Comedian Nate Bargatze plans to build a family-friendly theme park in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, and is already in discussions to bring smaller Nateland parks to other states as the top-earning entertainer embarks on a television and movie career.
Bargatze announced plans to partner with Storyland Studios to explore the concept and feasibility of a Nashville-area theme park on Tuesday, Nov. 18 during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention in Orlando, Florida.
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Bargatze’s Nateland Experiences and the Storyland design team are working closely with state and local officials in Tennessee to review possible sites in the greater Nashville area for the planned 100-acre-plus theme park resort with retail, dining and a hotel.
Nateland Experiences expects to complete a feasibility study by the first quarter of 2026 and then begin seeking investors.
Smaller theme parks in other states could follow the initial Nateland in Nashville, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“We’ve been in early discussions with some wealthy families and some governors of a couple of other states to do a Nateland-themed something, almost like a mini park,” Nateland CEO Felix Verdigets told the Hollywood Reporter.
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Nateland Experiences has been conducting market analytics on the Nashville theme park project, Bargatze told Esquire in May.
The Nateland theme park will be built on the site of the former Opryland theme park where Bargatze had his first job, the comedian told Esquire.
“I’ll be honest with you, I bet we’re closer than people think,” Bargatze told Esquire about the park. “But it’s still a little bit of a ways off.”
Bargatze has nine family-friendly scripts, three animated projects and two game shows in development, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The Nateland theme park will start with standalone rides and add themed rides if Bargatze’s movies and TV shows become successful, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“When Walt did Disney, it wasn’t like it was all Star Wars,” Bargatze told the Hollywood Reporter.
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The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian will host the “Greatest Average American” game show in February and star in “The Breadwinner” coming to theaters in March.
Bargatze is Pollstar’s current top earning comedian in the world and set a Billboard record for a one-year gross by a touring comedian.
Other theme park projects by Los Angeles-based Storyland Studio have included the Redwood Territory themed area at California’s Great America, Prop Shop Pizzeria at Knott’s Berry Farm and Legoland California water park.