Two highly anticipated theme parks, once envisioned as “the next Disney,” have officially been canceled. Both projects involved former Walt Disney Imagineers and were intended to bring a touch of Disney-inspired magic to the American heartland.
American Heartland Theme Park Plans Collapse
The ambitious American Heartland Theme Park in Vinita, Oklahoma, was once touted as a multi-billion-dollar destination that would “rival Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom Theme Park.” The proposed $2.5 billion resort was expected to include a 125-acre theme park, an RV campground, an amphitheater, and a dinner theater. The project was partially financed by Gene Bicknell, a 92-year-old businessman who claimed he was defrauded of his investment.
According to reports, Bicknell filed a lawsuit against three defendants — Richard Silanskas Jr., Stephen Hedrick, and Larry Wilhite — alleging that the men operated a “criminal enterprise” and deceived him into investing $60 million in the project. Lawyers claim that Wilhite and Silanskas went as far as impersonating God and other religious figures to manipulate Bicknell’s trust and secure his financial backing. “TRUST THEM COMPLETELY AND AVOID INSERTING ANY DISTRACTIONS OR DOUBTFUL QUESTIONS,” read one alleged message obtained by KOSU.
Initially announced in 2023 with plans to open in 2026, the American Heartland Theme Park was positioned as a major destination for families across the Midwest. The team claimed several former Disney cast members were involved in its creative design, promising a family-friendly experience inspired by classic American values. However, amid the ongoing lawsuit and mounting legal disputes, the official website for the park has been deleted, effectively signaling the end of the project.
Libertyland USA Scales Back
Meanwhile, another project with ties to former Disney creatives has met a different fate. Libertyland USA, a proposed 300-acre theme park and entertainment complex in Rapid City, South Dakota, was originally expected to become a massive attraction developed by Storyland Studios, a company made up of veterans from Disney, Pixar, Legoland, and Universal.
Those dreams have now been significantly scaled back. According to Sioux Falls Business, the developers have pivoted from a large-scale theme park to a smaller shopping, sports, and dining complex more akin to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Darren Sloniger, managing director of Libertyland USA LLC, told the outlet that the decision was made to ensure the project’s financial viability and sustainability year-round.
“Everyone wants this to be a year-round development, so anything I can do to increase the seasonality of the project, I wanted to do,” Sloniger explained. “We needed to take this from Disney World down to Disney Village and make it something that’s financeable and year-round and attract tourists and local residents.”
Despite the major changes, Libertyland USA will retain its Americana theme, and plans for an onsite hotel remain. However, the focus has shifted away from traditional theme park attractions.
“The only outdoor attractions I’m contemplating are a 150-foot high Ferris wheel and a carousel that will be outdoors, and then go-karts and putt-putt golf for summer,” Sloniger said.
Though the updated project has no confirmed opening date, Sloniger shared that the team hopes to break ground within the next six months.
Which theme park were you more excited about: Libertyland or American Heartland Theme Park? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
Disney knew that the weather in the Northern states could not sustain a large outdoor theme park, And given the threat of Tornados in Oklahoma, also not a good idea. The only area in mid-America would possibly be near San Antonio. There is already infrastructure, but even Sea World and Six Flags are seasonal there.