tntornadox Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 (edited) Gaylord Entertainment plans expansion; announcement expected soon NASHVILLE, TENN. Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a global hospitality company headquartered in Nashville, TN, is planning an expansion at its Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, say sources familiar with the situation. The source, who wishes to not be named publicly, has revealed that the company has been in the planning stages of a new theme park at its Opryland complex for the past several years. The company sought guidance from several outside firms to complete the basic plan for the park as well as hired several employees formerly with Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative for the company's own internal design department. This occurs at the same complex that formerly housed the Opryland USA theme park from 1972 until its closure in 1997 due to a decline in attendance and in-park revenues. Gaylord Entertainment and the Mills Corporation partnered to build Opry Mills, a 'shopper-tainment' shopping mall on the site of the former theme park, that opened in 2000. Gaylord's current CEO, Colin Reed, has went on the record in recent years commenting on the past management's decision to close Opryland. "It's clear to me that the former administration had no vision or plans for the theme park, which is what led to the declines prior to its closure" said Reed in 2004, not long after taking over Gaylord Entertainment. This is not the first time rumors have circulated as to Gaylord's intentions with a new entertainment enterprise at Gaylord Opryland- as recently as 2007 the company filed for permits on vacant land adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for the addition of an 'entertainment complex', the extent to which was not further alluded at the time. Reed has also went on the record stating it is the company's intentions to build an attraction of some sort to compliment the company's flagship hotel during the slower months of the year for Conventions, a market segment which is now the main focus of Gaylord Hotels. The source admitted details are sketchy at this point at best and alluded to the fact that the company has not yet even decided whether or not to go with the Opryland name for the new park. Research by The Tennessean, however, has found that Gaylord Entertainment renewed the trademarks on the name 'Opryland USA' and 'Opryland' as recently as this past year. As renovations continue at Gaylord Opryland Resort, which suffered fifteen foot flood waters during the May 15 weekend floods that devastated parts of the mid-state region, many residents and local leaders feel now is as good a time as ever to push forward with the project. A spokesperson for Gaylord Entertainment said the company does not wish to comment on the matter at this time, but an announcement is expected within the next couple of weeks. Edited September 17, 2010 by mcjaco
coasterdude5 Posted June 23, 2010 Posted June 23, 2010 Oh, how I so wish this was real. Nevertheless, I am really excited about this. You have some very big shoes to fill in order to come close to the original!
tntornadox Posted June 23, 2010 Author Posted June 23, 2010 Well, your parks actually gave me inspiration to do this project. I will be using the same CS sets you have, so it will probably look very familiar in areas, LOL! Now, bear in mind that I am NOT doing a recreation, I am loosely following the original park layout, but the rides and building placements will be all new, so if you have any ideas or suggestions for the new Opryland, then let me know!
tntornadox Posted June 24, 2010 Author Posted June 24, 2010 Opryland to make its return NASHVILLE, TENN. Today, at a press conference held at its Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) formally announced its next large project at its Nashville flagship property- the construction of a new theme park. The new Opryland USA will open in phases, beginning with Opry Plaza, Do-Wah-Diddy City and The Delta. Phase II will include the Wild West and Grizzly River Country and Phase III will include Lakeside, State Fair and the Opry Shore water park, which will be included with the price of admission to Opryland USA and will also house a second gate for the exclusive use of Gaylord Opryland guests. The company will announce specific rides as construction begins. More details as well as the first construction updates will be made in the near future. Included images: Opryland USA logo Opryland phase map
DBru Posted June 24, 2010 Posted June 24, 2010 I can't wait to see further development with this. Thank you for taking on this project!
tntornadox Posted June 24, 2010 Author Posted June 24, 2010 Our first update begins with the construction of the Entry Plaza as well as the transportation facilities to service Opryland USA. Main Gate with admission booths Season Pass Center Transportation Center- Drop-off circle and bus transit services. Overview: Transportation Center below, Entry Plaza at center and tram stop at the main parking lot at the top. Walkway to Parking Lot runs parallel to the tram route for flexibility. Expect another update soon!
imawesome1124 Posted June 25, 2010 Posted June 25, 2010 ^ I second that. What you have so far looks great, especially the main entrance. I will be sure to follow this.
Coaster Cow Posted June 26, 2010 Posted June 26, 2010 I'm not a fan of the tile pathway for the entrance. Maybe cobblestone, instead? I'm really excited for this project.
CorkscrewFoley Posted June 26, 2010 Posted June 26, 2010 I'm not a fan of the tile pathway for the entrance. Maybe cobblestone, instead? I'm really excited for this project. I thought I was the only one...I use that tile pathway for indoor use... Still, it looks fantastic...
tntornadox Posted June 26, 2010 Author Posted June 26, 2010 Another update! Nearly complete Entry Plaza showing the new facade of the Season Pass Center (right) and the new Rentals Center (left). The beginnings of Opry Plaza, showing Town Square with completed buildings to the right: a Starbucks outlet, Gift Shop and Theater. The back side of the buildings shows the service roads used to service the area. The interior of the Gift Shop. Theater exterior and the end of the current progress of Opry Plaza. And last, but certainly not least- the drop-off circle at the Transportation Center has been blocked off to traffic for weeks now... traffic cones are everywhere... barriers are up... Security is everywhere... but why? Maybe this: More to come, soon!
TheScooterGuy Posted June 28, 2010 Posted June 28, 2010 Is this a park recreation? Opryland's site is now a shopping mall!
imawesome1124 Posted June 28, 2010 Posted June 28, 2010 The entry plaza is beautiful. Are you doing a timeline or are you just going to randomly put rides in?
tntornadox Posted June 28, 2010 Author Posted June 28, 2010 Is this a park recreation? Opryland's site is now a shopping mall! This is not a recreation, it's a rebuilding on some other land Gaylord owns in Nashville. The entry plaza is beautiful. Are you doing a timeline or are you just going to randomly put rides in? The park will open with Opry Plaza, The Delta and Do-Wah-Diddy City. Phase II features The Wild West and Grizzly River Country. Phase III entails State Fair, Lakeside and Opry Shores waterpark. As for rides, they will be quite random... however my creative juices work with me that day. There will be some original Opryland ride inspirations, for sure, though.
DBru Posted June 30, 2010 Posted June 30, 2010 Love the interiors of the building and the entry plaza. Keep up the good work!
tntornadox Posted July 1, 2010 Author Posted July 1, 2010 Another update! Completed Opry Plaza during the day. Same image at night. Inside the Emporium Buffet at the end of the street. And introducing.... Screamin' Demon: The signature ride of The Delta area of the new Opryland USA! This B&M Flying coaster is over 3,500 feet long and features a first drop of over 150' and features a large vertical loop and large pretzel element with underground tunnel... this is a ride sure to thrill! Overview, day. Overview, night. More to come soon!
tntornadox Posted July 17, 2010 Author Posted July 17, 2010 Management Contract for Opryland inked NASHVILLE, TENN. Today, Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) announced a management contract has been signed for its new Opryland USA Theme Park, located at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Gaylord has signed the agreement with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX) to manage the park's daily operations, while retaining ownership of the park and ultimately has complete control of the park's expansion plans. "The current management staff at Gaylord have absolutely no experience running a theme park, we thought it wise to partner with someone who does in order to really bring back Opryland the right way." said Gaylord CEO Colin Reed. As part of the management contract, Opryland USA will also earn the rights to use the Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters for in-park entertainment and attractions. "This is a real win for everyone involved, we are honored here at Six Flags to have been chosen to operate what will ultimately be a world-class attraction" commented interim Six Flags CEO Al Weber, a veteran of the amusement industry. "While daily operations and management will be ran by Six Flags, this does not mean we will be a silent partner in the park, we fully intend to help the park grow in a way consistent with the high levels of hospitality and quality our guests expect from Gaylord Entertainment and Gaylord Hotels" commented Reed. The park is expected to soft open in the coming months with Phase I of its master plan ready for operations at that time, including the Opry Plaza, Delta and Do-Wah-Diddy City areas opening in the beginning, followed by Phase II construction set to begin just after the opening. The company released new images of the progress at Opryland USA: The Flume-Zoom, a log flume attraction is unique in that its course meanders through the river bed below the Screamin' Demon flying coaster, providing amazing views of the landscaping as well as the coaster above. A view of the train station at the end of Opry Plaza. It will eventually be the base station of the Opryland Railway, which will not be operational until construction of Phase III of the park is complete. The company will have one of the authentic steam engines on display for guests at this station until the Railway becomes fully-operational next year. View from the flagpole just inside the park's main entrance. These track pieces arrived just this morning at the Transportation Plaza staging area, I wonder what they are for? More to come soon!
netdvn Posted July 18, 2010 Posted July 18, 2010 Sigh... I was hoping this was gonna be one of the few parks that Six Flags didn't get involved with since almost every single major park being "built" using RCT has either been a Six Flags park or gets bought out by the chain. I would've preferred Herschend or Blackstone myself considering the amazing attention to detail being put into the project (and the fact that it could totally work in conjunction with Dollywood). Oh well...The project looks amazing nevertheless.
tntornadox Posted July 18, 2010 Author Posted July 18, 2010 I would agree that Six Flags dominates the RCT park arena, but I think what I am doing is pretty unique in that this is NOT a Six Flags park, it is merely being managed by them... there won't be a 'Six Flags Opryland' or anything like that and the quality of the park will not change at all, basically, this just gives me a little more creative flexibility with new rides and areas that I wouldn't have had before. It also allows me to use some Six Flags elements that enrich the park such as Fright Fest, Looney Tunes, Hurricane Harbor, etc. The following are as big of changes as you will see in Phase I concerning Six Flags, very minor details: Park Information Boards at the Transportation Plaza have been updated. Flash Pass billboard has been erected at the Rentals Center. The Season Pass Center will begin operations in the next week or so for Pre-Season purchases, the information boards have been placed. I felt this was an original idea, something I hadn't seen before- a melding of two park entities. Just stay tuned as it plays out!
Airtime&Gravity Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Great job so far, the park looks pretty realistic, and I like the level of detail shown. My only complaint is the flying coaster. The rest of the park looks realistic, yet the coaster looks out of place having an unrealistic layout. A large B&M flying coaster could look great in the park, yet the one currently there doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the park. Other than that, great job on what looks like what will become a great RCT park.
djbrcace1234 Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 there won't be a 'Six Flags Opryland' or anything like that and the quality of the park will not change at all, basically, this just gives me a little more creative flexibility with new rides and areas that I wouldn't have had before. That was my worry when I saw the merge, so thank goodness Gaylord enertainment is not a silent partner.
tntornadox Posted July 20, 2010 Author Posted July 20, 2010 Great job so far, the park looks pretty realistic, and I like the level of detail shown. My only complaint is the flying coaster. The rest of the park looks realistic, yet the coaster looks out of place having an unrealistic layout. A large B&M flying coaster could look great in the park, yet the one currently there doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the park. Other than that, great job on what looks like what will become a great RCT park. I am confused, how does the layout seem unrealistic? And why is it out of place?
djbrcace1234 Posted July 20, 2010 Posted July 20, 2010 ^ The loop for starters. B&M Flyers Don't have loops like that, but a pretzel loop, yes. The loop makes it look odd, but the layout looks great!
tntornadox Posted July 20, 2010 Author Posted July 20, 2010 I sorta took liberty with the vertical loop, the Vekomas have them, it doesn't seem far-fetched that B&M could too.
djbrcace1234 Posted July 20, 2010 Posted July 20, 2010 I sorta took liberty with the vertical loop, the Vekomas have them, it doesn't seem far-fetched that B&M could too. Vekomas however have a "regular" loop: http://www.coastergallery.com/2000/stealth03.jpg It just looks odd, but unique nevertheless!
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