Nate Bargatze’s theme park dreams are inching closer to reality.
On Tuesday, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ preeminent industry conference, the IAAPA Expo, Bargatze announced that his company is partnering with Storyland Studios, a Southern California-based themed entertainment architecture and design firm. Together, they’ll explore both the concept and the feasibility of a theme park in Bargatze’s native Nashville, which he and his Nateland Entertainment CEO Felix Verdigets teased extensively in The Hollywood Reporter’s early September cover story.
At the time, Bargatze said that the admittedly lofty project, which many had already written off as some kind of joke, was moving along nicely — in fact, they had already completed a market study and, now, the feasibility study is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. If everything continues to go well, Verdigets has said they’ll have a shovel in the ground in five to six years. To pull it all off, Bargatze, the most successful touring comedian in the world, and his CEO have been meeting with state and local officials, as they review possible sites in the greater Nashville area, as well as with potential investors.
The plan, as it stands now, is to build a 100+ acre amusement park, with other amenities like retail, dining and even a hotel being considered. Bringing in Storyland Studios was a critical next step in that process. “Our goal is to create a truly premium themed entertainment experience right in Music City that reflects the unique humor and heart of Nateland, while also delivering a world-class destination for families,” said Storyland’s founder and chief creative officer Mel McGowan in a statement announcing the partnership.
At Nateland, the project is being handled by the “Experiences” division, which is also responsible for such things as a Nateland themed cruise setting sail via Norwegian Cruise Line early next year. Other divisions at the rapidly expanding, family-friendly company are focused on stand-up, movies and TV, merchandise and an incubation lab for new talent. “Nate and Nateland are committed to good, clean, family-friendly entertainment,” noted Verdigets, adding of the latest venture: “We live in middle Tennessee and recognize the need for a major attraction for people of all ages in the Nashville area.”
