Pictured: Mattel’s first-ever theme park, opening in Arizona in 2024 complete with a life-sized Barbie Beach House and ‘pulse-pounding’ Hot Wheels roller coasters
Mattel’s first-ever theme park will open in 2024, with initial photos showing a preview of what visitors can expect.
called Mattel Adventure Parkthe toymaker’s theme park will house an array of rides, including a life-size Barbie Beach House and “blood-curdling” Hot Wheels roller coasters.
Construction on the nine-acre attraction, which will open at the VAI Resort hotel complex near Phoenix, Arizona, is well underway.
The Barbie Beach House is bound to be one of the biggest attractions – the plastic fashion doll clearly has a lot of fans, with the Barbie movie taking in more than £785 million ($1 billion) in cinemas this year.
Visitors can take a look inside Barbie’s iconic wardrobe at the Barbie Dream Closet Experience “which uses hologram technology to bring Barbie to life before guests’ eyes.”
A new Mattel theme park called Mattel Adventure Park (shown in the above view) will open in Arizona in 2024
The Barbie Beach House attraction also features a rooftop bar and restaurant where visitors can enjoy a “signature pink drink” and enjoy “expanding views” of the surrounding area.
The first of two Hot Wheels roller coasters, meanwhile, is the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride, which climbs 84 ft (26 m) into the air and is embellished with the toy line’s skull design, as seen in a render.
The second is the Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer, a roller coaster that ‘guarantees a serious adrenaline rush’. It features a double loop and two corkscrews, “qualifying it as the first roller coaster of its kind in Arizona,” a statement said.
Both coasters are designed to “delight children and adults of all ages,” Mattel reveals.
Billed as Arizona’s first fully themed indoor-outdoor theme park, the theme park will also feature a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed attraction called Thomas & Friends: World of Sodor, which is home to seven family-friendly, experiential rides. and attractions. including an indoor playground for ‘little adventurers’.
This view shows the roller coaster ‘Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride’ climbing 26 meters in the air
Another attraction is inspired by action figures from Masters of the Universe – sci-fi superhero characters who lived on the planet Eternia. It’s a ‘massive’ 415 square meter laser tag arena designed to look like the iconic Castle Grayskull fortress from the toy franchise – visitors are instructed to ‘fight for Eternia’ while playing laser tag.
Finally, there is a nine-hole mini golf experience inspired by the Magic 8 Ball toy, the Pictionary board game and “other beloved Mattel games.”
Another feature is a ‘larger-than-life’ UNO structure that visitors can climb – it is said to ‘deliver nostalgia and adventure for all ages’.
Mattel Adventure Park, a partnership between Mattel and developer Epic Resort Destinations, welcomes guests 365 days a year. A live cam at the amusement park website shows ongoing construction on the site.
The new theme park, which will be open 365 days a year, is said to “bring life to Mattel’s brands”
A live cam on the theme park’s website shows ongoing construction on the nine-acre site
Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel, said: “Mattel Adventure Park is a great opportunity to bring our beloved brands to life. Construction is underway and significant progress has been made with what will provide fans of all ages with a day of excitement and nostalgia. We are especially excited for families to experience the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker roller coaster – a dream come true for any Hot Wheels fan.”
And Mark Cornell, President at Epic Resort Destinations, said, “Mattel Adventure Park has a unique and strategic indoor/outdoor design that is open year-round and offers acres of air-conditioned space to ensure a cool guest experience all summer long here in the heat of Arizona.
“Our Attractions Development team is simply redefining the entertainment channel by bringing Mattel’s powerhouse, evergreen brands to life like never before. This hand-picked, gifted team continues to find truly innovative ways to create groundbreaking rides that are sure to bring lasting fun for the whole family.”
He continued, “It’s been amazing to see these mega attractions being built in Glendale, and we promise you’ve never seen a park like this before.”
The Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie (above), grossed more than £785 million ($1 billion) in cinemas this year