pianojohn Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 On my way up from Orlando to Greenville, SC, I took a detour to Myrtle Beach! I am playing keyboards for the national tour of Mamma Mia this week, and I had to get my rides on! I arrived at HRP around 3pm after a fun-filled 8 hour drive. It rained the last 2 hours of my trip and was still raining when I got to the park. There was virtually no one in the park. I guess with the bad weather and the fact that schools were open, but it was still sad to see such a small crowd. I really hope the park makes it since they really spent a lot of money and attention to detail everywhere. I never did get to ride Maximum RPM since it was raining. Even when it stopped, they said it still would not open. Hopefully I will be able to come back next year for the credit. Led Zeppelin: The Ride was awesome. I guess you have to wait thru the pre-show every time which is kind of lame when there is no wait for the coaster. The coaster itself was very smooth and had great transitions between elements. Eagles: Life in the Fast Lane was actually really fun. Well themed, great music playing throughout. I wish they had themed the land around the track more, maybe putting in some tall trees or something. Most mine rides tend to cover a lot of land whereas this one was very compact. Still a fun ride. Shake Rattle and Rollercoaster was your basic Vekoma kiddie ride. And Slippery When Wet was fun. Thank goodness the water was turned off since we got soaked riding in the rain! The two shows I saw were both very good. The Ice show was high energy, used great country music, and was very well paced. And the Roadies Stunt Show was also very good. Due to the rain and low crowds, they closed the park at 6pm. So..... I headed down to Family Kingdom. NOTE: If you are an ACE member, you can get an all day pass for $11 but only from the ticket booth near the Swamp Fox. I did not know that and ended up paying $25 mine. Still a deal, but $11 would have been great! The Swamp Fox is awesome in the front and torture in the back. Seriously....a totally different ride experience. I did the drop tower and still am not sure who makes it. It was more like a space shot and then a slow drop back to the ground. The log ride was decent with a little negative G hill in the middle. And the dark/shooting ride was unique. On to the pics! On to the pics C'est la vie Uh oh.... Maximum RPM The stunt show roadies The park's mascot (whose name I forgot!) The trains and station The loop Probably the most photographed place in the park Having fun in the pit The Mosh Pit was two rooms with huge inflatables. One for kids and one for adults Crazy The spinning vortex Another room One of the pre show rooms Ready for my trip MUST be seen to be believed They had a cool sand sculpture of the Banana Splits but it was being eroded by the rain. The Eagles coaster B&M goodness Some of the excellent theming
montezooma Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 I am going just for the Stunt Show Roadies!!!! So that is why it is called "Hard Rock" park!!!
Moose Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 Um. Was that roadie only wearing boxers? Intersting. (Shane, i see we think alike. Surprise surprise.)
pianojohn Posted August 28, 2008 Author Posted August 28, 2008 PART TWO My laptop is acting up here in my hotel, so here goes part 2! And yes, one of the roadies ends up in just boxers. : ) More pics! And I will be at Dollywood tomorrow, Friday August 29th! Look for me in line for Mystery Mine! I liked this pic! On the carousel The Swamp Fox Dueing the show One of the other roadies
robbalvey Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 Hey John! Great TR. It's kind of sad about HRP. It's a place with so much potential yet they haven't quite seem to figure out how to bring people in. I'm not sure the weather was the reason for lack of buisness since it seems like it's been that way in just about ever TR that's been posted. And you're right about Swamp Fox. We rode in the front and loved it...then in the back...ouch! --Robb
Raider82 Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 John, Glad to see you enjoyed yourself at HRP! It is my home park and I really hope that it grows into the success that it very well can be. Max RPM! is really fun, but a little too short IMO, but it is really smooth and a the wheel lift is quite fun when it is working. It seems they have been trying to get the kinks out of the ride ever since it opened. Did you enjoy your "Trip" on Moody blues? Nice trip report.
cfc Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 Larry and I will get our chance to have our minds blown on Nights and our spines adjusted on Swamp Fox this weekend. Thanks for the sneak peek, John.
Raider82 Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 cfc, which day are you going to the park? If you go on Saturday they are having a concert with KC and the Sunshine band, not sure if you are into them or not, but it's an extra bonus. I will be at the park on Saturday along with some people from my site should be fun!
cfc Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 ^We'll be there on Saturday, but I'm not sure what time (we have to drive up from Williamsburg, and that should take about six hours or so). We know that KC will be there, but we weren't planning on watching the "boogie man" shake his booty.
Raider82 Posted August 28, 2008 Posted August 28, 2008 cfc, well if you are there around 6 o'clock or so there is some people from my site getting together under Lady Liberty by the LIVE Amphitheater at 6 PM Saturday night - I won't be there till around 7:30 or so b/c of work, but you are more then welcome to join the crowd.
jarmor Posted August 29, 2008 Posted August 29, 2008 Forget the trip report where did you get those shorts! They are a MUST HAVE for me!
robbalvey Posted August 29, 2008 Posted August 29, 2008 I just noticed this... Is that guy... Yakov Smirnoff?!?!?
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