Okie dokie, it’s long overdue. And I hope they pump up the Americana and build “a whole new world,” so to speak. Of course, I’m talking about the $2 billion American-themed amusement park and resort that’ll be in Oklahoma.
I read a short article that said it’s scheduled to open in 2026. And supposedly it’ll rival the size of Dizzy’s Tragic Kingdom. And a news release I read in an online article said it’ll be “located near Grand Lake, Oklahoma on Route 66.” So, before too long there’ll be plenty more ways to get your kicks on Route 66.
Okie dokie, that’s a musical reference that might slip past the younger peeps.
But no matter. The point is, it looks like Northeast Oklahoma hopes to be a Funtime destination spot. And I hope they’re a big time hit. At least if they don’t get all okie dokie wokie like Dizzy’s Tragic Kingdom.
And I have a certain connection to that area, too. Because I’ve driven through or by there many times. And I was a kid passenger several times as parents did the driving. It’s a very scenic part of Oklahoma. If you enjoy lake related activities, you’d probably get a kick out of the whole Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees experience. “1300 miles of shoreline” means plenty of water to play in. So, that kind of stuff is there even if a theme park never arrives.
But imagine a theme park that’s focused on the splendor that was once America (the splendor is still there, but people blur the view). The article I read said there’s gonna be “125 acres and feature six distinctly American lands that take guests on a journey through the best of the American story. Families will find thrilling rides and heartwarming shows as they discover Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village, and Electropolis.”
And there’s gonna be a 320-acre campground and RV park with cabins. And that part of the development is supposed to open in 2025, according to their press release. The American Heartland CEO, Larry Wilhite said, “At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination.”
Yeah, that area is very close to a single point where Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas meet. That’s pretty cool. And, in fact, in a half-day trip you could actually drive a big “circle” and see those three states PLUS Kansas. Road trips, like that, might not be your thing. But that would be (wait for it) okie dokie with me.
Because I love to travel.
I remember heading up Highway 75, out of Dallas, and going to Tulsa. Then, I found my way over to Highway 69 and followed it as it wound its way north, through Pryor, Adair, Big Cabin, Vinita, and Afton. And then connected with Interstate 44 (aka Turner Turnpike) till it reached Miami (yes, in Oklahoma, not Florida).
From Miami, it was just a zig and a zag up to Picher, and that was the last town in Okie land. From there I drove up Highway 69 the rest of the way to the sleepy town of Louisburg. The little “burg” of about 1500 people where I spent several halcyon summers.
OK (okay, not abbreviation for Oklahoma), a news blurb about a theme park in Oklahoma just led to memories of long and luxurious summer days in Kansas. Yeah, I love to travel so much, I even do it in my head all the time. So, I think what I’m gonna do is handcuff the little wifey, fire up the micro motorhome, and hit the road.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll stop by and make sure they’re on schedule with the American Heartland Theme Park. They should be. Because Republican Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom expects the park to create more than 4,000 jobs. So, I know they want that to happen Sooner (see what did there?) than later.
I respect a lot about Oklahoma.
And that’s despite the fact that one think tank said, “the average Oklahoma worker would still save roughly $2,095 a year by moving to Texas. It’s also despite how many marijuana dispensaries I saw the last time I visited Oklahoma. (hint: it was a bunch) And, oh yeah, they’ll let just about anybody live there. It’s crazy.
I’ve lived in both states. And there’s advantages and disadvantages to both. But an American Heartland Theme Park could be Ace in the Hole the Okies need to mess with Texas.
Thanks for goin’ on this digital road trip with me. And I’ll end, for now, with a question for you.
How long do you think it’ll take an American Heartland Theme Park to “woke up” like Dizzy’s Tragic Kingdom?
OR…
Do you think the boomer sooners can keep that from happening?
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Stay tuned,
