Imagine Resorts opening family waterpark resort near Branson in 2023
Imagine Resorts & Hotels announced their intention to build a family destination waterpark resort in Hollister, Mo., a suburb of the tourist destination of Branson, approximately 10 miles from the Silver Dollar City theme park. Renderings provided depict a themed resort with multiple familiar toy brands such as My Little Pony, Transformers, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, and more.
Imagine Resorts & Hotels has a long history of developing family vacation properties including the original conception and launch of the Great Wolf Lodge brand of indoor waterparks in 1999. This 575,000-square-foot indoor waterpark resort will be situated on 68 acres within the Hollister city limits, and will feature a wide-array of amenities to attract and entertain multiple generations of families.
Features of the proposed Imagine waterpark resort include:
- A 100,000-square-foot indoor themed waterpark
- 450 guest rooms and cabins, many of which will be specially themed
- 6-8 themed restaurants and dining experiences
- 40,000 square feet of family entertainment space
- 10,000 square feet of retail space
- 30,000 square feet of convention space ideal for corporate meetings and family reunions
- Adult and themed children’s spas
This waterpark resort will allow guests to interact with a collection of familiar iconic brands and toy characters. However, when specifically asked whether this would officially be a “Hasbro-themed” waterpark resort Imagine Resorts responded, “we are not able to comment at this time on that.”
This would not be Hasbro’s first foray into the family destination resort sphere. In May 2019, the world’s first Hasbro-themed waterpark was announced to anchor Meridian’s Malaysia Tourism City development. In North America, a Hasbro-themed amusement park is currently in development for Canada. Location based entertainment is all part of Hasbro’s long-term strategy for future growth beyond toys and games.
Imagine Resorts & Hotels plans to open this waterpark resort in 2023. This family resort, represents an estimated $300 million investment in the Ozark Mountain community, and will create an estimated 450 new jobs. Jonas Arjes, Interim President and CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, says the new resort will be a “great addition to the Branson/Lakes Area and one more reason for families to visit us year round, experiencing all the things this market has to offer … from live shows to outdoor adventures to the nation’s best family attractions.”
