The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a more than $2 billion entertainment destination development in northeast Oklahoma, just west of Grand Lake on Route 66, was announced on July 19, 2023, by Oklahoma state and municipal officials, alongside American Heartland leadership. Phase one of the development will consist of a sizable RV park with cabins, and it is planned to open in the spring of 2025. Phase two will consist of a world-class theme park and resort, and it is planned to open in 2026.
The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort aims to provide guests with a unique experience that rivals the best resort destinations in the world. The developer is American Heartland, whose leadership has deep Oklahoma roots. American Heartland is an affiliate of Mansion Entertainment Group, a leading performing arts, animation and studio brand.
For the American Heartland Theme Park project, THG, a creative agency specialising in developing attractions for theme parks, museums and brands, will handle attraction design, art direction, and overall creative development. THG created the first concept master plan in partnership with Steve Hedrick, executive producer of project development at Mansion Entertainment Group, and is now working on the show design for the park’s main attractions.
In addition, the design team will be working with prominent firms like FORREC, a leading entertainment design specialist, and Cuningham.
An extraordinary project
The 1,000-acre development will include the 125-acre American Heartland theme park; this is about the same size as Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park. A range of fun rides, live performances, family attractions, waterways, and upscale food and drink options will be available at the park, which will have an Americana feel. The theme park and resort are slated to open in the autumn of 2026.
“I am so excited to embark on this extraordinary project, joining forces with this talented collection of teams,” says Erik Neergaard, chief creative officer at THG. “Our collaboration brings together decades of expertise and creativity. We are honored that Mansion Entertainment Group is leading the development of this captivating and unforgettable destination. This is one of the first independent theme parks of this scale to be built in the US in many years.”
THG led the conceptual design work for the new park, fusing contemporary aspects with the classic charm of a traditional amusement park. Six uniquely American areas are included in the new park to welcome visitors on a tour of the best of the American story. As families explore Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis, they’ll find exhilarating rides and heartwarming performances.
This independent regional theme park promises to provide guests with an engaging and immersive experience. It will be situated in northeast Oklahoma, just west of Grand Lake on Route 66.
Leaders in experiential design
The minds behind the American Heartland Theme Park include some of THG’s most experienced and accomplished executives.
Neergaard is an expert in fusing culture and entertainment, which has produced award-winning design projects all over the world. Scott Sinclair, executive director of design also joins him on this project. Sinclair has served as lead designer on international projects such as the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, Tokyo DisneySea, Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle and Abbey Road Studios.
Behind them is the award-winning Pasadena-based creative team at THG. With projects like the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ in Las Vegas, the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center, and Beyond All Boundaries at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, THG has more than two decades of experience.
THG is a leader in the field of experiential design and has collaborated with a number of renowned companies throughout the world, including Universal Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, DreamWorks, Sony, Paramount, Nickelodeon, and more.
THG recently unveiled the redesigned Fiesta Village at Knott’s Berry Farm. Serving as the lead creative team on the Fiesta Village project, which reopened on 26 May, THG worked in collaboration with Cedar Fair’s experience design studio and the team at Knott’s Berry Farm. The company oversaw every stage of the development and all of its elements. It provided concept design and art, as well as designs for shows, rides and attractions, retail and F&B.
