By Joshua Bowling | Arizona Republic (Photo courtesy of Mattel)
A Mattel-branded theme park with Hot Wheels and Thomas the Tank Engine attractions is planned alongside Crystal Lagoons Island Resort, a massive water park flanked by hotels, restaurants and entertainment, in Glendale’s sports and entertainment district.
A groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday kicked off the project just south of State Farm Stadium, near 95th Avenue and Loop 101, that is expected to open before Arizona hosts its next Super Bowl in 2023.
The water park was announced last year, with the addition of the theme park unveiled Thursday. A Hot Wheels-themed roller coaster, go-karts and a Thomas and Friends-themed indoor theme park with a “life-sized” Thomas the Tank Engine electric passenger train were listed among the attractions.
“It’s just going to be phenomenal,” City Manager Kevin Phelps said. “There are going to be theaters, there’s going to be racetracks, there’s going to be rollercoasters.”
