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
Innovation district will look to black community for insight, McGinnis tells GEW crowd
Developing an innovation district takes a village, Kevin McGinnis told a packed room of Global Entrepreneurship Week attendees — a cross-section of Kansas Citians eager to learn more about how his proposed Keystone innovation district could re-shape diversity and inclusion efforts in the startup space. “I’m not going to suggest that I’m bringing a bunch…
Fiercely independent, together: CoCreate KC feeds talent through coworking pipeline
A new coworking space in the Crossroads — CoCreate KC — plans to mix commercial and fine artists to stoke creative energy, with each member able to lend their talents to the founding firm, BrandWell Partners, said Brad Lang. “There are so many Kansas City, successful freelancers out there working on the ground,” said Lang, co-founder…
Top 10 remaining GEW events: Midwest funding, women startup leaders, social media marketing
Nearing the midpoint of Global Entrepreneurship Week, snowy weather turned to sunny skies — welcoming entrepreneurs and curious citizens alike to a wide range of activities rounding out the week. Wednesday is expected to feature some of the week’s most popular workshops and panels, according to KCSourceLink data, with three of the leading events running…
VIDEO: Education startups earn $60K in LEANLAB grants at revamped Launch[ED] Day
The work doesn’t end with LEANLAB Education’s Launch[ED] Day celebration, said Katie Boody. Four of the accelerator’s fellows will continue their startups’ research thanks to $60,000 in grant investments. The entrepreneur-led education ventures took the stage Thursday to pitch their companies to the Launch[ED] crowd at Plexpod Westport Commons, as well as to describe the…
