ext April after a reorganization process. What does this ironic twist of fate mean? If America's theme-park goers are not ready for a park based on the glamorous lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll, maybe they are ready for the more spiritual option of a Jesus approved park? Is heathenism on the decline and piety on the rise? Are theme parks the appropriate venue for this debate to be playing out? This week I probed the blogosphere to explore the dichotomy of the two parks and uncover reasons for these two developments in the theme park world. Fascinated by this news, I chose to offer my personal opinions on two blogs, one regarding each park. The first post I commented on Soft Economy Crumbles Hard Rock: Myrtle Beach Park Declares Bankruptcy, Vows to Reopen in 2009 is written by Arthur Levine at About.com, a travel writer who specializes in the amusement industry. Levine offers possible reasons for Hard Rock Park's surprising closure. The second post, No Bible Park in My Community, which passionately discusses the sacreligiousness of a Bible-themed amusement park, is written by Michael Carpenter, pastor of Matthew's Table church in Lebanon, Tennessee. Carpenter is, understandably, disgusted by the prospect of this park coming to his community. I have conveniently provided my comments to these posts below as well as to the authors' blogs."Soft Economy Crumbles Hard Rock: Myrtle Beach Park Declares Bankruptcy, Vows to Reopen in 2009"
Comment:
Thank you for your pertinent post regarding your take on Hard Rock Park's unfortunate closure. I definitely agree that the high ticket prices and lack of advertising were factors in their failed inaugural season. As a resident of Los Angeles I would have had no idea the park even existed if I was not such a park-aholic like yourself and followed the park's development via theme park enthusiast websites. I have pondered though if Hard Rock's failure has more cultural reasoning behind it. One possible theory I have come up with is the popularity of classic rock. The park's target guests are, obviously, families, but how familiar are Led Zeppelin and Th
e Moody Blues to 9-year-old girls? It seems to me that in our current world of Miley Cyrus's and Zak Efron's that a park themed to classic rock would have a somewhat limited appeal. I would suggest Hard Rock consider adding a more contemporary spin to the park when it reopens. It seems to me that this park would have had more success in the early nineties when classic rock was making a comeback with the Wayne's World generation. In a past post on my blog, I consider the cultural implications of the new phenomenon known as "celebration vacations." This new trend could have also contributed to Hard Rock's failure. Is Hard Rock Park the place for birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions? It seems more like an entertainment for the locals rather than a travel destination. From what I have read about the lack of rides and attractions at the park, it is not enough alone to bring people into South Carolina who were not already going there or are the most dedicated of theme park enthusiasts. Undoubtedly, you have heard of the announcement on the 18th of the new religious-themed park, Bible Park USA, being built in Lebanon, Tennessee. I am wondering about your reaction to this park. I found it ironic that less than a week after the news of the Bible park being built, Hard Rock Park announced its closure. The failure of the "heathenism" that is a sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll influenced theme park, can only be a good omen for a Christian values based one. This alone brings up tons of cultural implications. With the economy in the state that it is, it does not seem like a good time to build a theme park, but maybe something as dramatically different as Bible Park USA, built in the heart of America's "Bible Belt," can be a success. Do you think the Midwest is ready for this attraction? Orlando's religious theme park, The Holy Land Experience, has had its controversies and financial problems since its opening in 2001, but it has never closed for an entire season. Faith-based tourism is not to be underestimated. Personally, I would only visit a Bible based theme park to witness the absurdity of it and am much more interested in going to Hard Rock Park. Considering my love of classic rock and the positive reviews from you as well as others, I truly hope that it reopens so I can do just that."No Bible Park in My Community'
Comment:
Thank you for your very passionate protest post against Bible Park USA. I sympathize with many of your sentiments and, given my experiences with church, must agree whole-heartily with C.S. Lewis's quote, “There exists in every church that sooner or later works against the very purpose for which it came into existence.” However, I am not sure it applies to this amusement park. Although I grew up in a religious family and agree that this theme park is a terrible idea, I would like to address you today as a scholar of popular culture and offer a response to the question you pose in your post, "where in making disciples does an amusement park fit in?" As you have stated in your post, consumerism is the dominant system that has evolved in today's corporate America, and perhaps religion needs to evolve in order to stay relevant in an ever-changing society. The modern ways that Christians experience their faith are essential in order for them to understand it, or perhaps they would just lose faith all together. A religious-themed amusement park is the next step in multi-media influenced religious consumption. Many Americans know nothing but consumerism, so this is a way they can experience and understand their religion within the constructs of today's society. Perhaps this park will help provide people with a better understanding of the lessons of the Bible. If one person's faith is confirmed or a Christian gains a better understanding of their religion via the park's attractions, than would that not be better than nothing? Today, people need reassurance, that extends into every aspect of life including religion. I realize this goes against the Christian aspect of faith, but people are just that, people, and people have doubts. Perhaps this park will be a vehicle for people to be reassured in their faith. If it is a success than it will prove that people are interested in consuming something more than what Disney has to offer. It is possible that the park will not be a "fake environment" as you suggest, but as real of an experience as the guest perceives it to be. Ultimately, whether Bible Park USA is sacrilegious or not is left up to the owners and individuals. If the owners have good intentions for the park and guests can explore their own faith by visiting it, than I believe there is a place in this country for it. Personally, however, I will not be making the journey to Lebanon to experience this attraction.
1 comment:
First of all, let me thank you for having one of the few blogs in the class that I can honestly say I look forward to seeing on "blog show day." I am also a great lover of amusement parks, and the experience that one gets at them, that childlike excitement that is so hard to come by the older we get, is something irreplaceable.
I have been to very few amusement parks myself, mostly just the classics like Disneyland, Six Flags, and various places around the general Seattle area, (where I am from). So, I am not the most experienced when it comes to the world of theme parks, but I have to say that every single one I've ever been to, (or heard about for that matter), has been geared toward kids. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that's what makes these places so special. A child's wonder is a beautiful thing, and has a special place in a person's development. If one were to grow up without believing that there was something beyond the drudgery of the actual, material world, then conceptual beliefs based in idealism would go out the window, and I believe that the world would be a worse place.
This being said, I agree wholeheartedly with you that the Hard Rock attraction is facing problems due to their lack of appeal to children. Theme parks, for the most part, are meant to be a family affair, right? Plus, as a fan of classic rock myself; I can't really imagine myself or my friends who share that passion being interested on going on the "Pink Floyd Roller Coaster" or something like that. The music is what it is on its own and doesn't need any cheesy attraction to go along with it. If anything, that would just distract from the beauty of the music.
Applying my thoughts on childhood wonder to the Bible Park USA: like you I have mixed feelings on a Bible-themed park having grown up in a nondenominational Christian household. On the one hand, it seems to take some of the importance and aura away from these stories that I grew up with, making them comparable to say, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Perhaps it will inspire some people to experience God in a more material, straight-forward way, but on the other hand, maybe it will put the Bible on the same level as a Steven Spielberg film. Let's hope not.
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