Opryland USA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Opryland USA

Opryland USA logo used from the late 1980s to 1997
Location	Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Coordinates	36°12′30″N 86°41′43″W / 36.20833°N 86.69528°W / 36.20833; -86.69528
Status	Removed
Opened	May 27, 1972; 53 years ago (1972-05-27)
Closed	December 31, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-12-31)
Owner	Gaylord Entertainment Company
Slogan	"Home of American Music" "America's Musical Showpark" "The Original Country Hit!" "Great Shows! Great Rides! Great Times!"
Area	120 acres (0.49 km2)
Attractions
Total	27
Roller coasters	6
Water rides	3

Opryland USA was a fun theme park located in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. This park, which covered about 120 acres, was nestled between the Cumberland River and Briley Parkway. It was open for visitors from spring to fall each year, from 1972 to 1997. For a few years, it even had special Christmas events in December. In its busiest years, around 2.5 million people visited Opryland annually!

Opryland USA first opened its gates on May 27, 1972. It was built by WSM, Inc. to go along with the new Grand Ole Opry House. The park was known as the "Home of American Music" because it had lots of musical shows, plus exciting rides like roller coasters. After the 1997 season, Opryland closed down and was taken apart. In its place, a large shopping mall called Opry Mills opened in 2000.

History of Opryland

Why Opryland Was Built

The idea for a theme park in Nashville started because WSM, Inc. wanted a bigger, more modern place for its famous radio show, Grand Ole Opry. The Ryman Auditorium, where the show had been since 1943, was getting old. The show was so popular that its weekly crowds were too big for the Ryman's 3,000 seats. The company wanted to build a new, comfy auditorium with more space and plenty of parking.

In 1969, WSM, Inc. President Irving Waugh visited Six Flags AstroWorld in Texas. He noticed that the theme park brought in visitors even when other attractions were closed. This gave him the idea that an amusement park next to the new Grand Ole Opry House would be a great way to make money. So, WSM, Inc. bought a big piece of land by the Cumberland River. Plans for the Opryland complex were announced in October 1969.

The Early Years: 1970s Fun

President Richard Nixon playing the piano at the Grand Ole Opry House opening in 1974

The theme park welcomed its first guests on May 27, 1972. The Grand Ole Opry House opened later, in March 1974, with a visit from President Richard Nixon. The park was named after a radio show called "Opryland USA." Even though it had "Opry" in its name, the park celebrated all kinds of American music. You could find jazz, gospel, bluegrass, pop, and rock and roll shows, not just country.

Opryland focused more on its musical performances than on its rides. This helped attract both adults and kids. It was often called a "showpark" instead of just an "amusement park." Some of the first big rides included the Timber Topper roller coaster and the Flume Zoom log flume.

In 1975, Opryland added a "State Fair" area with carnival games and new rides. These included the Wabash Cannonball roller coaster and the Tennessee Waltz swings. However, before this area opened, the Cumberland River flooded most of the park. The park's opening was delayed, and some animals in the petting zoo were lost.

Opryland USA logo from 1972 to the late 1980s

Opryland became very popular in the mid-1970s. By 1977, it was Nashville's top tourist spot, attracting almost two million visitors each year. Many guests came from nearby states, often combining their visit with a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. The closest similar theme parks were many hours away, making Opryland a unique destination.

Because the park was so popular, plans changed to include a hotel and convention center. In 1977, the Opryland Hotel (now Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center) opened next to the park. It grew to become one of the largest hotels in the world. In 1979, the Roy Acuff Theater opened, hosting the park's main musical shows. You could buy separate tickets for shows at this theater without needing to enter the park.

New Owners and More Fun: 1980s and 1990s

In the early 1980s, the company that owned Opryland was sold. A new company, Gaylord Broadcasting Company, bought Opryland and its related businesses in 1983. Gaylord was interested in country music, especially because of their connection to the TV show Hee Haw. This new ownership helped Opryland continue to grow.

The General Jackson Showboat opened in 1985 as an Opryland attraction

In 1981, Opryland added a new area called "Grizzly Country." This area was built for the Grizzly River Rampage, an exciting river rafting ride. A band called the Grizzly River Boys helped promote the ride. This band later became the famous country group Diamond Rio. In 1984, a third roller coaster, The Screamin' Delta Demon, was added to the New Orleans area.

By the late 1980s, new theme parks like Kentucky Kingdom and Dollywood started to compete with Opryland. To attract more visitors, Opryland offered package deals that included hotel stays and tickets to the Grand Ole Opry. The park also kept adding new attractions, like the General Jackson Showboat and the Chaos roller coaster.

In the early 1990s, Opryland focused more on its live music shows. The last big ride, The Hangman roller coaster, opened in 1995. In 1994, the park's official name changed to "Opryland Themepark." "Opryland USA" then became the name for all of Gaylord Entertainment's Nashville properties.

In 1993, the popular game show Family Feud even taped several episodes at Opryland. These shows featured famous country music stars and local Nashville families.

Closing Down and What Happened Next

The Delta atrium opened at the Opryland Hotel in 1996

Opryland was always a successful park, even in its last years. However, its location caused some problems. The park was on a triangle of land, with the Cumberland River on one side and a highway on another. The Opryland Hotel was on the third side. This meant the park sometimes flooded and had no room to build new attractions. It often had to remove old rides to make space for new ones.

Nashville's cold winters also meant the park could not stay open all year. It was hard to find enough seasonal workers as Nashville's economy grew. In 1997, a new CEO, Terry London, decided that the theme park wasn't making enough money for the company's future plans. He wanted a property that could be used all year round.

Rumors about the park closing started in the summer of 1997. In November, it was announced that Opryland would close and be replaced by a shopping mall called Opry Mills. The park had its final "Christmas in the Park" season, closing permanently on December 31, 1997.

The Rock n' Roller Coaster, now named Canyon Blaster, was moved to The Great Escape in 2003

Most of Opryland's roller coasters and other big rides were sold to another company. For example, The Hangman roller coaster moved to California and became known as Kong. The Rock n' Roller Coaster moved to Six Flags Great Escape in New York and is now called Canyon Blaster. Many other rides were stored in a field in Indiana for years before being scrapped. By July 1998, the Opryland Themepark site was cleared to make way for Opry Mills.

Opry Mills opened in May 2000. Some parts of the old Opry Plaza, like the Grand Ole Opry House and Roy Acuff Theater, remained open. However, by November 2011, almost all signs of the old theme park were gone. In 2012, the CEO of Gaylord Entertainment said that closing Opryland was "a bad idea."

2010 Tennessee Floods

In May 2010, the Opryland site was flooded when the Cumberland River overflowed. Many buildings on the property were badly damaged. Some, like the Roy Acuff Theater and Gaslight Theater, were later torn down. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry House were closed for several months but reopened later that year. Opry Mills also reopened in 2012 after repairs.

As of 2021, only a few buildings from the theme park era remain.

Opryland's Themed Areas

Opryland had nine different areas, each with a theme based on American music.

Opry Plaza: The Main Entrance

Opry Plaza was the main entry and exit point for Opryland. Most of this area was outside the park gates, so you didn't need a ticket to visit it. It looked like old Southern architecture and played music from Grand Ole Opry stars. The Grand Ole Opry House was the most important building here. Opry Plaza connected to Hill Country, Doo Wah Diddy City, and the parking lot.

Hill Country/Opry Village: Bluegrass and Folk

Hill Country (later called Opry Village) was themed around bluegrass and folk music, like the Appalachia region. It had the Folk Music Theatre and the Dulcimer Splash log ride. The Grinder's Switch Train Station was also here, offering train rides to the American West Area.

New Orleans Area: Jazz and Excitement

The New Orleans Area was all about jazz music. Its buildings looked like the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. It had a bandstand with live jazz shows. The Screamin' Delta Demon roller coaster was added here in 1984.

Riverside Area: Music and Kids' Fun

The Riverside Area didn't have a specific music theme but was named for being next to the Cumberland River. It was home to the American Music Theater, the park's only indoor show venue. The Opryland Carousel was also here, along with K.C.'s Kids' Club, an area just for children.

American West Area: Cowboys and Coasters

The American West Area celebrated the American frontier with Western music. Its buildings looked like El Paso, Texas in the 1870s. The Durango Theatre hosted the "Way Out West" musical show. The Tin Lizzie antique car ride was here until 1994, when it was replaced by The Hangman inverted roller coaster. This was the last major ride added to Opryland.

Lakeside Area: Modern Country and Water Rides

The Lakeside Area celebrated modern country music. It featured Eagle Lake, a man-made lake that had the Old Mill Scream water ride. The Barnstormer airplane ride was also on the lakeshore. This area also had another Kids' Club area.

State Fair: Carnival Games and Thrills

The State Fair area was added in 1975 and looked like a typical state fair midway. Its main attraction was the Wabash Cannonball roller coaster. You could also find a petting zoo, Bump Cars, and lots of carnival games here.

Grizzly Country: River Rapids and Indoor Coaster

Grizzly Country was Opryland's last big expansion, added in 1981. It was built mainly for the Grizzly River Rampage river rafting ride. Chaos, an indoor roller coaster, opened in Grizzly Country in 1989.

Music of Today/Doo Wah Diddy City: Pop and Rock

The Music of Today area, also called "Mod," celebrated modern pop and rock music. In 1979, it was re-themed and became Doo Wah Diddy City, focusing on pop and rock and roll from the 1950s onwards. It was home to the Rock n' Roller Coaster, Opryland's first thrill ride. The Little Deuce Coupe, a spinning ride, was also in this area.

Notable Rides at Opryland