Nashville native with a season pass and went once a week. Some of my best childhood memories, especially around autumn. Nothing will ever beat this. Miss it til this day!
my mother worked at opryland hotel so we got free passes to the park all the time back in the late 70s early 80s. i loved playing the games and winning stuffed animals, and i loved the flume zoom, the log ride. thank you for posting this, i have no pictures to remember it by.
I have the biggest cheesiest grin on my face right now and am filled with warm fuzzy feelings. Thank you so much for uploading these videos. Opryland was such a huge part of my childhood. We drove over 2 hours to get there at least a couple times every single Summer for years and years. So many awesome memories!!
I lived close to Opryland and my family and me went every Saturday. We had some family things going on so this was our escape from the crap that was going on. I loved this place dearly. Even though I was a child back then I still remember every ride that was there and where it was located. I wish they could bring it back. R.I.P. Opryland.
Thank you so much for sharing these top-quality, amazing videos ! You have a true documentary here, of a place that so many cherish. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE wishes they had taken the time to capture and preserve Opryland, like you did.
We went there 2 times a year. We took the drive from Camden up and would spend the entire day seeing shows and riding the Screamin' Delta Demon and the FloomZoom. Best memories of my childhood. Our senior trip was spent there in '96.
I miss Opryland too. Lots of memories. This park would have made Nashville more money than the mall. You had people come from out of state to go to Opryland. Nobody is going to travel to see a mall.
Thankyou so much for uploading these videos, I have tears in my eyes! Every year I got a season pass & these videos brought back so many great memories from my youth! They HAD to build a DA mall to replace this wonderful theme park!!??? REALLY???!!!!
I miss Opryland so much. I visited the park dozens of times. As a teenager I always wanted to work there. Sad they made the decision to destroy it. Biggest blunder in Nashville history. Thanks for posting this. I have incredible memories of this park.
Is that shack still there, or did they tear it down also? ...that was at the end of the video. I have memories of that shack where they played music in the back of my mind, when i went when i was 6 years old. Vagely remember that shack, but it's on an old BETA tape that my dad recorded on back then. I've got video of Opryland as well on that BETA tape from 1986 or ' 87, i forget which year it was that we went, but that shack where they're playing music at the end, it's on that tape.
EXCELLENT VIDEO! I think the loss of Opryland is one of the biggest tragedies in the themepark world during the last few decades. So sad, but great that we have your videos to help us remember!
Wow, I didn't even know they closed it. Was thinking about going home to Clarksville and wanted to check the prices for a trip to Opryland....I figured this place was like disneyland, and would never close.
Such a shame it's gone. Only went there once but wanted to go again. Sad that's not an option. Same story in RI and MA, the amusement parks are gone. One has been bought out by Sixflags but not worth the trip in my opinion. Still can't believe they replaced Opryland with a mall. So sad!
Another video on here finally reveals the massive mistake by one CEO, who decided to close the park, even thought it was profitable. This is beyond sad to those of us who loved this park and worked there. Opryland had "something" that will never be replicated. It was truly a magical place, that was impeccably managed and operated. Everything had to be perfect, from the flowers, to the food and cleanliness. Employees were not allowed to have a bad day and were screened and hand picked, from thousands of applicants. The entertainers were among the best in the world. It was a safe and secure place were kids could spend the day, with or without parents. All that replaced by a "mall", that no one has ever liked and a CEO who "left" after he had done the damage. Sad.
I'm not from TN, but until my high school years, my aunt and uncle lived in Memphis. One year when I was still young, in the late 70s/early 80s, we went to Nashville to visit Opryland USA. It was my only visit, but it made an impression and I was frankly shocked to learn that it no longer exists. I think I found out approximately 5 years ago when I drove through Nashville on my way to Kentucky. I stopped to see the mall that is there now and I really don't find it terribly impressive, but that's just me. Anyway, I'm hoping you, who visited on many occasions, could answer a question for me. I have a memory from that time of a ride that involved little automated boats that resembled log rafts puttering around the lagoon or lake in the park. This memory seems to stick out to me because as soon as the little boat pulled away from the dock, the engine died and through direction of the worker on the dock I was able to simply push the button behind the seat I was on to restart the motor. Does any of that sound familiar?
That must have been before my time there. I was born in 81, so my earliest memories of Opryland began probably around 1986. I asked my older brother and he said he does remember what you are talking about. He said those were there in a spot that got taken up by what was called "The Old Mill Scream", which you can see in one of these videos. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your reply. Would your brother happen to remember what the ride was that I am referring to? Perhaps I can search online for further information.
Where to begin...The Flume Zume..The Screamin' Delta Demon,, The Rock n Roller coaster, ,Grizzly River Rampage....Barnstormers,,,,,Chaos,,,,Wabash Cannonball,,,Tin Lizzies,,Ingle Angle Inn,,,,,Bourbon St. pizza....Sky Ride across the Park...Old Mill Scream,,,The Arcades,,,, The Petting Zoo,,,,It was just a Beautiful Park and a place of enjoyment for the entire Family.
Oh, I miss Opryland so much! I was there at least once a week during normal season as a kid and around Christmas too. My favorite was Halloween time. I still live in the Nashville area and I am pretty sure not one single person I know thinks that getting rid of this place was a good idea. We were all hoping that when the flood happened in 2010, that they would scrap the mall and rebuild the park!
I cannot forget the Gaslight Theatre and the Carosel and the General Jackson paddle wheel that my folks ,Mom and Dad , completely loved! I guess it was a relief knowing that the " heathens" were in a Safe place and They could relax for a moment. Thx for posting!~
OMG!! I miss this place so much!!! My girls and I went there all the time. We had season tickets every year. We would go about 4 in the afternoon and stay till closing and miss all the crowds and lines!! IT was great!!!
I miss Opryland even though I'm not from anywhere near Tennessee. I only went there once in 1997 on a family vacation not even knowing that the park was going to close forever.
They should have never demolished Opryland Theme Park. It was a beautiful place. It was also making over a million dollars a year.....it was profitable.
i like to watch videos of old amusement parks even if i never been to them before. I grew up in chicago area so this was far and closed when i was very young anyways still its interesting to watch. When this was recorded i was a infant.(im 27 now) Its weird to think all those young kids in the video are in the early 30s now O.O
your videos brought back many wonderful memories of my childhood. Growing up in Nashville we went every year to Opryland and it's neat to see these memories come to life in your videos. Thank you for sharing!
Our family went there in 1978. The maps there were illegible and could find anything. They announced that a big country star would B doing a special free concert at TGOO. The place closed down even all the staff ran there!! Weird place. But the Grande OLD Opry is right next door and is worth the Opryland hassle. Gorgeous place, amazing facility!! Did Opryland go bank rupt? I wanna go to the Abandoned PTL theme park, next!
Notice how everything was built around the landscape. It was not a concrete mess. It was outstanding. One of a kind. Unlike the stupid mall parking lot that now covers the grave of the best Theme Park ever built. The shows produced country music stars. The mall , well it produces credit card debit to go along with it's own. still not paid for and has been sold three times. Gaylord is the single worst thing that ever happen to Nashville. They even sold the hotel last year couldn't make money WHY?
This is great. I was there the first time in 1992 and had a blast. These are some great home videos. Thanks so much for sharing them. Blessings!!!!!!!! P.S. What year did they stop the ride that went over the whole park? I don' t remeber seeing that.
they should have never tore down this theme park I loved the screamin delta demon that was the best ride in the park . maybe they will build one soon . they wasted their time on that dumb mall anyways...
I am still grieving the loss of this park , Gaylord crushed the whole state , I do not understand why they didn't keep the park and build the mall on down from park it all would have worked .
There's a guy on TH-cam who tried to delve into the mystery of why Opryland was closed and even the people at Gaylord Entertainment had no idea why it was demolished. It wasn't losing money and the mall kinda is...
they have ripped the rug called my childhood right from underneath me- opry mills is just sitting there soggy molded and ruined. a financial mess. way to go gaylord!
Opryland sucked as an amusement park. They had like 2 roller coasters. Wabash Cannonball and Rock n Rollercoaster. Both were pretty lame. Compared to Six Flags Over Georgia it sucked ass.
I loved Opryland. It was such a mistake to bulldoze it to put in the awful mall that is there now. Even Colin Reed, current CEO of Gaylord admitted it was a mistake to tear it down. (It happened before he arrived). It was a shining example of corporate greed and complete lack of preservation of tradition and community spirit to destroy it; the people who made the decision to do so should be ashamed of themselves.
Nashville native with a season pass and went once a week. Some of my best childhood memories, especially around autumn. Nothing will ever beat this. Miss it til this day!
my mother worked at opryland hotel so we got free passes to the park all the time back in the late 70s early 80s. i loved playing the games and winning stuffed animals, and i loved the flume zoom, the log ride. thank you for posting this, i have no pictures to remember it by.
I have the biggest cheesiest grin on my face right now and am filled with warm fuzzy feelings. Thank you so much for uploading these videos. Opryland was such a huge part of my childhood. We drove over 2 hours to get there at least a couple times every single Summer for years and years. So many awesome memories!!
👍🏽
I lived close to Opryland and my family and me went every Saturday. We had some family things going on so this was our escape from the crap that was going on. I loved this place dearly. Even though I was a child back then I still remember every ride that was there and where it was located. I wish they could bring it back. R.I.P. Opryland.
Thank you for the memories 😊
Awesome! Thanks!
God I miss this place from my 80’s childhood! Both of my parents have passed and watching this makes my heart so full.....remembering such fun times.
Summer of 92 went 2 Mcgavock half senior year class of 93 shout out 2 y'all
That Hotel with the giant Atrium has persisted in my darkest dreams for decades. I loved the park but the hotel was haunted
I grew up ther as well, miss it. What a shame..
Best park of all
Thank you so much for sharing these top-quality, amazing videos ! You have a true documentary here, of a place that so many cherish. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE wishes they had taken the time to capture and preserve Opryland, like you did.
if i put my headphones on listen to this i feel 10yrs old again...god i miss opryland
I was born in 83. Loved this place, we went there every summer for almost a decade from the time I was 5. I’ve never set one foot in that stupid mall.
Same here. Born in 81. I've set foot in the mall but every time I have I'm a little depressed.
We went there 2 times a year. We took the drive from Camden up and would spend the entire day seeing shows and riding the Screamin' Delta Demon and the FloomZoom. Best memories of my childhood. Our senior trip was spent there in '96.
The Screamin Delta Demon was my favorite ride with my dad.
Same here. Though I don’t think my dad ever rode it.
I miss Opryland too. Lots of memories. This park would have made Nashville more money than the mall. You had people come from out of state to go to Opryland. Nobody is going to travel to see a mall.
Omg I worked there and see the spot I worked in like the first 20 seconds. A film shop near the Opry.
I was 5 then. Could be in this very video. This is like a Time Machine
Thankyou so much for uploading these videos, I have tears in my eyes!
Every year I got a season pass & these videos brought back so many great memories from my youth!
They HAD to build a DA mall to replace this wonderful theme park!!??? REALLY???!!!!
Tonia Carpenter I completely agree. Had the same experience. Thanks for watching!
I miss Opryland so much. I visited the park dozens of times. As a teenager I always wanted to work there. Sad they made the decision to destroy it. Biggest blunder in Nashville history. Thanks for posting this. I have incredible memories of this park.
Is that shack still there, or did they tear it down also? ...that was at the end of the video. I have memories of that shack where they played music in the back of my mind, when i went when i was 6 years old. Vagely remember that shack, but it's on an old BETA tape that my dad recorded on back then. I've got video of Opryland as well on that BETA tape from 1986 or ' 87, i forget which year it was that we went, but that shack where they're playing music at the end, it's on that tape.
EXCELLENT VIDEO! I think the loss of Opryland is one of the biggest tragedies in the themepark world during the last few decades. So sad, but great that we have your videos to help us remember!
Wow, I didn't even know they closed it. Was thinking about going home to Clarksville and wanted to check the prices for a trip to Opryland....I figured this place was like disneyland, and would never close.
It looks so much like Dollywood.
Such a shame it's gone. Only went there once but wanted to go again. Sad that's not an option. Same story in RI and MA, the amusement parks are gone. One has been bought out by Sixflags but not worth the trip in my opinion. Still can't believe they replaced Opryland with a mall. So sad!
Another video on here finally reveals the massive mistake by one CEO, who decided to close the park, even thought it was profitable. This is beyond sad to those of us who loved this park and worked there. Opryland had "something" that will never be replicated. It was truly a magical place, that was impeccably managed and operated. Everything had to be perfect, from the flowers, to the food and cleanliness. Employees were not allowed to have a bad day and were screened and hand picked, from thousands of applicants. The entertainers were among the best in the world. It was a safe and secure place were kids could spend the day, with or without parents. All that replaced by a "mall", that no one has ever liked and a CEO who "left" after he had done the damage. Sad.
When you hear us oldies in our 40s and 50s talk about how much we hate that STUPID MALL.....now you know why.
I'm not from TN, but until my high school years, my aunt and uncle lived in Memphis. One year when I was still young, in the late 70s/early 80s, we went to Nashville to visit Opryland USA. It was my only visit, but it made an impression and I was frankly shocked to learn that it no longer exists. I think I found out approximately 5 years ago when I drove through Nashville on my way to Kentucky. I stopped to see the mall that is there now and I really don't find it terribly impressive, but that's just me. Anyway, I'm hoping you, who visited on many occasions, could answer a question for me. I have a memory from that time of a ride that involved little automated boats that resembled log rafts puttering around the lagoon or lake in the park. This memory seems to stick out to me because as soon as the little boat pulled away from the dock, the engine died and through direction of the worker on the dock I was able to simply push the button behind the seat I was on to restart the motor. Does any of that sound familiar?
That must have been before my time there. I was born in 81, so my earliest memories of Opryland began probably around 1986. I asked my older brother and he said he does remember what you are talking about. He said those were there in a spot that got taken up by what was called "The Old Mill Scream", which you can see in one of these videos. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your reply. Would your brother happen to remember what the ride was that I am referring to? Perhaps I can search online for further information.
He doesn't. I tried to look it up online but I couldn't find anything.
I went through a box of tissues watching these. Thanks for the memories.
I was born in 1991, so my memories of Opryland are vague but I do remember going. I wish I could remember it better, but these videos are great.
Same here. I was born in 1990. I miss this place. Such a peaceful time. I work up here now for the city so i pass by it everyday and it makes me sick
Where to begin...The Flume Zume..The Screamin' Delta Demon,, The Rock n Roller coaster, ,Grizzly River Rampage....Barnstormers,,,,,Chaos,,,,Wabash Cannonball,,,Tin Lizzies,,Ingle Angle Inn,,,,,Bourbon St. pizza....Sky Ride across the Park...Old Mill Scream,,,The Arcades,,,, The Petting Zoo,,,,It was just a Beautiful Park and a place of enjoyment for the entire Family.
Oh, I miss Opryland so much! I was there at least once a week during normal season as a kid and around Christmas too. My favorite was Halloween time. I still live in the Nashville area and I am pretty sure not one single person I know thinks that getting rid of this place was a good idea. We were all hoping that when the flood happened in 2010, that they would scrap the mall and rebuild the park!
The best time of my life! That place when I think back will always put a smile on my face!
Who remembers the remote controlled boats?
Thanks mom and dad for taking me here every year. Best place ever.
I cannot forget the Gaslight Theatre and the Carosel and the General Jackson paddle wheel that my folks ,Mom and Dad , completely loved! I guess it was a relief knowing that the " heathens" were in a Safe place and They could relax for a moment. Thx for posting!~
Going to proceed to watch all of these and nostalgia all over myself...thanks for posting.
OMG!! I miss this place so much!!! My girls and I went there all the time. We had season tickets every year. We would go about 4 in the afternoon and stay till closing and miss all the crowds and lines!! IT was great!!!
The ski lifts were so awesome. Dont forget the Flume Zoom, and the timber train roller coaster and the showboat
I miss this place so much.
really was a special place that stays in my heart
I miss it so much!
I miss Opryland even though I'm not from anywhere near Tennessee. I only went there once in 1997 on a family vacation not even knowing that the park was going to close forever.
I forgot to mention The Little Deuce Coupe....
Awesome. Very fond memories of this place. Screamin Delta Demon and Flume Zume !!
So many great memories of this park as a kid in the late 80s & early 90's
i worked there while i went to nadc......ran a log ride, met more ladies than any other job i have had.....fun times
@jpfwildcat agreed 110% it makes me angry to think about what was there and whats there now..i grew up in that park
I linked your videos to an Opryland page on FB just FYI
Loved this place!
Thank you for sharing. I had a season pass as my Grams lived in Nashville. One of my favorite places on earth. Goodness. Such memories!
They should have never demolished Opryland Theme Park. It was a beautiful place. It was also making over a million dollars a year.....it was profitable.
i like to watch videos of old amusement parks even if i never been to them before. I grew up in chicago area so this was far and closed when i was very young anyways still its interesting to watch. When this was recorded i was a infant.(im 27 now) Its weird to think all those young kids in the video are in the early 30s now O.O
your videos brought back many wonderful memories of my childhood. Growing up in Nashville we went every year to Opryland and it's neat to see these memories come to life in your videos. Thank you for sharing!
I really wish they would restore and reopen Opryland! Thanks for uploading these!!
of course with a mall being there, that won't happen. :(
I still miss Opryland.Cant believe Gaylord thought we needed another mall instead of a good place to take your family.Some of our best memories.
Our family went there in 1978. The maps there were illegible and could find anything. They announced that a big country star would B doing a special free concert at TGOO. The place closed down even all the staff ran there!! Weird place. But the Grande OLD Opry is right next door and is worth the Opryland hassle. Gorgeous place, amazing facility!! Did Opryland go bank rupt? I wanna go to the Abandoned PTL theme park, next!
i sure do miss opryland.i wish i could know it was going to close .i would gone one more time before it did close.
Notice how everything was built around the landscape. It was not a concrete mess. It was outstanding. One of a kind. Unlike the stupid mall parking lot that now covers the grave of the best Theme Park ever built. The shows produced country music stars. The mall , well it produces credit card debit to go along with it's own. still not paid for and has been sold three times. Gaylord is the single worst thing that ever happen to Nashville. They even sold the hotel last year couldn't make money WHY?
i miss this place dearly as well, was a mistake the mall is an eyesore
This is great. I was there the first time in 1992 and had a blast. These are some great home videos. Thanks so much for sharing them. Blessings!!!!!!!! P.S. What year did they stop the ride that went over the whole park? I don' t remeber seeing that.
I miss Opryland so bad I wish it was still there so I could take my kids everyday in the summer that's where I grew up!
How I would have loved to go here, especially to Nashville Now. Too bad the theater where that show was is no longer there after the flood.
they should have never tore down this theme park I loved the screamin delta demon that was the best ride in the park . maybe they will build one soon . they wasted their time on that dumb mall anyways...
@jpfwildcat You have issues.
Miss Opryland so bad. I worked in the glass blowing shop. Miss the rides, the fun, the smells, memories, everything. Stupid Gaylord.
I am still grieving the loss of this park , Gaylord crushed the whole state , I do not understand why they didn't keep the park and build the mall on down from park it all would have worked .
3:50 Alpine Slide?
Steve Loring this was the Screaming Delta Demon coasted. An alpine slide like roller coaster. My favorite in the Park!
Wish they would have thought about all the other places like the smaller malls and made them bigger, and left Opryland alone.
And the "Landing" where you guided RC boats.....
The Screamin' Demon
wow Joe McDuffie back before he became known in country music.....
I spent many a summer as a kid enjoying this park. SHAME Gaylord Entertainment scrapped it and built a damn mall!
Destroyed for a mall. How ironic malls are becoming obsolete. Poor planning, albeit pre-internet boom.
i meant couldNT find anything. BTW excellent photography.
I miss the days when people didn't walk around looking at their phone like a zombie all day.
i wonder if the people at Gaylord are proud of themselves for what they have done to nashville
There's a guy on TH-cam who tried to delve into the mystery of why Opryland was closed and even the people at Gaylord Entertainment had no idea why it was demolished. It wasn't losing money and the mall kinda is...
Closing a theme park for a mall. Great idea..... not
Thank God I'm a mullet wearin' country boy!
they have ripped the rug called my childhood right from underneath me- opry mills is just sitting there soggy molded and ruined. a financial mess. way to go gaylord!
@jpfwildcat I left you a message in your youtube account....
Opryland sucked as an amusement park. They had like 2 roller coasters. Wabash Cannonball and Rock n Rollercoaster. Both were pretty lame. Compared to Six Flags Over Georgia it sucked ass.
I loved Opryland. It was such a mistake to bulldoze it to put in the awful mall that is there now. Even Colin Reed, current CEO of Gaylord admitted it was a mistake to tear it down. (It happened before he arrived). It was a shining example of corporate greed and complete lack of preservation of tradition and community spirit to destroy it; the people who made the decision to do so should be ashamed of themselves.