Travel Guides Family Friendly Amusement Parks
Lexi Kassler
Come on, Barbie! Let’s go party in Arizona! Barbie mania is here and ready to take the world by storm at Mattel’s very first theme park, Mattel Adventure Park, in Glendale, Arizona. This comes on the heels of the world’s latest (and possibly weirdest?) social phenomenon, the much-awaited “Barbenheimer” (Barbie and Oppenheimer) weekend double feature, two movies that couldn’t be more different and yet have each generated an unprecedented amount of buzz.
This has led to an unexpected revival of interest in the Barbie doll, originally a perfectly poised blonde doll who “started” their career as a teen fashion model in 1959 but has since expanded their expertise and taken on a variety of career paths, including Astronaut Barbie, Executive Barbie, and Doctor Barbie. Frankly, there hasn’t been a cultural boomerang quite like this since maybe … vinyl records? Mom jeans?
And though the park has found its home in the arid Arizona desert, this is one trend that isn’t set to dry up like a shallow pool in the blazing heat. Here’s everything you need to know (and more) about Barbie’s new home at Mattel Adventure Park.
The who, what, where, and when of Mattel’s newest theme park
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A theme park full of Mattel toys sounds like a child’s dream come true, but we’re willing to bet that it won’t just be families with small children flocking to this theme park. As Barbie Mania has risen, so too have adult trends like “Barbiecore,” a fashion trend that pays tribute to the doll with pink outfits and accessories.
However, the park won’t just be catering to the pink-obsessed. You’ll also find areas dedicated to other Mattel brands like Hot Wheels (which has a roller coaster and go-karting area), Thomas & Friends, and Masters of the Universe, which includes a 4,500-square-foot laser tag arena. There will also be a 9-hole mini golf course and structures featuring iconic Mattel games such as Uno and Pictionary.
Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds great, but isn’t Arizona hot?” Yes, it is very hot, and the state is currently experiencing one of its most sweltering summers on record. Thankfully, Mattel has thought ahead, and plans for the 9-acre adventure park include outdoor and air-conditioned indoor areas. There will also be a man-made party island where you can cool off, take a dip, and sit in the shade. As for when you’ll be able to purchase tickets, expect sales to go live sometime in 2024. If you’re flying in, the park will be located just 20 minutes away from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The Mattel Adventure Park brings Barbie to life
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If you’re a die-hard Barbie fan, you’re really not going to want to miss out on visiting Barbie’s new home in Arizona. At Mattel Adventure Park, you won’t just find a small themed area dedicated to Barbie but an entirely immersive experience that all takes place at the Barbie Beach House.
There, you can try the Barbie Flying Theater — similar to the Soarin’ Around California experience found at California Adventures (across from Disneyland) in California — that takes you through all of Barbie’s career adventures. You’ll also get to take part in the Dream Closet Experience, where you can meet Barbie face-to-hologram, and together, you’ll create the ultimate Barbie wardrobe, fulfilling your Barbiecore dreams. Finally, there will also be a Barbie Rooftop where you can try a variety of pink drinks and snacks while enjoying incredible views of the park.
If this can’t satisfy your Barbie dreams, we’re not sure if anything can, as Mattel is set to make this experience one of a kind and as realistic as you can expect from Barbie’s plastic world.
