Potential buyers plan Hard Rock Park overhaul

What's non-family friendly about the Hard Rock brand? Those people eating at the restaurants and staying at the hotels sure look a lot like families to me.

I don't think these cats get it, man. The point of failure was never the Hard Rock brand.

I guess they believe people will think that characters in the park will be biting the heads off bats or there will be backwards satanic messages in the atmosphere music. I agree with you Jeff. The Hard Rock name only makes me think of the resturant not "Devil Music". This parks actual theme is classic rock with a few other types, country reggae, thrown in.

Of course they could always put in a car ride and call it Highway to Hell. Lol

Sigh.

So glad I got there when it was good. Anything that opens this year doesn't look like it'll be the same.

I don't think the issue is that the name Hard Rock isn't family friendly, but that it appeals to a limited audience. Marketing departments have a difficult enough time selling what the product is, let alone having to explain over and over what it isn't.

I tend to disagree that the park was family-friendly on all levels. Some "Hard Rock" music includes sexual and dark and "develish" themes that will not appeal to younger kids. What audience is the park aiming for?? If it is families than they should have family-friendly attractions not rides that might only appeal to fans of metal or punk rock or something.

As far as the Hard Rock Cafe being successful, I think restaurants are much smaller in scope and size than trying to create an entire theme park with the franchise.

Scream Machine said:
I tend to disagree that the park was family-friendly on all levels. Some "Hard Rock" music includes sexual and dark and "develish" themes that will not appeal to younger kids.

What audience is the park aiming for?? If it is families than they should have family-friendly attractions not rides that might only appeal to fans of metal or punk rock or something.

In what world are the Eagles, Led Zep, Queen and the Moody Blues offensive in any way? It's all oldies by my standards and I'm in my mid-30's. These artists are so tame and mainstream that their music is used in commercials these days.

I'm not sure it's possible to get any more family friendly and still be able to even remotely consider using the name "Hard Rock" :)

With that said, this kind of misconception keeps coming up in conversation, so perhaps there's something to it. The message wasn't conveyed correctly.

It's interesting to see what so many people think this park was and wasn't.

And not to also speak for the Gonch, but even if there are naughty things implied, it goes right over the kids' heads, right?

Can't help but agree to SOME degree that in the land of bibles and chewing tobacco, the name "Hard Rock Park" might not generate the same level of excitement as "John Deere Park". ;)

Of course then there is the issue if the name would be available for use again. I've gotten the impression that the company that controls the name wasn't going to allow the use of the brand on this location again.

A name change wouldn't be a bad idea. Businesses do that all the time to avoid any reminder of the failed business that was there before.

They could call it "Charmland," and be done with it. :)

Heck, you could call it "Music World," but it probably infringes on some music store out there.

BTW, "John Deer Park," might be better if the park was in western Kansas or the midwest.

I don't see the fuss. HRP was VERY family-friendly. I saw a LOT of families having the time of their lives. I don't remember seeing any little kids disturbed. The kids I saw were having a blast!

"We want it to be a very, very family-friendly atmosphere that caters to everybody," Lazarus said.

Bull****. I didn't see ANYTHING that was offensive to anyone. I would take my kids there and feel totally comfortable. Like I said before the park is not for everyone. You either love it or hate it. I LOVED it. It was one of the most awesome parks I have visited. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It's a rock and ROLL park! Nothing needs to be changed.

That's just my opinion. They are going to do whatever they feel is necessary. If they want to make is wussified then they will do just that.

People are missing out. It's a killer park. I just don't see why people complain.

-Tina

Dutchman said:
Of course then there is the issue if the name would be available for use again. I've gotten the impression that the company that controls the name wasn't going to allow the use of the brand on this location again.

If I owned the brand, I don't think I'd want it associated with potentially more bad press (Extra Extra, Read All about it, Hard Rock Park Fails Twice in Two Years)

I guess you could call it Rock Hard Park, but that might be even "less" family friendly. ;)

Would Soft Rock Park be any better? Hey kids, look! It's Dan Fogelberg, The Ride!

I agree with RGB on both of his posts. I don't really read the sentiments in the article to be that the Hard Rock name or the prior theme was not family friendly, but rather they are looking at what needs to be highlighted in the next attempt. No matter what, the chips are stacked against the folks who make another attempt at this. So I think they are just looking at the things they can best highlight for the market the park is in, as well as to combat the stigma that is inevitable due to the the failed prior attempt.

The smooth sounds of James Taylor, now on the electric wheelchair with a governor installed ride...

I think the 'not family friendly' part was in reference to the album mural in the que line on the Led Zep coaster and the sculpture in the sculpture park near the Eagles Life in the Fast Lane ride.

All I know is I hope the Knights in White Satin ride gets to stay and the stage show in Great Britain area , I cant remember the name, with the band soundcheck and all the trampoline work..

What I was getting at in my previous post was that you do not want something like "Sex Pistols: The Ride" or "The Ramones: Ride or "Black Sabbath: The Ride." Heck, I would not even consider Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and or even Queen to fall into the category of "punk rock" and "non-family friendly." The park's choices of classic rock groups to represent their rides and attractions seem just fine for the most part. I just think in terms of the park's future development, that certain classic rock groups that are known for being "dark" should not be considered.

You know, this could just translate to "We don't really want to pay for/cannot get the license", plus positive corporate spin.