Comedian Nate Bargatze Planning Theme Parks in Nashville & Beyond

I know I am not alone in saying that one of the saddest moments in history is when Opryland USA Theme Park in Nashville closed its gates. My family used to go multiple times a year and while my parents watched the concerts and shows, my babysitter took me around to ride rides.

Memories of Opryland USA

I was barely tall enough to reach the top of the height chart, but I rode the Wabash Cannonball over and over and over. Grizzly River Rampage, Orange Blossom Special, Angle Inn, Screamin' Delta Demon, and more. So many good memories! Remember CHAOS?

We would ride that one when it was really hot and we wanted to cool off.

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The Tennessee Kid Misses Opryland

Someone else who misses Opryland? Comedian Nate Bargatze, who you've seen on Netflix specials, Saturday Night Live, and breaking attendance records at sold-out live stadium shows across the country. Nashville is his hometown, and he has mentioned multiple times how bummed he is that Opryland is not around anymore.

When Bargatze was a teenager, he worked at the theme park until it closed during his senior year of high school. In 1997, Gaylord Entertainment, which owned the park, decided to pivot its business strategy and ruin all of our lives. I'll hold that grudge til my last breath.

Nate Bargatze Helps New Comedians Find Success

As Bargatze has seen success, he's made it a priority to help up-and-coming comics find the stool and spotlight on stage with his company, Nateland Entertainment. According to his website, it is " a family-friendly content company where he produces standup comedy specials, showcases, sketches, and scripted episodic content for film, television, podcasts, music, and more."

Nateland Cruise Sets Sail in 2026

He also has plans for something very exciting. A new department of his business called "Nateland Experiences." In 2026, he will set sail as host of Nateland's maiden voyage on a Norwegian Cruise Ship. Playing the long game, though, he has been working on developments for...you guessed it...a theme park in Nashville and beyond.

Is Nate Bargatze Really Building Future Theme Park?

The Hollywood Reporter shared a quote from Nateland CEO Felix Verdigets, "'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,' In Bargatze’s native Nashville, the goal is to build something that spans 80 to 100 acres, though the team’s waiting for the feasibility study to be completed before it determines the exact size and site."

I don't know for sure if he plans to revive any of the old Opryland rides, but I hope so! Nate told Channel 4 WSMV, “My goal is to shoot movies here and then also work on a theme park. And we can have our own Universal Studios. I mean, it’s gonna be called ‘Nateland’,” he said. “They took Opryland from me, so I’m going to bring it back. We’re going to have the Screaming Delta Demon. We’re gonna bring it back.”