$8.88 for a theme park ticket? Freestyle is just that desperate
Hard Rock Park still can't fill the house. The little theme park that couldn't opened a year ago in Myrtle Beach, S.C., failed to impress, and went belly up after a single season. This spring, it relaunched, sans hippy-dippy rock 'n' roll tie-ins for the few rides, as the Freestyle Music Park, the theme park with a name just vague enough to appeal to everyone but interest no one.
It's hard to imagine little children crying and demanding to be taken to somewhere with a name like that, and sure enough, they're not. When the press inquires about figures, they're told, in the vague Freestyle tradition, that the numbers are "growing."
In an effort to do whatever it can to bring people in, Freestyle Music Park is trying two time-honored desperate ploys: shameless flag-waving and massive price cuts.
Over Independence Day weekend, when many parks are stuffed to capacity (Disney World's Magic Kingdom is said to have clocked well over 70,000 people on that holiday), Freestyle battled for attention by charging a mere $17.76 for two tickets.
Such patriotism-as-promotion must not have kindled attendance fireworks, though, and attendance must still be flagging, because the park has decided to extend the offer through July 26 as the "Every Day is July 4th" deal.
That insanely low price of $8.88 per ticket (if you buy two) is good for admission before 4 p.m., but if you show up after then, you'll pay $17.76 per person, or half what a typical Six Flags ticket might cost. (And those are already mighty cheap.)
The price cuts go deeper, too: At one of its restaurants, $17.76 buys lunch for a family or four: four hot dogs, four fountain drinks, and four sides such as potato salad or slaw.
Add it up, and a family of four can hang out at Freestyle for $13.32 per person, including food. Kids may not be pitching fits to go there, but with prices like that, parents might. Although I haven't been to Hard Rock/ Freestyle myself, it has been criticized for having a dearth of rides. But, come on. Surely there's $13 worth of entertainment there. There's nightly fireworks, for one. You'd be paying just a little more than for a movie.
But you'd better get your rides in soon. The last day of the park's season is Sept. 20, and considering the dramatic bargains available in what should be peak season, I wouldn't expect a reprise in 2010.
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Ten Best Freebies of the Week!
Over Independence Day weekend, when many parks are stuffed to capacity (Disney World's Magic Kingdom is said to have clocked well over 70,000 people on that holiday), Freestyle battled for attention by charging a mere $17.76 for two tickets! For more great deals, browse through this gallery.
Wal-Mart
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-11-2009 @ 2:40AM
methodistgirl said...
That sounds like a bargain at that price. I remember when
it cost only three dollars to get in some places. Now you
pay up to fifty dollars or more to get in. Some of these
theme parks aren't worth fifty dollars. Opryland wasn't
fifteen years ago.
judy tooley
Reply
7-10-2009 @ 2:41PM
tanee28 said...
I've been here when it was hard rock park, we paid over two hundred dollars for a family of four to get in. Believe me it's not worth 8.88 there's nothing to do and the service was really bad. I sent the corporate office a memo after going to SC to go to this park and I predicted that it would go belly up within a year. That's too bad because I love everything hardrock, I plan vacations around their locations so I can collect the glasses.
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7-13-2009 @ 11:51AM
Jay said...
Dude,
You are crazy. I can see it not being worth 200 bucks for 4 tickets but for 9 bucks a ticket, thats a steal. Its worth 9 dollars to ride the Time Machine once and another 9 dollars to watch the fireworks show that is choreographed to music (a really good show). And theres over fifty more rides and shows. And the food is very reasonably priced. And.. And.. And.. This park is well worth $9 per person. Best deal of the summer.
7-10-2009 @ 3:07PM
brad said...
well, i live here in myrtle beach.. this is the first that i have heard of the 8.88 tickets, so it goes to show you, freestyle's advertising is just as bad as hard rock parks advertising. and to the poster that said they wrote the corporate office, it would have made no difference, hard rock park was not affiliated with hard rock restaurants. the name was leased from the restaurants for name branding.
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7-12-2009 @ 1:09AM
Joe said...
When The Pavilion was closed/demolished, Myrtle Beach changed, for the worst! Instead of being a 'fun place' to go for families, it's become a Retirement/Golf Resort! I took offense when the claim of 'clearing out the riff-raff' given! I went to The Magic Attic until I was old enough to drive and 'cruise' Ocean Blvd. and, my kids 'hung out' at the Pavilion as well! Glad to know the city feels that way about people that USED to spend money there! I'm almost 60 BTW and I cruised until the Pavilion closed!!! With that said, it was DUMB to put the new park way out on 501, especially with the limited access to the park! RIP Myrtle Beach, you are missed!
7-10-2009 @ 3:08PM
GoalieDad said...
Just went there last week. The park was empty, maybe 100 people in the entire place. There just are not enough rides and the breakdowns are frequent. We were stuck on the water coaster for 30 minutes and had to be extracted from our seats after maintenence disassmbled the lock mechanism. The monsters of rock dark ride was broke down when we first tried to ride it then broke down again when we were on it. it was a very lame attraction regardless.
The park was built too far away from the action and needs major improvements before it will become a must see destination. We only stayed about 2 hours and part of that was on broken down rides. It will be out of business soon given the state of attendance and lack of big time attractions. I think this price reduction is a last desperate act to attract some crowds.
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7-10-2009 @ 3:34PM
susie said...
They should just give Kate and the kids free season passes. Appearing on Jon and Kate Plus 8 did wonders for the little houses.
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7-11-2009 @ 8:35PM
newyorkmomma said...
they could do an episode called "Kate - Jon plus 8 pay $8.88"!
7-10-2009 @ 3:51PM
queenbee25 said...
I didn't get to go visit when it was hard rock park last year, but I got a free season pass this year when it became freestyle and I don't know what everyone was complaining about. I did think they overestimated themselves last year and the prices didn't fit the park, but now the prices are so low and they do have a lot of rides that are enjoyable. My friends and I go there a lot and we always have a blast, plus we never wait in line. They have several good rides and really good shows, especially an awesome ice skating show. Plus the food is really good too. I think the problem is really terrible marketing.
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7-10-2009 @ 3:51PM
t said...
People like Disney better. You will be hard pressed to get your money's worth at Disney when it is jam packed.
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7-10-2009 @ 4:37PM
TANYOW said...
I did not attend as HRP last year either, but heard it was lame. I tried it out this year and I was very impressed with the attractions there. I have made several trips to Disney and of course there is no comparison, but for MB it has lots of potential. The NEW kids area that was added this year is GREAT! I have a 4 year old and the rides are enough to make her feel like she is really riding big rides. They do not have your typical kiddy rides, but have gone above and beyond with hang gliding experiences, hot air balloons, bouncy monster trucks, etc... At the going "Special Rate" it is not worth buying a season pass at this point. We will be attendance several more times this year and would like for it to re-open in 2010. I do think advertising could be kicked up a knotch, but that's expensive! Word of mouth, facebook and twitter works wonders!
FYI, a single ticket before 4pm is still $17.76. The deal is 2 for 1 before 4pm.
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7-10-2009 @ 4:49PM
NailbiterHank said...
I'd love to see the return of the "old fashioned" pre-Disneyland amusement parks and maybe the option of the old cheap admission prices and ticket books.
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7-10-2009 @ 7:25PM
rebma878 said...
Such "old fashioned" amusement parks still exist. Located right in the heart of Myrtle Beach, The Family Kingdom amusement park is a nice little seaside amusement park and a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
7-10-2009 @ 5:20PM
ATL said...
Went to park last year with several pre-teens who had a great time. Cost was high while Hardrock, but no lines was a big plus. Went back two weeks ago (prior to rate decrease) and had another great time (again no lines!). My two 13-year olds both noted the staff was much nicer than those at other parks they have been to. Fireworks are not to be missed. I especially liked being able to leave park for dinner and come back for fireworks. It was a nice change from the beach for a day! At $17.76... might make another beach run prior to the end of July as hotels are also offering deals this month.
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7-10-2009 @ 6:25PM
Peter said...
I haven't been there yet, but my sister and her daughter went last week. They had a nice promotion last week, wear one white glove (probable) or white socks with dress shoes (need sneakers in a park) or a red jacket (yeah, right in 90 degree weather) and get in for 5 bucks. Also, my sister told me that with a military ID, you can get in free. I hope they can make it. Be too bad for a small park to go under 2 years in a row
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7-10-2009 @ 6:44PM
Tonia said...
Went the first year it was open and again we are big Hard Rock people and it was a total let down we rode 2 rides the whole time we were there due to break downs or the ride was closed for the rest of the day due to breaking down. My kids were very disappointed and so were we because it was almost $400.00 for a family of four. The employees were very rude as well. We've been going to Myrtle Beach on vacation since I was a little girl which has been for a good 30 yrs. and nothing could replace the Pavilion at the beach.
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7-10-2009 @ 6:38PM
pete said...
I haven't been there yet, but my sister and her daughter went last week. They had a nice promotion last week, wear one white glove (probable) or white socks with dress shoes (need sneakers in a park) or a red jacket (yeah, right in 90 degree weather) and get in for 5 bucks. Also, my sister told me that with a military ID, you can get in free. I hope they can make it. Be too bad for a small park to go under 2 years in a row
Reply
7-10-2009 @ 7:24PM
Wolfman said...
DISNEY SHOULD LEARN FROM THIS. I CAN-NOT AFFORD TO GO THEIR ANY MORE-------------------THE WOLFMAN------------
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7-10-2009 @ 7:41PM
Teresa said...
I, for one, hope Myrtle Beach and ALL its attractions go "belly up". The mayor and they city council are all ignorant, prejudice asses. They ruined the city for all three bike weeks (bike week, black bike week, and fall bike week). They wanted to run the bikers (and their money) out of town and from what I hear that is pretty much what happened. Businesses are losing their asses all over town! Good! The elitist snobs wanted the town to themselves and it appears they cannot keep it going without someone else's money. I stopped giving them mine year before last when this fiasco started. Good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Let Myrtle Beach die.
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7-12-2009 @ 6:06AM
sasha said...
Well the problem is that the bikers turned Myrtle Beach into one big drunken and drugged up party, full of half dressed women in leather bras and men racing the Harley engines all night long. People don't want their children exposed to all of that debauchery. We ended up there one year during biker week. Most miserable 4 days of my life. We ended up leaving and going home early.