Myrtle Beach Grand Prix - out of the rides business?

[ParkTrips]

From ACE SE emailr:

 

It appears that the early reports of the Wacky Worm's dissappearance at Grand Prix in North Myrtle Beach, SC, were a forewarning of things to come. A popular used ride site shows that the park's Crazy Mouse has been sold and the go-cart park's other amusement attractions are for sale as well. No official word has been announced, but from the looks of things this is the last season for the amusement park rides in the Thrill Zone.

 

Add this to the closing of the Pavilion (last public day of operation is Sunday, September 24 with a special ticket "last day" event on the 30th), this leaves only Family Kingdom, home of the Swamp Fox, as the last of the amusement parks in the land of the "Grand Strand." Perhaps development of the Hard Rock Park and Broadway at the Beach will help restore some of these attractions in the future.

 

:sarcasticly shocked:

That place sucked for anything that doesn't run on gasoline...

[Canobie Fan]

CRAP! Why couldnt they wait 2 weeks for me to ride it! >:O

[bgwfreak]

Well at least I got the 2 credits the other year.

 

It's no big loss. Definetley not much more than a step up or two from Pedroland.

 

I doubt they will even change the website. lol It still has the coasters listed.

[Johnny Upsidedown]

The article says the park will close in one week.

So next week will be it.

 

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/15462915.htm

 

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | The Grand Prix Family Thrill Park, a north-end staple for 30 years, will close for good in a week, the second of the Grand Strand's three major parks to call it quits this year.

 

Rising costs - including wages and insurance for property and liability - have forced the family-owned park to redevelop, joining a beach trend that's hit hotels, campgrounds and attractions.

 

A 100,000-square-foot shopping center, anchored by a grocery store, will replace the rides and Formula racing go-karts that had made the park one of the most popular attractions for vacationing families. But business took a turn this year, prompting the Lazarus family to explore other options.

 

"The numbers just don't work anymore," said Mark Lazarus, an Horry County Councilman who owns the park with brother Robby and father Jack. "It has just gotten to be that the highest and best use is not for an amusement park."

 

There were other culprits: a shrinking summer season, lingering debt on pricey rides, more competition for tourists' dollars and the closure of the nearby Barefoot Camping Resort, which used to supply a steady stream of thrill- seekers.

 

The Grand Prix is the latest victim of the beach's shifting demographics, from a getaway spot for working families to a place where the wealthy play. The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach also is closing for good this month, and the Fun Spot in North Myrtle Beach is being redeveloped.

 

The only major park left is the Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach.

[DerekRx]

Wow, another place I visited this year without even knowing what its fate would be at the end of the year. Not that its much of a loss though, the coasters (and all the other rides) will be sold, and the place had no real charm, except for Power Station 69.

 

I certainly hope the Zamperla Top Star Tour stays in the States.

[larrygator]

Joe - that wasn't nice you gave me crap about not finding the Wacky Worm when I was there two weeks ago. You probably knew it was already removed.

 

You suck, go file something!

[CoasterFanatic]

Guess I should have whored out that Worm on my last visit.

[larrygator]

^ "One lap, that's all we need" - still one of the memorable quotes from the UK Trip

[ParkTrips]

Joe - that wasn't nice you gave me crap about not finding the Wacky Worm when I was there two weeks ago. You probably knew it was already removed.

HA! Had I known, I would have recommended that you buy an all-day wristband.

 

To me the biggest loss is the gokarts, they were the best in a cluttered market. The shopping area will also bring more traffic to the area, making it harder than it already is to get parking for Oscars (below), grrrr.

Edited April 18, 2017 by ParkTrips

[bgwfreak]

Guess I should have whored out that Worm on my last visit.

 

You didn't miss much. The guy looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to ride it.

It was so much fun. lol

[J.R.]

Joe - that wasn't nice you gave me crap about not finding the Wacky Worm when I was there two weeks ago. You probably knew it was already removed.

 

You suck, go file something!

 

But it was there two weeks ago! I just rode it on Sept. 2nd, Labor Day weekend.

[Bk1870]

This is a surprise because its just so sudden. They announce they are closing next week....its just...weird.

[coasterdude5]

What are people gonna do when all the parks are closed, and all the beachfront properties are taken up by condos?

[Rugged One]

That really stinks that Myrtle Beach is losing another park. Luckily with the new Hard Rock Park set to open, it helps take a little of the sting away.

 

Funny thing, we used to live only an hour from there and had been to the Grand Prix several times but never bothered getting the Wacky Worm credit. When we were down visiting this past July, we finally decided to stop and get it. Glad we did!

So long Grand Prix and Wacky Worm!