"Kids in America" to Debut at Freestyle Music Park

� 2009 DiscoverMyrtleBeach.com

This week Freestyle Music Park unveiled plans for a brand new 17,000-square-foot children's area called "Kids in America". [For you young'uns, "Kids in America" is an '80s song by Kim Wilde!] The new area will replace the former "Banana Splitsville" section of the park and will feature four new rides from Zamperla:

• Life is a Highway - A convoy ride featuring miniature 18-wheelers


• Wheels In The Sky - A "magic bike" ride where guests sit in hang glider carts and control the height of their carts by pedaling


• Fly Like An Eagle - A kite flyer that you ride lying down


• Get Off Of My Cloud - A tower ride which will take guests high above the park in balloon baskets

A number of existing children's rides and attractions--including a climbing wall, jungle gym, and train ride--will also be incorporated into Kids in America. In conjunction with the new area, the park also announced the creation of the Freestyle Music Park Kid's Foundation. This charitable foundation will provide tickets, park merchandise, and other services for various children's charities throughout the Myrtle Beach area. These developments are all part of the new management team's plan to create a more family friendly environment within the former Hard Rock Park.

One additional bonus "nugget" was revealed at the media event: The park has adopted a new logo (pictured above). It's actually very similar to the previous logo, it just incorporates a guitar pick! Very stylish. For more photos and lots of additional information on all the changes taking place at Freestyle Music Park, check out this thread on DiscoverMyrtleBeach.com.

Freestyle Music Park Interview

The Coaster Critic has posted a new two-part interview with the President of Freestyle Music Park, Steve Baker.

Part one covers the history of Mr. Baker and how he became involved with the park, while part two focuses on his strategy for getting guests through the gates this summer. Baker has a long history in the amusement park industry so hopefully that skill set will help him in turning the park around.

Part one and part two of the interview have been posted separately, so be sure to check out both.

Freestyle Music Park (Hard Rock Park)

Hard Rock Park has been renamed Freestyle Music Park! Details are to be released as we get closer to the park's reopening, but here's the press release they put out this morning:

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FPI MB ENTERTAINMENT LLC TO OPEN FREESTYLE MUSIC PARK MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - New Name Reflects Renewed Vision and Direction for Former Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

April 9, 2009, Myrtle Beach, S.C. - FPI MB Entertainment LLC (FPI MBE) today unveiled the new name for the former Hard Rock Park. "Freestyle Music Park" represents FPI MBE's renewed vision and direction for the Park in 2009 and beyond.

"Freestyle Music Park" is the destination for the celebration of that revolutionary phenomenon rock n' roll but also encompasses other genres of music including country, reggae, beach music, pop, R&B, alternative, Christian, and disco. At Freestyle Music Park, you can indulge your inner "rock star" while enjoying the park's many and excellent rides, shows and other attractions.

In addition, Freestyle Music Park will be the prototype and launching point for the Freestyle Park brand throughout the world. FPI MBE plans to open additional new attractions and entertainment venues in the coming years, under the Freestyle Park banner. Our Myrtle Beach Park will be the first to feature a music theme.

"Choosing 'Freestyle Music' as the name of the Park is a strategic move that we see as a key benefit for the long-term success of the project while broadening its appeal to an infinitely larger number of guests," said Steve Baker, president of FPI MBE. "With Freestyle Music Park, we own the name, leaving us unencumbered by one specific brand. This will allow us, from a partnership perspective, to explore other opportunities and collaborate with national and international brands that will strengthen and extend the 'Freestyle' brand in Myrtle Beach and throughout the rest of the world."

In the weeks ahead, FPI MBE will be announcing several changes to its Freestyle Music Park. Many of the rides, restaurants and areas throughout the Park are being re-themed to better fit into the vision of Freestyle Music Park. Castings are also underway for talent to star in Freestyle Music Park's musical and live stage show acts, which are currently in development and will be announced at a later date.
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Interesting direction, no? Very bold move of the new owners to decide to start a brand with this park - they must have a lot of faith that they can turn things around and make the park a success. I wish them the best!