The four corners of the world could be a lot closer than we think. 🌍
Meet Storyville Gardens — a 100-acre story-based theme park that plans to bring children’s stories to life in the form of rides and attractions.
The park, a concept by local Guerrier Development, would be Nashville’s first large-scale amusement park since Opryland USA shuttered in 1997, so today we’re diving into what to expect as the project takes shape over the next few years.
- The location. While we don’t yet know the specific location — the developers plan to finalize a site in the Nashville area by year’s end — we do know it will need to accommodate at least 100+ acres, which is the planned size of the theme park.
- The timeline. If all goes according to plan, construction would begin in mid-2022 on the first of 3 phases with a projected opening date in spring 2025. These dates could fluctuate due to the size and nature of the project.
- The design. Storyville will be designed by Storyland Studios, who has worked on projects for Disney and Universal Studios. Executives give an in-depth look at the park’s design in this video — including a lagoon in the middle of the park, Rapunzel’s tower, mazes + more.
- The experience. The project will be “experience-driven” through various storytelling attractions in each of the 4 internationally-themed parks focusing on Africa, America, Asia + Europe. Developers are planning for more than 220,000 sqft of retail, dining, and 3 themed-hotels in addition to roller coasters and other amusement park rides.
- The impact on local employment. A project analysis estimates construction would spur 2,260 jobs + the attraction would create positions for more than 1,700 employees once finished.
- What the developers are saying. DeLisa Guerrier, founder and CEO says, “I’m building a theme park based on stories and books from all over the world with the intent to ignite a desire to read beyond what’s required in the classroom ... it’ll be a place where we can bring in all of the literacy initiatives and provide a hub where children who are underserved can have access to them.”
Check out this “fly through” of the park’s renderings + be prepared for your jaw to drop. ⬇️