Carida Capital Group names Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, as the fourth confirmed site for a Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark, set within the planned Weldon Mills Resort, due in 2029.
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, is set to host one of the first Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks. The waterpark will anchor the forthcoming Weldon Mills Resort. Carida Capital Group confirmed the project on 27 May 2026. The total investment stands at $500m, with a target opening of 2029.
Weldon Mills Resort sits along the I-95 corridor. It marks the next phase of Carida Capital Group’s Weldon Mills brand. The group’s existing portfolio includes the Weldon Mills Theatre, Carolina Crossroads Amphitheatre, Carolina Crossroads Motorsports, and the Weldon Mills Distillery. Project Luong serves as lead developer and prime architect.
The Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark will span 100,000 square feet and feature a retractable roof for year-round operation. The park draws on Mattel brands including Barbie and Hot Wheels. Attractions will include competition slides, wave pools, aquatic play structures, and two new rides. One of those rides will be exclusive to the Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks series.
The wider resort will include 600 hotel rooms and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. Plans also cover a 75,000-square-foot convention centre and sports complex alongside a 40,000-square-foot family entertainment centre. A feature fountain show and 20,000 square feet of retail space complete the public offer. The development should generate more than 1,000 jobs for the region.
Bruce Tyler, co-founder of Weldon Mills Distillery and partner in Carida Capital Group, said: ‘We’re so excited to bring a Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterpark to Weldon Mills Resort. Evolving Weldon Mills alongside the power of Mattel’s iconic brands will quickly create a premier destination that supports tourism, strengthens the local economy, and delivers lasting value for Halifax County and the broader region.’
Roanoke Rapids is the fourth confirmed location in the Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks series, following sites announced for Orlando, Florida; Bellevue, Nebraska; and Bradley, Illinois. Mattel launched the concept in November 2025, in partnership with aquatic design firm Martin Aquatic, management firm American Resort Management, and developer I-dentity Group. WhiteWater joined the project as exclusive water attraction vendor across all locations in April 2026.
Image: Mattel
