Travel Review: Hard Rock Park - The Birth of a Rock 'n' Roll Theme Park - Page 2

British Invasion

Next, guests can hop across the pond to the British Invasion area. Complete with red London phone booths where guests will receive calls from the likes of Sgt. Peppers and a Magic Mushroom Garden this is the possibly the park's best themed area. Most will be immediately drawn to Maximum RPM! It's a first-of-its-kind roller coaster that features a unique lift mechanism that resembling a ferris wheel or in this case, the London Eye.

Like the park's other attractions, music is infused into several aspects of the ride. Guests waiting in the air-conditioned queue line will be treated to 80's New Wave karaoke performances from volunteers in line. So, if by chance the line moves slowly, at Nights in White Satin The Tripleast you'll get to hear some guy murder an old Duran Duran song. Once aboard the British sports cars, riders will get to choose a song for their lift and for the rest of the ride.

British Invasion is also home to the dark ride Nights in White Satin The Trip. It's a psychedelic 3D journey into the Moody Blues classic song with some great imagery. There's also the Roadies Stunt Show, a London cab-themed spinning ride, and a groovy 60's style restaurant complete with authentic English food like bangers with mash. There's even an Austin Powers look-a-like with two babes on his arms entertaining the masses.

Born in the USA

Located, in the Born in the USA section, Hard Rock Park's Live Amphitheater holds up to 10,000 fans that have already enjoyed acts like The Eagles and Kid Rock. It's set to feature a summer full of acts to round out the rock experience. Shake Rattle 'n' Rollercoaster is the park's kiddie coaster. It will be a good attraction for parents who want to ride with their kids and it even features a parent swap area in the station.

Hard Rock ParkSlippery When Wet is a suspended roller coaster adjacent to the Kids Rock! State Park. It's a camp-themed area that includes rock climbing, rope bridges, forts, and water play areas. On Slippery When Wet four person cars are lifted five stories in the air then released to begin a winding path over the water play area below. Meanwhile, onlookers can man large water canons and take aim at the riders flying overhead.

As with most attractions, Hard Rock Park, adds an innovative spin to this concept. While riders are in danger of getting sprayed, they do have a way to retaliate. Every car features a green button that sends a radio signal to shower the heads above the people who are using the canons. The buttons weren't operational when I was there, but it sounds like revenge will be sweet.

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Article Author: The Coaster Critic

The Coaster Critic is a coaster enthusiast that loves reading and writing reviews of all kinds. Recently, he decided to merge his passions for coasters and writing by starting a theme park blog. Currently, he's ridden nearly 200 roller coasters and visited more than 30 theme parks. …

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Article comments

  • 1 - April Batten

    Aug 04, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    I was very skeptical about HRP until I went for the first time in July. It was very cool!! The best part is they have great rides w/ very little wait time. It is so worth the money and you can ride every ride in the park and not have to wait half the day to do so.

  • 2 - megan

    Aug 10, 2008 at 6:39 pm

    my family just got back from hrp... 5 aug 08... the best advise i can give is ... DO NOT GO!!!... its to expensive for what few rides they have ( in which those arent even very good).. within an hour my family was bored.. hot.. and very mad.. hardrock has alot of balls to charge what they do for crap!!!.... save your money and avoid this park!!!!!!! its a joke and a rip off!!!!

  • 3 - Ken

    Aug 24, 2008 at 11:24 pm

    Folks, you can't expect a brand new Park starting out to have as much as larger established parks but it does have more to do then just rides alone such as shows&bands,Give this Park time to add more rides and expand,it will be a hit in years to come. Cedar Point did'nt start out with what it has today.

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