Hardrock Park, Funding secured!

Africa Israel has committed to funding the proposed and planned Hard Rock Park for SC.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3189661,00.html

Chuck, who submitted this to news but it was never posted

I had to read the title of the thread three times to realize it that the 2nd "R" was an "R" and not a "C."

I think I need to go to bed.

'The region is desperate for attractions like this,' company CEO says

I guess that's why everyone is so eager to get rid of the Pavilion park?

From what I can remember, The land rights and all the impact studies and zoning is done and approved, I wonder how soon construction will start?

Chuck, who bets some premo resorts are paying local politicians for the land the pavilion sits on. probably for a parking garage.

Certainly. No way the city suddenly decided that they don't want the amusement park there anymore. Someone (or some company) paid them to think that they don't want it there anymore.

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Rob Ascough said:
'The region is desperate for attractions like this,' company CEO says

I guess that's why everyone is so eager to get rid of the Pavilion park?

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There's a big difference between MB Pavilion and this proposed 150 acre Hard Rock themed park. I think the idea is that in such a touristy place, something much larger has been needed for a while.

I'm not even dismissing the conspiracy theories, but the actual quote of:

"The project will be erected in the Myrtle Beach area, one of most popular tourist sites in the U.S., which spreads across 44 miles and boasts more than 500 hotels. The region, which hosts about 14 million tourists every year, is desperate for attractions of this kind..."

Puts it more into perspective.

(Why does it always feel like I'm attacking you, Rob? Really, it's not intentional. :) )

I think you loathe me because of my love of Nitro... that's the only thing I can think of, considering I've never run over your dog or insulted your mother ;)

Actually, Myrtle Beach is one of the many areas of this country that I feel has been needing a major amusement park for years (Phoenix, Las Vegas, northern NJ and Miami are others.) Therefore, I do think that this Hard Rock theme park is a good idea. Adding a theme park to an area rich with beaches and golf courses doesn't seem to be a bad thing. But getting back to the numbers... don't you think that a tourist destination that hosts upwards of 14 million people a year could support more than just one theme park? What's to say that a region with Family Kingdom, Pavilion and Hard Rock wouldn't have the business to keep all three alive and well?

But I think you read more into my comment than there was to read- I said what I said because it seems like some people completely ignore the fact that Myrtle Beach already has two amusement parks, as if this theme park was bringing something new and different to the area. People are gung-ho about this new park but couldn't seem to care less about a park that has been part of the area longer than a bunch of beer-gutted retirees living out their remaining years on the golf courses that made it famous.

Well one reason may be to get rid of some congestion on the strip. Don't know if you've ever been there but traffic does not move in prime time.

Chuck

Maybe so, but I would recommend improving the road rather than getting rid of an attraction. Besides, if they put a hotel, condos or shopping there, it's not going to decrease the amount of traffic... if anything, it will make it worse!

That would involve removing some of the park, Or Row of hotels there or both. Now who wins?

Wait wait wait...a park themed around music? I seem to remember visiting a park like that eons ago. Think it was called Opryland or something like that. Yeah that was it! ;-)

I hope this park does well! I'm looking forward to seeing the plans. Too bad it's not being built here in Nashville 'cause we could sure use another music themed park.

Yeah, but country music doesn't count. ;)

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Rob Ascough said:Actually, Myrtle Beach is one of the many areas of this country that I feel has been needing a major amusement park for years (Phoenix, Las Vegas, northern NJ and Miami are others.) Therefore, I do think that this Hard Rock theme park is a good idea. Adding a theme park to an area rich with beaches and golf courses doesn't seem to be a bad thing. But getting back to the numbers... don't you think that a tourist destination that hosts upwards of 14 million people a year could support more than just one theme park? What's to say that a region with Family Kingdom, Pavilion and Hard Rock wouldn't have the business to keep all three alive and well?

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Ehhh...Not to bust anyone's bubble, but I think we should be a little more cautious before proclaiming this place is going to be an instant hit.

Remember Magic Harbor?

Blackpool Pleasure Beach bought it in the early 80s, hoping to redevelop it into a major amusement park, but it had a disastrous run and eventually closed in the mid-90s.

I'm sure that with the right lead a park could take off in Myrtle Beach, but just remember that it hasn't worked before.

If the folks of Myrtle's draw wanted to go to a big park, they'd cough up $40 to get into Carowinds or Six Flags closer to home. People aren't going to Myrtle Beach expecting to visit a costly theme park.

Remember, the Pavilion and Family Kingdom are side trips for the people already in the area. It would be the same with Hard Rock Park.

*** Edited 12/28/2005 3:03:51 AM UTC by Dukeis#1***

My thoughts exactly Duke. I mean, the biggest draw in Myrtle Beach is after all, the beach itself.

Part of the appeal of the existing 2 amusement parks are that they are across the street from the beach, and the majority of the tourist stay on the beach making them quite convenient. A huge theme park 6 miles inland may work, but it's not a sure thing.

I remember going to Magic Harbor to ride the Corkscrew in 1975. It was a cute little park that was quite busy during the first several years but then suddenly, people stopped going.

I'm all for the new Hard Rock Park and hope it is successful. But, typical Myrtle Beach tourists are middle to lower income folk.

The only people that keep MB going year round are the golfers which account for a huge chunk of that 22 million visitor count. Many of them come with families, but many of them do not.

My guess is that the park will be successful during the first 2 seasons, but then attendance will level off as people find it increasingly difficult to get there through heavy traffic and prices that will drain the family budget like a whirlpool.

Gonch...Opryland had other musically themed areas besides country music. For example, OL had the Do Wah Diddy City area which was themed around the early days of rock and roll. I tend to agree with you though on country music doesn't count unless we're talking old school country...Cash, Lynn, Cline, Williams Sr., etc...the real stuff.

Am I not wrong that Opryland was succesfull?

Just someone thought it was more valuable to become a shopping mall?

Chuck

I remember Magic Harbour VERY well. My family and I used to camp at Lakewood Campground every summer.

God I loved that place. They used to have a seperate entrance at the campground. I haven't been to MB since the early 90's but I DO hear that huge Ferris wheel is still in Magic Harbour's old parking lot. Is that true or was it taken down?

I REALLY need to get back down there next year.

As far as the Hard Rock Park, the more power to them! It sounds fun.

-Tina

There's nothing left of Magic Harbor, Tina. The land has been assimilated by PirateLand and Lakewood and developed into campsites and storage.

Thank you Tina, For confirming two credits for me.

We camped at Lakewood bac in 1980 and there was a park next door that you recieved either discounts or tickets too with your camping fee. I remember at the end of two weeks camping We had enough tickets to get about 13 people in.

The park was pretty and we have fun, Strange hou I remember The Rotor and not much else. I remeber they let us get upside down and sideways on the walls of that thing. You'd never find a park like that today in the USA.

Many resort areas start out catering to a particular type of person (in Myrtle Beach's case, it was beachgoers and golfers) and find themselves needing to expand their entertainment offerings if they want to go for the family crowds that spend a ton of money. The Hard Rock park- done right- will probably grab families that see little reason to pick Myrtle Beach over something like the Jersey shore or Florida.