Who's been to Freestyle Music Park?

[Harpo]

It looks like I'm going to have the opportunity to go to FMP while driving towards Hilton Head Island in the very near future.

What I'm trying to determine is approximately how long it takes to enjoy the rides at the park. I wouldn't mind catching a show or two, but the rides are the main attraction for me.

Now, obviously, the size of the crowds will be a factor, so I'm not expecting an EXACT answer. But, I recall people mentioning that Hard Rock Park had some rides where it was necessary to go through a show first. I don't know if that situation remains now that it is Freestyle Music Park.

So, what I'm really seeking is information on how long it takes to experience the attractions, assuming moderate crowds.

The trick is this... I'm going to be leaving Michigan after work one day, driving part way. The next day, I figure there will still be a bit of a drive. I'm trying to determine if I can manage that second day's drive while also having time to visit the park, or if I should plan on staying overnight close to the park and taking three days to make the drive instead of two.

Obviously not many people have visited this park, or else it wouldn't have gone bankrupt after its first season! But, if you've been there, either as Hard Rock Park or Freestyle Music Park, I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks!

[Rupeeman]

What I`ve seen,FMP is mostly dead.:bored:

You don`t need a hole day to experience all of the attractions.You could always go grab the coasters,or watch some of the shows.But stay away from MonStars Of Rock,it`s terrible!

[KingVeveraine]

From what I have heard the park is usually completely dead. I wouldn't worry about queues.

[The Ghost]

From what I've heard, it would have been better off demolished.

[SnooSnoo]

I went to Hard Rock Park once.

[Harpo]

Delighted to hear it. (Er, read it, actually.)

Have you got any information you'd be willing to pass along regarding about how much time I could expect to need to enjoy many of the rides?

Thanks!

[SnooSnoo]

Well.. it wasn't open.. so I can't be much help.

[iDelphi]

Absolute waste of time. Do not go. Don't waste your money on it. The park is bull****.

[SnooSnoo]

It also doesn't have Orca's.. which means the park is crap.

Figured I'd throw that out there.

[The Trooper]

He must be a real man if he's an Orca lover.

[iDelphi]

I do love Orcas and no because it didn't have orcas was not the reason. It was overpriced. It just wasn't fun.

[Squid2]

Yea, but if you were there when it was Hard Rock, the prices have changed since then. The lines are slightly longer than when it was HRP, but everything is still pretty much a walk on.

Squid2

[-NGS-]

From what I've heard and read, you should avoid the re-vamp (and utter destruction) of Nights in White Satin. The coasters still run okay, but The Time Machine (formerly led Zeppelin)'s loading system is very odd. You should be able to accomplish more than enough in just an afternoon. I' actually willing to bet that you'll be dying to get out of there before dinner.

[~LoveTulie]

I just looked at the website. Sheesh, these ride names are horrible! The park really doesn't look that great...

Unfortunately I can't help you Harpo. But be sure to give us a review when you get back!

[Harpo]

Well, keep in mind my philosophy: There's no such thing as a bad ride. Some are just better than others.

Keeping that philosophy in mind, I like to ride everything I can. If it is a mediocre ride, once might be sufficient, but I still would like to experience it once. As a result, I think the visit will be worthwhile as a brief stop on the way to my parents' house in Hilton Head.

I've been to all the other major parks along the way. I certainly wouldn't mind another visit to Dollywood or Carowinds, but I have been to them, so visiting Freestyle Music Park allows me to add one I've not visited.

[Squid2]

Well, they packed in 16,000 people for July 4th. I saw a video of the fireworks show, and I was pretty impressed. For a small park, their show was very well done.

Squid2

[Harpo]

We went there on the 3rd. The park was nearly empty.

I thought it was a nice park, and the people were friendly, but it lacks a real "wow" attraction. The music theme is likely to appeal to teens and 20's, but the rides are a bit tame for that age group. They need something with more pop to it. However, being very close to the airport, they might have trouble being able to build something sufficiently tall to wow the target audience.

Additionally, I was surprised at how bumpy The Time Machine was. I would expect a MUCH smoother ride from a B&M.

The only thing I found to be worthless was the Monstars of Rock ride. It made me think of a low-tech version of Cedar Point's Pirate Ride. (Anyone who remembers the Pirate Ride will tell you it wasn't exactly hi-tech, so a low-tech version is REALLY sad!)

They only had one ride that allowed hand-held infants, so that's the only ride that my daughter rode with us.

Round About's lift was really pretty neat. The coaster is fun, but way too short.

We did stay for the fireworks show, and we thought it was really quite good. We're glad we stayed for it.

We're also glad that we didn't get there until around 5 PM, so that we could get the twilight rate. That rate seemed more reasonable for such a small park. Their regular rate seems rather high. I was a bit surprised that they weren't volunteering the twilight rate, and I didn't see any signs for it. It seemed like you had to know about it, or you wouldn't get it. That's a bit sneaky, in my opinion.

For the 4th, we saw that they were selling ticket packages of 4 tickets for $17.76. If they weren't crowded at such a low rate, then they might as well just close down now.

[Astrotom3000]

I been there while it was still Hard Rock Park.

Not the best park I have been to, but it was decent.

Nights in White Satin was a good ride, but I don't know if it was changed. Was it?

[jackalope11]

i went a few months ago.
i left halfway through the day because there was nothing left to do.
the music on led zepplin was way too loud also.
i really didn't like it AT ALL.

[Squid2]

Yes, Nights in White Satin was changed... heck, demolished would be a better word, except for the fact the building wasn't destroyed. All traces of the theming were removed. Mind you, Monstars of Rock was rethemed within 6-8 weeks, a record time to get anything as complicated as a dark ride running. Also, FMP is planning on updating MOR for next season, with a major overhaul.

Squid2

[Harpo]

Good -- Monstars of Rock NEEDS a major overhaul. It currently looks like something an elementary school student would slap together.

[Squid2]

To my understanding, FMP is very well aware of the slapped together feel of MOR, and they want to correct it. I believe they felt that they desperately needed that ride up and running and threw something together so that the building wasn't empty. For such a rush job, it looks like they didn't do too bad. Hopefully next season's overhaul will change things in a positive direction.

Squid2

[CedarPointer]

Monstars of Rock looks like something Cedar Fair would do. Actually, it looks better than something Cedar Fair would do.

[Harpo]

Actually, I would EASILY take Cedar Point's old Pirate Ride, Earthquake Ride, or Fun House over Monstars of Rock. I would also take the existing Boneville and Paddlewheel Excursions (bad jokes and all) over Monstars of Rock.

Superstar Limo at Disney's California Adventure was hammered by critics as looking cheap, unimaginative, and uninspired. In my opinion, Superstar Limo, while pathetic, was far better than Monstars of Rock.

The only thing I found worthwhile about Monstars of Rock was that it was air conditioned.

[rollerfreak83]

I am going on vacation to Myrtle Beach on July 30th for six days. Based on Harpo's review, I am planning on going to FMP on one of the evenings. It seems that that there are not enough attractions to justify losing a day of sunbathing on the beach.