$2 Billion Theme Park to Rival Disney World Planned for Northeast Oklahoma

A major new theme park is in the works for a location about an hour’s drive northeast of Tulsa. The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will be built on 125 acres, at an estimated cost of $2 billion, with intentions to rival the nation’s largest, most popular theme parks (aka Disney’s theme parks and resorts). Mansion Entertainment Group, the developer of the project, is forecasting a 2026 opening date for the the park, but an earlier opening date of 2025 for the first phase of construction, which will include an RV park and campground.

“The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will offer a unique visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations,” according to a July 19 press release from American Heartland. The press release also promises to “attract visitors from around the world to experience and celebrate the rich cultures and hometown values America has to offer.”

According to an article by Nate Chute for the Oklahoman, the amusement park “will feature regional themes, like Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village and Electropolis.”

The project is already attracting controversy, however, for a lack of engagement with the Cherokee Nation (the proposed development site is located on the Cherokee Reservation in Craig County, Oklahoma).

“Cherokee government officials weren’t at the announcement event. They say they weren't invited until the day before the event,” according to an article by Molly Young for the Oklahoman. “Tribal leaders said they met with developers about a year ago, when they were filled in about a vision for a theme park near Vinita. They said they didn’t hear anything else until this week when the proposal was revealed to widespread fanfare.”

The planned development is making news all over the Internet, including on the Travel + Leisure, People, and the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.