Another twist in the saga of Glendale's Mattel theme park
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A half-finished roller coaster at the long-delayed Mattel Adventure Park. Photo: Zach Buchanan/Axios
The original developer of the long-gestating Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale may no longer have any connection to the project, which appears to have been taken over by the owners of the nearby and also long-delayed VAI Resort.
Why it matters: The revelation is just the latest roller-coaster-worthy twist in the saga of the much-anticipated theme park, which was originally set to open in 2023 with Hot Wheels, Barbie and He-Man attractions.
Catch up quick: In 2021, a group called Epic Resort Destinations broke ground on an entertainment district-type development known as Crystal Lagoons, which included a new Mattel-themed amusement park.
- The following year, Epic ran into money troubles and signed over ownership of Crystal Lagoons to the father-son duo of Tommy and Grant Fisher, former border wall contractors who reimagined the project as the VAI Resort, but with plans to keep building out the Mattel Adventure Park.
- As part of the arrangement, Epic continued as the developer and operator of the theme park.
- Since then, VAI and the theme park have faced multiple delays and challenges, with portions of roller coaster track sitting visible on the ground for years. There is no set opening date for either.
Reality check: With National Roller Coaster Day approaching on Sunday, Axios checked on the status of the Mattel Adventure Park. We learned that Epic Resort Destinations now seems to be out of the picture.
- When asked to confirm Epic's involvement in the park, VAI Resort spokesperson Rian Kirkman responded, "VAI is the owner and operator of the Mattel Adventure Park."
- When asked directly if Epic has any role with the project, Kirkman did not answer and referred to his previous statement.
- Mattel did not respond to an inquiry, and multiple calls and text messages to Epic co-founders Mark Cornell and Glen Bilbo went unanswered. Emails sent to Cornell's official address and Epic's general inquiry address were returned as undeliverable.
The intrigue: As The Business Journals reported earlier this year, Bilbo in particular has a long string of abandoned projects to his name, though Epic is still developing another (also delayed) Mattel Adventure Park outside of Kansas City.
State of play: Jenn Joseph, another VAI spokesperson, tells Axios that the Glendale resort and theme park are considered part of the same project, and that construction continues on both.
- "VAI Resort is (in) the process of redefining (the) guest experience and creative vision of the Mattel Adventure Park," Joseph says. "We look forward to sharing more in Q4 as the project progresses."
- When Axios visited the site Thursday, there was no evidence of work being done.
Zoom out: In an emailed statement, Glendale city manager Patrick Banger expressed excitement and optimism about the VAI project, calling it "an incredible opportunity for Glendale" that will put the city "on the map as a premier entertainment and hospitality destination."
The bottom line: Roller coasters may still be in Glendale's future, but who knows what sudden drop is just around the corner.