Odysea In The Desert Complex Rebrands As Arizona Boardwalk

By Jimmy Jenkins
Published: Thursday, February 13, 2020 - 4:00pm
Updated: Thursday, February 13, 2020 - 6:47pm

The Odysea In the Desert Complex located on Salt River Reservation land near Scottsdale is rebranding itself as Arizona Boardwalk. 

The entertainment destination opened in 2013 with a butterfly exhibit, and grew in 2016 with the addition of an aquarium and a swim-with-the-dolphins attraction called Dolphinaris. But after four dolphin deaths over several years, Dolphinaris closed in 2019.

Ran Knishinsky is the chief marketing officer for Arizona Boardwalk. He says hopefully giving the site a new name will reduce confusion for consumers. 

“What I want people to know is that we’re more than just the aquarium," he said. "It’s eight attractions. One location. Lots of shopping. Lots of restaurants.”

Knishinsky announced the construction of a new hotel near the property. He said about 70% of the 1 million visitors each year are locals.