Plans for two massive new theme parks designed by former Walt Disney Imagineers have come to a sudden halt. One ambitious project has collapsed entirely following a high-stakes lawsuit, while another has been reimagined into a far smaller development than locals were promised.
The Collapse of American Heartland Theme Park
American Heartland Theme Park was once envisioned as a sprawling $2.5 billion destination in Vinita, Oklahoma. Its developers claimed the park would “rival Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom Theme Park,” complete with an RV campground, amphitheater, dinner theater, and 125-acre park designed by a team of former Disney cast members.
However, the dream quickly unraveled after investor Gene Bicknell, age 92, filed a lawsuit accusing several men of defrauding him of $60 million in funding. According to the filing, Bicknell accused Richard Silanskas Jr., Stephen Hedrick, and Larry Wilhite of running a “criminal enterprise” that used deception and manipulation to secure his investment.
Attorneys for Bicknell allege that two of the defendants, Wilhite and Silanskas, pretended to be God and other divine figures to convince him to hand over his money. “TRUST THEM COMPLETELY AND AVOID INSERTING ANY DISTRACTIONS OR DOUBTFUL QUESTIONS,” read one alleged message obtained by KOSU.
Originally set to open in 2026, the project drew nationwide attention for its patriotic theming and promises of classic American nostalgia. But amid the growing legal battle, the official website for American Heartland Theme Park has been taken down, signaling the quiet end of what was once one of the most talked-about park proposals in the region.
Libertyland USA Changes Course
At the same time, another project led by former Disney and Universal creatives has seen its scope dramatically reduced. Libertyland USA, first announced as a 300-acre theme park in Rapid City, South Dakota, was to be developed by Storyland Studios, a company staffed with former talent from Disney, Pixar, and Legoland.
Now, according to Sioux Falls Business, Libertyland’s plans have been scaled back to a 50-acre mixed-use entertainment, sports, and shopping complex modeled after Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Darren Sloniger, managing director of Libertyland USA LLC., explained that the reimagined project was designed to be financially feasible and sustainable through all four seasons.
“Everyone wants this to be a year-round development, so anything I can do to increase the seasonality of the project, I wanted to do,” Sloniger said. “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.”
While the new concept retains its Americana theme and plans for an onsite hotel, the large-scale attractions once promised have largely been removed.
“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,” Sloniger said.
Construction has not yet begun, but the team behind Libertyland USA hopes to break ground in the next six months.
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