom.
The theme park will be divided in of six distinctly American lands to welcome guests on a journey through the best of the American story. 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.
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.
Gene Bicknell, American Heartland Founder and Chief Creative Officer
The project will be a 1,000-acre (404 ha) development with a 125-acre (50 ha) theme park, which is comparable to the size of Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, and will feature variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways as well as restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings. The development will also include a top-tier 300-room hotel and modern indoor water park.
The development will be built in phases starting with a large-scale RV park with cabins scheduled to open phase one in spring 2025 and the theme park and resort scheduled to open in 2026. The 320-acre (129 ha) Three Ponies RV Park and Campground will be the largest campground in the central US, with 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins plus amenities.
