CONTACT US

Contact Form

    News Details

    First look at Nate Bargatze’s $350 million Nateland theme park
    • May 19, 2026

    Comedian Nate Bargatze has unveiled the first look at the Nateland theme park planned for his hometown of Nashville as the top earning entertainer continues to develop a comedy vacation destination that would serve as a residency for himself and fellow comics.

    Bargatze released the first rendering of Nateland and put a $350 million price tag on the 100-acre-plus theme park resort with retail, dining and a hotel during an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

    Sign up for our Park Life newsletter and find out what’s new and interesting every week at Southern California’s theme parks. Subscribe here.

    ALSO SEE: Soarin’ Across America: Scene-by-scene look at new Disneyland ride

    The Nateland Experiences team has begun seeking local investors and raising capital after completing a feasibility study of the project and hiring a lobbyist to promote the plan, according to the Wall Street Journal.

    Tennessee and Nashville governments have identified tax incentives to help fund the project, WSJ reports.

    Concept art of the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    An aerial rendering by design partner Storyland Studios of early concepts for the park shows at least three roller coasters, two tower rides, nighttime water show, outdoor boat ride, Intamin Figure 8 Hubless Wheel and a comedy venue called “The Big Room.”

    Nateland’s still-evolving design will feature four themed lands based on:

    • Bargatze’s roots growing up in Tennessee
    • The comedian’s career journey in New York City
    • His expansion into movies, television, cruises and podcasts
    • An entry promenade styled after a 1990s shopping mall
    Concept art of a themed land with roller coasters, tower rides, a boat ride and a nighttime spectacular at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of a themed land with roller coasters, tower rides, a boat ride and a nighttime spectacular at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    The Tennessee themed land would include roller coasters and a Donkey Dive ride inspired by a Bargatze joke.

    The NYC land would feature skyscrapers, street performers, live shows and a dark ride themed to New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

    Concept art of a New York City themed land at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of a New York City themed land at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    The land themed to Bargatze’s later career would feature stunt performances and interactive shows.

    Visitors would enter past letters spelling out N-A-T-E-L-A-N-D and pass through a six-story indoor mall spilling onto pathways leading to the other three lands.

    Concept art of an entry promenade styled after a 1990s shopping mall at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of an entry promenade styled after a 1990s shopping mall at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    Bargatze told Esquire in a May 2025 article that the Nateland theme park would be built on the site of the former Opryland theme park where Bargatze had his first job.

    Bargatze envisions Nateland as the home base for his growing catalog of family-friendly entertainment projects where the comedian would reinvent himself as a cross between a “Tennessee Walt Disney” and a theme park mascot, according to WSJ.

    “I’m the Mickey Mouse,” Bargatze told WSJ.

    Concept art of an Intamin Figure 8 Hubless Wheel ride at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of an Intamin Figure 8 Hubless Wheel ride at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    The Nashville-area theme park would serve as the comedy home of Nateland Entertainment where Bargatze and his team of young and up-and-coming comedians could perform when they were not touring.

    “Bargatze’s company still heavily relies on money from his stand-up shows,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “He wants to taper down his arena tours and hopes Nateland will switch up the transaction, with audiences coming to him.”

    Concept art of the Big Room venue at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)
    Concept art of the Big Room venue at the Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee created by Storyland Studios. (Courtesy of Nateland)

    The relatable guy comic remains uncomfortable about designing and building theme park attractions based on his life and career.

    “The win for me will be when people go to Nateland and maybe don’t even know who Nate is,” Bargatze told the Wall Street Journal.

    Comedian Nate Bargatze plans to build his Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. (Image courtesy of Nate Bargatze)
    Comedian Nate Bargatze plans to build his Nateland theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. (Image courtesy of Nate Bargatze)

    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.

    The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated comedian began hosting the “Greatest Average American” game show in February and will star in new “The Breadwinner” film coming to theaters on May 29.

     Orange County Register 

    News