The new owners of Freestyle Music Park, the former Hard Rock Park, continued working toward their May 23 reopening on Friday, unveiling a new kids' show and putting up a Freestyle Music Park sign near the entrance of the attraction.
The kids' show, called Flip 5 Live, will feature 11 performers between 16 and 19 years old who will dance, tumble and sing. At a media demonstration on Friday, the dancers were dressed in brightly colored costumes and wigs of yellow, orange and other colors.
"It was great to see everyone tapping their feet and moving with the music during the presentation," said John Stine, the park's sales and marketing director.
FPI MB Entertainment, the company that now owns the park, purchased the $400 million facility out of bankruptcy in February. The park first opened in April 2008 but closed in September due to a lackluster first season.
Stine said the group, which will encourage the audience to dance and sing along, was put together specially for Freestyle Music Park. He said the performers were from all over the country.
"Kids want interactivity," said Robbie Mackey, the park's senior show director. ''They don't want to just sit and watch a show, they want to be part of a show."
The park also announced that active firefighters, EMTs and members of the military would get free admission through May 31. The park's normal ticket price is $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids. Residents of the Carolinas can get $10 off the price through June 14 with a valid state ID card.
The park will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. during opening weekend. On weekdays through June 5, the park will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and offer a special ticket price of $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids. Locals can still take $10 off the admission price.
Whoopdedo. Same dumb rides, same dumb management, same dumb location, new name. What a concept.
Posted by: Boris | May 08, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Maybe they should try to steer clear of all the rock and roll and make it a more family friendly location. Hip hop is what is in now, maybe sponsor some concerts for teens in the area.
Posted by: carolina forest mom | May 08, 2009 at 04:30 PM
carolina forest,
It's ok if they want to add a hip hop area but still they need to keep rock as well other music genres,atleast it's not as 'hard edged" as last year
Posted by: James | May 08, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Boris,
Yes they have alot of the same rides as the rides are not trailor style carnie rides,it's a Theme park not a carnival.
If you don't like it you don't have to attend.
Posted by: James | May 08, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Heres an idea. Take all of it down, take up all of the concrete and buildings and plant a whole lotta trees. That is the ugliest area in Horry County.
Posted by: chris z | May 08, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Chris Z
That is not going to happen, also I'm sure MidEvil Times,Holiday In,Staybridge suites would'nt appriciate you calling the area thier in a dump,If the place actauly does well, it could lure other busnesses to the area and help "clean" the area up, I agree they need to tear down the old waccamow pottery shops. Walt Disney World was built on Swampland and look at it now.
Posted by: James | May 08, 2009 at 07:43 PM
For those of you who are not aware, they have added a whole new section of rides for small children. Please give these people a chance before you start talking negative about the place before it even opens. And yes they do seem to be alot more community oriented than the last owners. I wish them well!!!
Posted by: Maewest | May 08, 2009 at 10:19 PM
The socalled experts that ran the park previously wanted to blame "the cost of gas" for their failure. Well guess what, the visitors were here in Myrtle Beach, they just could not get them through the gate. Looks like the new Owners are making a huge difference for a fraction of the cost and are catering to what the guests want and not what some individuals wanted.
Posted by: roger ing | May 08, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Is it true the old Hard Rock park cost $400 million?
Where did all the money go? I visited the park twice last year and cannot believe that someone invested that amount of money. It looks like it should have cost half of that. No wonder it went bankrupt if the management thought it was worth that, who were they anyway? The new Owners $25 million investment will be a huge success.
Posted by: shirley | May 08, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I'm glad to see they are going to have more for the younger set. I'll send my grandsons this time. This is the best thing trhey could have done besides having a decent name.
Posted by: Captain | May 08, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Yes, it apparently cost $400 million but you assumed right, it should have cost much less. The previous management group had no clue about construction or operations management. Add both together and you get "hosed". If they had been less interested in themselves the park might have stood a chance of success. Ask all us previous employees.
Posted by: Timmy | May 08, 2009 at 11:23 PM
The new owners are 4 of the 6 old owners. I have little interest in this park. Hard Rock Park failed because tickets were too expensive and marketing was poor. This one will probably fail because the park itself has been turned from cool to lame.
Posted by: GrrrlRomeo | May 08, 2009 at 11:30 PM
GRRlROMEO,
Yes I know the FreeStyle name comes across as a little Odd but I think these new people (even a couple of the same investors) have a good vision as to where they want to take this. Even some of Disney's parks did'nt do so well at thier first opening but they made adjustments to adapt the parks to the public's interest. Same thing here,while the Hard Rock theme was cool and yes I liked it very much,some parents thought it was a little too hard edged for familys so thier doing what they can to appeal to a wider audiance and I'm sure they will make "adjustments" along the way as they see needed.
Posted by: James | May 09, 2009 at 12:56 AM