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Wes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11489
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So sad. I hope they find a buyer.
And not one that just wants the land either.
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| 11/1/2008 6:57 AM |
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 612
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This can't be good.
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| 11/1/2008 10:42 AM |
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Nitro Luvr
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 464
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I'm wondering where this is surprising news. Sad that it may close permanently, but definitely not surprising.
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| 11/1/2008 11:00 AM |
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Michael C
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2230
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Well maybe their BOD should have taken half there salaries so they could invest another half million in advertising. Sorry but the Economy sounds like this years weather excuse. Pore management has much more to do with it.
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| 11/1/2008 11:27 AM |
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raser
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2079
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I was thinking of visiting when I heard of this park but I decided not to even attempt as they stated only so many people were to be in the park in a day. My concern was planning a vacation around going to this park and not being allowed into the park due to attendance limit.
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| 11/1/2008 2:05 PM |
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coasterman1234
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1478
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Well, at least they only half-lied. They did need to market more, but the economy had nothing to do with their attendance as CF and SF attendance is up. I guarantee the park won't find a buyer, especially now. I guess the inaugural season will also double as the farewell.
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| 11/1/2008 2:16 PM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12516
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I'm not suprised. I said the park will be closed in a year and everyone thought i was crazy.
I do hope they find a buyer cause i would like to see it re-open instead of seeing the coasters sold off and shipped out.
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| 11/1/2008 2:43 PM |
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Wes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11489
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It's a really nice park, it needed a cheaper gate price and more rides, but otherwise it was a very unique park in what you got for your admission. Much more appealing to adults than kids as most kids wouldn't get jokes based on bands from the 70s and 80s.
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| 11/1/2008 3:54 PM |
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LP_Reanimator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 205
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Kinda sad that I never got to go there. I was even in Myrtle Beach this past summer, but I wasn't able to go to the park.
I hope it does reopen, but if it shuts down, I won't be surprised.
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| 11/1/2008 10:36 PM |
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Leo C
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8702
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This was supposed to be my park. : (
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| 11/1/2008 11:15 PM |
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Chris L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7455
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Eh. How many new amusement parks actually start up and DON'T end up getting stripped by lenders or get sold off within a year or two?
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| 11/1/2008 11:22 PM |
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jimhamblin
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 788
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I hope it doesn't close. It sounds like they have some nice attractions. My guess is that the horrible economy, gas prices, and possibly ppoor management that killed it.
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| 11/2/2008 4:11 PM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12516
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Poor management, Poor advertising & poor gate prices killed this park.
I just hope the new owners lower the price to $30 or the same thing will happen all over again.
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| 11/2/2008 5:13 PM |
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PANTSFREE
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1449
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I got the credits at least... :-/
Sad stuff. If I was to buy the place I would open the gates making admission free and do a pay per ride type of thing. Get people in there for shopping, eating, and drinking and charge separate admission for the rides...
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| 11/3/2008 1:49 PM |
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Carowinds 73-03
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12516
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That would be the way to go for about 5 years then add a new coaster and maybe 2 flats and some water attractions then maybe charge $42 to get in with NC/SC residents paying $35.
I was lucky enough to get the credits as well.
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| 11/4/2008 5:30 AM |
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stevetothekizzo
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1341
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This may be proof that theme parks can not be built from scratch these days without major theme park branding and funding. Didn't IOA struggle when it first opened for a while as well? Mt. Olympus and Holiday World are perfect examples of how theme parks must develop in modern times. They start small and invest bigger as attendance grows.
Based on pictures and conversations, it looks also like this park missed the boat for family appeal. As much as some people would like to think otherwise, theme parks are for families. Hard Rock had a ride based on an acid trip. Another was based on mushrooms. They even had a "Red Hot Chili Pepper's" album cover posted in the park with the band members wearing nothing but a sock. This park was doomed to failure for lack of family appeal alone. Location and lack of rides simply sped up the process.
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| 11/5/2008 5:02 PM |
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More about News
Nov. 1st, 2008 -- Hard Rock Park, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, is up for sale. According to court documents, officials want to sell the park by the end of the year.