Whatever happened to Vinita’s “Disneyland” amusement park?

VINITA, Okla. – A year after entertainment mogul Gene Bicknell announced plans to build a “Disneyland” like theme park in rural Craig County, work has halted amidst allegations of financial problems.

The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort is a proposed $2.5 billion, 1000-acre entertainment venue expected to feature rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways and restaurants, a 300-room hotel, and an indoor water park. The mega attraction also includes the Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, which is expected to feature 300 cabins and 750 RV sites.

Plans were to open the venue in the fall of 2026. However, construction work at the site, right off historic Route 66 and Interstate 44 near Vinita, has been at a standstill for months after problems arose with Mansion Entertainment’s nonpayment of bills.

According to Craig County land records, Crossland Construction and FORREC filed a $352,429.31 and $5.5 million lien against Mansion Entertainment Group and OGB Holdings in May for non-payment.

Repeated telephone calls to Mansion Entertainment Group were not returned.

Vinita Mayor Josh Lee said he spoke with American Heartland founder Gene Bicknell on Tuesday.

“They are still planning to move forward with their ‘vision of creating lifetime memories for generations to share forever,'” Lee said.

The plans for an entertainment venue have not changed, he said.

Lee said city leaders continue to meet with other developers excited about creating and building in Vinita.

“We thank Mansion Entertainment for sparking interest and hope for the area,” Lee said.

“I am cautiously optimistic,” said Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita.

Cornwell and other community leaders met with American Heartland founder Gene Bicknell earlier this year. Bicknell said legal problems were at the root of the delay and that they should be resolved in a month or two.

That deadline is already a month over, Cornwell said.

“The company (Mansion Entertainment) has spent a lot of money buying up property,” Cornwell said, referring to land near the proposed venue.

According to a May 31 Facebook post , American Heartland founder Gene Bicknell addressed the problem, saying the project “will move forward.”

In the post, Bicknell apologized to FORREC and Crossland and said the company is committed to resolving this matter quickly.

The city of Vinita annexed six square miles in September 2023 as part of its growth, and Cornwell authored House Bill 3854, which would have provided $35 million in water infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the project.

After revisions and a substitute bill to create an investment rebate program for water and wastewater infrastructure investments in small cities until July 1, 2029. Cornwell’s bill died in the Appropriations and Negotiations Committee.

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