Theme park developer plans year-round getaway alongside Barbie’s lakeside beach house in KCK
April 9, 2024 | Startland News Staff
Barbie’s Beach House is just the beginning.
The developer behind a planned a new theme park centered around Mattel toys this week released more about its vision for Destination KCK, a year-round entertainment destination coming to Bonner Springs, Kansas, in Wyandotte County.
“The development will bring a whole new set of adventures just west of the acclaimed Village West development in Kansas City,” said Epic Resort Destinations, which is creating the series of attractions alongside the planned Mattel Adventure Park Kansas City. “Destination KCK will transform the 180-acre land parcel into a resort and vacation destination sure to create lifelong memories for locals and visitors alike.”

A rendering of the Destination KCK shows the planned Mattel Adventure Park Kansas City alongside new destination getaway attractions; image courtesy of Epic Resort Destinations
RELATED: Bonner Springs city council wants STAR Bonds district for Destination KCK
Destination KCK is expected to offer immersive themed areas — accessible by foot or boat — with a blend of distinctive retail and dining experiences. Highlights include a luxury RV Park Resort, a Christmas Village and lakeside hotels, one of which centers around the highly anticipated Mattel Adventure Park announced in March.

A balcony-view rendering of the Destination KCK shows the planned Mattel Adventure Park Kansas City alongside new destination getaway attractions; image courtesy of Epic Resort Destinations
“We are excited to bring this attraction and entertainment-based development to Kansas,” said Glen B. Bilbo, CEO of Epic Resort Destinations. “Destination KCK will be the perfect place to escape with the entire family.”
- Waterbound getaway — Designed around a central, 12-acre lake providing waterfront views for guests staying at one of the three resort hotels, Destination KCK will also offer a variety of lakefront experiential dining options. To enhance the experience, guests can take a boat excursion, a trip on a personal watercraft or a zipline adventure over to the resort.
- Year-round attractions — Visitors can enjoy theme park rides at Mattel Adventure Park or stroll through a Christmas Village where they can enjoy exclusive retail experiences and celebrate the holiday season 365 days a year.
- Amusement parked — In addition to the more than 500 hotel guest rooms, Destination KCK is expected to feature a luxury RV Park Resort and custom cabins for a unique glamping experience.
Click here to learn more about Destination KCK.
“There’s nothing else in the market quite like Destination KCK, and Epic Resort Destinations is proud to call Kansas the home of this all-new entertainment world,” the company said, noting the destination will also bring an anticipated 1,750 new jobs to the region, boosting the local economy while providing valuable employment opportunities for area residents.
Featured Business

2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kansas City startups flex pitch skills in national Kauffman contest
Four Kansas City area startups — and one Lawrence, Kan. firm — have qualified to the top 40 of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s 1 in a Million pitch competition. The competition offers those who have presented at 1 Million Cups in the last year a chance to snag a $25,000 prize. Hundreds of applicants — who…
Big Bang leverages smart city success, LaunchKC momentum
Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by LaunchKC but independently produced by Startland News. As Kansas City becomes a hotbed for smart city tech, one local startup is providing a spine for streamlined communication among the devices cities will leverage. Kansas City-based Big Bang’s Internet of Things software aims to work as the “central nervous…
JE Dunn leads $5M round in a local, ‘skunkworks’ tech spinout
One of Kansas City’s top corporations has led a $5 million investment round in a local tech firm that helps manage the torrents of paperwork associated with building maintenance and management. Kansas City-based JE Dunn led the Series A round in Site 1001, a software company that spun out of the construction giant to digitize…
Growing tech startup Campus Eye wants to make schools safer
College campuses aren’t the safest place to be. Nearly one in four female college students in the U.S. have experienced sexual assault. In the same study, 11 percent of female college students said they’ve experienced rape. And since 2013, there has been more than 76 instances of gun violence on college campuses. Campus Eye founder…
