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Is Arizona getting an amusement park?

GLENDALE, Ariz., August 7, 2023 – Pulse-pounding Hot Wheels rollercoasters and a life-size Barbie Beach House™ are just a few of the attractions underway at Mattel Adventure Park™, which will become Arizona's first fully themed indoor/outdoor amusement park upon opening in 2024.



Yes, Arizona is currently seeing a significant expansion in its themed entertainment landscape, most notably with the Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale. Scheduled to fully open in 2026 as part of the massive VAI Resort, this park features the first-of-its-kind "Hot Wheels" double-looping roller coasters and a "Barbie Beach House" featuring a "Dream Closet" experience using hologram technology. This is a major shift for the state, which has historically lacked a "destination" theme park since the closure of Legend City in the 1980s. Additionally, the Phoenix area has seen the continued growth of smaller-scale, weather-resilient attractions like Great Wolf Lodge and OdySea Aquarium. There are also ongoing discussions regarding a "Legacy Park" in the East Valley and expansions to the iconic "Castles N' Coasters." The development of Mattel Adventure Park is particularly strategic because it utilizes a "partially indoor" design to combat Arizona's extreme summer heat, allowing the park to remain a viable year-round attraction and positioning Glendale as a major competitor for regional tourism dollars in the Southwest.

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