Freestyle Music Park

Freestyle Music Park
Freestyle Music Parks Logo.
Location Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S.
Owner HRP Myrtle Beach Operations (April - September 2008)

FPI MB Entertainment (May 2009 - August 2011) FPI US LLC (August 2011 -Current)
Opened April 15, 2008
Closed 2009
Previous names Hard Rock Park
Operating season Memorial Weekend To Labor Day
Area 55 acres (220,000 m2)
Rides 50+ total
Slogan Full Volume Family Fun

Freestyle Music Park, formerly Hard Rock Park, was a music theme park located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that opened on April 15, 2008, then temporarily closed on September 24, 2008 due to financial issues, reopened May 23, 2009 under the Freestyle brand,[1][2][3] and closed yet again after its 2009 season.[4] It was built on 55 acres (220,000 m2) on a 140 acre (0.57-km²) property[5] between Highway 501 and the Intracoastal Waterway on a site that includes part of the former Waccamaw Factory Shoppes in Fantasy Harbour.

Contents

Attractions

Shows

Roller Coasters

The park's roller-coasters offered lockers located next to major rides, initially free short-term as Hard Rock Park, and for $.50 per single use as Freestyle Park.

Other rides

Kids' play areas

Hard Rock Park

Opening

The grand opening celebration as Hard Rock Park on June 2, 2008, featured a concert by The Eagles and The Moody Blues. The park opened to "awesome" reviews. Times of London writer Chris Haslam concluded that America’s newest theme park brought the genre "from the preschool plastic of Disney to a new age of insubordinate adolescence through a combination of nerdy attention to detail, startling irreverence and sly wit."[6] Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press travel editor, declared Nights in White Satin: The Trip as one of her all-time favorite rides from any park, right up there with Disney's popular Soarin' Over California ride.[7]

Name

The Hard Rock name was licensed from Seminole Nation–owned Hard Rock International, current owners/operators of the Hard Rock Cafe brand, to HRP Myrtle Beach Operations, LLC, which designed and built the park, for a fee of $2.5 million per year.

Park areas

The park featured six "rock environs" celebrating rock's culture, lifestyle, legends and irreverence. These rock environs included the All Access Entry Plaza, Rock & Roll Heaven, British Invasion, Lost in the 70's, Born in the USA and Cool Country.[8]

Attractions

At opening, the park had amusement rides, live shows, interactive elements, kids play areas, gardens, shopping and dining attractions. The main attractions of the park were roller coasters and live shows set to music. The park included an amphitheater with 10,000-person capacity featuring live daily shows and special performances. Other amusements included a carousel, a water play structure and swings. Most attractions prominently featured music, bands, and rock memorabilia like its cafe counterpart.

Shows

Roller Coasters

Other rides

Other attractions

Closure and Sale

Hard Rock Park had stated the park could accommodate up to 30,000 visitors a day.[11] However, in light of the frozen credit markets the park could not secure sufficient finance to underwrite its planned advertising campaign.[12] As the 2008 economic downturn deepened during the summer, high gas and hotel prices coupled with limited advertising by the park led to lower-than-expected attendance. The park cited “macroeconomic conditions that significantly depressed overall demand in the travel and leisure industry” and a lack of cash to advertise.[13]

Changes were made to operating hours and planned operating days. The original closing time of 1 a.m. was moved up to 10 p.m. in August and the park moved to weekend-only operations after Labor Day. And with an earlier end-of-season planned on November 2, the park scheduled no concerts past August 30.[14]

In September, HRP investor Africa Israel Investments decided to write off its entire $10 million investment in the park "due to liquidity difficulties the park is experiencing".[15] Hard Rock Park then announced that they were ending the 2008 season over a month early, laying off most of the employees, and had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time of the filing, the park expressed hopes of reopening in 2009;[16] the following month the company announced plans to sell the park.

In January 2009, the company converted to Chapter 7.[17] In February 2009, the Delaware bankruptcy court declined to force an auction and approved the sale of the park to FPI MB Entertainment (FPI) for $25 million.[18]

On April 2, 2009, the new owners announced that the Hard Rock name would be dropped, despite efforts to obtain permission from Hard Rock International, which had been willing to continue use of the name if conditions could be met. The bankruptcy court required all Hard Rock merchandise to be destroyed as a result. Changing the name would give the park a more positive image since the old name was connected with the bankruptcy, and it was not considered family-oriented, which the new owners wanted the park to be.

In an unrelated development, a Delaware federal judge said on March 30 that some of the previous owners still owned intellectual property rights relating to the original theme.[19] The original owners then sued FPI, claiming they had not done enough to change the park, and that the new owners were using intellectual property that was not theirs. This action threatened to delay the reopening.[20]

In May, HRP Creative Services Co. wanted to make certain attractions separate from the park the new owners planned. Prior to the March 30 ruling, former park CEO Steven Goodwin wanted the new owners to pay royalties.[21]

Freestyle Music Park

New Owners

FPI MB Entertainment LLC was a joint venture of FPI US LLC, a company incorporated in Delaware, and MB Entertainment.[22] The partners included Roundbox Advisors, Freestyle Park International, Baker Leisure Group, and two of the park's original owners — Thomas M. Hiles and D. Tim Duncan. Baker Leisure Group managed the day-to-day park operations.[18]

New Name and Changes Announced

FPI had to completely re-skin and overhaul the park to comply with court rulings.[23] In April 2009 FPI unveiled a new name for the park: Freestyle Music Park, stating that it will pay homage to a variety of musical genres, including rock n' roll, country, reggae, beach music, pop, R&B, alternative, Christian and disco.[1] The name does not refer to the Latin music genre, according to sales and marketing director John Stine.[24] In addition, Freestyle Music Park will be the prototype and launching point for potential future parks under the same brand; one is planned in Russia.

On April 22, FPI introduced Kids in America, a 17,000-square-foot (1,600 m2) children's section with four rides named after hit songs and purchased from Zamperla of Italy. The rides are named "Get Off My Cloud," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Wheels in the Sky" and "Life Is a Highway."[25] On May 4, "Led Zeppelin - The Ride" became "The Time Machine", with plans to play a song from each decade from the 1960s to the present with each run. The blimp-style station was later painted red to resemble a time machine. Also at that time, Stine said FPI planned no concerts during 2009.[26]

On May 14, FPI announced their last new shows. "CSI: Live", previously performed at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, is based on the CSI TV series. The park also had a fireworks and laser show when it closed.[27] "Adrenaline Rush" is a stunt show with skateboards, bicycles and rollerblades, and "Ice Cold Country" (formerly "Country on the Rocks"). Sections of the park also got new names; "Myrtle's Beach" (previously "Rock 'N' Roll Heaven") became a "tongue-in-cheek celebration of all things Polynesian." "Born in the USA" became "Kids in America." "British Invasion" became "Across the Pond." "Cool Country" became "Country USA." The entrance changed names from "All Access Entry Plaza" to "VIP Plaza". Other new names included "Iron Horse" (formerly known as "Midnight Rider" and "Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane"), Soak'd, formerly "Slippery When Wet". "Hang Ten", previously "Shake, Rattle 'n' Rollercoaster". "Round About" was called "Maximum RPM!". The "Nights in White Satin" ride still goes through a blacklit building and has been re-themed "Monstars of Rock". Other kids' attractions changed names--"Reggae River Falls" became "Poly Nesian's Splash Bash", "Garage Jam!" became "Grunge Station", and "Kids Rock! State Park" became "Fantasy Harbour State Park".[28]

On June 22, the county planning commission agreed to change the name of Hard Rock Parkway to Fantasy Harbour Boulevard. FPI agreed to pay part of the cost for new signs. Businesses located on the road would have to pay their own expenses as the road, once called Outlet Boulevard, received its second name change in two years.[29] By mid-September, five of the seven signs on the street itself had been changed.[30]

2009 Freestyle Operating Season

The park reopened May 23, with adult admission reduced to $39.95 ($29.95 for children) and annual passes to $64.95 ($39.95 for children).[2][3] Additionally, the park has offered 3 separate promotions during the 2009 summer season. $10 off for SC residents, $17.76 for 2 admission tickets before 4pm and most recently $19.99 for 2 tickets prior to 4pm.

As the park prepared to close at the end of the summer, FPI President Steve Baker said, "Overall, I'm real happy," despite the fact that the economy and the park's past problems contributed to a less than spectacular first season. The park also made less money than hoped because of the discounts needed to attract more people, and lawsuits added to the park's woes.

Many amusement parks were also having difficulties, said David Mandt of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

The lawsuits were filed by Brandon Advertising (for $1.4 million) on August 5 and Roundbox Advisors LLC (for $360,000) on August 17. Baker explained that FPI MB would pay both creditors, saying that Freestyle Park had fewer problems than Hard Rock Park, but people were assuming the difficulties would continue, meaning that they were less patient.

As for 2009, Baker said, "We're doing our best, and we're here to stay."[31]

Tetra Financial Group filed another lawsuit in September for lease payments, taxes and fees.[32]

In October, FPI announced that they had lined up some new investors to help the park pay its debts. They signed a memorandum of understanding with the investors.[33]

Further problems

The agreement to purchase Hard Rock Park included paying $570,000 the former park owners owed. In January, the attorney for Hard Rock Park's trustee allowed an extension on that payment as the park searched for new investors. Court documents said the economic situation caused difficulties in making the payments. The park laid off 30 employees early in January, 2010.

In February, 2010, FPI attorney Tobey Daluz announced that the park would not open in March as planned. She said when or if the park opened depended on actions of investors who have not been identified.[34][35]

On March 29, 2010, lawyer David Slough said the park would not reopen unless investors allowed FPI to pay Hard Rock Park's debt by the deadline of April 1. He would not say how close investors were to a deal.

Consultant Dennis Speigel, who had no connection to the park, said, "It's probably the largest catastrophe in our industry. Quite frankly the park shouldn't reopen." He said for the price FPI paid, they should have been able to make the park succeed. Speigel said the park was too far from the beach.[36]

On April 1, 2010, Slough said, "Currently, the park has no ability to make the payment." Foreclosure and even bankruptcy are now possibilities, but the park could still find investors and reopen, according to attorney Allen Jeffcoat.[4]

Court documents filed April 13, 2010 in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware say a court ruling will create a lien; the next step will likely be a Horry County court action leading to the park's sale.[37]

On June 29, 2010, a federal court awarded Tetra $14 million after Freestyle failed to answer the lawsuit. On June 30, Baker said the park was "aggressively" seeking new investors. Jeffcoat, who had no connection to the case, said Tetra would only be repaid after other creditors who already had claims.[32]

On August 9, 2010, foreclosure proceedings were filed against Freestyle Music Park.[38] Mortgage holder FPI US LLC seeks over $25 million from park owner FPI MB Entertainment LLC. Loan documents identify the general manager of FPI US LLC as Alexey (Alexei in most documents) Sidnev; Sidnev is a former partner in Moscow-based MT Development, an investor in Freestyle Park that had planned a similar park in Europe. Court filings show FPI US LLC is a division of MT Development.[22] On August 20, FPI MB Entertainment responded to the foreclosure action, admitting the amount of debt is correct and that it cannot pay.[39] Four out of five creditors responding to the foreclosure claimed FPI US and FPI MB are the same company and that FPI US should not have first claim to park assets. FPI MB attorney Nate Fata denied this.[40]

In an August 24 interview, Baker said the park's entire board had resigned, except for one member appointed by Russian investors who will work to sell the park. Baker, who continued to head Baker Leisure Group, believed the park could succeed under new owners.[39]

VenCore Solutions, which leased items such as radios and shelves to Hard Rock Park, continued its agreement with Freestyle Park. On September 8, VenCore, claiming FPI MB owes the company $1,074,738, was granted the right to repossess the property.[41] FPI MB stated in a letter that VenCore was correct that the property "is currently uninsured and not subject to a hurricane contingency plan."[42]

Despite rumors, Baker has no plans to move the Freestyle rides to a park he plans in Orlando, Florida.[43]

On January 12, 2011, a judge may appoint a receiver for the park property; FPI US wants Gregory Maloney of Jones, Lang, LaSalle Americas Inc. Theme park consultant Michael Jenkins said the park could reopen, but a different theme might be necessary [44] A month later, FPI MB attorney Nate Fata said a sale appeared more likely due to the improving real estate market.[45]

Fictional story

On October 26, 2010, the book Grand Strand by former park employee Reid Barwick, became available for purchase online. Many of the details of the fictional "Rocktime Amusement Park" match those of the real story of Hard Rock and Freestyle Music Parks. However, the book contains fraudulent deals which Baker denies took place.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b Foster, Jessica (April 10, 2009). "Park Chucks Rock Name, Goes with Freestyle Music Park". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/855409.html. Retrieved 2009-04-25. 
  2. ^ a b Cherney, Mike (May 9, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park Shows Off Its Younger Side". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/892814.html. Retrieved 2009-05-09. 
  3. ^ a b Cherney, Mike (May 24, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park rolls out smooth opener". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/911996.html. Retrieved 2009-05-24. 
  4. ^ a b Spring, Jake (2010-04-02). "Freestyle Music Park misses deadline". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/02/1400058/park-misses-deadline.html. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  5. ^ Hard Rock Park page - The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News
  6. ^ Holland, Eva (2008-05-15). "Hard Rock Park Opens to 'Awesome' Reviews". WorldHum. http://www.worldhum.com/travel-blog/item/hard_rock_park_opens_to_awesome_reviews_20080515/. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  7. ^ Harpaz, Beth J. (2008-05-21). "Grown-ups' revenge: Explaining Hard Rock Park". Associated Press. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080521/ap_tr_ge/travel_dispatches_hard_rock_park_generation_gap. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  8. ^ HARD ROCK PARK TURNS UP THE VOLUME ON THE FAMILY LEISURE SCENE, Press Release
  9. ^ Led Zeppelin - NEWS - www.led-zeppelin.com
  10. ^ a b ThrillNetwork.com :: Hard Rock Park – For those that want to rock
  11. ^ Hicks, Brian (August 31, 2008). "Hard Times at Hard Rock". The Post and Courier. http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/31/hard_times_at_hard_rock52654. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 
  12. ^ Fleisher, Lisa (Dec. 14, 2008). "Hard Rock Park: The Way the Music Died". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/708042.html. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 
  13. ^ Fleisher, Lisa (November 16, 2008). "Ill-timed Hard Rock Is on the Block". The Sun News. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/356701.html. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 
  14. ^ "TV report fuels rumors of Hard Rock Park demise". themeparkinsider.com (incl. transcript from WPDE-TV). 2009-08-07. http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200808/870/. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  15. ^ "Hard Rock Park Loses an Investor". The Post and Courier. September 8, 2008. http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/08/hard_rock_park_loses_an_investor53342/. Retrieved 2009-05-13. 
  16. ^ "Hard Rock Park in SC files Chapter 11 bankruptcy". USA Today. September 25, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-09-25-hard-rock-park-bankruptcy_N.htm. 
  17. ^ "Ride Over for Hard Rock Park". WPDE. January 2, 2009. http://www.carolinalive.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=241875. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 
  18. ^ a b Fleisher, Lisa (February 18, 2009). "Judge clears sale of Hard Rock Park". The Sun News. http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/679/story/787981.html. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 
  19. ^ Cherney, Mike (April 3, 2009). "Theme park Scraps Hard Rock". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/142/story/845915.html. Retrieved 2009-04-04. 
  20. ^ Cherney, Mike (May 20, 2009). "Hard Rock Park Creators File Suit". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/907059.html. Retrieved 2009-06-02. 
  21. ^ Cherney, Mike (May 9, 2009). "Hard Rock Park Ideas See New Plans". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/892802.html. Retrieved 2009-05-09. 
  22. ^ a b Spring, Jake (2010-08-23). "Consultant: 'Time to bury' Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach area". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/22/1649113/consultant-time-to-bury-freestyle.html. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  23. ^ Cohen, Melanie (2009-10-01). "Freestyle Music Park Gets Off to Rocky Start". The Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2009/10/01/freestyle-music-park-gets-off-to-rocky-start/. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  24. ^ Cherney, Mike (April 26, 2009). "Park Name a Music Style, but up for Interpretation". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/876823.html. Retrieved 2009-04-27. 
  25. ^ Cherney, Mike (April 23, 2009). "Kids' Romp Area Revealed at Freestyle Music Park". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/871618.html. Retrieved 2009-04-25. 
  26. ^ Cherney, Mike (May 5, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park Reskins Rides, Picks Up Pace to Be Ready for Opening". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/886676.html. Retrieved 2009-05-05. 
  27. ^ Cherney, Mike (May 15, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park Unveils Last 2 Shows". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/900779.html. Retrieved 2009-05-15. 
  28. ^ "Park map". http://freestylemusicpark.com/blog/wp-content/themes/freestylemusicpark/images/parkMap/parkMap.htm. 
  29. ^ Cherney, Mike (June 23, 2009). "Freestyle Paying to Rename Parkway". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/949938.html. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  30. ^ Newton, Monique (September 13, 2009). "Hard Rock Parkway fades into the past". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/142/story/1065679.html. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  31. ^ Newton, Monique (2009-08-24). "Freestyle Music Park: How is it doing?". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1034939.html. Retrieved 2009-08-24. 
  32. ^ a b Spring, Jake (2010-07-01). "Court rules against Freestyle Music Park". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/07/01/1563573/court-rules-against-park.html. Retrieved 2010-07-01. 
  33. ^ Newton, Monique (2009-10-17). "Freestyle Music Park says it's lined up investors". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1120406.html. Retrieved 2009-10-27. 
  34. ^ "Freestyle Music Park to close offices, lay off workers until deal made with new investors". The Sun News. 2010-02-06. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1300556.html?storylink=mirelated. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  35. ^ Saldinger, Adva (2010-02-16). "Freestyle Music Park won't open on schedule; needs investors". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1318927.html. Retrieved 2010-02-18. 
  36. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-03-30). "Freestyle Music Park opening hinges on investors". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/03/30/1395175/freestyle-opening-hinges-on-investors.html. Retrieved 2010-03-30. 
  37. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-04-15). "Freestyle Music Park creditors close in". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/15/1421892/freestyle-creditors-close-in.html. Retrieved 2010-04-15. 
  38. ^ Summer, Jake (2010-08-13). "Freestyle begins foreclosure proceedings". WMBF. http://www.wmbfnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=12976609. Retrieved 2010-08-13. 
  39. ^ a b Spring, Jake (2010-08-25). "Freestyle Music Park board resigns". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/25/1653891/freestyle-board-resigns.html. Retrieved 2010-08-25. 
  40. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-18). "Freestyle Music Park creditors cry fraud, fight back". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/18/1700630/freestyle-creditors-cry-fraud.html. Retrieved 2010-09-18. 
  41. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-17). "Court gives go-ahead to repossess Freestyle Music Park property". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/17/1699552/court-gives-go-ahead-to-repossess.html. Retrieved 2010-09-17. 
  42. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-18). "Freestyle Music Park's legal tangle thickens". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/18/1700629/freestyles-legal-tangle-thickens.html. Retrieved 2010-09-18. 
  43. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-11-14). "Freestyle Music Park rides to stay put". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/11/14/1809723/freestyle-rides-to-stay-put.html. Retrieved 2010-11-23. 
  44. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-12-26). "Freestyle Music Park's problems wade through court". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/12/26/1887376/freestyles-problems-wade-through.html. Retrieved 2010-12-26. 
  45. ^ "Freestyle Music Park attorney sees better market". The Sun News. 2011-02-08. http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/02/08/1968407/coastal-business-freestyle-attorney.html. Retrieved 2011-02-08. 
  46. ^ Spring, Jake (2010-11-07). "Freestyle Music Park book sure to intrigue". The Sun News. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/11/07/1795739/freestyle-book-sure-to-intrigue.html. Retrieved 2010-11-07. 

External links

Primary City - Myrtle Beach
Metro
Counties
Cities and Towns