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American Heartland announces $2 billion theme park and resort development in northeast Oklahoma
The 1,000-acre resort destination is expected to attract more than 4.9 million guests per year to Oklahoma
Craig County, Okla. (July 19, 2023) – Today Oklahoma state and local officials joined American Heartland leadership to announce 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. The development will be built in phases starting with a large-scale RV park with cabins scheduled to open phase one in spring 2025 and a world-class theme park and resort scheduled to open in 2026. The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will offer a unique visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations.
“We are thrilled to make Oklahoma the home of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,“ American Heartland CEO Larry Wilhite said. “At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination. The state’s business-friendly approach and innovative partnership efforts have helped make this possible. We look forward to bringing unforgettable generational experiences to Oklahoma.”
American Heartland will be a 1,000-acre development with a 125-acre theme park, which is comparable to the size of Magic Kingdom® Theme Park and Disneyland® Park. The park will feature an Americana-themed environment with a variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways as well as restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings.
“Oklahoma is excited to welcome American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” Oklahoma State Rep. Rusty Cornwell said. “Located on historic Route 66 just west of Grand Lake, the development will attract visitors from around the world to experience and celebrate the rich cultures and hometown values America has to offer.”
The adjacent 320-acre Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, designed by Oklahoma architects ADG Blatt, will be the largest campground in the central U.S. with 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins plus amenities.
“There’s no better place to represent the heart of America than northeast Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom. “This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region, and its long-term economic impact will be transformative. Tourism is already one of Oklahoma’s top industries and this project will elevate our state even further. Since tourism is a doorway to economic development, American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will draw new businesses not only to the surrounding area but also throughout the region and state.”
The developer is American Heartland whose leadership has deep Oklahoma roots. American Heartland is an affiliate of Mansion Entertainment Group, LLC, Branson’s leading performing arts, animation and studio brand.
Led by Executive Producer Steve Hedrick, the design team is made up of the world’s best theme park designers including 20+ former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers. Design firms include THG, FORREC and Cuningham, whose portfolios feature the world’s foremost theme park brands including Six Flags, Disney Parks and Universal Studios.
“We are pleased that American Heartland Theme Park and Resort has taken the first step and chosen Oklahoma to build a world-class entertainment destination,” said Hopper Smith, interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “We look forward to assisting with this project as it develops.”
American Heartland Theme Park and Resort is a family-friendly park promising timeless fun and boundless adventure. The 125-acre theme park will feature a collection of six distinctly American lands to welcome 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.
“American Heartland will be a place families can come together to create lasting memories, experience joy, laughter, imagination and wonder,” American Heartland Founder and Chief Creative Officer Gene Bicknell said. “There is so much to celebrate about our country: its landscapes, its cultures and most importantly, its people. No matter where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home at American Heartland.”
The development will also include a top-tier 300-room hotel and modern indoor water park.
“American Heartland will be an anchor tourist destination on Route 66 set to attract more than two million out-of-state visitors to Oklahoma each year,” Kristy Adams, senior executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mansion Entertainment Group, American Heartland and Three Ponies, said. “The scale and quality of the development will be unlike anything else in the region, making Vinita, Oklahoma a can’t-miss destination for families around the world.”
Learn more at americanheartlandthemepark.com and threeponiesrvparkandcampground.com.
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PASADENA, Calif. (July 15, 2022) – The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® and Mansion Entertainment Group are bringing together two iconic entertainment legacies for the 2023 Rose Parade® presented by Honda. Using the world-wide platform, Mansion Entertainment Group will showcase their landmark for exceptional entertainment, The Mansion Theatre For The Performing Arts in Branson, Missouri celebrating its 30th Anniversary.
Mansion Entertainment Group encompasses a well-defined brand of creative production entities including Mansion Sound, Mansion Animation, Mansion Film & Television and Mansion Studios. As the presenting sponsor of the Grand Finale, their family entertainment venue, The Mansion Theatre For The Performing Arts, will be showcased on an unforgettable floral float. From the soaring circular ceiling and magnificent regal staircase in the grand lobby to the three iconic horses welcoming you to the venue.
As the final float in the parade, it will provide a specially designed stage for an outstanding recording artist to be announced in the coming months.
“The collaboration with the Mansion Entertainment Group solidifies our commitment to bringing quality family entertainment to the Rose Parade.” said David Eads, Tournament of Roses Executive Director/CEO. “The relationship with their team has created an environment for creativity and the partnership will provide enjoyment of the Grand Finale for years to come.”
With its theme, “Turning The Corner,” the 2023 Rose Parade celebrates turning a corner. Whether that corner is actual—like the one at the famous turn, signaling the parade’s start, or figurative like the unlimited potential that each new year brings—we all enjoy the opportunity of a fresh start. Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community, – it means realizing dreams and pursuing possibility. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.
For millions of viewers around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic tradition at the beginning of the new year. Join us on Monday, January 2, 2023, to experience the floats, bands and equestrians as they parade down Colorado Blvd.
Contact: Kristy Adams
(417) 337-7845
MANSION ENTERTAINMENT GROUP UNVEILS MAJOR FILM, TELEVISION, ANIMATION AND MUSIC EXPANSION IN MISSOURI
Jan 13, 2022
Plans Announced For Major Film Studio Development
(Branson, Missouri)
Today marks a major milestone for the future of the film and television industry in Missouri.
This morning corporate representatives have unveiled the major expansion of the entertainment brand that was born with creation of the iconic “Mansion Theatre” in Branson, Missouri nearly 30 years ago.
Now recognized as “The Mansion Theatre For The Performing Arts”, this historic 3000 seat venue is the home for an array of world class entertainment and an expanded line-up from the world of music to Broadway defining the Mid West’s Premiere Performing Arts Center and the core of the Mansion Entertainment Group.
Mansion Entertainment Group now encompasses a well defined brand of creative production entities strategically designed to create, produce original content and provide production tech and studio facilities to the industry.
This includes, “Mansion Animation” with teams in Missouri and Europe. The original CGI animation arm is currently in production on a new animated film which will premiere in major film festivals worldwide later this year and is in pre-development for a full length animated musical motion picture.
“Mansion Sound” opening in late Spring 2022 in Branson, Missouri features unique audio production and post production studios for motion pictures/ television and music. The new state of the art custom made equipment exclusive to Mansion Sound is currently not available anywhere else in the world making the facility a one-of-a kind destination for the industry.
“Mansion Film and Television” is currently in pre-production for a major world-class musical concert experience which will emanate from “The Mansion Theatre For The Performing Arts” in Branson featuring a myriad of special musical guests from the world of Broadway, Rock, Country, Gospel and more and a full symphony orchestra. The unique televised special will be syndicated domestically and internationally as a musical gift to the world from the Mansion.
Plans were also announced today for the development of “Mansion Studios” to be located on several hundred acres in Southwest Missouri. The state of the art classically designed motion picture and television studio complex will feature multiple soundstages from 48,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet, expansive motion picture mixing stage for full orchestra, vfx and animation production, full production/post production office centers, multiple mill/flex/construction facilities, full support vendor space, producer cabins and bungalows, classic studio commissary, expansive motion picture screening theatre, backlot locations (suburban, city-scape, western, residential) and full producer amenities.
“Mansion Studios” will also feature a studio tour/ attraction allowing guests to experience movie making magic and celebrate the history of motion pictures up close and personal with unique and exciting immersive fun for the entire family.
Media Contact: Kristy Adams (417) 337-7845
MANSION SOUND AND SOLID STATE LOGIC REVEAL ONE-OF-A-KIND STATE OF THE ART AUDIO STUDIO FOR MUSIC, FILM & TELEVISION RAISING THE BAR WORLDWIDE
The Acclaimed Mansion Sound Complex Features Best-In-Class Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue
and System T S500 Consoles from Solid State Logic
Branson, Missouri, August 18, 2022 — Mansion Sound and Solid State Logic have dynamically joined forces to deliver unmatched audio quality and functionality to clients at the finest singular audio facility of its kind in the world. The muti million dollar custom designed Mansion Sound studios launched on August 1, 2022 features SSL flagship Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue and System T S500 digital audio mixing consoles in two of the facility’s acclaimed rooms to support its music and soundtrack production in addition to full film and television audio post production services. The “A” room houses the largest SSL Duality Fuse ever built.
Mansion Sound, part of The Mansion Entertainment Group headquartered in Branson, Missouri, encompasses a strategically defined global brand of creative production entities. In addition to Mansion Sound, the core brand includes Mansion Animation, Mansion Film & Television and Mansion Studios, an unprecedented industry defining film and television production and post production campus now in full development and pre-construction. At the heart of the group is the Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts, a 3,000-seat multi-purpose venue that is currently celebrating its thirtieth anniversary and is considered the premiere center for the performing arts in the Midwest United States.
Mansion Sound’s new SSL Duality Fuse is the first and only 96-input configuration of the console to be manufactured and installed anywhere in the world, positioning the studio as a unique and powerful destination for audio production. Both SSL-equipped control rooms can access 128 lines from the 75X50 foot theatrical/ film scoring stage or a spacious tracking room and have been designed and outfitted for Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 immersive mixing by Danny Stone, Mansion Sound’s Chief Engineer.
The credo of the organization, which was founded by owner Gene Bicknell and is operated under the guidance of CEO Larry Wilhite, is to bring joy, hope and exceptional family entertainment to the world through the core Mansion brands. The inaugural project recorded and mixed through the SSL Duality Fuse was An Ozark Mountain Symphony: A Musical Celebration, an hour-long special featuring The Springfield Symphony Orchestra and a galaxy of Disney, Broadway, gospel and country music stars. Filmed live in concert at the Mansion Theatre For The Performing Arts, it was recorded and mixed at Mansion Sound by multiple Grammy and Emmy winning producer and engineer David Reitzas and will premiere on PBS nationwide later this year and in 2023.
According to Larry Wilhite, CEO, Mansion Entertainment Group, “It’s overwhelming and humbling to have been able to develop and grow these facilities, encompassing our studios, sound stages, and stage for television and live performances. The team that has been assembled in every area where this company has grown its brand is unprecedented. It’s good to know that no corners have been cut and perfection prevails. It’s more than I ever dreamed of in my lifetime or career. We’re going to use everything to the best of our abilities and hopefully bring a lot of joy and happiness to the world, whether through animation, film, music, live performances or life in general.”
CONTACT
Kristy Adams
+1 (417) 337-7845
For further information contact:
Jeff Touzeau
+1 (914) 602-2913
Ross Gilbert
+44 (0) 1865 842300
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