Another new park in South Carolina?
Legoland California: I know about the Hard Rock park in Myrtle Beach, but we locals are hearing MANY rumors about Six Flags or Legoland or Disney buying up thousands of acres near I-95 and I-26 in Orangeburg county.
Has anyone heard about a possible new park in South Carolina? I know about the Hard Rock park in Myrtle Beach, but we locals are hearing MANY rumors about Six Flags or Legoland or Disney buying up thousands of acres near I-95 and I-26 in Orangeburg county. What a wonderful thing that would be! Those of us who live in the Lowcountry are at least 3hrs away from an amusement park. This is to far for the average day trip. We have heard about possible opening dates of 2011. Has anyone heard about this?
It seems like I've said this 10,000 times, but here goes:
Disney is not buying land to build a new theme park anywhere in the United States. Period. Take it to the bank. I don't care what anyone heard on the radio, or what someone's brother told someone's friend.
Six Flags is not building a new amusement park anywhere. It doesn't have the cash. Six Flags is looking to get rid of parks, not add new ones.
Now, let's get to the rest of the new theme park rumors:
Hard Rock Park is a go. It's the only new park of any significant size currently under development in the U.S.
Legoland will build a new park in the U.S. -- once it finds a site. The Kansas City option does not appear to be as soild as it once was, and it would not surprise me to hear that they are looking now elsewhere. There were rumblings about an Illinois site within the past month. South Carolina, in proximity to the Hard Rock Park, *might* also make sense, but I understand Legoland's looking for very high-income suburban zips in which to build.
Dollywood's a player for a new site. That'd be the first candidate I'd bet on to build a new park in the Myrtle Beach area, to join the Hard Rock Park.
But why Dollywood in Myrtle Beach? Pigeon Forge isnt that far away. Why not convert Silver Dollar City to another Dollywood, or just look at buying say Cypress Gardens here in Florida...or another place in Florida altogether? I know the competition is stiff in a place like Florida, but you have the heavy flow of people year round and you can make a park work in a place off the beaten path.
I never got why Myrtle Beach was the choice of Hard Rock either. It just seems too close in proximity to other coaster parks, but too far to be a player in the big theme parks.
Just got back from Myrtle Beach and Hard Rock Park's location is about a 10 minute drive from North Myrtle Beach so I could see a park like Legoland in Myrtle Beach since a lot of land past the Dixie Stampead is still available. I think that the smarter thing to do is to build a big time waterpark since the only competition is Myrtle Waves and that is very small. Maybe Disney or Universal could build a waterpark their.
From steve lee
Posted July 8, 2007 at 7:01 PM
This is one of those rumors that keep floating around. I have to wonder if it's the same guy who keeps spreading it around. It's already been discussed and dissected here:
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=3087
That thread is archived at this point, but you'll get the gist that most folks think the rumor is nothing more than that: a rumor. Maybe some dude in the Bowman area is spreading it in an attempt to raise the value of his property?
And Jake, this isn't meant to be a provocative question, but do you think a water park (especially a larger scale one) would be that popular given its proximity to the beach? I have vague recollections of there being other water parks at the beach, but it appears they've long since gone out of business...
Steve, there are several water parks right on the beach at the Jersey shore and they are very successful so it's not such a ridiculous idea.
From steve lee
Posted July 8, 2007 at 9:26 PM
I didn't think it was ridiculous - I just didn't know if the Myrtle crowd could support more than one waterpark. They seem to like their mini golf there, however...
Many people go to Myrtle Waves and that is very small because a lot of people go down their to golf,shop,and eat because they don't like the salt water.
I never got why Myrtle Beach was the choice of Hard Rock either.
I like that decision. You do know that the Pavillion is gone and the Family Kingdom is small and only has 2 thrill rides? Myrtle Beach needed a new theme park. The one thing I'm concerned about with Hard Rock Park is, how are they going to add new rides? They seem to have a VERY limited space, especially because it's right in between a road and a bunch of hotels.
I wouldn't invest in too many waterparks in Myrtle Beach. First off, you are right beside the ocean, and the majority of folks are vacationing from inland where there is no ocean. Most will spend their time in the water at the beach. Second, the megaresorts now being built down there are also building pool areas with waterslides, lazy rivers, and other waterpark like attractions. That means that someone would have to spend enough money to outclass any waterpark like attractions, and also come up with a novelty that would draw people away from the Atlantic. Is it possible? Yes. Is it financially viable....maybe. It would just require the right treatment. It's only a matter of time before the Myrtle Beach vacation season extends past the month of August, and more developers come to town. The Hard Rock Park project is the start.
Actually Hard Rock park could buy land across the road and make a walkway over to it because everywhere around it is run down shops and restaurants.
From Tyler W.
Posted July 10, 2007 at 2:33 PM
Jake is it really only 10 minutes? Because we got North Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove) every year and that would make a good way to get away from the beach.
From me yepp
Posted July 10, 2007 at 5:42 PM
rumor has it some big park, possibly six flags, is in the process of building in Berkeley county now... off of hwy 6 near Cross
Santee is already building a big hotel too, there's nothing in Santee and no reason to have a hotel unless something's coming...
landscapers and surveyor's are extremely busy clearing a giant acreage of land there too, like a million bee's at a bee farm
I26 and I95 have a crossover connect point being built near that area as well
time will tell I suppose...
Myrtle Beach according to the numbers has rated as high as 2nd in number of tourists to visit in a year. So it has the traditional tourism numbers to support a large park. Myrtle may not be as world-famous as Orlando, but it's a big draw for US tourists at least.
As far as being too close to other coaster parks or being too far away, I can't see either factors being an issue. Vacationers in Myrtle aren't just there to go the beach. Otherwise, places like Broadway At The Beach wouldn't survive. With the park being so close to the beach itself, it's going be a mega draw.
People will go to the park. If for no other reason than because it's new. I never go to Carowinds or Six Flags, but definitely plan on checking out Hard Rock.
It's right on Hwy 501 at the old Fantasy Harbor location where Waccamaw Pottery used to be. 501 is the main artery into Myrtle from I-95 & I-20 via Florence. Plus it's also just a stones throw from Hwy 17 which is the main north-south corridor. It's a great location.
It is a confusing drive if you stay at an ocean front hotel though.
I live in Moncks Corner. My brother works with a guy, who's wife works for Berkeley County, says...6 flags is going to be in Berkeley County.
For what its worth. I also heard something similar about 3 years ago.
I HIGHLY DOUBT Six Flags will open another park, especially there. Six Flags is pretty stripped of cash.
From steve lee
Posted July 16, 2007 at 2:34 PM
I'm pretty sure that same person saw Ferris pass out at 31 flavors last night. It must be pretty serious.
I have been going to Dolly Wood since i was born, so I know a little hear and there about it. I do think that it is a possibility that they are building a park in south carolina but not very un likely. They have been expanding like crazy for the past five years. they have added the tennessee tornado, dare devil falls, a water park, several slides and areas at the water park, the country fair addition, thunderhead, timber tower, and mystery mine (tell me if I forgot anything). I think that they are going to take a break for a year (I could be wrong though). Also take Disney out of the question they have barley developed half of their orlando property so they have no need for a park outside of orlando.
I don't think Dollywood is making a new park any time soon. They are planning on making an on-site hotel so the guests won't have to drive to the park. I honestly think Hard Rock Park is the only theme park addition to South Carolina this year. They have already sold an extreme amount of tickets so why would you go in after a park that is getting national attention is going to open.
It won't be Disney. Disney already has a home on the east coast. This rumor seems to pop up every 4 to 6 months. As I've said before, U.S. Disney parks only belong in Fla and Cali. Any more would take away from the magic! It's not the McDonalds of theme parks, that title goes to Six Flags ;) LoL
But don't forget about the disney quest that was in Chicago. So as far as future parks go, you never quite know what disney is going to pull.
DisneyQuest? That's a fancy GameWorks or Dave and Busters...not along the same lines as a theme park.
Hi. I've also heard many rumors as have many of my friends that there is possibly a Six Flags coming to Jedburg SC. This is located between I-95 and Charleston. And I have also heard that they ARE clearing many acres in that area. I don't know if the rumors are true, but I sure hope they are. We need something here! We get many tourist that come to Charleston. Six Flags over Georgia is too far as is Carowinds for the tourist of Charleston to drive. This would give them something else to do other than look at old houses (which are beautiful), go to the Charleston Aquarium, and go to Ft. Sumter. These things are OK, but not exactly what a kid would enjoy the most. And then there are us locals. Everyone I know says "Bring it!" We would love to have something else for our children and families to do.
From Chase Gray
Posted September 16, 2007 at 7:10 AM
I can automatically say Six Flags CAN'T build any new parks! They don't have the money!
Here is a link regarding the Hard Rock in S.C. and another park that the same developer is planning in Middle Tennessee.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070416/26912_Bible_Theme_Park_Proposed_for_Tennessee.htm
From steve lee
Posted October 5, 2007 at 7:02 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have finally come to the answer of the mysterious Disney World in SC story - I heard it this morning on the news:
Jafza International, a subsidiary of DUBAI World, has purchased 1,325 acres in the Orangeburg area for a "logistics hub." This is essentially warehouses, logistics specialists and packaging companies.
Disney, Dubai...close enough, right?
Haha... what did I say all along... No Disney in SC.
Honestly, I live in the Cross/Moncks Corner area and I have figured out is it takes one person to say such and such and it turns out to a different story and the area is so rural that it is easy to believe what you neighbor said. I have heard the rumor for sometime thats why I done some research and this is the only thing on the whole entire web that I could find about this. I seriously doubt that any theme park would pick an area with such landscape as the lowcountrys.
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