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New Name for Hard Rock Park (Myrtle Beach, SC)

Hard Rock Park: Hard Rock Park will re-open under a new name. Good - original park closed after one year so why remind people. Bad - develop a new name and build awareness. Which is preferred?

From Mark Mitchell
Posted April 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
The Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, SC will re-open this summer. It has been announced they will change the name of the Park. What are your thoughts on the name change? Does anyone want to recommend a new name?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Don Neal
Posted April 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Hard to say without a theme to drive it. Will it be a theme park or an amusement park?

From Derek Potter
Posted April 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
The owners say it will still be a music park, just without all of the Hard Rock labeling. The Led Zeppelin and Eagles coasters will be renamed, and some of the themes may have to be change in order to not pay royalties to certain former owners. They still plan to open in May.

This year will be a transitional year for them. They only have a month to rebrand themselves, so they will have to move fast. I'm thinking that many of the rides, shows, and restaurants will be renamed and possibly reworked to avoid a run in with former CEO Steve Goodwin over some intellectual property rights...which the courts say he still has. My opinion, that whole case stinks. Some of the stories coming out of this whole bankruptcy mess have him looking pretty darn crooked right now.

I'll probably still visit this summer, but I wouldn't pass judgement on this version of the park until the new powers that be have had ample time to do their thing. With the changes they have to make, a couple of months isn't enough time. One thing that they are planning on doing this year is actively marketing the park to the MB vacation crowd and their markets as well as the regional market around SC, instead of relying on free publicity like they did last year. Here's to hoping that they find their legs as quickly as possible.

From steve lee
Posted April 3, 2009 at 2:58 PM
I agree with Derek - that nonsense about the "intellectual properties" is pure sleaze turned up to 11. As I said in previous posts, I thought the previous owners came across as decent folks, but that opinion has completely flipped. If they really wanted to make a profit, they should have spent more time managing the park.

So, no one's suggesting "Happy Days Park," huh?

I just hope we don't end up with a Hootie and the Blowfish roller coaster...

From Mark Mitchell
Posted April 7, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Today's Sun News (local newspaper) includes statements from a number of local residents who suggest the "natural" name would be to bring back the Pavilion. By the way, Burroughs and Chapin closed the sea-side Pavilion after 58 years. Some of the rides were moved to Broadway at the Beach for a new Pavilion Nostalgia Park (small collection of rides).

Myrtle Beach has historically been a drive-in destination family resort community. How do we best name and theme for this audience?

Opening in May, the focus will likely be the 14 Million annual visitors who already make the trek to Myrtle Beach (try to bring them out for a day) rather than attempting to bring people to Myrtle Beach because of the Park. In the future, you assume they will be able to stimulate traffic to the region because of the Park. For now, they likely will attempt to 'peel off' visitors already in the community and encourage them to include the Park in their plans.

From steve lee
Posted April 7, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I strongly disagree with calling it the Pavilion. I loved the Pavilion, but there's no similarity between the two parks at all.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 7, 2009 at 3:31 PM
I say call it the Rockin Park or something like that!

From James Rao
Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:15 AM
Freestyle Music Park? Yikes. Anyone see that coming?

Get ready for FMP, baby!

From Nate Mitchell
Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:40 AM
wow i am speechless.

From Jeff M
Posted April 9, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Yes, check out new website, Freestylemusicpark.com

From Tim W
Posted April 9, 2009 at 9:40 AM
at least the last name had the hard rock to it. this name is just bad with a pretty bad park. lets hope at least the park turns out better!

From Mark Mitchell
Posted April 13, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Here's an excerpt from their Press Release announcing the name......

"Freestyle Music Park" is the destination for the celebration of that revolutionary phenomenon rock n' roll but also encompasses other genres of music including country, reggae, beach music, pop, R&B, alternative, Christian, and disco. At Freestyle Music Park, you can indulge your inner "rock star" while enjoying the park's many and excellent rides, shows and other attractions.

In addition, Freestyle Music Park will be the prototype and launching point for the Freestyle Park brand throughout the world. FPI MBE plans to open additional new attractions and entertainment venues in the coming years, under the Freestyle Park banner. Our Myrtle Beach Park will be the first to feature a music theme.

"Choosing 'Freestyle Music' as the name of the Park is a strategic move that we see as a key benefit for the long-term success of the project while broadening its appeal to an infinitely larger number of guests," said Steve Baker, president of FPI MBE. "With Freestyle Music Park, we own the name, leaving us unencumbered by one specific brand. This will allow us, from a partnership perspective, to explore other opportunities and collaborate with national and international brands that will strengthen and extend the 'Freestyle' brand in Myrtle Beach and throughout the rest of the world."

In the weeks ahead, FPI MBE will be announcing several changes to its Freestyle Music Park. Many of the rides, restaurants and areas throughout the Park are being re-themed to better fit into the vision of Freestyle Music Park. Castings are also underway for talent to star in Freestyle Music Park's musical and live stage show acts, which are currently in development and will be announced at a later date.


The Freestyle Music Park plans to open by Memorial Day Weekend (09). It will be interesting to watch the transformation of the Park.

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