Mattel Adventure Park Stalls Two Years Behind Schedule
The Glendale, Arizona theme park broke ground in 2021 and was originally due to welcome families by 2024.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Theme Parks
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Mattel Adventure Park, a 9-acre park in Glendale, Arizona, is more than two years behind schedule and stalled. VAI Resort has become the developer, owner, and operator after the original developer walked away from the project.
Why it matters
The park has been hit by blown deadlines, ownership changes and construction setbacks, leaving its future unclear for Glendale residents and visitors. VAI Resort says it is pressing ahead with construction.
The park's website lists it as 'coming soon' with no firm opening date, against an original 2024 target. The source does not say when VAI will announce a revised timeline.
The players
VAI Resort
VAI Resort is a hospitality and entertainment company that now develops, owns and operates the Mattel Adventure Park after the original developer withdrew.
Mattel
Mattel is the American toy company whose brand is licensed to the Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale.
The details
A construction worker died after falling 63 feet from an aerial lift on the VAI property. A May 2025 special election over rezoning VAI's land ended in a split decision.
Timeline
2021: Park broke ground.
2024: Original target year for welcoming families.
May 2025: Special election over VAI rezoning ended in a split decision.
November 2026: VAI says an update will be announced this month.
Industry Context
Branded theme parks built on toy-company licenses, like the Hot Wheels attractions at Mattel Adventure Park, depend on a developer and operator staying in place for the whole build. The project's ownership change shows how that dependence can slow a park's opening.
Visitors planning around the Mattel Adventure Park should not book trips on the 2024 target, since no firm opening date has been set. Check VAI's update before arranging travel to Glendale for the park.
The takeaway
Branded theme parks can stall when developers change hands, so treat announced opening years as provisional until a firm date is confirmed.
What happens next
VAI Resort has said an update on the park will be announced sometime this month, though no specific date was given.
Further reading
For other stalled and delayed attraction projects, browse our Theme Parks coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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