CONFIRMED: 2 New Theme Parks Being Built By Former Disney Imagineers Have Been Permanently Canceled

It’s no secret that Disney Imagineers have some serious talent. I mean, they’ve developed dozens of incredible attractions, themed dining experiences, and immersive theme parks over the years. But they don’t always spend their entire careers with the Walt Disney Company, and recently, we’ve heard about some Imagineers venturing out to work on other theme park projects.

©American Heartland

There have been a couple of theme parks announced with former Disney Imagineers on the creative team, and now, two of those have been officially canceled.

Libertyland

The first theme park on the chopping block is Libertyland. According to Sioux Falls Business, this mixed-use development that was originally slated to include a theme park and a resort has now been downgraded to an entertainment district.

©Libertyland

Original plans for Libertyland USA included a 300-acre plot of land in South Dakota, but that has since been downsized to 50 acres. “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,” said Darren Sloniger, managing director of Libertyland USA LLC.

©Libertyland

Libertyland USA is being designed by Storyland Studios, a team with experience at The Walt Disney Co., Walt Disney Imagineering, Pixar Animation Studios, Universal Studios, and Legoland. The design for the space will still be Americana-themed, and there is still set to be a hotel on the property. “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,” said Sloniger.

©Libertyland

The goal is to break ground in the next six months.

American Heartland Theme Park

American Heartland Theme Park was another project being created by former Imagineers, and it was announced in 2023. Recently, we’ve learned that a key investor is suing the developers behind the project. According to KOSU, Gene Bicknell has filed suit with the help of attorneys Amelia Fogleman and Joseph Lang of GableGotwals, accusing the developers of defrauding him of millions.

©American Heartland

The suit accuses three defendants — Richard Silanskas Jr., Stephen Hedrick, and Larry Wilhite — of running a “criminal enterprise” and manipulating Bicknell into providing more than $60 million for the proposed $2.5 billion project. Claims against Wilhite and Silanskas state that they allegedly defrauded Bicknell by “impersonating God and religious figures through hundreds of electronic messages.”

©American Heartland

The American Heartland resort was originally going to span 1,000 acres in Vinita, Oklahoma, and include a 125-acre theme park. It was also set to have a water park, a large RV park with cabins, a dinner theatre, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and more.

The development team included over a dozen former Disney employees, but now the website for the project is no longer functional.

Learn More About the Lawsuit Here

We’ll be on the lookout for any more theme park news from around the world.

I Went to 3 Different Theme Parks in a Week, and One Nearly Killed Me

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