Hard Rock / Freestyle Music Park Discussion Thread

[robbalveySite Admin]

So just to get everyone up to speed. Here's what's going on this week over at Freestyle Music Hard Rock Park...

First off, they have closed their business offices:
http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=412453

The management team at Freestyle Music Park announced today that
delays in funding have not deterred their negotiations with potential
investors; however, limited funds will force the company to close its
business offices until a deal is agreed upon with the current owners.

Then the website is no more:
http://www.freestylemusicpark.com/

And now it seems as though they have laid off the rest of the staff:
http://www.screamscape.com/html/freestyle_music_park.htm

Freestyle Music Park sent out an announcement late Friday that due to limited funds remaining while attempting to finalize negotiations to take on a new investment partner they would be closing their business office until further notice and laying off the remaining 30 full time staff.

“While park management continues to pursue negotiations with potential investors, we have limited funds and need to use those assets toward the goal of bringing new investors to the park,” said Freestyle Music Park General Manager Steve Baker.

So there, that brings everyone up to speed on what's going on at Freestyle. It's future is not looking promising...

[the ghostIt all started with a donkey]

Wow, well in my opinion it's over. I heard an idea on in the loop that they could run freestyle as a boardwalk type thing, pay per ride. The rides would then not get abandoned, which is what I am sure will happen to at least round about, but maybe even Time Machine. I just cant think of any parks that want a used B&M sitdown, and round about is dead due to the ferris wheel lift. Sad news, but at least the park is being put out of its mysery, or at least thats how I view it.

[technfxrickWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

I'm sure, like has been said over and over again, that all the rides will be bought and transported to other parks. I mean why wouldn't a smaller park like Silverwood, Holiday World, etc etc, want a worldclass built coaster at a fraction of the price?

[NosferatuI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

... but maybe even Time Machine. I just cant think of any parks that want a used B&M sitdown,.

I'm pretty certain a second hand B&M coaster is pretty easy to sell. There is loads of parks out there that want a ride of this caliber, but can't afford a new one.

[ChroniqTPR's nicest person EVAR!!!]

Assuming FMP owns all their rides outright, I'll research fair market value for each ride if this is something that would be of interest to the board.

If anyone cares then please post and let me know. It's going to take a number of hours to get all that together.

[Goliath513Final Destination Guy!]

^Hmm. I was always under the impression that FMP leased the ride from B&M, and given the situation and the lack of money, I doubt they own the ride. I feel like B&M could simply call the ride back and sell it to HW that way, since that specific asset, and all the other rides, are simply leased and not owned.

I've never in my life heard of a major roller coaster being leased to a park.

I seem to recall Vekoma leased their prototype flyer "Stealth" to CGA for its short life there before being purchased for Carowinds.

[ChroniqTPR's nicest person EVAR!!!]

I seem to recall Vekoma leased their prototype flyer "Stealth" to CGA for its short life there before being purchased for Carowinds.

What you are about to read might be completely false so feel free to correct.

From what I've been able to learn, Vekoma became aware that B&M was working on flying or flying dutchmen coaster. Vekoma was able to obtain patents before B&M on their ride system but was unable or unwilling to construct a working prototype at their factory along the line of what S&S/Arrow does. They reached an agreement with CGA to build the ride on property with build and test & adjust taking much longer than typical coaster construction. Project stealth was plagued with problems since it was a prototype coaster and Vekoma maintained ownership rights as well liability responsibility while it was located at CGA. Eventually the ride was sold outright to Carrowinds with a binding agreement guaranteeing uptime and upkeep.

As far as I can tell this is a very unique situation and is something not normally seen in the industry.

[jjune4991Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

What you are about to read might be completely false so feel free to correct.

From what I've been able to learn, Vekoma became aware that B&M was working on flying or flying dutchmen coaster. Vekoma was able to obtain patents before B&M on their ride system but was unable or unwilling to construct a working prototype at their factory along the line of what S&S/Arrow does. They reached an agreement with CGA to build the ride on property with build and test & adjust taking much longer than typical coaster construction. Project stealth was plagued with problems since it was a prototype coaster and Vekoma maintained ownership rights as well liability responsibility while it was located at CGA. Eventually the ride was sold outright to Carrowinds with a binding agreement guaranteeing uptime and upkeep.

As far as I can tell this is a very unique situation and is something not normally seen in the industry.

Actually you are correct about the part with Stealth being a prototype built on the property of CGA, without it being built in a factory before hand.

[ArizonaGuyJason X versus the Robot Space Donkey!]

Wow...this sucks. I never got to visit but oh well.
I'm sure there's some park out there desperate for a used B&M sit down coaster although it probably looks like weakest B&M design to date based off of videos I've seen.

[Pirouettes907The Future Mrs. Big Mike!]

Time Machine may seem weak to the coaster enthusiast crowd, but I'm sure there are plenty of other people out there who would enjoy it. Granted, I've never ridden it, but in terms of delivering an overall fun ride, every B&M I've encountered delivers consistently. It's just a matter of getting it to the right park. Like others have mentioned, I too like the idea of a smaller place getting it. I find it hard to believe that a B&M ride would just sit there rusting away.

Still, it does seem as though things are over for this place, although things never really took off for it to begin with. It's a shame, since it was based on a neat concept.

~Megan