When plans for a Crayola Experience and NERF Action Xperience in Pigeon Forge were first announced, the project immediately attracted attention. The two indoor attractions promised to bring globally recognized brands to one of America’s busiest family tourism destinations.
However, if you’re planning a visit today, you’ll notice something has changed.
The original plans have been replaced
Since the original announcement, the development has undergone a significant transformation. Rather than opening as separate Crayola Experience and NERF Action Xperience attractions, the entire project has been reimagined as The Play District, a much larger multi-brand entertainment destination.
The updated concept no longer includes Crayola Experience. Instead, visitors can expect a Hasbro-themed complex featuring:
- NERF Action Xperience
- Planet Playskool
- Peppa Pig Playtime
- Additional family attractions and entertainment experiences
The new development is now targeting a summer 2027 opening instead of the previously announced 2025 debut.
Why did the plans change?
Developers have not provided a detailed explanation, but the redesign suggests they opted for a broader entertainment concept rather than relying on just two standalone intellectual properties.
By expanding into multiple Hasbro brands, The Play District is expected to appeal to a wider audience and encourage guests to spend more time on-site. The project occupies the former Smoky Mountain Opry property along the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, giving developers considerably more space than originally planned.
What would visitors have experienced?
Although Crayola Experience will no longer be part of the Tennessee project, the original plans revealed what guests would have enjoyed.
The attraction was designed as a next-generation version of the existing Crayola Experience locations, featuring more than 20 interactive attractions across approximately 30,000 square feet. Planned activities included:
- Creating personalized crayons
- Melted wax art
- Interactive coloring experiences
- Digital art activities
- Large creative play zones
- A Crayola-themed retail store
- Food and beverage offerings
Next door, NERF Action Xperience was planned as a roughly 25,000-square-foot indoor attraction with:
- Blaster battle arenas
- Obstacle courses
- Sports challenges
- Interactive missions
- A themed restaurant
- Dedicated merchandise store
Much of the NERF concept is still expected to be incorporated into The Play District.
Are there already reviews?
Not yet.
Because the attractions never opened in their originally announced form, there are no guest reviews from Pigeon Forge itself. However, existing Crayola Experience locations in Orlando, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida consistently receive positive feedback from families with younger children.
Visitors generally praise:
- The large number of hands-on creative activities
- Air-conditioned indoor environment
- Opportunities for children to spend several hours exploring
- Interactive attractions that encourage participation instead of passive observation
Common criticisms include:
- Better suited to children under 10 than teenagers
- Premium admission price
- Additional spending opportunities inside the attraction
NERF Action Xperience venues have similarly been praised for active, physical gameplay, although younger children may require adult assistance during some challenges.
Looking ahead
While fans hoping to visit a Crayola Experience in the Smoky Mountains may be disappointed, the overall project has arguably become even more ambitious. The Play District is evolving into a multi-brand indoor entertainment complex that combines several of Hasbro’s most recognizable franchises under one roof.
If construction remains on schedule, visitors to Pigeon Forge can expect one of the largest family entertainment additions the destination has seen in recent years when The Play District opens in summer 2027.
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