The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is rumored to announce soon it will develop the biggest amusement park in Alabama, located at the Foley Beach Express and Baldwin County 20, about nine miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Foley Mayor John Koniar said, “Some people would like to see gambling there. The answer is that while it’s their land, it’s not federal Indian land, so gaming is not allowed.” He added, “We wanted a family-friendly development and that is what they will do. It’s unlike anything in our region.”
Koniar said the park will be a “hybrid” of Disney World and a Six Flags theme park, but “a little more upscale than Six Flags. They want a lot more green space and landscaping. It’s not just concrete and rides. It will be softer and they tend to lean toward the Disney side of it. They are looking at higher-end amusement.” He said the park would feature a roller coaster that could be one of the largest in the Southeast, and 20 other rides, plus shops and attractions.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism Chief Executive Officer Herb Malone said the development will establish the region as a “year-round destination.” And Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell noted, “A nationally known attraction developer who visited the coast several years ago said, ‘Alabama has beautiful beaches, but where are the attractions?’ Well, the Poarch Creek Indians are providing an emphatic statement.”
Previously the Foley development was called “Blue Collar Country” after the comedy team of Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. After the Creek Indian Enterprise Development Authority purchased the development in 2015 it changed the initial master plan and will rename it.
Koniar said, “The tribe is doing this first-class,” noting the amusement rides alone will cost $30-$40 million. “They’ve gone all over the world looking at amusement venues and doing it right, in my opinion.” Koniar added the investment illustrates how the tribe’s portfolio has evolved since the Poarch Band received federal designation in 1984. The only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, it owns and operates the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, Creek Casino Wetumpka at Hickory Ground in Wetumpka and Creek Casino Montgomery in Montgomery. In the past year, the tribe announced it is purchasing Margaritaville Restore Casino in Louisiana and partnering with the Washoe Tribe to open a casino near Reno, Nevada.
