Orlando’s theme park landscape is about to get a massive new player. Mattel, the toy giant behind Barbie, Hot Wheels, and countless childhood favorites, has filed official plans to build their first-ever indoor water park just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World. This isn’t just another small attraction—it’s a 90,000-square-foot aquatic experience that could change how families plan their Orlando vacations.
🏊♂️ Quick Facts: Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark
- Location: 11-acre lot on Vineland Road, 10 minutes from Disney World
- Size: 90,000 square feet indoor + outdoor water park areas
- Brands Featured: Barbie, Hot Wheels, Uno, and other iconic Mattel properties
- Special Features: Retractable roof, exclusive water slides, wave pools
- Target Opening: TBD (Kansas City location opens in 2026)
Table of Contents
- What is Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark?
- Where Exactly Will It Be Located?
- What to Expect: Attractions and Features
- How This Changes Orlando’s Water Park Game
- When Can You Visit?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark?
Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks represent the toy company’s ambitious expansion into location-based entertainment. Instead of just selling toys, Mattel is creating immersive experiences where families can literally step inside their favorite toy worlds.
According to Julie Freeland, Mattel’s Vice President of Global Location-Based Entertainment, “Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks will encompass many iconic Mattel brands that span generations of play, offering innovative water-based attractions and amenities in a dynamic new format for Mattel.”
The Orlando location is the first of five planned across the United States, with additional parks planned for Kansas City, Glendale, California, and two other undisclosed locations.
Where Exactly Will It Be Located?
The waterpark will be built on an 11-acre site on Vineland Road, strategically positioned just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World and near the popular Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. This location puts it in the heart of Orlando’s tourism corridor, making it an easy addition to any theme park vacation itinerary.
The proximity to both Disney World and Universal Orlando is no accident. Mattel is clearly targeting families who are already visiting Central Florida, offering them a new way to extend their vacation and experience something completely unique.
Strategic Positioning
By locating so close to Disney World, Mattel is positioning itself to capture guests who might want a different kind of water experience. While Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer traditional outdoor water park fun, Mattel’s indoor facility with a retractable roof promises year-round operation regardless of Florida’s unpredictable weather.
What to Expect: Attractions and Features
The Orlando facility will span an impressive 90,000 square feet indoors, plus additional outdoor water park areas and event spaces. Here’s what we know about the planned attractions:
Water Attractions
- Wave Pools: Multiple wave pool experiences themed to different Mattel brands
- Water Slides: A dedicated “slide zone” covering 42,000 square feet
- Lazy Rivers: Themed float experiences
- Exclusive Attractions: Water slides you can only experience at Mattel parks
Unique Design Elements
- Retractable Roof: Enjoy indoor comfort or open-air experience
- Brand Integration: Attractions themed to Barbie, Hot Wheels, Uno, and other Mattel properties
- Event Lawn: Outdoor space for special events and gatherings
- Retail Space: Over 11,000 square feet of Mattel merchandise
Innovative Theming Approach
Josh Martin, President and Creative Director of Martin Aquatic (the design firm behind the project), shared exciting details about the theming philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on characters, Mattel is taking a creative approach to their classic toy brands.
Martin explained the concept using Uno as an example: imagine designing a water slide around the famous card game, incorporating elements that make you feel like you’re actually playing Uno while sliding through the attraction.
This approach suggests we’ll see creative interpretations of beloved toy concepts rather than simple character meet-and-greets.
How This Changes Orlando’s Water Park Game
The arrival of Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark represents a significant shift in Orlando’s competitive landscape. Here’s why this matters:
Year-Round Operations
Unlike traditional outdoor water parks that close during cooler months, the indoor facility with retractable roof means families can enjoy water attractions in January just as easily as July. This addresses one of the main limitations of Florida’s seasonal water park industry.
Different Demographics
While Disney’s water parks appeal to all ages, Mattel’s focus on toy brands specifically targets families with children who grew up with these iconic toys. Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Uno have multi-generational appeal that could create unique bonding experiences.
Vacation Extension Strategy
The park’s location makes it easy for families to add an extra day to their Orlando vacation. Instead of choosing between Disney or Universal for their water park day, families now have a third option that offers something completely different.
Premium Experience Design
Martin Aquatic’s portfolio includes high-end projects like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Universal’s Volcano Bay, and The Ritz-Carlton Naples. This suggests Mattel is aiming for a premium experience that justifies premium pricing.
When Can You Visit?
Mattel has not announced an official opening date for the Orlando location. However, we do know that the Kansas City park is scheduled to open in 2026, which gives us a timeline reference.
The Orlando project is currently in the permitting phase, with pre-application permits filed through engineering firm Kimley-Horn. Based on typical construction timelines for projects of this scale, we could realistically see the Orlando park opening sometime in 2027 or 2028.
What’s Next
As the development progresses, Mattel promises to release more details about specific attractions, pricing, and opening dates. The company is partnering with:
- Martin Aquatic: Aquatic design and engineering
- American Resort Management: Waterpark operations and management
- I-dentity Group: Development and construction
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will admission cost?
Mattel has not announced pricing for any of their planned waterparks yet. Expect announcements closer to the opening date.
Will there be annual passes?
No information has been released about ticketing options, including annual passes or multi-day tickets.
What age groups is this designed for?
Based on Mattel’s brand portfolio, the park will likely appeal to families with children ages 3-16, though the multi-generational appeal of brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels could attract adult nostalgia.
Will it be open year-round?
The indoor design with retractable roof suggests year-round operations, but Mattel hasn’t confirmed specific operating schedules.
How does this compare to Disney’s water parks?
While Disney’s parks are larger outdoor experiences, Mattel’s indoor focus offers weather protection and a more intimate, brand-focused experience. Think of it as a different approach rather than direct competition.
The Bigger Picture: Orlando’s Evolving Landscape
Mattel’s entry into Orlando represents something larger than just a new water park. It signals that major entertainment companies see opportunity in Orlando beyond the traditional Disney-Universal duopoly.
With Epic Universe now open and attracting millions of guests, Orlando has proven it can support significant new attractions. Mattel’s indoor waterpark concept fills a specific niche—premium, weather-protected family entertainment with beloved brand integration.
For families planning Orlando vacations, this could mean more options than ever before. Instead of limiting themselves to Disney and Universal properties, they’ll have an entirely new category of entertainment to consider.
What do you think about Mattel bringing an indoor water park to Orlando? Will you add it to your vacation plans when it opens? Let us know in the comments!
Planning your next Orlando vacation? Save this article and keep an eye out for official opening announcements from Mattel.
