Arizonans love Disneyland. So why don't we have more theme parks near Phoenix?
With summer around the corner for Arizona residents, the opportunity presents itself to spend more time at amusement parks and on thrilling rides. However, the theme park scene in metro Phoenix is scarce — and there are only 10 operating roller coasters across the entire state.
With a growing population in the Valley and potential space, why doesn't Arizona boast its own version of a Disneyland?
For a while, Legend City was a go-to theme park in metro Phoenix. John Bueker, who wrote a book on the now-defunct but beloved destination, said the park had some success, but its challenges could have cast a shadow on future projects. Some new theme parks are in the works, such as the Mattel Adventure Park. The development has targeted its Glendale opening for the end of the year.
Mark Cornell, the co-founder of the Mattel company, said his business model has found a way to overcome various challenges, including the desert heat.
This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, pays a visit to both the past and the future to explain the different variables that factor into developing a theme park in the Valley, and how challenges inhibit Arizona's creation of a Disneyland-esque park all its own.
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Listen to the episode: Why doesn't Phoenix have a Disneyland?
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mattel to Legend City: Why doesn't Arizona have more theme parks?
