OK, Now That We Know ...
As SCNow.com and the Sun News are reporting this evening, the ongoing speculation has now ended on whether FBI MB Entertainment and Hard Rock International would reach agreement on a new licensing deal. While the Myrtle Beach theme park in question remains on track for a Memorial Day weekend reopening, the Hard Rock Park name is no more.
While this presents a sizable challenge to FPI MB as it now moves full-throttle on a rebranding effort, the move is hardly unexpected. And in the humble opinion of yours truly, this may actually make it easier to improve upon many elements of the park experience. A few thoughts on that:
- I rode the signature coaster several times last summer because it's a great coaster, not because it was called "Led Zeppelin: The Ride." I'm a Zeppelin fan, but the "Whole Lotta Love" video chamber experience got old fast. By the third time around, the "exclusive" interview snippets with the band sounded more and more like outtakes from "This Is Spinal Tap." Suggestion: If riders will still have to wait in that chamber for a few minutes before getting on the ride, switch up the video experience inside every few weeks or so. Heck, why not even make it a showcase opportunity for some local/regional music talent?
- Keep the souvenir drink cup concept Hard Rock Park started last year, where soft drink/beer refill opportunities saved returning guests a decent amount of money. But they can't get rid of that guitar cup fast enough - the lids never stayed screwed on properly, and I never saw so many cola-stained shirts in my life than I did wandering the park last year.
- "Nights in White Satin," we hardly knew 'ya. Now that you're gone, we hardly know what the real point of your existence was to begin with. Of all the great attractions Hard Rock Park had going for it, this one was always a head-scratcher - and just plain weird. Hard to imagine anything that replaces it not being an improvement.
- Apparently, the bankruptcy court ruling orders the park's new owners to destroy any and all Hard Rock-branded merchandise should the new company fail to reach a licensing agreement. Why not give all those shirts and clothing items to World Vision? If a needy kid from a third-world country can stay warm at night in his "Buffalo Bills: Super Bowl Champions" sweatshirt, why can't his brother do the same in a Hard Rock Park pullover?
See? Opportunities abound. What are your thoughts?
I feel so much happier now I undesrtand all this. Thanks!