[PhantomBantam]

News provided by WPDE Ch.15 News (Florence/Myrtle Beach) 07/09/03

Application For Theme Park Filed

A large-scale theme park could be coming to Myrtle Beach. An application for a planned development district has been filed in Horry County. There is no official word on who is behind the request. The theme park group is looking at the area around Fantasy Harbor, behind the Waccamaw Pottery. An Horry County source told Team 15 that the project may get fast-track support if there is no opposition. But, according to the source, there are churches and businesses in the area that may need to be moved. Project officials had been waiting for construction on Highway 501 to be completed. Now, they are looking ahead to the future.

http://www.aroundsc.com/myrtlebeach/news.htm




Phantom here,

Disney already has the Disney Hilton Head Resort here in South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach area (on the opposite side of the state) has had hopes for a theme park to be located in the area. There were a few organizations interested in developing in the past but nothing became of it. There was even a rumor Disney had considered doing a park but Myrtle Beach's lack of interstate access and utility infrastructure was uninviting to such a venture, especially considering it's seasonal appeal in the past.

Now massive development throught the state's second fastest growing county, the addition of the new I-73 corridor, and the conversion of the old Air Force base to a new jet port all within the last 10 years has gotten a great deal of attention from developers and theme park organizers. I can only hope Disney is considering. But I worry SC is just too close to Florida. And that may mean Paramount/Universal type park.

We need Disney Class introduced to the Myrtle Beach area. So here's hoping.

[wdwspider]

I have been hearing increasing news and rumors pointing to the Pavilion theme Park becoming a real inland theme park and closing their near capacity park currently in the heart of Myrtle Beach. this would mean packing up most of the rides, selling or destroying some of the current ones and re-establishing themself as a real day-destination. This may sound crazy at first glance... however, the company who owns the Pavilion also owns several of the popular Putt Putt's, Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Waves, and the Nascar Restaurant and Speed Track. I'm not sure how many other franchise endeavers they have there hands in (possibly the local Planet Hollywood and former Grand Prix South seem to come to mind). Anyway they have propably been stockpiling money for some time and could easily afford to build a totally new park in a timely fashion with state of the art rides. With the business Myrtle Beach gets, income should be little problem after open. Anyway... this could be the potential buyer and it has been discussed at some length the past few years by the owners and Myrtle Beach Developers who would love to get their hands on the prime location freed up if the Pavilion were to leave their current spot.

Aside from that, Fantasy Harbor really needs a good boost. Broadway and Barefoot are thriving and Fantasy Harbor is hardly a Fantasy. :laugh

[Willbegone]

That is cool! With MB only 3 1/2 hours away from us up here in Upstate SC that would be a nice get away between WDW trips. We usually go to MB for Thanksgiving! (However this year we are driving to Hilton Head to go to the Disney resort) SC really is growing leeps and bounds and we have 2 of the other top growing counties up here, Anderson and Greenville! I think this is great news for our great Palmetto state as there are alot of people jobless right now.

Thanks for the news Phantom!

[WVWISEGUY]

Fantasy Harbor is definetly in need of a boost. Is anything there still open besides Medevial Times? We usually bypass this area due to we stay either north or south. It would be great for a good the,e park to open in MB. The Paviolion is to crowded and in my opinion too expensive.

Hoping for a great addition to the MB area:D

[fanatic720]

Since I live in South Florida the Orlando location is perfectlky fine for me, but all those people up north who make regular sojurns doen south to experience the magic would be happy for the convenience:love:

[jwdj4lfe]

Thats really interesting! My aunt, uncle and cousin are vacationing in Myrtle Beach right now as we speak! lol I got to ask them if they saw anything suspicous when they come back:nervous , lol. But I agree with you Phantom, I think South Carolina might be to close to Disney World. Maybe disney could just open a Water Park there? Who knows?! lol Keep us updated!!
Joe:)

[LRTJS]

This is very interesting as I have many relatives in SC some in Elgin and Rock Hill. It has been years since I have been to Myrtle Beach. I enjoyed it but did not think the beach could compare to Gulf Beaches. This would be a good thing to do when visiting relatives. Anyone know how far Elgin is? (It is near Columbia)

[PhantomBantam]

Well,

Elgin is like 20 miles from Columbia.

First of the rumors for the big ticket theme park was placing it on the property of what is now the "almost an eyesore" Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. It was also supposed to be an Aquarium type theme park. More like Sea World than Wet 'n Wild.

But then, we got the SC State Aquarium in Charleston and a new bond renewal for Riverbanks ZOO in Columbia who has a very nice aquarium exhibit. So, I think we shot our own foot on that one, allbeit Riverbank's makeover is remarkable and I've never been a prouder booster in my life.

http://www.riverbanks.org/

I find it surprising that we still have so many functioning water parks at Myrtle Beach, really. I always thought if you had a Beach you didn't need water park. But then again I still shake my head when I see beach front hotels with pools 10 yards from the surf...and people actually using them.

About the Pavillion....The corkscrew coaster was moved from the old Magic Harbor park, not to be confused with Fantasy Harbor, decades ago. And the Swamp Fox Coaster? (whew) That sucker is on the national registry....They already consolidated the seaside parks before. There used to be two of them a couple miles apart years ago.

I think moving the last of the amusement rides would do more damage than good...I mean just to the image. The place is a mob scene of posers and unfortunate families that get caught up in it. I try to avoided it when I can. As you say, its really too small (capacity) for the sheer volume of visitors that flock to this area. But its that mob scene, itself, that people seem to want to be apart of. I remember driving "the strip" in my '73 Mach 1 convertible Mustang bach in my highschool years...very cool.

Someone could get rich. That property next to Waccamaw Pottery is sweet, it could include properties near the Itercoastal waterway and possibly the track rights to the old Waccamaw Rail line. Wouldn't that be a hoot to see an old steam engine making its way down 501. Hee hee!

[PhantomBantam]

Theme Park Planned for Fantasy Harbour

By MITCH DAVIS
WBTW News 13
http://www.wbtw.com/MGB58ZBHWHD.html

News 13 has learned of what could be a major step for tourism in Myrtle Beach. A group of investors and landowners are trying to bring a regional theme park to Fantasy Harbour. Horry County Zoning Administrator Roland Meyer confirms that plans were filed last week for a theme park on the site.

Signs for the rezoning hearing were posted just today along the property. The plan calls for 150 acres to be rezoned to a planned development district for the theme park. Of that, about a third would be for the actual park - the rest for parking.

The group of investors is operating under the names Rosen Investments, LLC or Fantasy Harbour Theme Park, FHTP LLC. They're headed up by John Binkowski of Orlando, Florida. Binkowski is a theme park consultant and attraction producer. He says Myrtle Beach is the natural place for a regional theme park. He points to a booming summer tourist season here, and the recent construction of roads around the Fantasy Harbour area.

But Binkowski won't say which, if any, theme park company is interested in the area. He says the landowners in the area are applying for the rezoning in anticipation of the best use for this land. But he does say that in the theme park industry, Myrtle Beach is looked at as the last market that could support a regional attraction.


Phantom here,

You know using words like Orlando, Florida get you all excited. Anyone know this Binkowski guy. He sound like an employee of Monster's INC. I found a refrence to John Binkowski as being associated with producing some coaster/theme rides with Sea World.

[Willbegone]

This is getting more and more exciting by the minute! Thanks for keeping us posted Phantom. The news up here hasn't mentioned it YET.

[wdwspider]

What about the owners of Wild Adventure parks in Ga. They were trying to buy the defunct Cypress gardens recently and seem very keen on expanding into other areas? Also, a Busch gardens could be cool in the Myrtle Area. They own Seaworld too, although I doubt SeaWorld would come Busch Gardens seems possible.

[DisneyAnne]

I just can't imagine a Disney theme park in South Carolina, but I would be the first to admit I was wrong if that's the case. Burroughs & Chapin is the company that holds so much of the theme property in Myrtle. I have a friend that works there that I have been trying to get in touch with but to no avail. If I find anything out, I'll let y'all know.

Man, would the folks in Texas be disappointed...I know the rumor has always been that they would get the next Disney project. :nervous

[PhantomBantam]

Doesn't look Disney anymore. I mean it could be but...

Here's the link on John Binkowski and his promotions company working on this deal.

http://www.renaissance-ent.com/


It may still be a big Outfit that produces the park but I'm fairly sure Disney would have their own reps on something like this...or rather they would not use a company like this.

Now... who's looking to pick a fight by putting a Coaster Park between Paramount Carowinds and 6 Flags over Georgia?

Spider gets the nodd, Anheuser-Busch looks about right.

[PhantomBantam]

DisneyAnne,

Does Burroughs & Chapin also own all that Barefoot Landing stuff?

They just open a huge reptile zoo and expanded their Coastal Golf Properties out there. That's alot of New Construction for a group. Was wondering if they (Barefoot) may dabble to the next level.

[PhantomBantam]

Here is a bit of information about the Old Pavillion apparently there may be a bit of activity at the old sea side park location after all.




Posted on Fri, Jul. 11, 2003

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld...ss/6279754.htm

DRC accepts ideas for Pavilion site
Redevelopment could become reality by 2004
By Dawn Bryant
The Sun News


Details of a redevelopment plan at The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park could be ready by the end of this year.

The Downtown Redevelopment Corp. is accepting proposals from developers that want to transform the 11-acre site into one that generates more year-round traffic. Officials are being quiet about what that development may be, but have said it could include a unique mix of shopping, residences, a hotel, restaurants, entertainment and other amenities.

"It could be any number of things, really," DRC Executive Director Dave Sebok said. "It's wide open."

Whatever the development, it would drastically change the face of Myrtle Beach's downtown.

"I don't want more of what we've got," said Myrtle Beach City Councilman Chuck Martino, who also is a DRC member. "I'm assuming when it comes out, it's going to be something we haven't seen before."

But moving forward on the plans will depend on Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc., which owns the Pavilion and the land it sits on. B&C hasn't yet agreed to move the park, saying it will depend on whether the redevelopment plans would achieve the goal of generating year-round business downtown.

The Pavilion has been a staple on the Boulevard for half a century, and some locals and tourists have urged leaders not to abandon that history. But it's open for the summer only, leaving a prime piece of property dormant for most of the year.

"We look forward to seeing what they come up with," said B&C spokesman Pat Dowling.

Sebok is working with seven developers from across the country on the plans, although he and other DRC members declined to name them. Each proposal will be judged on whether it could extend the season, diversify the market, spread value to nearby properties and create an icon for the area. Proposals must be submitted by September.

B&C considered moving the Pavilion in the late 1990s, but the city persuaded the company to keep the park on Ocean Boulevard. The company added a $5 million roller coaster in 2000.

Finding the right combination to replace the amusement park will be a challenge, said DRC member Julien Springs.

"That is a tough task to find that type of thing that can go there," he said. "The Pavilion has been such a mainstay."


Phantom here,

I bet things have gotten a little more complicated with the new Theme Park looming.