disneyfan1313 Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Stacey and I realized recently how life has a funny way of distracting you from your hobbies - we decided to try and break our rut by going on a road trip to Myrtle Beach and the new Hard Rock Park. We planned this trip for the first weekend after its grand opening celebration, which we thought might be a bit of a risky move..its gonna be crowded opening weekend.. right?.... right?!?!?! It actually turned out to be fun park that was really, really, REALLY dead. I don't know where this park is going to get its guests from, Myrtle Beach feels alot like Daytona and the folks that were milling around the "strip" area did not seem like the types to pay $60 for a theme park ticket. The day after we went they announced some ticket discounts - I guess they started to realize it as well. This is a fun and well thought out park that could use a few more rides and attractions and a slightly lower price point. But really - it was worth the 6 hour drive to ride the most amazing dark ride in the world... but anyways.. on to the pictures! Around the Round-a-bout! Creative name for a quick serve restaurant - you saw these touches all over the park. Jolly, Jolly, Jolly! Look where we are! Its the area of stuff that was supposed to be open by grand opening. Stupid MaxRPM started testing 2 days after we were there. Coaster Porn! What a cool quote! They even themed the power boxes around the park. There is a really cool water feature out front that you can play "Stairway to Heaven" on. Lots of nice touches like that around the park. Your in a zeppelin! Get it!? The one disappointment is the music doesn't go with the ride..its just kinda there. Its going to kill capacity when it gets busy - the guests were very confused and so were the operators Words can not describe how bizarre their loading process is - they have a cheezy preshow and you have to stay on a confusing grid of numbers. Hmmm.. This is a bit of a long wait..... Led Zeplin the ride was actually very fun - I miss traditional sit down B&M's. They *really* need a water ride at this park. This is their slightly themed water play area. They have different themed lands which all represent different music styles. It works very well and I hope they stick with it. This "signature shot" will be in every photo TR of this park....trust me. The park is very well themed although parts did feel a bit cookie cutter - this is their "Main Street" area. These boxes were VERY slow in selling me my tickets! Not everything was ready by opening day, including the automated ticket booths! uh - where are the lines to buy tickets?! Good thing the park is open until 1 am! Opening weekend at 1pm and less than 100 cars in the parking lot... Hmmmmm. Advertising was pretty heavy on the drive from Charleston - they really are relying on the local market - there was nothing on 95. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 OMG - There is more! The one real disappointment was the Eagles ride. VERY rough and didn't go with the music at all! Roller Soakers suck when they bang as they roll and don't soak anything. Meh. Generic and lightly themed Roller Skater. It was at this point I realized that led zeppelin cracked the crystal on my watch... Cry. Food choices suck. This was $6 mac and cheese after 1 bite. There isn't even a hard rock cafe! They also have one of those shoot foam balls and get pummeled by them kid things. Its fun to get hit in the face with balls! Saddest arcade ever! The best part is trying to load, walk, unload all while they encourage you to wear the "3-D" glasses in the pitch dark. We rode it 8 times over the day. Pictures cant do it justice but it is the most trippy insane thing ever. I can't believe it ever got built. It is seriously worth $60 alone! This is the best dark ride ever. Whatever you do - DO NOT RUIN IT by watching any videos beforehand. Just take the trip.... Crazy rock dog is not nearly as creepy as crazy rock bear! WORST. STUNT SHOW. EVER. Quote overheard leaving the theater - "That was so bad even my 16 year old would hate it". Hmm - Good thing we arrived early - unfortunatly the theater only got about 10 more people in it before show time. AHHH! CRAZY ROCK BEAR IS GOING TO ATTACK ME! Oh wow - a recreation of the Shakespears Globe theater! I bet there is a top quality show inside! Yeah - whatever.. Its an MG! This was my first car - not with the union jack of course Stupid closed ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 HAHAHAHAHAHA! Stonehenge with telephone booths! I love it! Looking forward to the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyfan1313 Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 The rest! Plus some other random stuff we did in ATL. Thanks for reading! Please go to Hard Rock Park or Stacey will have to eat this whole pickle! We also did Stone Mountain park which had a fun cable car ride, train ride, and very cheezy 4-D movie. Amazing burgers and the restaurant looks like this inside - how can you go wrong! We ate in a cool burger joint called "The Vortex" Anyplace you walk through a giant skull is OK with me! The next day we went to a braves game in ATL - Turner Field SUCKED but thats another story. There fireworks show was done to Bohemian Rhapsody and was like a mini illuminations with a guitar instead of a globe! The park is nicely lit at night and Led Zeppelin is more fun when its cooler! Back at the park and we want some candy! Because of the crappy food in the park we drove about 5 miles away to the Hard Rock Cafe for Myrtle Beach. Nothing says rock like a pyramid! Awwww! Kinda a generic out and back woodie with some great views in a scary park. Stacey is THIS many tickets tall! We actually went to go ride the Swamp Fox - the 8th best wooden coaster in the USA? In what year? WTF!?! We decided to take a break and go TO THE FORUM! Oh wait - thats rock and roller coaster! You know a park is classy when they sell Pink guns next to John Deere hats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarmor Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Glad you enjoyed yourself! When I went it was dead also...im hoping the new prices helps but I know im gonna be pissed when in a couple years the park will be packed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 It must be pretty tough opening a theme park that's so far from any really big city during a recession when gas is hitting four bucks a gallon. Thanks for the TR, Reed and Stacey--I hope the park makes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mike Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Thanks for the report! I go in Sept! Will probably be deader than now lol. Nice seeing you again Reed and Stacey! Seems like only yesterday I was giving Stacey my Halloween candy Peace, Big Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I can't believe we missed you guys by two days!!! I think Robb is working on our Photo TR, but yeah, the park was totally dead and way over staffed. They must be losing a ton of money. I'll share my thoughts when Robb puts up the Photo TR, but I really don't have much to say. The park isn't good, and it isn't bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrakenKing Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Hard Rock Park doesn't look like it quite lived up to the hype On the other hand, you're amazing because you went to Little 5-Point in ATL. I LOVE THAT PLACE. The burgers at Vortex are truly amazing. I want one now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easytoremember Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Your opinions were very similar to what i thought about the park. Its a nice park with great theming and cool little things like the water guitar everywhere. If they had maybe 3 more big ticket rides, possibly a nice GCI, a big ticket flat such as an intamin drop tower themed with music and possibly a nice shooting dark ride, preferably themed to the yellow submarine. Hint hint. Then I think the park would be absolutely great. Some of the most fun you can have is playing "spot the reference to classic rock music" which you can do for days on end. Being a huge classic rock music fan, they had THE BEST gift shop ever. I think we bought 4 t shirts and two hats that had absolutely nothing to do with Hard rock park, just very nice band shirts etc. The Eagles ride actually surpassed my expectations, however. I was expecting a slow paced mine train with music playing faintly in the background. However, with the crews in the station really getting into it and the very nice sound system and very cool fire effect at the end, I thought it was really fun. I disagree that Led zeppelins music didnt match up to the ride, I thought it went along very nicely, especially during the first half of the ride. Oh and its kinda ironic, I read this TR just as Nights in White Satin started playing in iTunes. God thats a trippy song. perfect for "The Trip." Ok enough ranting now. BTW, were you at the Vortex in little five points or the other one? Cause i was just by the one in little fives before a concert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hattuchili Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Looks like you guys had a good time at Hard Rock Park. I am surprised that the park was so dead in the first few weeks. Now the park is definitely on my list for next year. Thanks for posting. --Soren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Ok, this might be a dumb question, but was IOA like this when it opened? I chalk the attendance up to 1st year shake downs and all the stuff cfc mentioned. The gut says this might just be a slow starter, and that it'll get much better around year 2 or 3. The 6th sense still keeps saying rapids ride and water park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 ^ As I recall IOA didn't look like that in 99. BUT it did have the advantage of already having a park next door. It was also a complete park. I don't think its fair to compare Islands to Hard Rock. One is amazing, one needs help. BTW, were you at the Vortex in little five points or the other one? Cause i was just by the one in little fives before a concert. That's L5P, the Midtown one doesn't look as cool as that one (which I was just at the other day) Vortex rocks, much better than HRP looks to be Why did Turner Field suck? Reed, you coulda seen the Marlins play if you went through a week earlier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey King Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Nice Trip Report! I agree that the park is in need of some help and maybe with the opening of Max:RPM will add it. It did open this saturday afternoon from what I have been told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissie Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Great TR guys!! Can't believe how dead it was... Im sure it will pick up once us Brits are on holiday! Lol! Picking up on everyones reactions after visiting, Im kinda bummed about this park. I love the hard rock brand and had really high expectations for it but it really feels like an anti-climax! We're hoping to get there next year, so hopefully it will have picked up by then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mike Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I am still excited to go, new credits! Hi Chrissie! Peace, Big Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 This TR kind of makes me sad, HRP looks like it has so much work that needs to be done. I can't believe that the food at the park is so bad, you'd think that a park that is based on a restaurant would have better food options. BTW, were you at the Vortex in little five points or the other one? Cause i was just by the one in little fives before a concert. I love Little Five Points, it's so different from what you would usually expect to find in Atlanta. Were you going to The Variety Playhouse? That place is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRapidsNerd Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 ^ As I recall IOA didn't look like that in 99. BUT it did have the advantage of already having a park next door. It was also a complete park. I don't think its fair to compare Islands to Hard Rock. One is amazing, one needs help. No worries. Just trying to get an idea of how IOA started out and if Hard Rock's start was anything like it. Not knocking either. IOA was the only other decent size new and big park in the 48 I could think of in the last several years. Glad you clarified that IOA did better because of USO. Thanks for anwering my question too. you'd think that a park that is based on a restaurant would have better food options. Hard Rock Cafe food has never really been all that great. DC and USO were fun atmospheres, but my burgers didn't rock. Agree with you that the food should be better. Always glad to see a Hard Rock Park TR. Reed, Thanks for posting this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Yeah, the Hard Rock Cafe's food doesn't exactly "rock" (although it beats Planet Hollywood). I remember having a burger at the HRC in San Francisco and thinking how I could've had the same burger at any joint in Modesto for half the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterP Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 It looks like the park is pretty much just one decent B&M and one good dark ride. Also, is there ANYWHERE in that park that provides shade?! It looks to be a theme park version of their restaurants - they both have cool little details to look at, but no real reason to come back...and can anyone actually be surprised that the food sucked? I mean, have you ever eaten in the restaurants?! ...Plus seriously, a coaster themed to the EAGLES?! I thought it was HARD Rock Park, not SOFT Rock Park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Here are some more of my random thoughts to go with what people have been saying: - The park is SMALL, much smaller than IOA. - The music selection is VERY weird. It's basically these two late 40 year old guys that put it all together with music THEY wanted. - Led Zepplin was a terrible B&M. The rides Joey, Robb, and I had on it were all 10 times more 'shaky' than Scream! It also had no redeeming qualities. The music wasn't synced and bad, the elements were all forceless, oh and it was rough!!! - NO SHADE AT ALL!!!! It was brutal. - They are running it very poorly. The park is open 10-1, and has SOOO much staff. There were SEVEN employees working the Roller Skater!!!??? This is not good business sense. - I didn't care for the dark ride as much as others. Again, I had no clue about the music, and it just seemed like a bad haunt maze on a Sally Vehicle. - Robb and I were walking around thinking that the park really reminded us of another park and we couldn't figure it out for the longest time...then it hit us. Jazzland! (Especially the no shade part!) - We agree on the food, the food place we ate in looked really nice, but the food was Six Flags Quality at best. I will say, some of the little touches were very nice and cool. But you can't make a park on 'little touches' when so many GIANT AREAS have faults! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIP Psyclone Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Led Zepplin was a terrible B&M. The rides Joey, Robb, and I had on it were all 10 times more 'shaky' than Scream! It also had no redeeming qualities. The music wasn't synced and bad, the elements were all forceless, oh and it was rough!!! Man, that sucks. Here I was thinking it would be worth it to get out there and ride it while it's new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 That's too bad about Led Zep being worse than Scream (which may be my least favorite B&M ride). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrakenKing Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 - Robb and I were walking around thinking that the park really reminded us of another park and we couldn't figure it out for the longest time...then it hit us. Jazzland! (Especially the no shade part!) Now the question is, which one was better? Jazzland or HRP? We saw what happened with Jazzland, it basically died and got sold off to Six Flags... could you imagine? Come visit Six Flags: Rock n' Roll World! because it would be some cheesy name like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easytoremember Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 While I know my opinion is probably not as highly valued as some others, I actually thought Led Zeppelin was a fairly good B&M. I though the loading process was kinda strange, but the interviews you are showed beforehand are interesting, if you are a big Led Zeppelin fan (which I am.) I thought the music was synced very well for the first half of the ride, and still went with the ending some. I love Little Five Points, it's so different from what you would usually expect to find in Atlanta. Were you going to The Variety Playhouse? That place is awesome. Yup, It was before a Vampire weekend concert at the Variety Playhouse. I have seen two shows there and Its honestly my favorite concert venue. Its so small and so narrow that no matter where you are you're extremely close to the stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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