Disney And Universal Under Threat From Massive New Rival Theme Park Set For Orlando

Move over Disney World and Universal Studios, because a massive new theme park rival is coming to Orlando.

Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie and Hot Wheels, is set to open a massive indoor water park in the Florida city, just a mere ten minutes from Disney World.

In November, the company first announced that it was preparing to build five indoor water parks across the US but shared very few details at the time.

Now, this week, permits were said to have been filed.

According to Fox 35 Orlandoan engineering and design firm called Kimley-Horn filed the permits on behalf of Mattel for an 11-acre site in Lake Buena Vista, the same neighborhood where Disney World is located.

The documents describe the development as a ‘tourist commercial resort’ which will include ‘indoor/outdoor water park features, an outdoor gathering area, a retail store, and a family entertainment center,’ per the site.

Concept plans obtained by the outlet show a 90,000-square-foot indoor water park and a 35,700-square-foot outdoor water park, an 11,400-square-foot retail area, a 42,000-square-foot ‘slide zone,’ an event lawn and a parking garage.

The indoor areas will reportedly have a ‘state-of-the-art retractable roof’ that lets in the Florida sunshine on nice days but closes if a storm hits.

Disney Dining Blogwhich also reviewed the filing, reported that the water park will have themed areas dedicated to Barbie, Hot Wheels and Masters of the Universe.

The Barbie ‘land’ is set to feature a life-sized Barbie Beach House, which the site described as an ‘immersive experience featuring a “Dream Closet” utilizing hologram technology to bring Barbie to life before guests’ eyes.’

It will also reportedly have a theater and rooftop restaurant serving Barbie-themed food.

For Hot Wheels fans, there’s reportedly going to be a ‘high-speed’ aquatic racing coaster that will ‘mimic the loops and drops of a classic orange Hot Wheels track.’

In addition, there will reportedly be a 4,500sq ft laser tag area modeled after Castle Grayskull from Masters of the Universe.

In the initial announcement in November, the toy company described the water parks as a ‘series of experiential aquatic destinations’ designed to ‘create a new form of entertainment featuring Mattel’s beloved brands.’

‘Planned as five unique destination waterparks with launch dates to be announced, the Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks will… integrate many of Mattel’s iconic brands, including Barbie and Hot Wheels, across attractions ranging from lazy rivers and wave pools to thrilling waterslides,’ the firm said.

‘Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks will encompass many iconic Mattel brands that span generations of play, offering innovative water-based attractions and amenities in a dynamic new format for Mattel,’ vice-president Julie Freeland said at the time.

‘We are thrilled to collaborate with these exceptional industry leaders in waterpark development to create an experience where guests can connect with their favorite brands in an entirely new way.’

Other locations for the Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks include Bellevue, Nebraska, and Bradley, Illinois.

The last two cities have not been announced yet, nor has an opening date; however, some sites have theorized that it will open in 2028, with construction set to begin this year.

The toy companyis also building two theme parksboth called Mattel Adventure Park,in Glendale, Arizona, and Kansas City, Kansas.