MGM Grand Theme Park

[EpcotLova]

Whatever happened to it?

 

I remember going back about 11 years ago when I was 9, and I had a great time. So did it go bankrupt or what? Did it have any coasters, if it did I cant remember them.

 

Thanks!

[SharkTums]

It's been gone now for probably over 5-6 years. It was actually a really nice park! When it opened it had one coaster, Lightning Bolt, an indoor Intamin Kiddie. Sometime later that was moved outside, and Arrow added to it creating a longer more screwed up but still uninspiring ride! They also had a Dark ride, Boat ride, Log Flume, Rapids, Bumper Cars, Pirate Stunt Show, etc.

 

Oh and the 250' Skycoaster...that survived a bit longer but still met it's demise eventually.

 

It's really a bummer that it died, but you couldn't see it, it was rather expensive and they didn't really advertise it too much.

 

Elissa "has both credits!" Alvey

[Sir Clinksalot]

I remember we went looking for the park when we got Married in Vegas. We were at the MGM, and still couldn't find the damn place. It was pathetic.

 

Gregg "Wanted to get the "Credits" even though at the time didn't know what "Credits" were. " C.

[EpcotLova]

I remember, quite vaguely, that you had to go through a certain section of the hotel and through some large hallway to get to the entrance, a rather strange entrance at that, it was like it wasnt even themed.

 

No wonder it didnt last.

 

Ford "Loves Greg's Belly In Those Photos" Simmons

[Sir Clinksalot]

LOL!!

 

Well, my belly is significantly smaller these days.

 

Still not "small", just "smaller".

 

Gregg "Hoping to lose another 10 lbs before WaterPark season" C.

[iZak]

They are building the MGM Grand Residences on the site of the park. Up until they started vertical construction on the towers, some of the buildings were still standing...

 

Here's a link to the site of the new condos...

 

http://www.mgmgrandresidences.com/

[J man]

I went to that park back in 1997. I remember on the rapids ride, it was called the Grand Canyon rapids or something, you pass by these fake bears. The bears had this green sort of algae in their fur. So every time we would pass them in our boat we would go,"Hey it's the moldy bears!". They also had this inflatable boxing ring with oversized boxing gloves. I was little back then so I could bearly pick the gloves up. But that was the only time I could beat up on my little sister and not get in trouble for it.

[Jose Eber]

Lightning Bolt! Does anyone have their on ride picture? (or were there just flashes and a few mirrors).

 

El oh el, was that an enjoyable ride.

[Coasterkid20]

I remember loving that little park, I remember thinking that lightning bolt even after the addition was a decent ride, I vagually remember catching some decent air in the back of the train on the double down first drop. I have to say I am happy to be one of the lucky few who had ridden all 3 stages of the ride. Indoor, outdoor, and outdoor with extension. Indoor wasn't that bad, it was supposed to be themed as flying around vegas but it just kinda ended up looking like a bunch of optical lights. Sad to see it go, the log flume was surprisingly good.

[Red Benny]

I remember that park. It wasn't bad.. just a pain to get to. I don't think most people even knew about it because you had to walk all the way through the casino and through the mall section to get to it. Last time I was in Vegas all they had left was the monorail to Ballys (which is a great way to get down the strip).

[coaster1]

Thought they turned the theme park site into a new pool area .. but then again I haven't been to Vegas since 2000

[Rusty Nail]

They turned the parks main entrance into the pool area in 1997 around the same time they replaced the boat ride, motion simulator, and indoor coaster with a conference building, and replaced the haunted mine ride with a chicken resturant.

[Mr Stratosphere]

I remmebered this park, it was great as a kid, SkyScreamer was a great sky coaster, the largest at the time of construction, until Florida's sky coaster opened. Origionally it was easy to get to the park and easy to find. Unfortunately MGM Didnt have a good reputation with rides, look MGM Grand ownes New York New York and they purchaced a TOGO!?!?! and Primm they had Desperado where maintinence issues caused the ride to derail in 2001. And now that MGM Is buying out Mandalay Bay, What will happed to Circus Circus and the Adventuredome? Rumors are right now that the Adventuredome may be demolised within the next 2 years because MGM wants to get ride of Circus Circus. Business wise i beleieve this is a bad decision. Wet 'N Wild was first and now Adventuredome. Scanda will also close this year.

[SharkTums]

^Gosh that really is a bummer, but I could see it happening. Vegas really does seem to be trying to convert back to its old image of sex and gambling. They had their little family run in the 90's, they didn't like it, now they're reverting back.

 

Elissa "but where will all the scary people stay if they get rid of Circus Circus?" Alvey

[Mr Stratosphere]

It really is a shame because alot of locals come to the Adventuredome, Wet 'n Wild and Scandia for some fun with their friends. Those were the places where friends would go to escape the heat and get away from their parents. Hopefully MGM wont close down Adventuredome, maybe since they can afford it expand the park! Do something better with it. Vegas is trying to get back to its sex appeal as the major draw. Well we know Strat is safe because we have the Extreme rides up there (excluding high roller) which will still attract the thrill seekers.

[J man]

Hopefully MGM wont close down Adventuredome, maybe since they can afford it expand the park! Do something better with it.

But I thought the Adventuredome was part of Circus Circus not MGM.

[SharkTums]

And now that MGM Is buying out Mandalay Bay, What will happed to Circus Circus and the Adventuredome? Rumors are right now that the Adventuredome may be demolised within the next 2 years because MGM wants to get ride of Circus Circus. Business wise i beleieve this is a bad decision. Wet 'N Wild was first and now Adventuredome. Scanda will also close this year.

 

Elissa "that's what we're talking about" Alvey

[Mr Stratosphere]

Thought they turned the theme park site into a new pool area .. but then again I haven't been to Vegas since 2000

 

 

Yes part of the park was demolished when the pool area and conference center opened up. That is why the Lightning Bolt was moved outdoors and Deep Earth Exploration, and Backlot River Tour was closed down. And now since the parks demolition last year the Residences at MGM Grand is now being constructed there, with up to four 50-story high rises.