Latest news with #MattelAdventurePark
Axios
03-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Glendale voters will decide on portion of VAI Resort in special election
Glendale voters will soon get a say on one aspect of the ambitious VAI Resort. The big picture: Labor advocacy group Worker Power collected enough signatures to force the City Council to put two measures on the ballot for the May special election in Glendale. Those two measures pertain to the City Council's November decisions to incorporate 10 acres owned by VAI into the resort project, and to change the zoning so it can be used for corporate office space. If voters reject Propositions 401 and 402, it would reverse the council's decisions. Why it matters: If the council's decisions are overturned, it would create "tremendous uncertainty for the developers as to what their timeline looks like" and would likely require VAI to seek another zoning agreement from the city, Garrick Taylor, a spokesperson for the Yes for Glendale campaign, told Axios. What they're saying:"Why inject any doubt into this project when we are so close to bringing it to completion?" Taylor said. Catch up quick: The $1.2 billion VAI Resort is slated to include four hotels with about 1,100 rooms, indoor and outdoor performance venues, a white-sand beach, 12 restaurants, bars, shopping stalls and the first-ever Mattel Adventure Park across 66 acres. The first phase of the resort is expected to open later this year just south of State Farm Stadium in Glendale's Sports and Entertainment District. It is expected to be Arizona's largest resort and to create about 2,000 permanent jobs. The intrigue: Worker Power argues that the 10 acres should be used for green space, as it was previously zoned for, per the Arizona Republic. The group is tied to Unite Here Local 11, which represents hotel, restaurant and airport workers in Arizona and California. In 2023, Worker Power backed a lawsuit challenging a property tax incentive the city planned to give VAI. The latest: Yes for Glendale, a campaign to support Propositions 401 and 402, launched this week. The campaign touts support from political and business figures including Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, Council Member Lauren Tolmachoff and Glendale Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Joshua Gunn. What they're saying: "The VAI Resort project represents our city's next step forward. This development will strengthen our economy, provide thousands of jobs and increase city revenues to improve police, fire, infrastructure and more," Weiers said in a campaign statement. The other side: Worker Power treasurer Brendan Walsh told the Glendale Star there's "significant dissatisfaction among residents" about the concessions the city has given VAI, saying people in Glendale want more input on large developments.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
People are reviewing an AZ theme park that's not open yet. Here's what they're saying
Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale, Arizona, hasn't even opened yet and it's already getting some bad online reviews. Mattel Adventure Park originally planned to open in late 2023 but has been delayed twice since, once to 2024 and now to the end of 2025. The theme park is the first of its kind and will be at the VAI Resort, also under construction in Glendale. It will bring Mattel favorites to life, including Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels and Masters of the Universe. The 9-acre park will have an indoor-outdoor design with air-conditioned spaces designed to appeal to all ages. Food and beverages will be available. Here's when Mattel Adventure Park is expected to open, what it will have and what people are saying about it on Google Reviews. The amusement park coming to Glendale is Mattel Adventure Park. It will be the first U.S. location of the theme park. A second location is planned for Kansas City, Kansas. Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale, AZ, is expected to open at the end of 2025 as the first phase of the VAI Resort launch. A representative for Mattel Adventure Park told The Arizona Republic that they had no further updates to share about the opening date. In spite of the park not being open, people are already leaving Google reviews. The 62 reviews have given the theme park a 4.1 rating. "We have been waiting literally years, more than two now," Braylon & Peyton wrote in their one-star review in February 2025. "To the point my 7-year-old daughter is sad and upset and will likely not even be into Barbie's when this place opens! Kids where so excited I had to take them to Disney because they think I lied about it opening! Sad it's taking so long! Loura Petsche reiterated the same sentiment in her two-star review in February: "Looks exciting for two years now but disappointing no updates for months. Please share a opening date. What has been installed will be old if it doesn't keep moving forward!! Was so excited to take our grandsons when they were 3 and 4 with the planned target opening but now they are 5 and 6! Starting to outgrow Thomas when it was once their obsession! Disappointing!" Other Google reviewers are more positive. Jack Tang is excited for the park to open and gave the location five stars five months ago. He wrote: "I've been waiting for this park to open for over a year … I can't wait for it to really open. My family will be regulars even though we live in California. This will replace my son's current favorite theme park, Legoland, in Carlsbad." Jose Armijo also encouraged people to be more understanding of the opening delays. He gave Mattel Adventure Park five stars in early March: "I've gotta laugh at all the reviews complaining about this place not being open yet. Do people not understand that a theme park can't be built overnight. Things happen. I'm sure that once it does open, it'll be worth the wait." And then there's this puzzling rave review from Ashley Stevenson, posted in early March: "This place is great. My 3 kids ages 6, 11 and 14 all loved it. Low attendance so wasn't crowded. Bring your own food and snacks because not too many places to eat. But I am sure they will provide more places to eat the more they build. I highly recommend going! "Visited on: Weekend, "Wait time: No wait. "Reservation recommended: Yes." Mattel Adventure Park is just south of VAI Resort at 9601 Cardinals Way in Glendale. The Hot Wheels roller coasters are visible from Loop 101. Mattel Adventure Park will cover 9 acres of indoor/outdoor space. Mattel Adventure Park will have two Hot Wheels-themed roller coasters: Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: This coaster will incorporate the hot rod's skull design and climb 84 feet in the air. Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer: A 65-second thrill ride with an over 2,503-foot track, it will go from zero to 50 mph in under 3 seconds. The roller coaster features two vertical loops — one that's over 116 feet — and a series of corkscrews and hairpin turns. Other Mattel Adventure Park attractions include: Thomas & Friends Thomas & Friends: World of Sodor Thomas Adventure Train: Treasure Hunt Thomas & Friends: Party Station Bertie's Bus Stop Bulstrode's Stormy Voyage Flynn's Firefighting Academy Harold's Helicopter Tour Sodor Balloon Ride Dockside Play Park Hot Wheels Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer Hot Wheels Unleased 4D Ride Hot Wheels Party Pit Stop Hot Wheels Go-Karting: Raceway Hot Wheels Go-Karting: Skyway Hot Wheels Speed Challenge Barbie Barbie Beach House Barbie Dream Closet Experience Barbie Flying Theatre Masters of the Universe He-Man vs. Skeletor Laser Tag Mattel Games UNO! Wild Climb Mattel Games Mini Golf Kerplunk Drop Tower Mattel Games Way What's going on with Buc-ee's? Here's the opening date for its first Arizona location Reach the reporter at Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Bluesky @ Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mattel Adventure Park isn't open but people are reviewing it
