American Heartland Theme Park delayed ‘at least three years’ in Oklahoma
American Heartland Theme Park construction is delayed, with the Oklahoma destination now unlikely to open until at least 2029.
American Heartland Theme Park now opening in 2029 or later
A new theme park in northeast Oklahoma will not open on its original schedule. Construction of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort “likely will be pushed back at least three years,” according to a report published in the Tulsa World on Oct. 26, 2024.
The 1,000-acre American Heartland property — located near Vinita, Okla. on Route 66 close by to Interstate 44 — was announced in July 2023 with intentions of opening in phases. First would come a campground/RV park in spring 2025, then a United States-focused theme park in fall 2026, plus a four-star hotel with an indoor water park. Both phases are delayed.
‘Change to the park’s footprint’
The delays of American Heartland reportedly stem from complications involving land permits and inspections following a decision to “change the park’s footprint to accommodate the flood zone in which the park would be built,” according to 2 News Oklahoma, a local Vinita station, as reported Oct. 24, 2024.
“The RV park is going to take a couple of years,” Steve Hedrick, executive producer of the project, told the Tulsa World. “Probably after the first year of construction of the RV park, we’ll be constructing the theme park.”
Subsequently, construction of the theme park will last “about three years,” according to Kristy Adams, senior executive VP for marketing at Mansion Entertainment (the parent company of American Heartland), also quoted by the Tulsa World.
2 News places American Heartland Theme Park’s opening timeline as not being sooner than 2028, while Tulsa World speculates the grand opening year as at least 2029, if not later.
The attractions of American Heartland
When the project eventually gets back on track, Three Ponies RV Park & Campground will still be the first phase to open. Three Ponies will contain 750 RV spaces, 300 cabins, and resort-style amenities.
American Heartland Theme Park will be comprised of six lands: Liberty Village, Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, and Electropolis. Though most attractions (from a log flume to a stunt show) will be themed to U.S. locales and history rather than franchise characters, the park is slated to include at least one attraction themed to “Charlotte’s Web,” described as a barnyard adventure.
The four-star hotel with a boardwalk theme remains unnamed.
More Attractions Magazine stories:
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
As I have been saying since it was 1st announced I will believe it when I see it.