Freestyle Music Park facts for kids

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Freestyle Music Park
Attractions
Previously known as Hard Rock Park


Location	2904 Fantasy Way Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29579, United States
Coordinates	33°42′50″N 78°55′59″W / 33.714°N 78.933°W / 33.714; -78.933
Status	Chapter 7 bankruptcy; rides dismantled and sold; property sold
Opened	April 15, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-04-15)
Closed	2009; 16 years ago (2009)
Owner	HRP Myrtle Beach Operations (April–September 2008) FPI MB Entertainment (May 2009–August 2011) FPI US LLC/FPI US Holdings, Inc.(August 2011–December 28, 2018) FTPP Bishop Parkway LLC (December 28, 2018–present)
Theme	Music
Slogan	Where Rock Comes to Play (Hardrock Park) Full Volume Family Fun (Freestyle Music Park)
Operating season	Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
Area	55 acres (22 ha)
Total	50+
Roller coasters	5
Other rides	15+
Shows	7-8

Freestyle Music Park (which used to be called Hard Rock Park) was a music-themed amusement park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was built on 55 acres (22 ha) of land. The park was located near a major road and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The park first opened on April 15, 2008, as Hard Rock Park. But it closed early on September 24, 2008, because of money problems. It tried to reopen on May 23, 2009, with a new name, Freestyle Music Park. However, it closed again after the 2009 summer season. This was also due to money troubles and legal issues.

Park History
Park Attractions
In Media

Park History

The sign for Hard Rock Park, its first name.

Building Hard Rock Park

Ideas for a Hard Rock-themed amusement park started in 2003. But it took time to get the money and permission to use the Hard Rock name. Investors thought the park would attract many visitors.

By 2006, they got permission from Hard Rock International to use the Hard Rock name. They paid a fee for this. Construction for the park began in 2007.

2008 Season: Hard Rock Park

Hard Rock Park officially opened on June 2, 2008. A big concert with the Eagles and The Moody Blues celebrated the opening. The park had six areas, each celebrating different parts of rock music. These areas included Rock & Roll Heaven and British Invasion.

The park had many rides, live shows, and places to eat and shop. Its main attractions were roller coasters and shows with music. There was a large outdoor theater for concerts.

People generally liked the park. One writer called it a fun place for teens. Another loved the "Nights in White Satin: The Trip" ride. However, the park struggled because of tough economic times in 2008. High gas prices and hotel costs meant fewer people traveled. The park also didn't have enough money for advertising. This led to fewer visitors than expected.

The park changed its hours and closed earlier than planned. It stopped having concerts after August 30.

Early Closing and New Owners

In September 2008, Hard Rock Park announced it was closing for the season early. Most employees were laid off. The park also filed for bankruptcy, meaning it couldn't pay its debts. They hoped to reopen in 2009, but later decided to sell the park.

In February 2009, a court approved the sale of the park for $25 million to a new group called FPI MB Entertainment. This group included some of the park's original owners.

On April 2, 2009, the new owners said they would drop the Hard Rock name. They felt a new name would give the park a fresh start. The "Hard Rock" name also wasn't seen as very family-friendly. All old Hard Rock items had to be destroyed.

Later that month, the park got a new name: Freestyle Music Park. The owners said it would celebrate many types of music, like rock, country, reggae, and pop.

Some of the park's original owners sued the new owners. They claimed FPI was still using their ideas and designs. This caused problems for the park's reopening.

2009 Season: Freestyle Music Park

The park reopened on May 23, 2009. Ticket prices were lower. The park also offered special discounts. These discounts meant the park made less money than hoped.

Many areas of the park got new names. "Rock 'N' Roll Heaven" became "Myrtle's Beach." "Born in the USA" became "Kids in America." A new children's area called "Kids in America" was added. It had four new rides named after famous songs. A new show called "CSI: Live" was also added.

As the summer ended, the park president said he was happy with the season. But experts thought the park was in serious trouble. One consultant even said the park probably shouldn't reopen. He felt the park was too far from the beach to succeed.

Sale of Park Property

On January 1, 2019, the former park property was sold for over $3.5 million. The future of the land is not yet known. It is a good spot for new buildings or even another tourist attraction.

On February 26, 2019, it was announced that former Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes bought the property. He said he wasn't sure what he would do with it. But he said it would definitely not be another theme park. He planned to tear down some buildings.

Suspicious Fires

On February 17, 2019, firefighters were called to the former park for a large fire. The fire was put out, and investigators said it looked suspicious.

On June 30, 2019, another fire broke out at the park. Investigators again said it was not an accident. A witness saw people leaving the area and gave police a license number. Police are still investigating.

On September 6, 2019, a fire started in a former ticket booth area. This fire was put out quickly. It is currently under investigation and doesn't seem suspicious.

Future Plans

On October 10, 2019, it was reported that the county received a request to change the land's zoning. This would allow new types of buildings on the property. The owner confirmed that the land will not be used for an amusement park again.

Park Attractions

Roller Coasters

Hard Rock Park		Freestyle Music Park		Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
Name	Area	Name	Area	Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
Eagles Life in the Fast Lane	Cool Country	Iron Horse	Country USA	Vekoma	Mine Train roller coaster	Relocated
This roller coaster took riders through a spooky old lumber mill. It was named after the Eagles' song "Life in the Fast Lane."
Led Zeppelin: The Ride	Rock & Roll Heaven	Time Machine	Myrtle's Beach	Bolliger & Mabillard	Steel roller coaster	Relocated
This ride was 150 feet (46 m) tall and went up to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). It had six upside-down sections. When it was Led Zeppelin – The Ride, it played Led Zeppelin music and videos. The band members themselves helped design the ride. As Time Machine, it played music from the 1960s to the 2000s.
Maximum RPM!	British Invasion	Round About	Across the Pond	Premier Rides	Steel roller coaster	Dismantled
Riders sat in cars that looked like British sports cars. The ride played 1980s hits, like Gary Numan's "Cars." It had a unique lift hill that worked like a ferris wheel. The ride building looked like a famous power station with a giant inflatable pig, like on a Pink Floyd album cover. This ride was later taken apart.
Shake, Rattle & Rollercoaster	Born in the USA	Hang Ten	Kids in America	Vekoma	Junior roller coaster	Relocated
This was a classic, smaller roller coaster for kids, themed like a boardwalk.
Slippery When Wet	Born in the USA	Soak'd	Kids in America	Premier Rides	Suspended roller coaster	Dismantled
This roller coaster hung from above. People not on the ride could shoot water cannons at the coaster as it passed. But watch out, because overhead showers would randomly spray water back! This ride was also later taken apart.

Other Attractions

Hard Rock Park		Freestyle Music Park		Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
Name	Area	Name	Area	Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
All the King's Horses Carousel	British Invasion	Carnaby Carousel	Across the Pond	Chance Rides	Grand Carousel	Closed
Garage Jam	Lost in the 70s	Grunge Station	Across the Pond	Prime Interactives	Ball play area	Closed
Games	Lost in the 70s	Ring My Bell	Across the Pond		Upcharge attraction	Closed
Just a Swingin'	Cool Country	The Texas Swing	Country USA	Bertazzon	Wave Swinger	Relocating to Seabreeze Amusement Park
Kids Rock! State Park	Born in the USA	Fantasy Harbour State Park	Kids in America	Rope Courses, Inc.	Ropes course	Closed
London Cab Ride	British Invasion	McGillivray Cab Company	Across the Pond	HUSS Park Attractions	Rodeo (London cabs)	Relocated to Sunworld Danang Wonders
Magic Mushroom Garden	British Invasion	Faerie Glen	Across the Pond	HUSS Park Attractions	Airboat	Relocated to Sunworld Danang Wonders
This ride was like a Scrambler and had the "World's largest blacklight poster."
Muddin' Monster Race	Cool Country	Big Ol' Trucks	Country USA	HUSS Park Attractions	Bee Bee	Relocated to Sunworld Danang Wonders
Nights in White Satin: The Trip	British Invasion	Monstars of Rock	Across the Pond	Sally Corp. / ETF	Dark ride	Relocated to Broadway at the Beach
This was a dark ride based on The Moody Blues' song "Nights in White Satin." It used sights, sounds, smells, and touch effects. Riders wore special 3-D glasses. It was voted one of the top new attractions in 2008.
Pinball Wizard Arcade	Lost in the 70s	Who's Tommy Arcade	Across the Pond		Arcade	Closed
The Punk Pit	Born in the USA	Jump	Across the Pond		Bounce house	Closed
Reggae River Falls	Rock & Roll Heaven	Polly Nesian's Splash Bash	Myrtle's Beach		Water play area	Closed
Sole Train	Born in the USA	Cuckoo-Ka-ChooChoo	Kids in America	Zamperla	Rio Grande	Closed
N/A		Fly Like An Eagle	Kids in America	Zamperla	Kite Flyer	Closed
N/A		Get Off Of My Cloud	Kids in America	Zamperla	Balloon Race	Relocating to Seabreeze Amusement Park
N/A		Kids' Tree House	Kids in America	Henderson	Treehouse playground	Closed
N/A		Life Is A Highway	Kids in America	Zamperla	Convoy	Closed

Shows

Hard Rock Park		Freestyle Music Park		Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
Name	Area	Name	Area	Manufacturer	Type	Status	Ref(s)
Bohemian Rhapsody	All Access Entry Plaza	Kiss the Sky	VIP Plaza		Fireworks and laser show	Closed
Bohemian Rhapsody was a nighttime show over the lagoon. It featured fountains, fireworks, and lasers set to the classic song by Queen. The fireworks and lasers returned for Kiss the Sky.
Ice House Theatre	Cool Country	Ice Cold Country	Country USA		Ice show	Closed
This theater hosted ice skating shows. Hard Rock Park had a rock-themed show, while Freestyle Music Park had a country and southern rock ice show.
Live Amphitheater	Born in the USA	Stars theatre	Kids In America			Closed
This was the main stage for concerts and special performances. The Eagles and The Moody Blues played here on opening day.
Malibu Beach Party	Rock & Roll Heaven	Adrenaline Rush	Myrtle's Beach			Closed
Malibu Beach Party was a live comedy show with dancers and swimmers. They performed stunts and interacted with the crowd. Adrenaline Rush was a stunt show with skateboards, bicycles, and rollerblades.
Origins	All Access Entry Plaza	Beale Street Theatre	VIP Plaza		Film presentation	Closed
This was a film that showed the history of rock and roll music.
Phonehenge Stage	British Invasion	N/A			Performance stage	Demolished
This stage had red British phone booths arranged like Stonehenge. It featured performers like a fire-eater and juggler.
Roadies Stunt Show	British Invasion	CSI: Live	Across the Pond		Show	Closed
Roadies Stunt Show was a stunt show with rock and roll "roadies" as characters. It had many special effects. It was replaced by CSI: Live, a show based on the TV series where audience members helped solve a mystery.

In Media

In 2010, a book called Grand Strand was released. It was written by a former park employee. The fictional "Rocktime Amusement Park" in the book was based on Hard Rock and Freestyle Music Parks.

The park was also used as a filming location for an episode of the TV series Revolution. The park and some of its rides were shown as a post-apocalyptic amusement park.

Freestyle Music Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase

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