New announced resort plans in Oklahoma (with Disney ex roots)

[bigdisneydaddy]

I have read and heard about a planned theme park complex slated for Oklahoma in 2026. What intrigues me most is the Disney connection with around 20 ex Imagineers/cast members as folks associated with its design and construction. What has further piqued my interest is the proposed 700+ site RV park slated to be opened in 2025 before the park.
I wonder if any of this news has reached current managers/planners/cast members in Disneyworld ? Perhaps some good old fashioned competition would serve us well as customers ?
I believe this will be interesting. I have said for a few years now that Disney has had a blind spot when it comes to loyalty and they may have overspent their earlier goodwill.

 

[proudmomof4]

I saw this as well, looks interesting.

The campground amenities are described as being very similar to FW. There will be a dinner show there too.

We’d make the 20 hour drive to check it out at least once.

We’ll have to watch and see how this plays out.

Iger has already commented, but I didn’t read what he had to say.

 

[Teamubr]

I read through the stories/press release last week and it is interesting. Definitely has a Disney feel to it and with all the ex-Disney people involved, I give this a better than average chance of happening. If it really does get built, I'll definitely check it out. Oklahoma is a lot closer to me (StL area). There have been a number of things like this announced and then nothing happens, so we'll just have to wait and see.

j

 

[HopperFan]

Not unusual. Disney Imagineers were also responsible for some of Universal Orlando's builds, including Harry Potter. When there is no active design/build happening designers have to find work elsewhere. Right now I don't think there is anything green lit for WDW that we know of and some Imagineers left when Disney announced moving to FL.

The news of the theme park was interesting ...

- It's in the middle of no where for most and there is no airport close by
- They will have to get creative to draw from any distance
- I read about each land - not convinced creative enough
- RV and Campgrounds are a great idea to draw folks traveling anyway
- 4000 jobs? Can that community fill those positions?
- Is there really the ability to be successful and profitable?

WELL as more news came out ...

- This theme park is being built on a Cherokee Nation Reservation
- Reservation is already a tourist draw AND large employer
- This could mean an expansion with a CASINO at the theme park??
- A casino attached would go a long way for success

 

[bama_ed]

LInk?

 

[HopperFan]

LInk?

https://www.threeponiesrvparkandcampground.com/

 

[Douglas Dubh]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...can-heartand-theme-park-oklahoma/70434306007/

 

[CarolynFH]

Not unusual. Disney Imagineers were also responsible for some of Universal Orlando's builds, including Harry Potter. When there is no active design/build happening designers have to find work elsewhere. Right now I don't think there is anything green lit for WDW that we know of and some Imagineers left when Disney announced moving to FL.

The news of the theme park was interesting ...

- It's in the middle of no where for most and there is no airport close by
- They will have to get creative to draw from any distance
- I read about each land - not convinced creative enough
- RV and Campgrounds are a great idea to draw folks traveling anyway
- 4000 jobs? Can that community fill those positions?
- Is there really the ability to be successful and profitable?

WELL as more news came out ...

- This theme park is being built on a Cherokee Nation Reservation
- Reservation is already a tourist draw AND large employer
- This could mean an expansion with a CASINO at the theme park??
- A casino attached would go a long way for success

I wonder what their plans are for the winter months. Lots of indoor attractions?

 

[HopperFan]

I wonder what their plans are for the winter months. Lots of indoor attractions?

Yeah that is a head scratcher for sure. Even with that I don’t think it would appeal to me.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I agree on the weather aspect. I think it will impact their year round activities. I think there are some months I would avoid (not that there arent in Orlando) and certainly tornado season will be something to deal with.
At this point its very speculative but it will be fun to see how it plays out. Grab some popcorn folks.......

 

[StormyCA]

Sounds as if the Cherokee Nation hasn't officially 'signed off' on this project and really haven't been included in the planning. 'Grain of salt' number one.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/theme-park-could-transform-cherokee-110107952.html

It's literally in the middle of nowhere in tornado country with (apparently) hard winters, grain of salt number two.

Let's face it, we've ALL seen big 'ta-daaaahs' for some resort/amusement park/super-mall or such that have come to naught. All this fanfare is about getting investors, not about firm plans and permits issued. Grain of salt number three.


We all 'do Disney' not simply because it's a great theme park, but because of the characters we've grown to love and our histories and memories with the Disney 'brand'. Even people with no particular attachment to the brand still want to 'take the family to see Mickey'. A visit to a Disney Park is a rite of passage for many children (and adults). This project will have no such attachments. It will be an amusement park in the middle of nowhere with nothing else to do in the area. Would I drive 1800 miles to 'BFE', Oklahoma to ride a coaster or see some version of Hoop de doo? Nah. Will I drive 3000 miles to get a hug from Mickey? You betcha!

 

[Teamubr]

I agree on the weather aspect. I think it will impact their year round activities. I think there are some months I would avoid (not that there arent in Orlando) and certainly tornado season will be something to deal with.
At this point its very speculative but it will be fun to see how it plays out. Grab some popcorn folks.......

As far as the winter, while not a thing in the US since we have WDW and DL/DCA in weather friendly climates, Disneyland Paris has similar winter weather to OK (minus the tornados) and that is a year round park. The difference is all the other European competition is in similar climates.

Sounds as if the Cherokee Nation hasn't officially 'signed off' on this project and really haven't been included in the planning. 'Grain of salt' number one.

I had not read that. That gives me much less confidence this will happen. While this may be a great plus for the tribe (maybe not depending on the deal), not including them before this was announced could make this much harder to get approval.

While I love Disney, I go to WDW because it is an amazing theme park(s). The immersion into a magical world and the quality of the product are what keep me coming back. If this new park is the same caliber, Vinita, OK is only 5 1/2 hours from me (I live 3 blocks from Route 66) vs 15 hours to WDW.

j

 

[RangerPooh]

Considering that Oklahoma is one of the top areas for tornado activity, I wonder how frequently this area gets hit?

 

[WDWfanfam3]

I lived about 90 minutes from the proposed new park location for over 40 years. I wouldn’t overly worry about tornadoes. Can they happen? Sure. But just like hurricanes in Florida, they are not a regularly occurring phenomenon to contend with daily, monthly or even annually. Strong thunderstorms and harsh winters (and hot summers) are a frequent reality and I would be more curious to see how they plan to protect against these elements to maximize year round travel. Branson, MO (home to Silver Dollar City theme park and many shows) is only 2.5 hours from here and has seasonal hours with many things closed in the winter. Would this new park also be closed for winter? Would people traveling to Branson area drive over and spend a few days at the Oklahoma park? I could totally see my family taking a week and splitting our time between Branson area and Vinita, Ok.

 

[jkh36619]

I give this about a 5% chance of happening.

 

[rdaky]

I think it's just going to be another amusement park, and "Disney" was thrown in to grab attention and appeal to people.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If it’s got at least as much theming as the Great America parks did when they opened and a good mix of family rides and intense spinners or coasters, then it will be a step from most amusement parks now a days.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I lived about 90 minutes from the proposed new park location for over 40 years. I wouldn’t overly worry about tornadoes. Can they happen? Sure. But just like hurricanes in Florida, they are not a regularly occurring phenomenon to contend with daily, monthly or even annually. Strong thunderstorms and harsh winters (and hot summers) are a frequent reality and I would be more curious to see how they plan to protect against these elements to maximize year round travel. Branson, MO (home to Silver Dollar City theme park and many shows) is only 2.5 hours from here and has seasonal hours with many things closed in the winter. Would this new park also be closed for winter? Would people traveling to Branson area drive over and spend a few days at the Oklahoma park? I could totally see my family taking a week and splitting our time between Branson area and Vinita, Ok.

Thats good information, Thanks

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I give this about a 5% chance of happening.

I was leaning more towards 30% but I definitely wouldnt go to Vegas and put any money on those odds.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I would check it out