[DiscoverMB]

Good morning, all! Sorry we were MIA most of yesterday. Meetings, meetings, meetings.

New park officials have said that annual passholders will be able to use them for 2009 at no extra cost. We are unclear if this also refers to the season passes which were issued after the park opened in June. New annual passes will be about $75.

Ticket prices are expected to drop to about $35-$40. We've heard $39.

Also, the park would like to spend about 15 million to develop the park further by the Memorial Day Weekend opening. They plan to add more children's rides this year and bigger rides in 2010.

The park is hoping for about 9,000 visitors a day totaling 800,000 for the year. They will also be hiring 750 workers. No foreign workers will be hired.

Last year, the park employeed some 2,000 people including foreign workers from russia and its neighboring countries as part of a foreign work exchange.

What are your thoughts on the new position?

[philly girl]

Good morning, all! Sorry we were MIA most of yesterday. Meetings, meetings, meetings.

New park officials have said that annual passholders will be able to use them for 2009 at no extra cost. We are unclear if this also refers to the season passes which were issued after the park opened in June. New annual passes will be about $75.

Ticket prices are expected to drop to about $35-$40. We've heard $39.

Also, the park would like to spend about 15 million to develop the park further by the Memorial Day Weekend opening. They plan to add more children's rides this year and bigger rides in 2010.

The park is hoping for about 9,000 visitors a day totaling 800,000 for the year. They will also be hiring 750 workers. No foreign workers will be hired.

Last year, the park employeed some 2,000 people including foreign workers from russia and its neighboring countries as part of a foreign work exchange.

What are your thoughts on the new position?

I think it is really great. As much as I like to work with alot of the foreigners we really do have to take care of our own first since unemployment is third in the country. Prices seem to be good as well. Has anyone heard about the parking yet.?????? I also think if there were some really good bands like well,known ones this would also help the park as well. maybe charge a little more for those special events. Just my opinion

[rockstar]

But everybody has their own ideas about the park. I just dont believe it is going to be able to run all summer long with 750 people. And I highly doubt that they are going to be able to get any of the shows up and running. There is too little time and too much to be done. But we will just have to wait and see. But I do want to see this park succeed.

[philly girl]

[quote name='rockstar' date='Feb 19 2009, 05:07 PM' post='6442']
But everybody has their own ideas about the park. I just dont believe it is going to be able to run all summer long with 750 people. And I highly doubt that they are going to be able to get any of the shows up and running. There is too little time and too much to be done. But we will just have to wait and see. But I do want to see this park succeed.
[/quotewell


well I just heard on the news that they may even hire up to 1000 people to start with and they know they will be loosing money this year but are making every effort to make a comeback for next year. We never know what goes on behind the scenes. I am sure there will be more to come.

We just have to wait and see.

[gbrooks135]

I just dont believe it is going to be able to run all summer long with 750 people.

well lets see here when the park first opened they were running 3 shifts a day in the merchandise store's, (at least the one my wife work in) that was giving the employees about 5 hours a day shifts that could be cut down to 2 shifts a day, so they would not need to hire 2,000 or more people if they cut the 3 shifts a day down to 2 shifts. now I don't know how they had the shifts set up in the rides or foods but if they were trying to do 3 there also they could cut out a lot of people that they don't need and give the hours to the ones that they do hire. that is my 2 cents

[rockstar]

They have to use approximately 1000-1500 people to keep the park up and running. I mean even if they do two shifts or less, 750 is not a big number. And that is also including management, supervisors, and stage managers. That alone can run up to 150 people. 100 people for entertainment, 25 for games, 100 or so for food and beverage, 75 for merchandise, 25 for technicians, 25 for mechanics, 25 or so for maintenance, 10-20 for guest services, 10-15 for kodak, and about 30 or so for security. I mean the numbers just keep adding up.

I know I have mentioned to philly girl before that there are already many that has already been hired. But my question is, are they using those people to add up with that total? From what I thought I last heard, they were suppose to hire 750 plus all of those that has already been rehired. So this can go many ways.

You have to hire enough people so that everybody can not only at least get to work 5 days a week, but also have enough people in case some dont show up, that there are others to call. I had to deal with that issue all last year. People not showing up, others had to be called in. It is a big hastle, but as long as you have enough workers in each area, it will work out fine. But 750 still just is not enough in my book. At least consider doubling that and I will say okay, I can see it working out.

Lets just see what their thoughts are on this. I just hope those that are already getting rehired are not added to the 750 they are looking for.

[ohioboy]

They have to use approximately 1000-1500 people to keep the park up and running. I mean even if they do two shifts or less, 750 is not a big number. And that is also including management, supervisors, and stage managers. That alone can run up to 150 people. 100 people for entertainment, 25 for games, 100 or so for food and beverage, 75 for merchandise, 25 for technicians, 25 for mechanics, 25 or so for maintenance, 10-20 for guest services, 10-15 for kodak, and about 30 or so for security. I mean the numbers just keep adding up.

I know I have mentioned to philly girl before that there are already many that has already been hired. But my question is, are they using those people to add up with that total? From what I thought I last heard, they were suppose to hire 750 plus all of those that has already been rehired. So this can go many ways.

You have to hire enough people so that everybody can not only at least get to work 5 days a week, but also have enough people in case some dont show up, that there are others to call. I had to deal with that issue all last year. People not showing up, others had to be called in. It is a big hastle, but as long as you have enough workers in each area, it will work out fine. But 750 still just is not enough in my book. At least consider doubling that and I will say okay, I can see it working out.

Lets just see what their thoughts are on this. I just hope those that are already getting rehired are not added to the 750 they are looking for.

Well Rockstar I must say I think their are a couple factors that you and the previous regime are taking for granted. The park has not announced hours, which could drastically change how many workers you hire. They may outsource their marketing and accounting departments. According to the bankruptcy papers all of the liscensing together costs $10 million dollars, they may not keep the Eagles, Zeppelin, or Moody Blues names. That would save them 7.5 million dollars alone. As for getting the entertainment department up and running I have no idea what that takes but operations if hired soon can get the ticketing, rides, park services materials, and hiring all up and running within the allowable time. I think the X factor is really the Hard Rock Park name. If they get the name secured they have all the merchandise ready and waiting to be sold ( 4 Million dollars worth according to the bankruptcy papers). The only thing I question given a few factors is how they plan on buying and constructing childern's rides unless they are of the carnival variety in 3 months.

[legend211]

The new group has a solid plan in place and is going to do everything they can for the locals. Make the locals happy and they will bring in the tourist.

[legend211]

They say that they would like to spend 15 million to develop the park by Memorial Day. 15 million really is not enough to get this park up and running. Understand that if they keep the HR name, that is 2.5 million in licensing. So now we are down to 13.5. Also take into consideration that we also have the Eagles, Moody Blues, and Led Zeppelin that we had licensing agreements with. Nothing has ever been stated as to the licensing prices for those rides along. Lets say that it is about 5 million total. That still leaves us with 7.5. Just to get the current roller coasters back up and running, it is going to take at least a good million or more just for parts to get those rides ready. Plus marketing, hiring new people, all that other stuff.

As far as 750 workers, during out peak summer time last year, the park had 2600 workers employed. When they started laying off people in the end of July, we still ended up with 1800 before we got into September. 750 is not a lot of people. For each regular ride, you need 3 people to work them. The roller coasters need anywhere from 3-6 people. Attractions have to have between 2-6 people working those stations. Games requires 30 people a day to work them.... So on and so forth. According to last years statements, they had between 600-750 people working a day. A DAY! How can you hire 750 people and expect the park to be running efficiently? It just does not work. They are going to have to hire a lot more people than 750 to keep this park working on a daily basis.

As to my thoughts on the idea, I agree with the 15 million development money, and the 750 workers. There is no way you can get the park up and running at 15 million with 750 workers. It is not going to happen. I know in the Entertainment Department ALONE has roughly 250 people working in that department. You cant just downgrade everybody and expect them to work 7 days a week. It is just not going to fly.

Another thing with the local issue. If they simply plan on hiring locals, it is highly doubtful that any of the shows will be running this year. Roadies, sure. Malibu, maybe. Country, impossible. There is few, if any, that lives here that are professional skaters. And if they decide to hire contracted people, the park owes the contracted company 250 THOUSAND! It is just an ongoing battle right now. But if they manage to keep this park going through till even October, well, they sure did prove a lot of us wrong.

I really do wish to see this park succeed though. It is an amazing park, and I really dont want to see anything happen to it.

I almost never make comments on the site and DiscoverMB knows why but I just could not help mysef this time. First the number of people needed to run the park is flexible but I can tell you there were way to many to run a park of that size and to many upper management for sure making huge salaries no less. Entertainment 250 people you got to be kidding me so they can sit around doing nothing again. Baker Leisure has had huge sucesses all over the world, they have a solid plan to work with and listen to the locals. Get the locals and they will spread the word to the tourist. Now as far as the 15 million that is money for improvements, that money does not go to things that are already in place. New rides, improving the over look of the park, providing lots of shaded areas for people to sit and eat and enjoy the park.

[rockstar]

Hey dont get all hussy with me. There are many other people that I have talked to that already got their jobs back that feel like they are going to regret the decision. Me personally, a job is a job. As long as the money flow is still coming in, then so be it.

But yes, last year we DID have 250 people working entertainment. You make it seem like its such a big number and all, but you are also not looking at the behind the scenes footage and all the people it takes to run and operate shows and such. Plus, as far as those that perform in the shows and such, you have to double that number so that there are two groups of people working in the shows so that others can get days off. There is more to entertainment than what people see, and its a lot harder area to run than what you think. Thats why I said also, that if they stick with at least 100 people for the time being, that will be enough for us to get on our feet for the moment. But at the same time, that more than likely will keep a show or two from performing. There is no way that the Ice House show is going to play out this year, unless we have outside contract. And it is almost entirely the same for Malibu. So there are many factors to take into consideration for all of this.

[ohioboy]

Hey dont get all hussy with me. There are many other people that I have talked to that already got their jobs back that feel like they are going to regret the decision. Me personally, a job is a job. As long as the money flow is still coming in, then so be it.

But yes, last year we DID have 250 people working entertainment. You make it seem like its such a big number and all, but you are also not looking at the behind the scenes footage and all the people it takes to run and operate shows and such. Plus, as far as those that perform in the shows and such, you have to double that number so that there are two groups of people working in the shows so that others can get days off. There is more to entertainment than what people see, and its a lot harder area to run than what you think. Thats why I said also, that if they stick with at least 100 people for the time being, that will be enough for us to get on our feet for the moment. But at the same time, that more than likely will keep a show or two from performing. There is no way that the Ice House show is going to play out this year, unless we have outside contract. And it is almost entirely the same for Malibu. So there are many factors to take into consideration for all of this.

The only problem I think your running into rockstar is that you keep looking it at as how things were done before. Some amusement parks have shows with days off, allowing one crew with a few back ups for various issues that will arise. If they felt a show was important enough to run it everyday or lots of times a day they could double the crew but they wouldn't have to do this for all shows. I will also be interested in seeing the amount of street performers they will have, if any. The old management believed this added alot to the park, im not sure the guests saw the value.

[TheInsider]

The new owners are already doing things which are in poor judgement.

1.) Price - The new price will be about $39.00. After Hard Rock Park opened, the price was dropped to $39/person. Yes, it was for NC/SC residents, but even that target group did not go to the park.

2.) Rides - Even though they will be adding new children's rides, this will not be enough to win over guests. Since they only have three months to get the park ready, there is no way they can get rides built in a timely manner unless they are carnival rides. Carnival rides are not what the park needs.

3.) Jobs - The majority of positions the park will be offering are low paying, attendant type positions. (ride operators, food servers, etc). The higher paying jobs will not be made available in most cases. Not all cases, but most.

Keep in mind we have not seen anything in concrete just yet

[philly girl]

[quote name='TheInsider' post='6476' date='Feb 23 2009, 12:50 PM']The new owners are already doing things which are in poor judgement.

1.) Price - The new price will be about $39.00. After Hard Rock Park opened, the price was dropped to $39/person. Yes, it was for NC/SC residents, but even that target group did not go to the park.

2.) Rides - Even though they will be adding new children's rides, this will not be enough to win over guests. Since they only have three months to get the park ready, there is no way they can get rides built in a timely manner unless they are carnival rides. Carnival rides are not what the park needs.

3.) Jobs - The majority of positions the park will be offering are low paying, attendant type positions. (ride operators, food servers, etc). The higher paying jobs will not be made available in most cases. Not all cases, but most.

Keep in mind we have not seen anything in concrete just yet[/qu


So where will the higher paying jobs be????

[Roomfr2]

Wow ... Its been pretty quiet on here today .. Any news or updates ?

[gbrooks135]

This is now up on the www.hardrockpark.com web site
With the events that have recently taken place, we are happy to announce that FPI MB Entertainment LLC plans to reopen the Park on Memorial Day Weekend 2009!
FPI MB Entertainment LLC (FPI MBE) has successfully closed on its purchase of substantially all of the assets of Hard Rock Park and are currently working toward the grand re-opening in May. In total, FPI MBE members collectively have more than 100 years in the attractions and entertainment industry and are fully committed to the successful reopening and operation of the Park. There is much to do in order to get the park ready and our team is already hard at work.

To make sure you stay in the know, keep checking this site for the latest news and happenings leading up to Memorial Day Weekend!

For more information please call 843.236.7625 or email us at info@HRMBPark.com

so dose this mean they are getting to still use the hard rock name?

Raymond where are you? you have been too quiet here the last couple of days

[TheInsider]

They may have updated the text, but the graphics are all broken now. Nice job.

[DiscoverMB]

It appears to be working now, but I did notice the broken images on the homepage earlier. I didn't want to be the one to bare the bad news. LOL.

gbrooks, I'm right here, keeping an eye on everything. We've been working on getting the new site online.

[philly girl]

This is now up on the www.hardrockpark.com web site
With the events that have recently taken place, we are happy to announce that FPI MB Entertainment LLC plans to reopen the Park on Memorial Day Weekend 2009!
FPI MB Entertainment LLC (FPI MBE) has successfully closed on its purchase of substantially all of the assets of Hard Rock Park and are currently working toward the grand re-opening in May. In total, FPI MBE members collectively have more than 100 years in the attractions and entertainment industry and are fully committed to the successful reopening and operation of the Park. There is much to do in order to get the park ready and our team is already hard at work.

To make sure you stay in the know, keep checking this site for the latest news and happenings leading up to Memorial Day Weekend!

For more information please call 843.236.7625 or email us at info@HRMBPark.com

so dose this mean they are getting to still use the hard rock name?

Raymond where are you? you have been too quiet here the last couple of days

Oh yes he is here alright and is keeping an eye on everything LOl I know right Raymond. LOL LOL

[DiscoverMB]

And for the record, I did not make those changes to the HRP website, which casuesd it to break. I am not involved with their site at the moment.

[jarmor]

price should be 34.99 tops... and there shoould be a kids pricing of 24.99.

I hope they install a water ride with those kids rides but I would rather a themed water ride...so wait until 10