New Hard Rock Park owners ditch the name

Be honest, guys. Were any of you really expecting something unique, catchy, creative, or <name any of the other reasons you guys say you don't like the name>?

Does the name change get them out of paying the royalties and creative rights to Steve Goodwin? If so, I can see why they went this way. The name they chose on the other hand...

How about:
"The Park Formally known as Hard Rock Park"

Or:
"Rock and Roll: The Amusement Park"

Music City USA....I know it's kinda already taken, but it's still better than this...

Thinking about it for a while, I now understand that they don't want to limit the name of the park to just one kind of music. Naming the park "Hard Rock Park" seemed to paint them into a corner as far as the theme expected from park goers.

So now instead of a "rock park", they are trying to say that it is a "music park". The term "freestyle" is what is so out of place to me. I kind of get what they are trying to say with the name, but it sounds so silly.

When I hear "free style" i think of rap and only rap. It doesn't roll very well. Still it makes sense....

I think that's just it - the word freestyle has no musical association whatsoever.

When I think of freestyle anything - it's usually BMX or skateboarding. What the hell is freestyle music?

Lord Gonchar said:
When I think of freestyle anything - it's usually BMX or skateboarding.

Exactly what came to mind.

^^ Yes it is! It was a music popularized in the 1980's and is what immediately comes to my mind when I hear the term.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freestyle_music

Wow. I know a lot about music and never heard that genre of music referred to as freestyle...ever.

I learn something new everyday.

...and it makes the choice of name for the park even more baffling.

Take a look at this. It helps explain a few things about the Freestyle name.

eightdotthree said:
How about:
"The Park Formally known as Hard Rock Park"

Now that would have fit the theme!

When this park first went into bankruptcy I had hope that they could turn things around. Then it looked like they were going to liquidate and it was all over. Then hope came back when the new owners bought the place. But with the loss/re-branding of the name/theme, my hopes are dashed again. Glad I went out of my way to visit the park last summer.

Well, it was "formally" known as Hard Rock.

Now, however, it's "formerly" known as Hard Rock. :)

Also, add me to the list of people who think that a Freestyle park involves half pipes, empty swimming pools, and skateboards.

The logo is even worse. The mark is OK, but the typography looks dated. It really looks like someone's wife came up with the name and then let their son who "knows photoshop" design the logo.

It just sounds silly.

Of course, it makes total sense to brand an amusement park in South Carolina to be a sister park of an indoor ski slope in Russia.

eightdotthree said:
It really looks like someone's wife came up with the name and then let their son who "knows photoshop" design the logo.

Change that to "someone's spouse" and I won't have to kick your a$$. ;)

Ha ha, that comment was based on my own experiences in situations like this. Women are usually the "creative" ones in the relationship. It wasn't meant to be sexist.

I know. I'm just playing with you. :)

If women ARE in fact the "creative" ones, then surely someone's BF/husband came up with this silly name... ;) :)

P.S. Here's a little "freestyle" for a Friday afternoon...

The park's got a name, but it is so lame, got no game, not headed for fame - Freestyle
It's function not form, beach is so warm, the crowds don't swarm, shops they won't storm - Freestyle
Haven't ya heard? There's a new word, don't drop a turd, don't go with the herd, all cream no curd, Freestyle!
Carolina, Myrtle Beach, on the sand they don't preach, go to Georgia for a peach, fame's out of reach, on the stage they don't teach - Freestyle!

Great interview by Arthur Levine with the buyers, http://themeparks.about.com/od/findusthemeparks/a/SteveBaker.htm

Sounds like they really understand how to make the park successful.

We realize what it takes, and their marketing program was astounding to us. I think they believed that the Hard Rock name was strong enough to speak for itself and it would sell tickets for them. It is recognized worldwide. But I don't care whose name is on the park. You have to let people know you're here and keep reminding them why they should visit.