VAI Resort postpones its opening date again. Here's why it won't open in 2024

VAI Resort, the $1 billion hotel and entertainment complex hotel under construction in Glendale that's aiming to redefine Arizona's tourism landscape, has postponed its opening date again.

The VAI website was recently updated with a different timeframe for opening than previously stated.

VAI, which will have 1,100 rooms on 60 acres near State Farm Stadium, would be Arizona's largest hotel. It was approved by the Glendale City Council in 2020 and began construction in 2021 when it was known as Crystal Lagoons.

The resort is intended to be an entertainment hotspot, with an 11,000-seat VAI Amphitheater, a Mattel Adventure Park, five acres of artificial beaches with temperature-controlled water, a European-inspired "party island" and a tethered hot air balloon for viewing the Sonoran Desert landscape.

Here's the latest VAI construction update.

Is the VAI Resort opening in 2024?

No. VAI Resort is now scheduled to open in 2025; a more specific time frame has not been announced.

A VAI Resort spokesperson provided a statement to The Republic that attributed "delays in our timeline" as the reason for pushing back the hotel's opening.

"As VAI continues to evolve into the premiere luxury entertainment destination in the Phoenix area, we have inevitably experienced some delays in our timeline," the statement said.

"We are committed to creating the best experience possible for our future guests, and building something that has never been seen in the hospitality space takes time. Our progress is evident, and we’re excited to share more news, as we continue to partner with some of the most reputable names in entertainment and food & beverage."

The VAI statement did not describe the nature of the delays.

VAI's opening has been pushed back several times. When VAI Resort LLC purchased the resort from Crystal Lagoons in 2022, the resort gave an opening date of late spring 2023. (VAI appeared in The Arizona Republic's 2023 and 2024 lists of Arizona's most anticipated hotel openings and renovations.)

How much did the VAI Resort cost to build?

The cost to build VAI Resort has been estimated at $1 billion.

The amphitheater's estimated cost is $50 million.

How many rooms will VAI Resort have?

VAI Resort will have 1,100 rooms in four towers and will open in phases, according to VAI's statement.

Here's the breakdown of the towers and the number of rooms:

• Amphitheater Tower: 318 rooms.

• Rhythm Tower: 311 rooms.

• Cadence Tower: 299 rooms.

• VAI Villas: 155 rooms.

VAI Resort CEO Grant Fisher previously said the first phase of the resort's opening would include the 318-room Amphitheater Tower, VAI Amphitheater and Mattel Adventure Park.

What is the VAI Amphitheater?

The amphitheater will present concerts from A-list music and comedy acts. VAI intends to use the stage more than 100 times per year, and Fisher envisions competing with Las Vegas' music residencies.

Concerts at the amphitheater will be promoted by Live Nation and C3 Presents, the latter of which presents the annual Innings Festival in Tempe.

Is Mattel Adventure Park opening in 2024?

Mattel Adventure Park's website still lists a late 2024 opening date for its Glendale theme park. We've reached out to Epic Resort Destinations, the operator of the Mattel park, for comment.

The 9-acre indoor/outdoor amusement park will have a Barbie Beach House with a Barbie Dream Closet Experience, where guests can create their own Barbie sets and hologram technology is used to "bring Barbie to life right before guests' eyes."

There also will be two Hot Wheels-themed roller coasters: the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: the Ultimate Ride coaster, which climbs 84 feet and drops down a double helix track, and the Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer, which will have a double loop and two corkscrews.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: VAI resort won't open in 2024: Here's when it might open