Hi Bill, As someone who worked seasonally with the park beginning in 1976 and then professionally on staff beginning in 1982, I think that Opryland lost its advocate with the retirement of E.W. "Bud" Wendell. Mr. Wendell built the company into a Nashville powerhouse with Music Industry connections like Acuff-Rose (one of the largest music publishers at the time) and with the intentional build out of The Nashville Network, providing Country lifestyle branding directly into the home. The Opryland Complex in Nashville had a synergy between the Park, the Opryland Hotel, and the Grand Ole Opry that just worked. While the park was open, the Hotel (even then, the largest convention hotel in North America) had the highest occupancy rate in the industry. They were able to draw conventions by providing a destination for families in season (Opryland park). Bud Wendell retired in early '97. Immediately, the heir apparent, Terry London, the financial hired gun of the Gaylord family, sold TNN, moved to close the park, and made other stupid decisions that current management has found no solid reason for making. Basically, the whole operation in 1997 was a cluster *&^% that with better management would possibly have led to a better outcome.
Wayne Cook great comment! I need to make a follow up video! Thanks for the information. Good stuff! I find it amazing as to how many people watch this video and express their love for Opryland!
Terry London ruined my favorite place on the planet. To this day I refuse to set foot inside that mall. I have been invited many times, but I will never patronize that place
I went there once in around 96 or 97 as a kid for a clogging competition my sister was in. We stayed in some normal hotel the night before, and I loved the Hangman so much I rode it 19 times that day. That night we checked into the Opryland Hotel, and to this day I still remember how awe-inspiringly nice it was. I was pissed when I heard later they were tearing it down to build a mall, so much so that I refuse to set foot in Nashville again. While working as a heavy equipment hauler, I once even stopped a haul and had my permits resubmitted so I could reroute and wouldn't have to drive through. My escort drivers were furious, one so mad he actually wanted to fight me, but I told him I'd bust his skull before I'd forgive that town.
I've read several different estimates on how many performers were in the park during its peak. Do you recall the number? I know in the mid-80-s, it was remarkable how many talented musicians the park employed.
Opryland was part of my entire childhood. We regularly had season passes. I rode almost every ride in that park at least once. (Not the hangman though!) My favorite was the Little Deuce Coupe. Psychedelic Tea Cups FTW! When the Wild West show opened, I was the chosen audience member for their maiden show. I fell in love with Theater By the Lake, and would watch the history of country music every time we went. What made my mom mad was how Nashville spent lots of money expanding the exits for Briley Parkway at Opryland and the Hotel (exits 10 & 11, I think) just to accommodate traffic to the park and then the business decided to close the park. At the time, she said that Gaylord was in negotiations to open a hotel at Disney World and that she was told they wouldn't approve such a place adjacent to their property if Gaylord had a competing theme park. I have no idea if that is true, but that is what she told me about it when I asked. I was almost 20 the year the park closed permanently. My niece grew up going to OM mall because the Rainforest Cafe had an animatronic hippo and she loved that thing. It was relatively new then and did some brisk business as an outlet mall in its first few years. It was a cheap way to entertain a toddler and pre-K child to just walk around the mall and then set her loose on the indoor play park. I will always consider myself a Nashvillian, though I now live in NC. I am now just 1.5 hours away from Dollywood but it's just not the same. Perhaps it is because so many places now are centered around flashy roller coasters that can go faster, higher, more terrifying, etc. Or perhaps it is because I have a nostalgic view of what was once the perfect amusement park. Disney World was where we went a couple times when I was little, but Opryland was a nearly-every-weekend trip!
I was actually surprised they rebuilt Opry Mills after the 2010 flood. I actually get sad every summer knowing I won't get a chance to take my family to that great theme park many times over the summer.
That's me. And when you do some digging, you find out that there have been petitions (not that I think they do much good when it comes to theme parks) and even "letters to editors" of big newspapers. I'm thinking there's money to be made people!
We gave to the crowd sourcing that a group up near Franklin did a few years back for something called Ole South USA. Yeah, that name might have some issues. But it seemed to have the best chance. I believe the guy's last name was Webb. He had been a creative artist with Disney, so he came into it with some pretty good credentials. Plans were for it to have been built between Huntsville and Nashville (most likely around the Lewisburg/Columbia exit off I-65). But that seems to have died now too. Doesn't even seem they maintain their Facebook profile. I've heard several say the most likely thing to happen would need to involve some of the larger country artists, but I don't see any of them stepping up either. Best guess is that anything similar to the old Opryland would probably run in the billion dollar range. Drawbacks would be the limited days it could operate per year (then again it doesn't seem to bother Cedar Point, Holiday World, Kings Island, etc.), cost of operation, and cost of liability insurance in this litigious society. And to be honest, as much as Dollywood is a nice place, Herschend just out prices most of us to making many trips. We also love Stone Mountain too, but find it just isn't worth what Herschend charges.
That's interesting! You know, I'd love to have the opportunity to help reboot a theme park. I think you need Opryland name recognition, and the musical nature of original park. But I think the concept needs to be inclusive to all genres of music, capitalizing on "Music City." I really enjoy country music. But let's take the name "Ole South USA," (that's hysterical, "might have some issues,") that concept is already established with a better name, Dollywood. Nashville has but a few more years remaining to consider an Opryland reboot before the nostalgia that would benefit the park's initial success greatly, is gone. Currently, three generations are still around that enjoyed Opryland. One of those generations is going fast, the second is already or about to draw social security, and the last (mine) is sending kids to college already.
I was actually thinking about that. The Ole South attempt and some of the others were about 8-10 years back now. I still think that might have been the best chance to draw on Opryland as well. I really appreciated that they had several types of music represented. I have to be honest, it has been a few years since we have been to Dollywood now, so I can't speak for their representation of music of all types. We also had the guys from who knows where come to Muscle Shoals about two years ago with a lot of fan fare. They were planning to put a large amusement/theme park over that way, and one in Fort Worth, TX. That fell through before it ever got started. I was thinking about that, how there is a complete generation behind us that has never been to Opryland, probably many have never heard of it. My seniors just graduated and they were all born in 1999. Yeah, I teased them that their parents "partied like it was 1999". It would take several someones with some very deep pockets, far deeper than someone like us on a teacher's salary I'm afraid.
" it has been a few years since we have been to Dollywood now, so I can't speak for their representation of music of all types. " ~10 years ago (?), my coworker took his family to the "Days of Praise" (??) at Dollywood. As they eagerly awaited one of their favorite Christian bands to take stage, they noted the audience was filling up with senior citizens. They determined that the audience had assumed it would be a gospel concert... As soon as Skillet played their first power chord, all the walkers and canes were headed towards the exit.... hahaha..
They made a HUGE mistake, when they demolished OPRYLAND!! >:o It is so hard for me to see the park again, after being tore down. The first time that I went to Opryland USA was when I was 9 and saw a show with my mom and dad...called Country Music USA. Little did I know, years later, that I would be on that stage performing. Yes, I performed there in CMUSA( the best show in the park --I think). Loved every minute of it!!! I did it for 3 yrs and some of the best years of my life were there. I met some great people too! I'd be there today, if Opryland was still running. I'm sure that it would still be going strong, if it had not been destroyed. For sure, I would have had the chance for my kids to enjoy the park, as much as I did. So sad still. :'(
And don't ever come to Mobile, Alabama because Bel Air Mall has been struggling enough, Target was never remodeled and the entire mall is like halfway empty... That's why I don't go to this mall that much. We have nothing but museums, colleges, and one of the largest cities without an arcade....
I was working at Opryland when it shut down . The reason we was given as to why the park was shut down was because they wanted something that was open year round but what I really think the reason is that Opryland was self insured and if something bad happened it would be bad press or whatever . So when people got stuck on the lift on the Hangman in the Summer of 1997 , that was to me the nail in the coffin for the park . They wanted a reason to shut it down and that was it . The Bass pro shop was already planned to be built across the street from the Hotel but they changed their minds about that shortly after the Hangman got stuck on lift . That's when they changed everything and decided to build the Bass Pro Shop where Opryland set. Thank you for your video , I very much enjoyed it .
We were told that Opry Mills would have a skating rink, a rollercoaster, a bowling alley, and numerous "leisure activities". The only thing we have gotten is a bowling alley, thanks to Dave and Busters. Many of us said that Opryland should have never been torn down. People bought into the hype.
Dawn of the Dead, filmed in the Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, PA.. The Mall still stands today and the guy going to deal of abandoned malls is Aces Adventures
CHAOS and Wabash Cannonball that would make me scared while in line, then when finished I'm ready to go again. Lines for the grizzly would take 2 hours... So when I see the walls that are still there, makes me sad.
I grew up in Franklin TN and Opryland was a huge part of my life growing up!! When I was a teenager and old enough to drive I would always get a season pass and go whenever I felt like riding some fun rides. I bought a season pass all the way up to the last season and I was very pissed when they closed it down!! That's why I refuse to go to Oprymills and I actively boycott that place!! I really wish they would bring back some type of amusement park back to the Nashville area!!
The last time I was there in the daytime, you could see the remains of the "Grizzly River Rampage" just off to the side of the walking path between the mall and the Opryland Hotel, in among the bushes. The concrete "stone work" and the water channel were clearly visible. I have no idea if it's still there today. I was told by a Gaylord Entertainment employee at the time of the closing that the park was profitable but executives believed a mall would be more profitable. Most employees were very upset by the decision.
Sorry it's taken so long to respond. That's exactly what I heard as well. I think it was a huge mistake considering where retail is heading. Thank you so much for watching!
I have many memories of spending the summer at Opryland when I was growing up. My family and I lived about an hour and a half south of Nashville in North Alabama, close enough that we could get up and leave out at 7am, get to the park, stay till closing and drive back that night and make it home at a decent hour. We would purchase season passes to the park and go every weekend, sometimes Saturday and Sunday both. Had some really good times there with some really good friends as a kid that I will never forget. I wish that the park was still there and in operation so that I could do the same for my son. Thank you for the trip down memory lane, I haven’t thought about Opryland in years.
I live in north Alabama, about two hours from Nashville, and my family would take a trip to Opryland about every year when I was a kid. It was a great day trip, and a fun park with lots of rides, shows and good food. Chaos is still my favorite ride I’ve ever been on, regardless of theme park. It was just so unique. I’ve got three daughters now, and it’s sad I don’t have the opportunity to take them to that wonderful park.
I was a young secretary in meeting held at the Nashville chamber of commerce. The suits from Gaylord and the then head of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau were leading the meeting. They cried about how the park was loosing money, couldn’t be kept up with times because it was music heavy and not as thrill ride and the mills mall/outlet mall was the wave of the future. That people were driving hours just to shop at these factory outlet situations. They mentioned other mega malls and framed as a destination. I remember being fresh out of college and being so mad that these idiots would destroy something so cool and not put the work into making it better. They acted like they really believed that same people who drove 5 hours away to spend the weekend at Opryland would drive that same 5 hours to buy discount clothes.
Very interesting! You might actually know some of the other people who left comments here from Opryland during the same time. Thank you so much for watching and for your comment as well! Bill
I live (and grew up) about 2 hours northwest of Nashville. I was born in the mid 80's, so I didn't get to experience Opryland for very many years. When we did go, we would spend 8-10 hours a day for 3-4 days consecutively at Opryland! I absolutely LOVED my time spent at Opryland and definitely miss going there!! If it was still open, I would go (as an adult) by myself!!! ♥️♥️♥️ Opryland.... Not a fan of shopping malls....
I use to work at opryland. Great place to work. I worked on special events part time. Lot of young people from all over the US worked there. Country Music awards were there, when fanfare week. Roy Accuff use to make sure all the ladies made money. He often tipped the workers. During country music awards were exciting times, Opryland fed their workers before events. Watching so many young romances during this summer, waking back to wardrobe dept we saw couples holding hands and sneaking kisses. Happy times.
Every summer my family would meet at Mamaw & Papaw Scott's house in Lenoir City, T.N.. A family party of 14, in 3 cars. I remember it seemed to take days to get there, when in reality it was only hours. Opryland was our magical land of freedom. The adults would let us strike out on our own, but we still had to stay within distance of each other, & the boys which were older to keep an eye on the girls. We all loved the antique cars that we could pretend we were driving. The roller coasters were scary, but totally worth the risk, & when we got to hot, we would head over to the water log ride to get a good soaking !! We had to meet at our spot for lunch, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, shredded carrots, & cucumbers that our Mamaw grew & a cup of spring fresh mountain water & ice frozen with the same water, & served to us in the old metal cups. Back to Opryland ; It was a place of adventure, surprise, etc. My cousins and family as a whole bonded at this theme park & to us there has never been another place that even came close. I remember the special care that was put into everything. Even their flower design's were designed to to catch you're eye & draw you in another direction. I got to meet people along the way as well, Minney Pearl ( Spelling ?), Grandpa Jones, Merle Hagard, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Stella Parton, etc. When I say meet, I mean a hand shake, a tip of a hat, etc. I have often pondered the thought of why would you destroy a loved, cherished location that families and friends felt safe bringing their families together for a day of fun & relaxation. I am sure it was not about $$$, Opryland was a place where young & old could sit on split logs, listen to some good music, & have real conversations about the day, the year,or just real eye to eye heart felt conversations about achievements or upcoming goals. In a way Opryland was like neutral ground. I really wished I could have taken my children there. I have gone to other parks, but they have no comparison to the late, great Opryland.
Loved when we went to Opryland in the late 70s or early 80s as a kid. We traveled all the way from north Louisiana to go. Now we take the kids to DollyWood.
I went there when I was very little, we drove from Cincinnati. I have never forgotten Opryland & still have awesome memories from that day in the 70's!
We go to Opry Mills about once a year. I always get teary-eyed for the theme park I loved so much as a kid. Thanks for this video! Your kids are gorgeous, btw!
Alas, I miss the park also. For a while, I lived in a childrens home & all the kids would get season passes. My first "big girl" rollercoaster was the Wabash Cannon Ball. I was terrified to ride a coaster that went upside down. Someone called me a chicken, I got pissed off & just charged the line. The moment I sat down, my anger turned to fear, it felt like my stomach just fell outta my butthole, but, once the operator checked the safety bar, there was no turning back. In about 1 or 2 minutes, it ended. It was so exhilarating! I was hooked & I rode, the now disappeared rollercoaster, twice more back to back! Thank you for inspiring this little throwback memory!
The best times of my life as a child were spent at Opryland. I loved the rides, music and the beautiful buildings and gardens. It was a gorgeous, magical world. I am so sad that my children will never have the opportunity to experience the magic that was Opryland.
Opryland was absolutely amazing!! Made many trips there as a kid and am sorry that my children did not have the same opportunity to experience it. Thanks for the video and the history lesson Bill. Found this on Ken Hartley's Facebook post. I'll be sharing as well!!
I am so very grateful that you watched the video and thank you so much for subscribing and sharing! If you know Ken Hartley, you're good people! I happen to think he's a pretty amazing. He can't make stuff disappear ya know! I've seen him do it!
I’m a native of Nashville, and I grew up going to Opryland many, many times a season. Parents would often give their kids spending money, many had season passes, drop them off, and come back at a specified time to pick them up. That couldn’t happen now, but it made kids, at least this kid, feel a little independent. Church groups would go to Opryland and many other groups. I loved Opryland so much that I cried when I found out that it was closing. The shows were wonderful, and it was a training ground for performers. Imagine doing several shows a day with other great entertainers. It had all kinds of music, so everyone was covered. I’m still angry about the closing of the park. I have been to Opry Mills when it first opened, but I won’t go now because it took the place of my beloved Opryland! Many memories from my childhood of Opryland will forever be treasured.
A lot of the problem was it used to flood a lot. They didn't like rebuilding all the rides. I work there when I was 18 years old in the park and on the general Jackson showboat. I worked in the hotel opryland hotel for a couple years. Then I left to pursue other opportunities. If it was still open I probably still be there working ❤️
I'm so grateful you watched this video! This video is one my first videos that reached 10,000 views. I was so proud! Still, I've learned so much about Opryland since I made this video. Again, thanks for watching, and thanks for commenting! Bill
I am so happy that you took the time to enlighten us on what happened to Opryland. I was disappointed when I first learned that it had been demolished. Growing up in Oak Ridge, Tn., my parents used to take us there at least once a year. So, hearing this just didn't make sense to me. I also remember Silver Dollar City, and Frontierland, before it became Dollywood. Now, I take my kids to Dollywood, and it's a fun time that still sort of holds the old times feeling which is nice.
We do the same thing. It may sound crazy, but I liked Opryland's approach to music (in the late 80's and early 90's) better more than I do Dollywood's approach currently. There seemed to be more talent at Opryland, and professionally trained singers and musicians. Despite Nashville being the Country Music capital, Opryland presented shows that were excellent and not just pandering to a particular crowd. And that's funny because Dolly is amazing at everything!
My mom and I miss Opryland so much! We moved to Tennessee from California when I was a kid. My Great Uncle would take us every summer. At my Jr. High, the 8th grade trip was always a trip to Opryland until my class’ turn came up in 1998. We had to go to Six Flags in St. Louis instead. It just wasn’t the same. I had heard, at the time, that they closed because it was in a flood zone. Why they would build a mall in a flood zone made no sense. Especially after the mall actually DID flood. I’ve gone to Dollywood, hoping for something as good as Opryland was, but I was thoroughly disappointed. I wish they would rebuild!!
I can't believe I watched the whole thing as my attention span is extremely short but I found this to be so interesting and I just couldn't stop. Thanks for sharing!
My final trip to Opryland was in 1995 right out of high school. It was a classic place! We came from North Alabama. I loved the classic ride "Flume Zume"... This place should've never been shut down.
I think my last trip was sometime around 95 as well! Good times! The music shows there were a lot of fun! The rides were a blast! But look at it this way, there's a mall there now............lol
Great video Bill. Don't know why some of your community joke about it. Even the small town I grew up in in WV had a small theme park that was torn down in the late 60's/early 70's. Broke my heart. We didn't get a mall, we got roads and a new bridge to cross the Ohio River. Well, at least they did move our well known (lol) World's Largest Teapot to a little grassy area there. Oh, well. I guess they call it progress when they tear down and rebuild. I call it destroying memories. Love you guys!
I moved to Nashville from Las Vegas in late 2005, went to McGavock High School (which is actually walking distance from the Opry Mills, but I never went at that time), transferred to Hunters Lane, and graduated from there. I always used to spend so much time at Opry Mills my senior year, so many memories there, and at the hotel nearby (which is the nicest hotel I've seen and been to.) I missed Opryland by almost 10 years. I really wish I could've went with my friends, though. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Opryland USA Theme Park was where I made a lot of good childhood memories. I too wish they’d kept the park, instead of replacing it with a ridiculous mall. I didn’t get the chance to make these same memories with my own children and it’s such a shame. 😞
WSM was one of the country's first "clear channel" radio stations. My dad and I used to listen in on Friday and Saturday nights; here in Campbell County, TN. I am such a fan of WSM that I made those letters my son's initials; Wesley Steven Miller. I would love to visit the Ryman Auditorium.
If I remember right, when they announced that Opryland was closing, they said that the mall would attract as many as 17 million people a year, where the theme park was only attracting 2 or 3 million a year. In other words, it was going to be a "destination" mall. And when it first opened, it was kind of like that. But when they rebuilt after the 2010 flood, they got rid of the country music oriented theme (e.g. they had TVs in the hallways that played videos of country artists). And as you found out on your visit, no one goes there anymore because of the element of danger.
Thanks for watching! I guess that's why I'm thinking it would have been best to have thrown all that money on making the theme park one of the best in the county, and keep it going. If you haven't subscribed, I welcome you to do so! I'd love to receive your comments on our other videos! Bill
I too visited here when I was a kid in the 1970s........we came in from Alabama........it was such a great memory for me then......my only regret is that I didn't get to share that with my kids.....
I miss Opryland. My parents took my brothers and me several times in the late 70s through early 80s. I have fond memories of the Grizzly River Rampage, Wabash Cannonball & the train.
Back in 1986 my oldest brother took me to Nashville for Fan Fair but, we went out by Opryland USA to get on a tour bus. My brother only took me because, I had tickets to Fan Fair and tickets to Louise Mandrell's Fan Club function and Barbara Mandrell's Fan Club Breakfast. A dream come true. I would've liked to went to Opryland USA.
I remember going to Opryland in 1984 with my daughter beta club it was very interesting trip. The park was beautiful and so much fun. The whole day was so great. It will always be sadly missed worst it became a shopping center
When I was there in 1996, there was a report of a ride malfunction and two girls falling off of "The Hangman". The same day, a lady I was there with was injured by the swing/carousel- type ride. This was about a year and a half before the park closed. I can't find any information on this, but it is what I remember from that day.
They could have easily built new areas on the other side of Briley Pkwy. with a shuttle to the other side. I live just outside of Nashville and I have to say I've only been to Opry Mills four times since it was built. It just crushes my heart to go there and I think a lot of Nashvillians still feel this way. Thank you so much for the video!!
Great comment! I totally agree. It's like they simply lost the vision and gambled poorly. Heck, they even said they did! Thank you so much for watching. Join our Facebook page, billmarionlife
I went to OpryLand several times as a child! ( in 1972 when it first open was one time) Loved it! We live in southern Indiana so about 4 1/2 hour drive. We have been to Opry Mills Mall it’s nice. Always wondered what happened to OpryLand . Just found your channel! It’s great ! Love your content! Still remember the “ jingle” there’s rides and shows and music and food so many things to do, so bring your family and friends to OpryLand and hear America sing to you! Don’t go to Malls very often, I would rather shop on line! 🤷🏼♀️
I grew up an hour north of Nashville, and going to Opryland was a big part of my childhood. I never could understand why they closed it--around my junior or senior year of high school. This only deepens the mystery. I was never super impressed with that mall, though. There is a part of the mall parking lot where you can see some of the waterway for the Grizzly River Rampage unless they have gotten rid of it in the past few years (I moved to Ohio 10 years ago so I haven't been down that way to check).
Thank you so much for watching! Since you live in the area, you're invited to our hike at Lost Creek Recreation Area! Join our Facebook Page for details @billmarionlife. I miss Opryland too! I think they could rebuild the park! Again, thanks for watching!
I went to Opryland in 1982 when I went to the 1982 World’s fair in Knoxville. I liked Opryland a lot and was disappointed when I found out that it was demolished. Malls are nice, but no comparison to a theme park.
Hi Bill! I really enjoyed your (Opryland mystery) video. I was (we were) so disappointed when Opryland USA closed in 1997. Moved to the Nashville area the summer of 1996, purchased season passes those two years, took advantage of that, and went year round. Sounds like the decision was made by just one person who came in, made that decision, then left. That decision was a huge mistake.
Fellow Opryland fan here... about the electric chargers: I have an electric car. How the chargers work is you sign up for an account and they send you a card or you can use an app. It’s all linked to your payment method and the fees are all laid out in the website. Some businesses and municipalities also have free ones. Unless they are the freebies, they usually cost around what gas does. Charging at home is where the savings is. Electricity in TN is dirt cheap compared to gas and electric vehicles are more efficient than their gas counterparts. I leave each morning with a “full tank” of electrons and don’t typically fill up on the go. I saw you comment on another post about trucks. Rivian is a new company with a cool truck concept/prototype and Tesla plans to unveil theirs this fall. Anyway, nice video. Opryland is definitely missed!
thekeifer1 of all the comments, and after two years, you’re the only person to tell me how they work, and the sad part is that I still didn’t know until I read your comment!!!! Lololol thanks for commenting, and thanks for watching! Bill
I found a random cup at a thrift store with the name on it and I realized it was a amusement park (old cup so it was faded) and now I’m invested in the park it looked fun
As a TN kind growing up in the 80's I have the best memories of Opryland! I miss it to this day and no matter how great the mall it can never replace it!
I worked as a performer in the park for 3 years, 1977 - 79. One show was even in the Opry house, another opened the now demolished Acuff Theater. I have attended a few Live Entertainment reunions and I can tell you from the horse's mouth exactly why Opryland closed; Terry London. For years the word was that the park was losing money. That was total BS. As someone else said, Bud Wendell was the heart and soul of that park as well as the entire complex and Bob Whittaker was the same for the live ent department. He's the one who told me that London made all the completely wrong decisions after Bud retired. It really is a shame. Though I had a love/hate relationship in many ways with the park (they did not treat us entertainers with the respect we deserved, IMO, like simple water and bathroom breaks), it was an absolute great place to hone your skills and learn. And I do wish it would come back, better than ever.
The Rockin Roller Coaster was my favorite ride of all time anywhere…we visited from Western KY multiple times a year. Flume Zoom was a good one too. And let’s not forget The Walbash Cannonball. Man I miss that place and feel bad for the kids that will never be able to enjoy it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I worked @ Dollywood the year Opryland closed. Dolly bought a rollercoaster from Gaylord Ent. Which is now part of the Tennessee Tornado. She also bought Daredevil Falls from them. But she had it for 2 years before she installed it. I never got to go to Opryland. But have been to Dollywood even as far back as Silver Dollar City. Which it still is partially owned by.
Just came across your channel from searching for videos about opryland. I grew up in Whitwell and loved getting to go to Opryland as a kid. It was so disappointing when it was turned into a shopping center. It broke my heart.
Wow thanks for this reminder of my amazing childhood!!!! Unfortunately the parked closed before I was able to share with my children. The first time I took them to Opry Mills I told them all about Opryland and we walked what was left of Grizzly river. They ask why would they ever close such an amazing place to build a mall???? That's the Million dollar question my dears. The closest thing we have to that style of park is Dollywood which is nice but it just doesn't have that thing that Opryland had!!!
I think the ride Chaos was at best mediocre. I remember getting the 3D glasses to go on it. The best part about it was they had the AC blasting so when it was 100 degrees that was the place to cool off. Every other ride though was awesome! Give Opry Mills a couple years and it will be on the Dead Mall series. Lol
And the Dead Mall series it awesome! Seriously, if you're in my age group, it's down right scary to think of those malls in the 1980's closed and falling down! Thanks for watching! Bill
I live in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ, which is like the 3rd largest city in the US and growing!! We had an amusement park called Legend City that they tore down when I 12, so 37 years ago!! And they won't build another one here either!! But I had always wanted to go to Opryland, I have always been a huge country fan and Nashville is one place that's on my bucket list!! I was so very sad when I heard that they tore down Opryland, I felt just like I did when they tore down Legend City here!! At least when I do make it to Nashville I will still get to see The Grand Old Opry, and other sites that are still there!!!
After reading your comment I had to look up “Legend City” and it looked amazing! Great comment! I also looked up the Wiki page about it. I guess there was some serious money issues. But on the hand, it was really popular! I guess from a business perspective it makes sense. But in most cases regional parks like, Six Flags, seem to make it work. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the great comment! Bill
As someone that worked at the Opry, I can tell you that Terry London absolutely played a big part in the demise of the park. I do have to correct the romantic notion that the park was profitable. The final years of the park it was losing money. Opryland invested in the park ($3-$4,000,000) in upgrades and saw no increase in revenue. It became a money pit...sorry, there's no mystery, the park was not as supported as it should have been. If people had known the plight of the park and that they would eventually lose it, they would have rushed to save it. Unfortunately, Gaylord never informed the public until it was too late. I spoke to many of the players involved with decision making, there is no mystery, it floundered in its later years and eventually closed. THE END (For what it's worth, Gaylord Opryland just added a water park in the hotel, not Opryland, but they added something.)
Well I'm just grateful you watched the video. I got a lot more than what you mentioned wrong! lol I would make this video differently now, (it's one of my earlier videos) but it's a testament Opryland's legacy that people are still watching this video. I've made videos with ten times the amount of views, but this is still one of my favorites because of comments like yours. Sure, I got some information wrong. I've admitted that in dozens of comments, and I've even talked about it in other videos. But this video, and a video I made about Arizona gets people commenting. There's no doubt in my mind that Opryland was mismanaged, and that Gaylord didn't understand their product. Regardless, I'm so very grateful you took the time to watch this video, and thanks for your informative comment. Bill
@@BillMarion I can not think of the name, but there was also a gentleman I spoke with extensively that was hired from Disney. I believe he oversaw Opryland productions, but I could be wrong on that front. He was a primary decision maker and a part of the transition to the mall. They truly lost all that was built in Nashville. TNN (became The National Network and later Spike TV) (later sold to MTV), CMT (Also sold to MTV/Viacom), and so many other interests gone. I was there when employees of 25 years or more were getting their walking papers, a bit of severance and burning rubber down Opryland Drive. We actually still have some private groups and get together from time to time at a local Cracker Barrel.
@@RedHorseAdventures It'd be different if Opryland had been holding Nashville back, as is the case with other closed theme parks. Fans of those parks don't see the forest for the trees in some cases. I admit, Opryland was in a land crunch for sure. I said this in the video, but I've learned so much more about it sense, Opryland's closing helped Dollywood, but Dollywood wasn't pulling the numbers at the time to hurt Opryland. Sure, Opryland wasn't as profitable as I make it sound in this video during its last years, but from what I was told after making this video, big investors were just waiting to see what was going to happen, because from the outside, country music became mainstream, Nashville is home to TNN, and Opryland. No one had the vision or guts to make it happen. I'd love to make a humorous conspiracy video where I blame a Disney insider for the fall of Opryland based on your comment! That would be a blast. We'll just blame the mouse! Still, Nashville's an amazing city. We made another video last year about Music Row. Love that town!
@@BillMarion You should also know that Gaylord had a preliminary deal in place with Dolly Parton on a water park across the Briley Parkway area off McGavock where the hotel is, but then they suddenly "merged" with Marriott and Dolly didn't like the smell of it and bailed on their preliminary deal. All kinds of moving parts haha...thanks for the video and the chat!
Mr. Marion, on the subject of why Opryland closed, I found this explanation within Opryland's Wikipedia page. Here's the link and a clip of the explanation of why it was demolished and the fate of the attractions as well, and where some of them are today. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opryland_USA Shuttering and demolition From the beginning, Opryland was severely handicapped by its location. The park was located on a roughly-triangular tract of land with the Cumberland River on one side, and Briley Parkway on another. Opryland Hotel was built in 1977 on the third and shortest leg of the triangle. This not only exposed the park to occasional flooding, but hampered its ability to expand to include new attractions as consumer preferences changed. Opryland was forced to remove older attractions to add new ones, as was the case with the Raft Ride in 1986 for the Old Mill Scream, and the Tin Lizzies in 1994 for The Hangman. In 1993, Gaylord Entertainment embarked on the largest-ever construction project in Nashville's history at the time: the Delta. This project, which opened in 1996, added an enormous new atrium, over 1,000 guestrooms, and a new convention complex to Opryland Hotel. By this time, Opryland had grown to 200 acres (0.81 km2) in size. However, the Delta project tied up all of the remaining land contiguous to the park, leaving it with nowhere else to grow. In addition, Nashville's climate made year-round operations almost impossible; seasons were largely limited to weekends in the late fall and early spring and daily in the summer. Seasonal workers became hard to find, and Gaylord found itself with a labor shortage. Attendance plateaued throughout the first half of the 1990s. By 1997, Gaylord management, in a move toward refocusing on its core hospitality businesses, decided that the Opryland property would no longer make a rate of return equal to that desired for its properties and was unlikely ever to return to doing so. Management decided the amusement park should be replaced by a property which made year-round usage of the site. All five roller coasters and many other large attractions were sold to Premier Parks. The Hangman was relocated immediately to Marine World in Northern California, where it became known as Kong. The remainder of the attractions were moved to a field near Indianapolis, Indiana, where the company was prepared to revive the dormant Old Indiana Fun Park. Those plans were soon scrapped when Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted its corporate name. The pieces of Opryland's attractions sat rusting in the Indiana field until 2002, when the site was sold. By 2006, the site was cleared, and it is now farmland. Some of the flat rides were sold for scrap metal, while the fate of many of the larger attractions remains unknown. However, in 2003, The Rock n' Roller Coaster was reassembled at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, where it became known as Canyon Blaster. One of the Wabash Cannonball's cars also appeared at a park in Belgium as part of a Halloween display. The Opryland Themepark site was cleared and paved into a parking lot for Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry House by July 1999, while construction of the mall took place primarily on the site of the themepark's parking lot. Great video, Mitzi Buckner CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE
I have one of my earliest memories going there ( and many times there after) at Opryland. It's forever a frozen time in my childhood. Now having two of my own little ones, I am sad they will never experience it.
I feel the exact same way. I really wish they would consider reopen the park elsewhere, or even replace the declining mall. Thanks for watching! I'd be thankful if you subscribe!
Will subscribe. I am taking my kids there next week to Opryland Hotel. The misses has a convention there for work, So we decided to join her, so I can show the kids the sites. I live in South Carolina now, but going up there for the week will mean a chance to show them what is, and explain what was.
Awesome! I think we're heading that way late this summer. We've talked about doing our "back to school" clothes shopping up there, and grab a room(s) while we're there.
I worked for one of the companies building the addition on Opryland hotel back then.... the delta addition. The original plan was to put the river running through the hotel to the theme park so guests of the hotel could travel by boat to the theme park ,but then, the plans changed. Rumors I heard and I don't have any facts to back any of this up but I heard these floating around at the time was that half of haylord or more was lost at a game of cards to Harrah's Casino and then Harrah's made the decision to tear down Opryland and build a casino. The casino was never built ,but the mall was, and could be used as a casino if they could change the gambling laws in Nashville. And all I do know is that one of the stores in Opry Mills Mall before the flood of 2010 , was built like a vault to hold money, and if it still exists afyer the flood remodel , you can tell which one it is because your cell service dies while you're in there completely... No facts but what I heard from the rumor mill then ....
Thanks for the video!! Growing up as a native Nashvillian, our family had season passes to Opryland, we'd go out there couple times a month on Sunday afternoon usually. Lots of great memories, we were all pissed off when when they closed it too. One thing you didn't mention that made Opryland unique vs other theme parks were the shows. Yes, they had several different stages with live music scheduled at different times of the day. Never did watch the shows, we were kids back then and there to ride the roller coasters. As for why it closed, Gaylord sold out to the almighty $$$$$. They could make more $$$$ with a shopping mall, Simon property group offered them A LOT of $$$$ to redevelop it into Opry Mills. Some of the factors that I think other than money that led management to close was the rides did need an update. Most of them(except the Hangman) were the same ones there since the 1970's, compared to some of the Six Flags parks, King's Island in Cincinnati, they were behind the times. Didn't want to spend $$$ and like you said, nowhere to expand to. Also it is a royal PITA to try and find people to work the 3-4 months of the year the park is open, its a huge effort of time/$$$$ to maintain a theme park, overall it was just a hassle to run that the then new management at Gaylord wanted to wash their hands of.
Showing my 5yo what they tore down to build a MALL! Even he was upset! Haha. So many fun memories and sad there isn't a place like this around anymore. You would think after all this time some theme park would have been built here in Middle Tennessee.
There were all kinds of rumors before Covid! This is one of our earlier videos and it’s kind of cringe, but occasionally, over the past few years, there have been articles saying that they’re building a water park. But I haven’t heard anything since Covid. Thank you so much for watching and thanks for commenting!
Opryland was a good asset for conventions, you could bring your family too & drop em off at Opryland. Maybe some Nashville heavyweights will get together & build another similar park, if they can buy a large plot of land cheap..
I really enjoyed this video. My parents took me to Opryland around 1991. I was nine years old and I had a great time. It's hard to believe the park has been gone so many years now. Take care ✌🏻p.s. new subscriber here 👍👍
A few thoughts: 1. Correction to your remark about Dollywood only being a couple hours east of Nashville. As of modern-day 2019 with a speed limit drive, Dollywood is really a solid 4-hour drive. But that adds to your point that Dollywood should have had no effect on Opryland. 2. In my OPINION, Nashville has tried and I guess successfully moved the focus back to downtown. From bringing the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans to downtown and a new baseball park for the minor league Nashville Sounds and numerous new bars owned by celebrities I guess if that is what floats your boat then that is where you will want to be. 3. In my OPINION the malls including Opry Mills in the area are in decline probably mostly due to internet shopping and hassle factor. It used to be that you could be entertained and do your shopping in one location and you felt somewhat secure while doing it. I don't get that feeling anymore. Mall visits rarely if ever happen in our family anymore. 4. With that said, I do like Dollywood. Music, rides, and atmosphere are worth the 4-hour drive from Nashville, but you have to make it an overnight trip week/weekend. 5. Lastly, this part will likely not get better for a long time is TRAFFIC. Nashville traffic is HORRIBLE, It takes an hour or more most days from the suburbs to get into Nashville. You might as well add a couple more hours and drive to the Smokies. In my opinion its not true "Nashville" drivers on the road. I bet you that 7 out of 10 drivers stuck in the daily gridlock haven't lived in the Nashville area 10 years. Think about it folks before you move to Nashville. You have made a million on your house in California, if California is so great why are you leaving? So you can take that million and pay $350,000 cash for the same or better house here. Then you have $650,000 to party and drink at Blake Shelton's bar and get drunk for a long time. You can do other things like drive a pedal tavern around town, ride scooters around town, add to the gridlock here so you can get to the next party. Wonderful! Welcome to Nashville.
I remember visiting Opryland as a kid back in the mid to late 70's. Coming from Atlanta to there was a bit more than a two hour drive, but it was a destination which had many activities for everyone in the family. Is a shame they closed it, it would have been a wonderful weekend getaway to take my kids now.
The massage chairs are awesome! I wanted to drive the train around the mall as a summer job. I miss Opryland and as a native of Nashville and Tennessee I have seen it all withe exception of three years in the Army I've seen all the change. I'm guessing you were there at closing time but you really ought to visit the mall in the daytime or a weekend you can't stir the with a stick. It seems to me like its wall to wall people and you're right most malls are dead. After the 2010 flood everyone was sure the mall would have died. My brother in law actually said," That mall's never coming back" and yet here it is. I think the reason this mall hasn't fail is because most of the stores are either exclusive like Build a Bear, Bass Pro Shop or the the stores are bargain oriented like instead say a store like Sak's 5th Avenue they are called of the Rack where they sell overruns and slight blemished merchandise. The have recently open a store called 5 and under where everything is ridiculously cheap I think that's the name. Anyway thanks for the video it brought back some good and no so good memories. The time my mom took me to the park and I talked her into the Lost Dutchman Mine where everything is an illusion she couldn't handle it. I thought she was going to lose it if we didn't get out thankfully it was one of those keep them moving kind of rides. There was the Winter of 97 and we were going to the park for Christmas and locked the car keys in the trunk. Yes we had to call a locksmith and it took all the money we had to pay the locksmith and we didn't get to go that year. Of course it closed in the Spring of 1998 and we never got to do another Christmas in the park.
Just found this video. I’m from Kentucky and I went to Opryland usually a couple of times a year. Sometimes more if I could get my parents on board. I loved it. Being two hours away it was a great day trip. The shows were amazing and they had shows from all music genres but the majority were country music. They were so professionally presented that even a rock and roller enjoyed them. Another commenter mentioned that it was a show park but it had lots of great rides as well. Not to mention it was a beautiful park. I too have tried to find out exactly why it closed but there is no concrete reason. And yes, I’ve heard that they don’t know why it closed and that it was a bad idea. I mentioned I went to Opryland twice a year. Been to the mall once. I wasn’t impressed and haven’t been back. Guess that’s worked out really well for the mall owners! So sad such a wonderful part of Tennessee history is gone forever.
i had a season pass for 2 years (89-91) for Opryland because I worked at the hotel and then transferred over to the General Jackson and I use to go there a lot on my days off or if I got off early off the boat.. I miss it and wish they would build it back.
ShopryLand Actually, most of the mall is in the Opryland parking lot. The park was mostly behind the mall. The main gate to the park ran through about where the Regal and IMax theater is located. For a long time, the remains of the Grizzly River Rampage ride, could be still be seen behind the mall.
I’m here now, my dad’s in the hospital. Nashville has the best hospitals, they take better care of their patients! I thought it was dumb to build another Mall, as if we didn’t have enough! I miss Opreyland’s theme park! I worked at the Gaylord Opreyland Hotel when I graduated from high school.
I love and miss Opryland so much. I think that the reason they chose to make it a mall was that they could simply be land "LORDS" and not have to run an amusement park. Maybe. In all likelihood it was a nefarious deal within a deal within a deal where a very few anonymous people walked away with a very large amount of money. They probably had zero stake in the cultural importance of Opryland or the future of the Opry Mills mall. Makes sense that the company demolishing the park thought it was a bad idea. They just do what they are paid to do. At the end of the day it was all to benefit a bunch of greed heads sitting above towers of office cubicles. The money probably isn't even in the US anymore. I personally HATE Opry Mills mall. It actually is astonishingly busy (I live near by) and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I can walk from one end to the other without seeing a single thing worth any real value (Except Bass Pro Shop, let's be honest.) Anyway, thanks for all the cool shots from the park. Brings back old memories. Do you remember when they would do the special Halloween events, and drain Grizzly River Rampage to make the toxic waste Zombie tunnel? That was so cool. Now I'm sad. Where are my Dippin' Dots?
Grew up a couple of miles from a Opryland. Everyone in my family except my father worked their at one time or another, including me for 4 years. For Nashville high school kids it was the default place to get a job.
Look, the only reason corporations make decisions to do ANYTHING, including the decision to demolish a successful theme park, is financial gain or loss. They either believe they will save money, or something else will be more profitable. The board probably voted and decided a mall would make more money. With malls on the decline, maybe one day they will decide that a theme park would be more profitable. I hope so, because I sure miss Opryland.
Born and raised in Nashville, so Opryland is very familiar and greatly missed. Also greatly missed is its tiny predecessor, Fair Park, where I worked in the summer of 1965. Opryland was as much about the shows as it was about the rides, but the rides were still good. It was also one of the cleanest and best landscaped parks ever. Opryland and WSM were both owned by National Life insurance company. When National Life was acquired, the new owner had no desire to be in the broadcasting or entertainment business. Gaylord wanted the Opryland Hotel but not the park.
That's what I've heard from multiple credible sources. Not sure if I totally understand that mentality, but what do I know? I'm not a business tycoon! Thank you so much for watching and thank you for commenting! bill
Bill Marion as I said, I have many pleasant memories of Opryland. I used to work in broadcasting. I once did a remote broadcast from Opryland for the Middle Tennessee State University public station, WMOT-FM. I had the chance to meet and interview a Roy Acuff for the broadcast. Roy was a charming old guy, just a bit dotty, who insisted on doing yo-yo tricks for me. They don’t tend to come over very well on radio. 😆. At least Opryland lasted long enough that both of my kids had the chance to enjoy it, too.
The only vacation I was ever on with my dad was at opryland. First theme park I had ever seen. In later year's my mom moved us to Hendersonville. Spent many days at Opryland.
This year I got a hold of an old nails clipper from Opryland. I felt it was from the States but never imagined the history behind it. Shocking. Subcrided.
I loved Opryland..my grandparents took my sister's and I every year up until they closed.We would stay all day and after the majority of the people would leave everyday we would basically have the park to ourselves until closing time..My favorite rides were..*Cannon ball *Chaos*and hangman..also I learned how to drive on the tin lizzys ..
Man from the 80s to 96 I visited the park 3 times a year I became friends with a performer and I’m still friends with him he’s from the Cumberland boys group
I worked in TV news in Nashville at the time of the Opryland closing announcement. In fact, I was a season pass holder while I lived there. While I miss the park, I'm not sure closing it was necessarily a bad business decision. Here are a few reasons why. First, theme parks are heavily reliant on expansion and building things "bigger and better." Opryland was never really going to be able to do that without expanding to the other side of the Cumberland River. It was a relatively small park that was wedged between Briley Parkway and the River and had little ways to expand. 2. Gaylord Entertainment was concentrating on the hotel business and had a major expansion of the Opyrland Hotel at the time of the announcement and plans to build one in DC and Texas, which they eventually did. The mall was a partnership with the Mills Corporation and eventually Gaylord shed its ownership in the mall giving it more money to pursue other ventures. 3.) Nashville's tourism market was most likely changing and it is far different today than it was in 1997. Huge developments in downtown Nashville have become the primary destinations. 4.) Last, but not least. the park had flooded once before and if Opryland had been there in 2010, it would have flooded again, and I'm not sure a theme park would have been able to sustain another blow like that as restoring the mall was a much simpler task. In a kind of interesting twist, Dolly Parton and Gaylord had an agreement several years ago to build a "themed" park on the property, but Dolly eventually backed out. Now, Gaylord is building a water park addition to its hotel that looks impressive, but is designed just for guests.
Great comment! There are few comments from people who worked at Opryland at some point. A lot of them share your opinion. I still think Opryland could have expanded in place by replacing old rides with new ones, improving old rides, and enhancing the overall guest experience. I agree that Nashville is an amazing place to visit (I made a video about Nashville, Check it out!) but I don't think one had anything to do with the other. Opryland's fate wasn't tied to Nashville. After all, there was a time when downtown Nashville wasn't exactly what it is today. But it was tied to Country Music, and love it or hate it, Country Music is bigger now than when the park opened. That's why I think it was a bad decision. Nostalgia! To this day, Gaylord says it was a mistake to close the park. But let's be honest, I think that's probably lip service to fans of the old park. I hope the Water Park is amazing, and maybe in the new water park they'll tip their hat in some way to Opryland. Again, your comment is amazing, thank you so much for watching! bill
Thanks. Your video was great. I will check out the others when I have time. The reason I mentioned the developments downtown was the fact that Gaylord was behind several of them. At the time Opryland closed, they had just renovated and reopened the Ryman Auditorium and the Wildhorse Saloon. They also were still operating the General Jackson Showboat and added Water Taxis to the downtown area. I think maybe they wanted to expand Opryland, but had their hands in too many projects to make that happen. The mall was actually better than I thought it would be, but it's still a mall and if I lived there, I probably wouldn't go often.
Another reason I've read they closed the park (besides the want for something that could be open year round), was there was not any more room for the part to expand. It you look at it on the map its pinned between major road and a river. Expanding the part to bring in more money would have cost way too much.
We used to go to Opryland every couple summers. When I was a little kid I liked it. Wabash Cannonball was the first roller coaster I ever road. So I credit it with igniting my love of roller coasters. Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio being the place to go for roller coasters. When I got older Opryland didn’t really grow with the times. I would much rather spend another hour on the road and go to Six Flags Over Georgia. Now that I’m in my mid 40s I probably would prefer Opryland since I do miss the country music I was raised listening to. The pop/country of today just doesn’t really work for me. I do have a Gold Season Pass to Dollywood. It was an amusement park called Silver Dollar City before Dollywood. So it was already established as an East Tennessee attraction.
I agree that Opryland didn't keep up with the times, and they were simply out of room. But more than anything, there was no vision. Cedar Point is amazing. Six Flags over Ga is amazing at Christmas. It's one of our family's favorite traditions (the day after Christmas) until we moved to Va. What I think Opryland could have been instead of what it was. They had a solid theme, and a built in fanbase. This video has done well on our channel, and if you look up other stuff about Opryland on TH-cam, it's the same. People loved Opryland. There was no vision. ANYWAY, thank you so very much for watching and thanks for commenting! Bill
@@BillMarion I remember when Chaos was first released. It was like a huge step backwards. This was when roller coaster were starting to become hyper coasters they were going bigger, faster more inversions. Chaos was like Space Mountain at Disneyworld. A slow indoor special effects ride. I do have a soft spot for those type of coasters. Blazing Fury will always be one of my favorites at Dollywood. I actually rode it yesterday and I was the only one on the ride. Covid sucks, but amusement parks only letting in half the people means waiting in line isn’t a problem.
Tele's (Telecasters) are definitely THE definitive sound of country pickin'! It has an "out of phase" setting that makes a twangie sound renown the world over. Liked and subscribed.
Interesting fact: John 5 of Rob Zombie's band loves the Tele so much, it's the only guitar he is usually seen with (although, it has Humbuckers)...imagine that? See his video with his band John 5 and the Creatures "Hell Haw" for he strangest thing I have ever seen by a "Metal Guy"
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Hi Bill,
As someone who worked seasonally with the park beginning in 1976 and then professionally on staff beginning in 1982, I think that Opryland lost its advocate with the retirement of E.W. "Bud" Wendell. Mr. Wendell built the company into a Nashville powerhouse with Music Industry connections like Acuff-Rose (one of the largest music publishers at the time) and with the intentional build out of The Nashville Network, providing Country lifestyle branding directly into the home. The Opryland Complex in Nashville had a synergy between the Park, the Opryland Hotel, and the Grand Ole Opry that just worked. While the park was open, the Hotel (even then, the largest convention hotel in North America) had the highest occupancy rate in the industry. They were able to draw conventions by providing a destination for families in season (Opryland park). Bud Wendell retired in early '97. Immediately, the heir apparent, Terry London, the financial hired gun of the Gaylord family, sold TNN, moved to close the park, and made other stupid decisions that current management has found no solid reason for making. Basically, the whole operation in 1997 was a cluster *&^% that with better management would possibly have led to a better outcome.
Wayne Cook great comment! I need to make a follow up video! Thanks for the information. Good stuff! I find it amazing as to how many people watch this video and express their love for Opryland!
Selling off TNN was another mistake lots of good programs tossed to the wind.
Terry London ruined my favorite place on the planet. To this day I refuse to set foot inside that mall. I have been invited many times, but I will never patronize that place
I went there once in around 96 or 97 as a kid for a clogging competition my sister was in. We stayed in some normal hotel the night before, and I loved the Hangman so much I rode it 19 times that day. That night we checked into the Opryland Hotel, and to this day I still remember how awe-inspiringly nice it was.
I was pissed when I heard later they were tearing it down to build a mall, so much so that I refuse to set foot in Nashville again. While working as a heavy equipment hauler, I once even stopped a haul and had my permits resubmitted so I could reroute and wouldn't have to drive through. My escort drivers were furious, one so mad he actually wanted to fight me, but I told him I'd bust his skull before I'd forgive that town.
I've read several different estimates on how many performers were in the park during its peak. Do you recall the number? I know in the mid-80-s, it was remarkable how many talented musicians the park employed.
Get rid of the Mall and rebuild Opryland, people will come again.
Agree!
Agree!
Agree
I agree 100%!!! I avoid Oprymills mall at all costs!!!
Yes!!!!
Opryland was part of my entire childhood. We regularly had season passes. I rode almost every ride in that park at least once. (Not the hangman though!) My favorite was the Little Deuce Coupe. Psychedelic Tea Cups FTW!
When the Wild West show opened, I was the chosen audience member for their maiden show.
I fell in love with Theater By the Lake, and would watch the history of country music every time we went.
What made my mom mad was how Nashville spent lots of money expanding the exits for Briley Parkway at Opryland and the Hotel (exits 10 & 11, I think) just to accommodate traffic to the park and then the business decided to close the park. At the time, she said that Gaylord was in negotiations to open a hotel at Disney World and that she was told they wouldn't approve such a place adjacent to their property if Gaylord had a competing theme park. I have no idea if that is true, but that is what she told me about it when I asked. I was almost 20 the year the park closed permanently.
My niece grew up going to OM mall because the Rainforest Cafe had an animatronic hippo and she loved that thing. It was relatively new then and did some brisk business as an outlet mall in its first few years. It was a cheap way to entertain a toddler and pre-K child to just walk around the mall and then set her loose on the indoor play park.
I will always consider myself a Nashvillian, though I now live in NC. I am now just 1.5 hours away from Dollywood but it's just not the same. Perhaps it is because so many places now are centered around flashy roller coasters that can go faster, higher, more terrifying, etc. Or perhaps it is because I have a nostalgic view of what was once the perfect amusement park. Disney World was where we went a couple times when I was little, but Opryland was a nearly-every-weekend trip!
Angel In Training hangman was the first roller coaster with an inversion that I ever did!!! I remember my mom talked me into it and I loved it!
I was actually surprised they rebuilt Opry Mills after the 2010 flood. I actually get sad every summer knowing I won't get a chance to take my family to that great theme park many times over the summer.
That's me. And when you do some digging, you find out that there have been petitions (not that I think they do much good when it comes to theme parks) and even "letters to editors" of big newspapers. I'm thinking there's money to be made people!
We gave to the crowd sourcing that a group up near Franklin did a few years back for something called Ole South USA. Yeah, that name might have some issues. But it seemed to have the best chance. I believe the guy's last name was Webb. He had been a creative artist with Disney, so he came into it with some pretty good credentials. Plans were for it to have been built between Huntsville and Nashville (most likely around the Lewisburg/Columbia exit off I-65). But that seems to have died now too. Doesn't even seem they maintain their Facebook profile.
I've heard several say the most likely thing to happen would need to involve some of the larger country artists, but I don't see any of them stepping up either.
Best guess is that anything similar to the old Opryland would probably run in the billion dollar range. Drawbacks would be the limited days it could operate per year (then again it doesn't seem to bother Cedar Point, Holiday World, Kings Island, etc.), cost of operation, and cost of liability insurance in this litigious society.
And to be honest, as much as Dollywood is a nice place, Herschend just out prices most of us to making many trips. We also love Stone Mountain too, but find it just isn't worth what Herschend charges.
That's interesting! You know, I'd love to have the opportunity to help reboot a theme park. I think you need Opryland name recognition, and the musical nature of original park. But I think the concept needs to be inclusive to all genres of music, capitalizing on "Music City." I really enjoy country music.
But let's take the name "Ole South USA," (that's hysterical, "might have some issues,") that concept is already established with a better name, Dollywood.
Nashville has but a few more years remaining to consider an Opryland reboot before the nostalgia that would benefit the park's initial success greatly, is gone. Currently, three generations are still around that enjoyed Opryland. One of those generations is going fast, the second is already or about to draw social security, and the last (mine) is sending kids to college already.
I was actually thinking about that. The Ole South attempt and some of the others were about 8-10 years back now. I still think that might have been the best chance to draw on Opryland as well. I really appreciated that they had several types of music represented. I have to be honest, it has been a few years since we have been to Dollywood now, so I can't speak for their representation of music of all types.
We also had the guys from who knows where come to Muscle Shoals about two years ago with a lot of fan fare. They were planning to put a large amusement/theme park over that way, and one in Fort Worth, TX. That fell through before it ever got started.
I was thinking about that, how there is a complete generation behind us that has never been to Opryland, probably many have never heard of it. My seniors just graduated and they were all born in 1999. Yeah, I teased them that their parents "partied like it was 1999".
It would take several someones with some very deep pockets, far deeper than someone like us on a teacher's salary I'm afraid.
" it has been a few years since we have been to Dollywood now, so I can't speak for their representation of music of all types. "
~10 years ago (?), my coworker took his family to the "Days of Praise" (??) at Dollywood. As they eagerly awaited one of their favorite Christian bands to take stage, they noted the audience was filling up with senior citizens. They determined that the audience had assumed it would be a gospel concert... As soon as Skillet played their first power chord, all the walkers and canes were headed towards the exit.... hahaha..
They made a HUGE mistake, when they demolished OPRYLAND!! >:o
It is so hard for me to see the park again, after being tore down. The first time that I went to Opryland USA was when I was 9 and saw a show with my mom and dad...called Country Music USA. Little did I know, years later, that I would be on that stage performing. Yes, I performed there in CMUSA( the best show in the park --I think). Loved every minute of it!!! I did it for 3 yrs and some of the best years of my life were there. I met some great people too!
I'd be there today, if Opryland was still running. I'm sure that it would still be going strong, if it had not been destroyed. For sure, I would have had the chance for my kids to enjoy the park, as much as I did. So sad still. :'(
I haven’t been to Nashville since they closed Opryland. I’ll never drive 4 hours to go shopping 😂😂
I have a hard enough time driving 4 or 5 minutes to shop! Lol thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
And don't ever come to Mobile, Alabama because Bel Air Mall has been struggling enough, Target was never remodeled and the entire mall is like halfway empty... That's why I don't go to this mall that much. We have nothing but museums, colleges, and one of the largest cities without an arcade....
I was working at Opryland when it shut down . The reason we was given as to why the park was shut down was because they wanted something that was open year round but what I really think the reason is that Opryland was self insured and if something bad happened it would be bad press or whatever . So when people got stuck on the lift on the Hangman in the Summer of 1997 , that was to me the nail in the coffin for the park . They wanted a reason to shut it down and that was it . The Bass pro shop was already planned to be built across the street from the Hotel but they changed their minds about that shortly after the Hangman got stuck on lift . That's when they changed everything and decided to build the Bass Pro Shop where Opryland set. Thank you for your video , I very much enjoyed it .
wbp7650 I'm grateful you enjoyed the video! I'll have to check out that incident. Interesting!
Bill
You probably won't believe me but I was standing in line waiting to ride it in 97 when it got stuck....small world. I miss Opryland
We were told that Opry Mills would have a skating rink, a rollercoaster, a bowling alley, and numerous "leisure activities". The only thing we have gotten is a bowling alley, thanks to Dave and Busters. Many of us said that Opryland should have never been torn down. People bought into the hype.
Shadowbane Gaming thanks for watching! Yea, that’s about right. It’s a pretty nice mall, but it’s not Opryland!
Bill
Dawn of the Dead, filmed in the Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, PA..
The Mall still stands today and the guy going to deal of abandoned malls is Aces Adventures
Tha screamin delta demon..cannonball..tha log ride..and grizzly river rampage..great memories...thks
Good times! Good times! Thanks for watching, and thanks for commenting!
Bill
I loved the river rampage and the log ride and the I think the skylight to travel from area to area up in the air
The Timber Topper was my favorite!
CHAOS and Wabash Cannonball that would make me scared while in line, then when finished I'm ready to go again. Lines for the grizzly would take 2 hours... So when I see the walls that are still there, makes me sad.
I grew up in Franklin TN and Opryland was a huge part of my life growing up!! When I was a teenager and old enough to drive I would always get a season pass and go whenever I felt like riding some fun rides. I bought a season pass all the way up to the last season and I was very pissed when they closed it down!! That's why I refuse to go to Oprymills and I actively boycott that place!! I really wish they would bring back some type of amusement park back to the Nashville area!!
The last time I was there in the daytime, you could see the remains of the "Grizzly River Rampage" just off to the side of the walking path between the mall and the Opryland Hotel, in among the bushes. The concrete "stone work" and the water channel were clearly visible. I have no idea if it's still there today.
I was told by a Gaylord Entertainment employee at the time of the closing that the park was profitable but executives believed a mall would be more profitable. Most employees were very upset by the decision.
Sorry it's taken so long to respond. That's exactly what I heard as well. I think it was a huge mistake considering where retail is heading. Thank you so much for watching!
The remains of Grizzly River Rampage are no longer there.
That's even more sad.
Forced yep I've seen it , its located between oprymills and the opryland hotel...
Your Right. I heard that and looked and foulnd it still there,
I have many memories of spending the summer at Opryland when I was growing up. My family and I lived about an hour and a half south of Nashville in North Alabama, close enough that we could get up and leave out at 7am, get to the park, stay till closing and drive back that night and make it home at a decent hour. We would purchase season passes to the park and go every weekend, sometimes Saturday and Sunday both. Had some really good times there with some really good friends as a kid that I will never forget. I wish that the park was still there and in operation so that I could do the same for my son. Thank you for the trip down memory lane, I haven’t thought about Opryland in years.
Thanks for watching, and thanks for commenting!
bill
I live in north Alabama, about two hours from Nashville, and my family would take a trip to Opryland about every year when I was a kid. It was a great day trip, and a fun park with lots of rides, shows and good food. Chaos is still my favorite ride I’ve ever been on, regardless of theme park. It was just so unique. I’ve got three daughters now, and it’s sad I don’t have the opportunity to take them to that wonderful park.
Thank you so much for watching Jeff! And thanks for commenting!
Bill
I was a young secretary in meeting held at the Nashville chamber of commerce. The suits from Gaylord and the then head of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau were leading the meeting. They cried about how the park was loosing money, couldn’t be kept up with times because it was music heavy and not as thrill ride and the mills mall/outlet mall was the wave of the future. That people were driving hours just to shop at these factory outlet situations. They mentioned other mega malls and framed as a destination. I remember being fresh out of college and being so mad that these idiots would destroy something so cool and not put the work into making it better. They acted like they really believed that same people who drove 5 hours away to spend the weekend at Opryland would drive that same 5 hours to buy discount clothes.
Very interesting! You might actually know some of the other people who left comments here from Opryland during the same time. Thank you so much for watching and for your comment as well!
Bill
I remember going to Opryland only once as a child and loved every minute of it. I've also been to the mall within the last couple of years.
It's a pretty cool all. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
bill
I live (and grew up) about 2 hours northwest of Nashville. I was born in the mid 80's, so I didn't get to experience Opryland for very many years. When we did go, we would spend 8-10 hours a day for 3-4 days consecutively at Opryland! I absolutely LOVED my time spent at Opryland and definitely miss going there!! If it was still open, I would go (as an adult) by myself!!! ♥️♥️♥️ Opryland.... Not a fan of shopping malls....
I use to work at opryland. Great place to work. I worked on special events part time. Lot of young people from all over the US worked there. Country Music awards were there, when fanfare week. Roy Accuff use to make sure all the ladies made money. He often tipped the workers. During country music awards were exciting times, Opryland fed their workers before events. Watching so many young romances during this summer, waking back to wardrobe dept we saw couples holding hands and sneaking kisses. Happy times.
Every summer my family would meet at Mamaw & Papaw Scott's house in Lenoir City, T.N..
A family party of 14, in 3 cars. I remember it seemed to take days to get there, when in reality it was only hours. Opryland was our magical land of freedom. The adults would let us strike out on our own, but we still had to stay within distance of each other, & the boys which were older to keep an eye on the girls. We all loved the antique cars that we could pretend we were driving. The roller coasters were scary, but totally worth the risk, & when we got to hot, we would head over to the water log ride to get a good soaking !!
We had to meet at our spot for lunch, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, shredded carrots, & cucumbers that our Mamaw grew & a cup of spring fresh mountain water & ice frozen with the same water, & served to us in the old metal cups.
Back to Opryland ; It was a place of adventure, surprise, etc. My cousins and family as a whole bonded at this theme park & to us there has never been another place that even came close. I remember the special care that was put into everything. Even their flower design's were designed to to catch you're eye & draw you in another direction. I got to meet people along the way as well, Minney Pearl ( Spelling ?), Grandpa Jones, Merle Hagard, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Stella Parton, etc. When I say meet, I mean a hand shake, a tip of a hat, etc.
I have often pondered the thought of why would you destroy a loved, cherished location that families and friends felt safe bringing their families together for a day of fun & relaxation. I am sure it was not about $$$, Opryland was a place where young & old could sit on split logs, listen to some good music, & have real conversations about the day, the year,or just real eye to eye heart felt conversations about achievements or upcoming goals. In a way Opryland was like neutral ground. I really wished I could have taken my children there. I have gone to other parks, but they have no comparison to the late, great Opryland.
I would love to meet Dolly. she's my hero.
Loved when we went to Opryland in the late 70s or early 80s as a kid. We traveled all the way from north Louisiana to go. Now we take the kids to DollyWood.
I went there when I was very little, we drove from Cincinnati. I have never forgotten Opryland & still have awesome memories from that day in the 70's!
We go to Opry Mills about once a year. I always get teary-eyed for the theme park I loved so much as a kid. Thanks for this video! Your kids are gorgeous, btw!
Alas, I miss the park also. For a while, I lived in a childrens home & all the kids would get season passes. My first "big girl" rollercoaster was the Wabash Cannon Ball. I was terrified to ride a coaster that went upside down. Someone called me a chicken, I got pissed off & just charged the line. The moment I sat down, my anger turned to fear, it felt like my stomach just fell outta my butthole, but, once the operator checked the safety bar, there was no turning back. In about 1 or 2 minutes, it ended. It was so exhilarating! I was hooked & I rode, the now disappeared rollercoaster, twice more back to back! Thank you for inspiring this little throwback memory!
The best times of my life as a child were spent at Opryland. I loved the rides, music and the beautiful buildings and gardens. It was a gorgeous, magical world. I am so sad that my children will never have the opportunity to experience the magic that was Opryland.
Opryland was a pretty amazing place! Thanks for commenting and watching!
Opryland was absolutely amazing!! Made many trips there as a kid and am sorry that my children did not have the same opportunity to experience it. Thanks for the video and the history lesson Bill. Found this on Ken Hartley's Facebook post. I'll be sharing as well!!
I am so very grateful that you watched the video and thank you so much for subscribing and sharing! If you know Ken Hartley, you're good people! I happen to think he's a pretty amazing. He can't make stuff disappear ya know! I've seen him do it!
I drove through Nashville just a couple of weeks ago. The sign "Opryland Next Exit" is still there on I40. And it's been gone how many years??
I’m a native of Nashville, and I grew up going to Opryland many, many times a season. Parents would often give their kids spending money, many had season passes, drop them off, and come back at a specified time to pick them up. That couldn’t happen now, but it made kids, at least this kid, feel a little independent. Church groups would go to Opryland and many other groups. I loved Opryland so much that I cried when I found out that it was closing. The shows were wonderful, and it was a training ground for performers. Imagine doing several shows a day with other great entertainers. It had all kinds of music, so everyone was covered. I’m still angry about the closing of the park. I have been to Opry Mills when it first opened, but I won’t go now because it took the place of my beloved Opryland! Many memories from my childhood of Opryland will forever be treasured.
A lot of the problem was it used to flood a lot. They didn't like rebuilding all the rides. I work there when I was 18 years old in the park and on the general Jackson showboat. I worked in the hotel opryland hotel for a couple years. Then I left to pursue other opportunities. If it was still open I probably still be there working ❤️
I'm so grateful you watched this video! This video is one my first videos that reached 10,000 views. I was so proud! Still, I've learned so much about Opryland since I made this video. Again, thanks for watching, and thanks for commenting!
Bill
The flooding is the reason I heard at the time as well.
Bill, this is the best of your videos that I've seen so far. Thanks, for uploading.
I am so happy that you took the time to enlighten us on what happened to Opryland. I was disappointed when I first learned that it had been demolished. Growing up in Oak Ridge, Tn., my parents used to take us there at least once a year. So, hearing this just didn't make sense to me. I also remember Silver Dollar City, and Frontierland, before it became Dollywood. Now, I take my kids to Dollywood, and it's a fun time that still sort of holds the old times feeling which is nice.
We do the same thing. It may sound crazy, but I liked Opryland's approach to music (in the late 80's and early 90's) better more than I do Dollywood's approach currently. There seemed to be more talent at Opryland, and professionally trained singers and musicians. Despite Nashville being the Country Music capital, Opryland presented shows that were excellent and not just pandering to a particular crowd. And that's funny because Dolly is amazing at everything!
My mom and I miss Opryland so much! We moved to Tennessee from California when I was a kid. My Great Uncle would take us every summer. At my Jr. High, the 8th grade trip was always a trip to Opryland until my class’ turn came up in 1998. We had to go to Six Flags in St. Louis instead. It just wasn’t the same.
I had heard, at the time, that they closed because it was in a flood zone. Why they would build a mall in a flood zone made no sense. Especially after the mall actually DID flood.
I’ve gone to Dollywood, hoping for something as good as Opryland was, but I was thoroughly disappointed.
I wish they would rebuild!!
I can't believe I watched the whole thing as my attention span is extremely short but I found this to be so interesting and I just couldn't stop. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so very grateful you watched. Thank you so much, and I'm sorry it' taken so long to respond! If you keep watching, we'll keep making videos!
My final trip to Opryland was in 1995 right out of high school. It was a classic place! We came from North Alabama. I loved the classic ride "Flume Zume"... This place should've never been shut down.
I think my last trip was sometime around 95 as well! Good times! The music shows there were a lot of fun! The rides were a blast! But look at it this way, there's a mall there now............lol
Great video Bill. Don't know why some of your community joke about it. Even the small town I grew up in in WV had a small theme park that was torn down in the late 60's/early 70's. Broke my heart. We didn't get a mall, we got roads and a new bridge to cross the Ohio River. Well, at least they did move our well known (lol) World's Largest Teapot to a little grassy area there. Oh, well. I guess they call it progress when they tear down and rebuild. I call it destroying memories. Love you guys!
I don't completely understand it, but it's funny. It's one of those "over and over again," kind of jokes.
I moved to Nashville from Las Vegas in late 2005, went to McGavock High School (which is actually walking distance from the Opry Mills, but I never went at that time), transferred to Hunters Lane, and graduated from there. I always used to spend so much time at Opry Mills my senior year, so many memories there, and at the hotel nearby (which is the nicest hotel I've seen and been to.) I missed Opryland by almost 10 years. I really wish I could've went with my friends, though. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
McGavock used to have the best high school marching band in the world! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
in 1996 i was in Opryland, it was an great amusement park
Opryland USA Theme Park was where I made a lot of good childhood memories. I too wish they’d kept the park, instead of replacing it with a ridiculous mall. I didn’t get the chance to make these same memories with my own children and it’s such a shame. 😞
It was a stupid idea. I worked there for a while at the end. I loved it!
WSM was one of the country's first "clear channel" radio stations. My dad and I used to listen in on Friday and Saturday nights; here in Campbell County, TN. I am such a fan of WSM that I made those letters my son's initials; Wesley Steven Miller. I would love to visit the Ryman Auditorium.
If I remember right, when they announced that Opryland was closing, they said that the mall would attract as many as 17 million people a year, where the theme park was only attracting 2 or 3 million a year. In other words, it was going to be a "destination" mall. And when it first opened, it was kind of like that. But when they rebuilt after the 2010 flood, they got rid of the country music oriented theme (e.g. they had TVs in the hallways that played videos of country artists). And as you found out on your visit, no one goes there anymore because of the element of danger.
Thanks for watching!
I guess that's why I'm thinking it would have been best to have thrown all that money on making the theme park one of the best in the county, and keep it going. If you haven't subscribed, I welcome you to do so! I'd love to receive your comments on our other videos!
Bill
I too visited here when I was a kid in the 1970s........we came in from Alabama........it was such a great memory for me then......my only regret is that I didn't get to share that with my kids.....
I miss Opryland. My parents took my brothers and me several times in the late 70s through early 80s. I have fond memories of the Grizzly River Rampage, Wabash Cannonball & the train.
Back in 1986 my oldest brother took me to Nashville for Fan Fair but, we went out by Opryland USA to get on a tour bus. My brother only took me because, I had tickets to Fan Fair and tickets to Louise Mandrell's Fan Club function and Barbara Mandrell's Fan Club Breakfast. A dream come true. I would've liked to went to Opryland USA.
Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
We lost a lot of good parks in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. My parents took us there back in the early 80’s Great video thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I remember going to Opryland in 1984 with my daughter beta club it was very interesting trip. The park was beautiful and so much fun. The whole day was so great. It will always be sadly missed worst it became a shopping center
the log ride brought back so many great memorys with my family. thanks for sharing.
When I was there in 1996, there was a report of a ride malfunction and two girls falling off of "The Hangman". The same day, a lady I was there with was injured by the swing/carousel- type ride. This was about a year and a half before the park closed. I can't find any information on this, but it is what I remember from that day.
I haven't heard about that. That's so sad.
They could have easily built new areas on the other side of Briley Pkwy. with a shuttle to the other side. I live just outside of Nashville and I have to say I've only been to Opry Mills four times since it was built. It just crushes my heart to go there and I think a lot of Nashvillians still feel this way. Thank you so much for the video!!
Great comment! I totally agree. It's like they simply lost the vision and gambled poorly. Heck, they even said they did! Thank you so much for watching. Join our Facebook page, billmarionlife
I just joined. Thanks!
At one time, there was talk about buying the 2 Rivers Church and other property and putting a bridge over Briley. It was only 2 lanes then.
Awesome video..I spent my summers at Opryland .Usually had season passes..I still can't believe it's gone..So Sad to me..Thanks for this video.
I went to OpryLand several times as a child! ( in 1972 when it first open was one time) Loved it! We live in southern Indiana so about 4 1/2 hour drive. We have been to Opry Mills Mall it’s nice. Always wondered what happened to OpryLand . Just found your channel! It’s great ! Love your content! Still remember the “ jingle” there’s rides and shows and music and food so many things to do, so bring your family and friends to OpryLand and hear America sing to you! Don’t go to Malls very often, I would rather shop on line! 🤷🏼♀️
We miss Opryland too!! There are rumors about a comeback, but we’ll see! Thanks for watching!!!
Bill
I grew up an hour north of Nashville, and going to Opryland was a big part of my childhood. I never could understand why they closed it--around my junior or senior year of high school. This only deepens the mystery.
I was never super impressed with that mall, though.
There is a part of the mall parking lot where you can see some of the waterway for the Grizzly River Rampage unless they have gotten rid of it in the past few years (I moved to Ohio 10 years ago so I haven't been down that way to check).
Thank you so much for watching! I miss Opryland too! I wish they would bring something back!
I'm from Chattanooga area too. Enjoyed your video. I have lots of great memories of Opryland growing up. Wish it was still around.
Thank you so much for watching! Since you live in the area, you're invited to our hike at Lost Creek Recreation Area! Join our Facebook Page for details @billmarionlife. I miss Opryland too! I think they could rebuild the park! Again, thanks for watching!
I went to Opryland in 1982 when I went to the 1982 World’s fair in Knoxville. I liked Opryland a lot and was disappointed when I found out that it was demolished. Malls are nice, but no comparison to a theme park.
Hi Bill! I really enjoyed your (Opryland mystery) video. I was (we were) so disappointed when Opryland USA closed in 1997. Moved to the Nashville area the summer of 1996, purchased season passes those two years, took advantage of that, and went year round. Sounds like the decision was made by just one person who came in, made that decision, then left.
That decision was a huge mistake.
Fellow Opryland fan here... about the electric chargers: I have an electric car. How the chargers work is you sign up for an account and they send you a card or you can use an app. It’s all linked to your payment method and the fees are all laid out in the website. Some businesses and municipalities also have free ones. Unless they are the freebies, they usually cost around what gas does. Charging at home is where the savings is. Electricity in TN is dirt cheap compared to gas and electric vehicles are more efficient than their gas counterparts. I leave each morning with a “full tank” of electrons and don’t typically fill up on the go. I saw you comment on another post about trucks. Rivian is a new company with a cool truck concept/prototype and Tesla plans to unveil theirs this fall. Anyway, nice video. Opryland is definitely missed!
thekeifer1 of all the comments, and after two years, you’re the only person to tell me how they work, and the sad part is that I still didn’t know until I read your comment!!!! Lololol thanks for commenting, and thanks for watching!
Bill
My parents took us to Opryland alot and was hurt when they closed. I will not under any circumstance patronize that mall!
I found a random cup at a thrift store with the name on it and I realized it was a amusement park (old cup so it was faded) and now I’m invested in the park it looked fun
As a TN kind growing up in the 80's I have the best memories of Opryland! I miss it to this day and no matter how great the mall it can never replace it!
I was TN kid too, and we used to go to Nashville every summer. It was an absolute blast. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
I have vague memories of Opryland. I'd just turned 5 when we went, so..... nearly 46 years ago. Thanks for the very nice history lesson.
I worked as a performer in the park for 3 years, 1977 - 79. One show was even in the Opry house, another opened the now demolished Acuff Theater. I have attended a few Live Entertainment reunions and I can tell you from the horse's mouth exactly why Opryland closed; Terry London. For years the word was that the park was losing money. That was total BS. As someone else said, Bud Wendell was the heart and soul of that park as well as the entire complex and Bob Whittaker was the same for the live ent department. He's the one who told me that London made all the completely wrong decisions after Bud retired. It really is a shame. Though I had a love/hate relationship in many ways with the park (they did not treat us entertainers with the respect we deserved, IMO, like simple water and bathroom breaks), it was an absolute great place to hone your skills and learn. And I do wish it would come back, better than ever.
The Rockin Roller Coaster was my favorite ride of all time anywhere…we visited from Western KY multiple times a year. Flume Zoom was a good one too. And let’s not forget The Walbash Cannonball. Man I miss that place and feel bad for the kids that will never be able to enjoy it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Thank you for watching!
I worked @ Dollywood the year Opryland closed. Dolly bought a rollercoaster from Gaylord Ent. Which is now part of the Tennessee Tornado. She also bought Daredevil Falls from them. But she had it for 2 years before she installed it. I never got to go to Opryland. But have been to Dollywood even as far back as Silver Dollar City. Which it still is partially owned by.
Jay McCoy that is,was the Wabash cannon ball....
Just came across your channel from searching for videos about opryland.
I grew up in Whitwell and loved getting to go to Opryland as a kid. It was so disappointing when it was turned into a shopping center. It broke my heart.
Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
Wow thanks for this reminder of my amazing childhood!!!! Unfortunately the parked closed before I was able to share with my children. The first time I took them to Opry Mills I told them all about Opryland and we walked what was left of Grizzly river. They ask why would they ever close such an amazing place to build a mall???? That's the Million dollar question my dears. The closest thing we have to that style of park is Dollywood which is nice but it just doesn't have that thing that Opryland had!!!
I think they may have been the first park to have a sky coaster. Great video and channel just discovered last night great work man!
I think the ride Chaos was at best mediocre. I remember getting the 3D glasses to go on it. The best part about it was they had the AC blasting so when it was 100 degrees that was the place to cool off. Every other ride though was awesome! Give Opry Mills a couple years and it will be on the Dead Mall series. Lol
And the Dead Mall series it awesome! Seriously, if you're in my age group, it's down right scary to think of those malls in the 1980's closed and falling down! Thanks for watching!
Bill
I live in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ, which is like the 3rd largest city in the US and growing!! We had an amusement park called Legend City that they tore down when I 12, so 37 years ago!! And they won't build another one here either!! But I had always wanted to go to Opryland, I have always been a huge country fan and Nashville is one place that's on my bucket list!! I was so very sad when I heard that they tore down Opryland, I felt just like I did when they tore down Legend City here!! At least when I do make it to Nashville I will still get to see The Grand Old Opry, and other sites that are still there!!!
After reading your comment I had to look up “Legend City” and it looked amazing! Great comment! I also looked up the Wiki page about it. I guess there was some serious money issues. But on the hand, it was really popular! I guess from a business perspective it makes sense. But in most cases regional parks like, Six Flags, seem to make it work. Thanks for watching, and thanks for the great comment!
Bill
As someone that worked at the Opry, I can tell you that Terry London absolutely played a big part in the demise of the park. I do have to correct the romantic notion that the park was profitable. The final years of the park it was losing money. Opryland invested in the park ($3-$4,000,000) in upgrades and saw no increase in revenue. It became a money pit...sorry, there's no mystery, the park was not as supported as it should have been. If people had known the plight of the park and that they would eventually lose it, they would have rushed to save it. Unfortunately, Gaylord never informed the public until it was too late. I spoke to many of the players involved with decision making, there is no mystery, it floundered in its later years and eventually closed. THE END (For what it's worth, Gaylord Opryland just added a water park in the hotel, not Opryland, but they added something.)
Well I'm just grateful you watched the video. I got a lot more than what you mentioned wrong! lol I would make this video differently now, (it's one of my earlier videos) but it's a testament Opryland's legacy that people are still watching this video. I've made videos with ten times the amount of views, but this is still one of my favorites because of comments like yours. Sure, I got some information wrong. I've admitted that in dozens of comments, and I've even talked about it in other videos. But this video, and a video I made about Arizona gets people commenting. There's no doubt in my mind that Opryland was mismanaged, and that Gaylord didn't understand their product. Regardless, I'm so very grateful you took the time to watch this video, and thanks for your informative comment.
Bill
@@BillMarion I can not think of the name, but there was also a gentleman I spoke with extensively that was hired from Disney. I believe he oversaw Opryland productions, but I could be wrong on that front. He was a primary decision maker and a part of the transition to the mall. They truly lost all that was built in Nashville. TNN (became The National Network and later Spike TV) (later sold to MTV), CMT (Also sold to MTV/Viacom), and so many other interests gone. I was there when employees of 25 years or more were getting their walking papers, a bit of severance and burning rubber down Opryland Drive. We actually still have some private groups and get together from time to time at a local Cracker Barrel.
@@RedHorseAdventures It'd be different if Opryland had been holding Nashville back, as is the case with other closed theme parks. Fans of those parks don't see the forest for the trees in some cases. I admit, Opryland was in a land crunch for sure. I said this in the video, but I've learned so much more about it sense, Opryland's closing helped Dollywood, but Dollywood wasn't pulling the numbers at the time to hurt Opryland. Sure, Opryland wasn't as profitable as I make it sound in this video during its last years, but from what I was told after making this video, big investors were just waiting to see what was going to happen, because from the outside, country music became mainstream, Nashville is home to TNN, and Opryland. No one had the vision or guts to make it happen. I'd love to make a humorous conspiracy video where I blame a Disney insider for the fall of Opryland based on your comment! That would be a blast. We'll just blame the mouse! Still, Nashville's an amazing city. We made another video last year about Music Row. Love that town!
@@BillMarion You should also know that Gaylord had a preliminary deal in place with Dolly Parton on a water park across the Briley Parkway area off McGavock where the hotel is, but then they suddenly "merged" with Marriott and Dolly didn't like the smell of it and bailed on their preliminary deal. All kinds of moving parts haha...thanks for the video and the chat!
Cool Springs development put a hurting on Opryland area as well
Mr. Marion, on the subject of why Opryland closed, I found this explanation within Opryland's Wikipedia page. Here's the link and a clip of the explanation of why it was demolished and the fate of the attractions as well, and where some of them are today.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opryland_USA
Shuttering and demolition
From the beginning, Opryland was severely handicapped by its location. The park was located on a roughly-triangular tract of land with the Cumberland River on one side, and Briley Parkway on another. Opryland Hotel was built in 1977 on the third and shortest leg of the triangle. This not only exposed the park to occasional flooding, but hampered its ability to expand to include new attractions as consumer preferences changed. Opryland was forced to remove older attractions to add new ones, as was the case with the Raft Ride in 1986 for the Old Mill Scream, and the Tin Lizzies in 1994 for The Hangman. In 1993, Gaylord Entertainment embarked on the largest-ever construction project in Nashville's history at the time: the Delta. This project, which opened in 1996, added an enormous new atrium, over 1,000 guestrooms, and a new convention complex to Opryland Hotel. By this time, Opryland had grown to 200 acres (0.81 km2) in size. However, the Delta project tied up all of the remaining land contiguous to the park, leaving it with nowhere else to grow.
In addition, Nashville's climate made year-round operations almost impossible; seasons were largely limited to weekends in the late fall and early spring and daily in the summer. Seasonal workers became hard to find, and Gaylord found itself with a labor shortage. Attendance plateaued throughout the first half of the 1990s. By 1997, Gaylord management, in a move toward refocusing on its core hospitality businesses, decided that the Opryland property would no longer make a rate of return equal to that desired for its properties and was unlikely ever to return to doing so. Management decided the amusement park should be replaced by a property which made year-round usage of the site.
All five roller coasters and many other large attractions were sold to Premier Parks. The Hangman was relocated immediately to Marine World in Northern California, where it became known as Kong. The remainder of the attractions were moved to a field near Indianapolis, Indiana, where the company was prepared to revive the dormant Old Indiana Fun Park. Those plans were soon scrapped when Premier Parks purchased Six Flags and adopted its corporate name. The pieces of Opryland's attractions sat rusting in the Indiana field until 2002, when the site was sold. By 2006, the site was cleared, and it is now farmland. Some of the flat rides were sold for scrap metal, while the fate of many of the larger attractions remains unknown. However, in 2003, The Rock n' Roller Coaster was reassembled at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, where it became known as Canyon Blaster. One of the Wabash Cannonball's cars also appeared at a park in Belgium as part of a Halloween display.
The Opryland Themepark site was cleared and paved into a parking lot for Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry House by July 1999, while construction of the mall took place primarily on the site of the themepark's parking lot.
Great video,
Mitzi Buckner
CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE
I have one of my earliest memories going there ( and many times there after) at Opryland. It's forever a frozen time in my childhood. Now having two of my own little ones, I am sad they will never experience it.
I feel the exact same way. I really wish they would consider reopen the park elsewhere, or even replace the declining mall. Thanks for watching! I'd be thankful if you subscribe!
Will subscribe. I am taking my kids there next week to Opryland Hotel. The misses has a convention there for work, So we decided to join her, so I can show the kids the sites. I live in South Carolina now, but going up there for the week will mean a chance to show them what is, and explain what was.
Awesome! I think we're heading that way late this summer. We've talked about doing our "back to school" clothes shopping up there, and grab a room(s) while we're there.
Opryland Hotel is opening a waterpark that will be attached on the hotel. Something to consider
I worked for one of the companies building the addition on Opryland hotel back then.... the delta addition. The original plan was to put the river running through the hotel to the theme park so guests of the hotel could travel by boat to the theme park ,but then, the plans changed. Rumors I heard and I don't have any facts to back any of this up but I heard these floating around at the time was that half of haylord or more was lost at a game of cards to Harrah's Casino and then Harrah's made the decision to tear down Opryland and build a casino. The casino was never built ,but the mall was, and could be used as a casino if they could change the gambling laws in Nashville. And all I do know is that one of the stores in Opry Mills Mall before the flood of 2010 , was built like a vault to hold money, and if it still exists afyer the flood remodel , you can tell which one it is because your cell service dies while you're in there completely...
No facts but what I heard from the rumor mill then ....
Thanks for the video!! Growing up as a native Nashvillian, our family had season passes to Opryland, we'd go out there couple times a month on Sunday afternoon usually. Lots of great memories, we were all pissed off when when they closed it too.
One thing you didn't mention that made Opryland unique vs other theme parks were the shows. Yes, they had several different stages with live music scheduled at different times of the day. Never did watch the shows, we were kids back then and there to ride the roller coasters.
As for why it closed, Gaylord sold out to the almighty $$$$$. They could make more $$$$ with a shopping mall, Simon property group offered them A LOT of $$$$ to redevelop it into Opry Mills.
Some of the factors that I think other than money that led management to close was the rides did need an update. Most of them(except the Hangman) were the same ones there since the 1970's, compared to some of the Six Flags parks, King's Island in Cincinnati, they were behind the times. Didn't want to spend $$$ and like you said, nowhere to expand to. Also it is a royal PITA to try and find people to work the 3-4 months of the year the park is open, its a huge effort of time/$$$$ to maintain a theme park, overall it was just a hassle to run that the then new management at Gaylord wanted to wash their hands of.
I always wondered like so many others why it closed down. Loved it & it always got the nod over Dollywood.for me & my family.
Showing my 5yo what they tore down to build a MALL! Even he was upset! Haha. So many fun memories and sad there isn't a place like this around anymore. You would think after all this time some theme park would have been built here in Middle Tennessee.
There were all kinds of rumors before Covid! This is one of our earlier videos and it’s kind of cringe, but occasionally, over the past few years, there have been articles saying that they’re building a water park. But I haven’t heard anything since Covid. Thank you so much for watching and thanks for commenting!
Opryland was a good asset for conventions, you could bring your family too & drop em off at Opryland. Maybe some Nashville heavyweights will get together & build another similar park, if they can buy a large plot of land cheap..
I'm glad I got to go to Opryland a couple of times. It was fun, as far as I could remember.
I really enjoyed this video. My parents took me to Opryland around 1991. I was nine years old and I had a great time. It's hard to believe the park has been gone so many years now. Take care ✌🏻p.s. new subscriber here 👍👍
A few thoughts:
1. Correction to your remark about Dollywood only being a couple hours east of Nashville. As of modern-day 2019 with a speed limit drive, Dollywood is really a solid 4-hour drive. But that adds to your point that Dollywood should have had no effect on Opryland.
2. In my OPINION, Nashville has tried and I guess successfully moved the focus back to downtown. From bringing the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans to downtown and a new baseball park for the minor league Nashville Sounds and numerous new bars owned by celebrities I guess if that is what floats your boat then that is where you will want to be.
3. In my OPINION the malls including Opry Mills in the area are in decline probably mostly due to internet shopping and hassle factor. It used to be that you could be entertained and do your shopping in one location and you felt somewhat secure while doing it. I don't get that feeling anymore. Mall visits rarely if ever happen in our family anymore.
4. With that said, I do like Dollywood. Music, rides, and atmosphere are worth the 4-hour drive from Nashville, but you have to make it an overnight trip week/weekend.
5. Lastly, this part will likely not get better for a long time is TRAFFIC. Nashville traffic is HORRIBLE, It takes an hour or more most days from the suburbs to get into Nashville. You might as well add a couple more hours and drive to the Smokies. In my opinion its not true "Nashville" drivers on the road. I bet you that 7 out of 10 drivers stuck in the daily gridlock haven't lived in the Nashville area 10 years. Think about it folks before you move to Nashville. You have made a million on your house in California, if California is so great why are you leaving? So you can take that million and pay $350,000 cash for the same or better house here. Then you have $650,000 to party and drink at Blake Shelton's bar and get drunk for a long time. You can do other things like drive a pedal tavern around town, ride scooters around town, add to the gridlock here so you can get to the next party. Wonderful! Welcome to Nashville.
I remember visiting Opryland as a kid back in the mid to late 70's. Coming from Atlanta to there was a bit more than a two hour drive, but it was a destination which had many activities for everyone in the family. Is a shame they closed it, it would have been a wonderful weekend getaway to take my kids now.
As a kid I had season passes to Opryland I lived in Franklin so I was at opryland every weekend .
The massage chairs are awesome! I wanted to drive the train around the mall as a summer job. I miss Opryland and as a native of Nashville and Tennessee I have seen it all withe exception of three years in the Army I've seen all the change. I'm guessing you were there at closing time but you really ought to visit the mall in the daytime or a weekend you can't stir the with a stick. It seems to me like its wall to wall people and you're right most malls are dead. After the 2010 flood everyone was sure the mall would have died. My brother in law actually said," That mall's never coming back" and yet here it is. I think the reason this mall hasn't fail is because most of the stores are either exclusive like Build a Bear, Bass Pro Shop or the the stores are bargain oriented like instead say a store like Sak's 5th Avenue they are called of the Rack where they sell overruns and slight blemished merchandise. The have recently open a store called 5 and under where everything is ridiculously cheap I think that's the name. Anyway thanks for the video it brought back some good and no so good memories. The time my mom took me to the park and I talked her into the Lost Dutchman Mine where everything is an illusion she couldn't handle it. I thought she was going to lose it if we didn't get out thankfully it was one of those keep them moving kind of rides. There was the Winter of 97 and we were going to the park for Christmas and locked the car keys in the trunk. Yes we had to call a locksmith and it took all the money we had to pay the locksmith and we didn't get to go that year. Of course it closed in the Spring of 1998 and we never got to do another Christmas in the park.
Just found this video. I’m from Kentucky and I went to Opryland usually a couple of times a year. Sometimes more if I could get my parents on board. I loved it. Being two hours away it was a great day trip. The shows were amazing and they had shows from all music genres but the majority were country music. They were so professionally presented that even a rock and roller enjoyed them. Another commenter mentioned that it was a show park but it had lots of great rides as well. Not to mention it was a beautiful park. I too have tried to find out exactly why it closed but there is no concrete reason. And yes, I’ve heard that they don’t know why it closed and that it was a bad idea. I mentioned I went to Opryland twice a year. Been to the mall once. I wasn’t impressed and haven’t been back. Guess that’s worked out really well for the mall owners! So sad such a wonderful part of Tennessee history is gone forever.
Laurie Rose thanks for watching! Yea, the mall is sort of, meh...
i had a season pass for 2 years (89-91) for Opryland because I worked at the hotel and then transferred over to the General Jackson and I use to go there a lot on my days off or if I got off early off the boat.. I miss it and wish they would build it back.
Me too! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
bill
ShopryLand
Actually, most of the mall is in the Opryland parking lot. The park was mostly behind the mall. The main gate to the park ran through about where the Regal and IMax theater is located. For a long time, the remains of the Grizzly River Rampage ride, could be still be seen behind the mall.
I’m here now, my dad’s in the hospital. Nashville has the best hospitals, they take better care of their patients! I thought it was dumb to build another Mall, as if we didn’t have enough! I miss Opreyland’s theme park! I worked at the Gaylord Opreyland Hotel when I graduated from high school.
I love and miss Opryland so much. I think that the reason they chose to make it a mall was that they could simply be land "LORDS" and not have to run an amusement park. Maybe. In all likelihood it was a nefarious deal within a deal within a deal where a very few anonymous people walked away with a very large amount of money. They probably had zero stake in the cultural importance of Opryland or the future of the Opry Mills mall.
Makes sense that the company demolishing the park thought it was a bad idea. They just do what they are paid to do. At the end of the day it was all to benefit a bunch of greed heads sitting above towers of office cubicles. The money probably isn't even in the US anymore.
I personally HATE Opry Mills mall. It actually is astonishingly busy (I live near by) and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I can walk from one end to the other without seeing a single thing worth any real value (Except Bass Pro Shop, let's be honest.)
Anyway, thanks for all the cool shots from the park. Brings back old memories. Do you remember when they would do the special Halloween events, and drain Grizzly River Rampage to make the toxic waste Zombie tunnel? That was so cool. Now I'm sad. Where are my Dippin' Dots?
Grew up a couple of miles from a Opryland. Everyone in my family except my father worked their at one time or another, including me for 4 years. For Nashville high school kids it was the default place to get a job.
I had family that lived right off Briley Parkway, so we were there all the time. We miss it! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
Look, the only reason corporations make decisions to do ANYTHING, including the decision to demolish a successful theme park, is financial gain or loss. They either believe they will save money, or something else will be more profitable. The board probably voted and decided a mall would make more money. With malls on the decline, maybe one day they will decide that a theme park would be more profitable. I hope so, because I sure miss Opryland.
mjohnson007 great comment! Thanks for watching!!
Bill
Born and raised in Nashville, so Opryland is very familiar and greatly missed. Also greatly missed is its tiny predecessor, Fair Park, where I worked in the summer of 1965. Opryland was as much about the shows as it was about the rides, but the rides were still good. It was also one of the cleanest and best landscaped parks ever. Opryland and WSM were both owned by National Life insurance company. When National Life was acquired, the new owner had no desire to be in the broadcasting or entertainment business. Gaylord wanted the Opryland Hotel but not the park.
That's what I've heard from multiple credible sources. Not sure if I totally understand that mentality, but what do I know? I'm not a business tycoon! Thank you so much for watching and thank you for commenting!
bill
Bill Marion as I said, I have many pleasant memories of Opryland. I used to work in broadcasting. I once did a remote broadcast from Opryland for the Middle Tennessee State University public station, WMOT-FM. I had the chance to meet and interview a Roy Acuff for the broadcast. Roy was a charming old guy, just a bit dotty, who insisted on doing yo-yo tricks for me. They don’t tend to come over very well on radio. 😆. At least Opryland lasted long enough that both of my kids had the chance to enjoy it, too.
The only vacation I was ever on with my dad was at opryland. First theme park I had ever seen. In later year's my mom moved us to Hendersonville. Spent many days at Opryland.
It's was a great little theme park and I think they missed an opportunity! thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
bill
This year I got a hold of an old nails clipper from Opryland. I felt it was from the States but never imagined the history behind it. Shocking. Subcrided.
I loved Opryland..my grandparents took my sister's and I every year up until they closed.We would stay all day and after the majority of the people would leave everyday we would basically have the park to ourselves until closing time..My favorite rides were..*Cannon ball *Chaos*and hangman..also I learned how to drive on the tin lizzys ..
Man from the 80s to 96 I visited the park 3 times a year I became friends with a performer and I’m still friends with him he’s from the Cumberland boys group
I do believe they still have The General Jackson showboat there. It was part of Opryland.
Yes they do & it's really nice. My wife & I did the dinner show on it a couple of years ago.
I worked in TV news in Nashville at the time of the Opryland closing announcement. In fact, I was a season pass holder while I lived there. While I miss the park, I'm not sure closing it was necessarily a bad business decision. Here are a few reasons why. First, theme parks are heavily reliant on expansion and building things "bigger and better." Opryland was never really going to be able to do that without expanding to the other side of the Cumberland River. It was a relatively small park that was wedged between Briley Parkway and the River and had little ways to expand. 2. Gaylord Entertainment was concentrating on the hotel business and had a major expansion of the Opyrland Hotel at the time of the announcement and plans to build one in DC and Texas, which they eventually did. The mall was a partnership with the Mills Corporation and eventually Gaylord shed its ownership in the mall giving it more money to pursue other ventures. 3.) Nashville's tourism market was most likely changing and it is far different today than it was in 1997. Huge developments in downtown Nashville have become the primary destinations. 4.) Last, but not least. the park had flooded once before and if Opryland had been there in 2010, it would have flooded again, and I'm not sure a theme park would have been able to sustain another blow like that as restoring the mall was a much simpler task. In a kind of interesting twist, Dolly Parton and Gaylord had an agreement several years ago to build a "themed" park on the property, but Dolly eventually backed out. Now, Gaylord is building a water park addition to its hotel that looks impressive, but is designed just for guests.
Great comment! There are few comments from people who worked at Opryland at some point. A lot of them share your opinion. I still think Opryland could have expanded in place by replacing old rides with new ones, improving old rides, and enhancing the overall guest experience. I agree that Nashville is an amazing place to visit (I made a video about Nashville, Check it out!) but I don't think one had anything to do with the other. Opryland's fate wasn't tied to Nashville. After all, there was a time when downtown Nashville wasn't exactly what it is today. But it was tied to Country Music, and love it or hate it, Country Music is bigger now than when the park opened. That's why I think it was a bad decision. Nostalgia! To this day, Gaylord says it was a mistake to close the park. But let's be honest, I think that's probably lip service to fans of the old park. I hope the Water Park is amazing, and maybe in the new water park they'll tip their hat in some way to Opryland. Again, your comment is amazing, thank you so much for watching!
bill
Thanks. Your video was great. I will check out the others when I have time. The reason I mentioned the developments downtown was the fact that Gaylord was behind several of them. At the time Opryland closed, they had just renovated and reopened the Ryman Auditorium and the Wildhorse Saloon. They also were still operating the General Jackson Showboat and added Water Taxis to the downtown area. I think maybe they wanted to expand Opryland, but had their hands in too many projects to make that happen. The mall was actually better than I thought it would be, but it's still a mall and if I lived there, I probably wouldn't go often.
The park flooded the year it opened, and several times afterward.
Another reason I've read they closed the park (besides the want for something that could be open year round), was there was not any more room for the part to expand. It you look at it on the map its pinned between major road and a river. Expanding the part to bring in more money would have cost way too much.
We used to go to Opryland every couple summers. When I was a little kid I liked it. Wabash Cannonball was the first roller coaster I ever road. So I credit it with igniting my love of roller coasters. Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio being the place to go for roller coasters. When I got older Opryland didn’t really grow with the times. I would much rather spend another hour on the road and go to Six Flags Over Georgia. Now that I’m in my mid 40s I probably would prefer Opryland since I do miss the country music I was raised listening to. The pop/country of today just doesn’t really work for me. I do have a Gold Season Pass to Dollywood. It was an amusement park called Silver Dollar City before Dollywood. So it was already established as an East Tennessee attraction.
I agree that Opryland didn't keep up with the times, and they were simply out of room. But more than anything, there was no vision. Cedar Point is amazing. Six Flags over Ga is amazing at Christmas. It's one of our family's favorite traditions (the day after Christmas) until we moved to Va. What I think Opryland could have been instead of what it was. They had a solid theme, and a built in fanbase.
This video has done well on our channel, and if you look up other stuff about Opryland on TH-cam, it's the same. People loved Opryland. There was no vision. ANYWAY, thank you so very much for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
@@BillMarion I remember when Chaos was first released. It was like a huge step backwards. This was when roller coaster were starting to become hyper coasters they were going bigger, faster more inversions. Chaos was like Space Mountain at Disneyworld. A slow indoor special effects ride. I do have a soft spot for those type of coasters. Blazing Fury will always be one of my favorites at Dollywood. I actually rode it yesterday and I was the only one on the ride. Covid sucks, but amusement parks only letting in half the people means waiting in line isn’t a problem.
Great video I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and got to go to opryland it was awesome. Wish it was still there
Me too! Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
Tele's (Telecasters) are definitely THE definitive sound of country pickin'! It has an "out of phase" setting that makes a twangie sound renown the world over. Liked and subscribed.
I've owned two and I love them both. Thank you so much for watching and thanks for commenting!
Bill
Interesting fact: John 5 of Rob Zombie's band loves the Tele so much, it's the only guitar he is usually seen with (although, it has Humbuckers)...imagine that? See his video with his band John 5 and the Creatures "Hell Haw" for he strangest thing I have ever seen by a "Metal Guy"
I had to share this to my FB page because more Nashville folks should see this!
Dollywood has similar vibes. I grew up in Nashville, though. Nothing will ever touch Opryland.
I miss Opryland too! But thanks for watching and thank you for commenting!
Bill