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OPRYLAND USA

Postcard images collected from Ebay of the (closed) Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee. Please visit my Nashville Tennessee Websites which includes Nashville Memories and my other photo galleries
Here is a great website for more Opryland USA Memories and a timeline for the park and a Yahoo Club for Opryland Memories.

Jacques		16-Jul-2008 02:28
I was at Opryland theme Park in 1993 I'L always remember Tim Watson playing the violin,I thought he played so well.

Charles		13-Jul-2008 10:15
i'm a grown man & this brought tears too my eyes..i used 2 have season passes & every summer my friends& I would go every single weekend! One of my friends even wrote this in my middle school yearbook "C-Ya at Opryland Sunday"... Ahh, memories... I love & miss ya Opryland!

Jennifer		10-Jul-2008 15:26
I feel the same way as all of you do. It makes me so sad to think that Opryland is no longer around. I just can't believe that they would tear it down for a mall! What a shame. I heard rumors that it was because tourism was down. I find that hard to believe... everytime i went (1-2 times every year) it was always crowded. I had such great memories there and i wanted to one day share them with my family, but now I won't get to... PLEASE BUILD OPRYLAND BACK!!!

Denise		03-Jul-2008 03:53
My family moved to Franklin in 1976. I went to Opryland every summer until 1990 when I moved away. I knew Opryland had closed (my family still lives in TN) but I never knew what happened to it. I did a Google search tonight and was shocked and deeply saddened to see a satellite picture of a parking lot and "the remains of the Grizzly River Rampage." How awful that Opryland is gone! One of my favorite memories is the day I went to Opryland with my friend and it started raining....hard. All the rides shut down, but that didn't stop us from having fun. We took off our shoes and ran through the park splashing through all the puddles...soaked to the bone! heavy sigh Thanks for the pictures and resurfacing my childhood memories.

Eve		12-Jun-2008 15:01
Jeremy, I'm with you! I loved visiting with my family as a child! Now that I have a family of my own, I won't be able to make the memories with them. I too wish we could bring it back!!!!

Jeanie		11-Jun-2008 15:01
It would be nice to have Opryland back now that the gas is so high. Especially for those who lives in Tennessee. It makes me sick when I think of it being demo'd for a mall then letting some of the most popular rides rust to their death. I just don't understand. There was talk of another park being built south of Nashville but...it would take years to get it to the level of Opryland. I hope Gaylord canned the one that came up with the idea to destroy it.

Jon		28-May-2008 05:26
My parents met (and later married) while performing on the original cast of "I Hear America Singing" at Opryland in 1973. If I recall correctly, Jim Varney (know what I mean Vern/tn personality) was also on the original cast. If anyone has any pics or a video from 73 or 74, I would be very interested in viewing. email:concert_productions@hotmail.com

Alan - "Daffy"		19-May-2008 15:53
I worked 3 years at Opryland from 1989 - 1991, somewhere around there. My base was Rock N Roller Coaster and it was the best job I ever had! So much fun! I remember playing the phone tag and people eating pizza and then coming over to the "Little Deuce Coupe" and throwing up. LOL! Remember ZEP? We were responsible for cleaning that mess up. One year it flooded and inside the Deuce Coupe were these horrid HUGE spiders that would try and crawl up the walls and then fall on people. I remember doing trivia with the crowd and clowning around with them while they waited and playing the "Air Brake Boogie" on the air brakes in time with the music. The break room under the coaster that had the coldest air conditioning in the free world. Using the water hose to wet our hair on those days it was over 100 degrees. Working the other rides in the park. My nickname was "Daffy" because one of the girls said I reminded her of Daffy Duck being clumbsy and such. Nobody knew my real name! I answered the phone that way. I still have my jacket and the operations manuals with "Daffy" written in them. Remember the groupies? The local kids with season passes that would follow you around. Gosh I could go on for hours. Such wonderful memories of an innocent time. Would love to hear from Carol and Ginger and all those kooks I worked with that were so much fun. email me at 2agray@charter.net

Derek Hall		14-May-2008 02:29
My wife of 16 years now and I worked there from 1983 until 1988.We have been together ever since.I love the memories we have from there.if anybody has something from the Country Kettle i would love to see it.We should have a reunion of people who worked there.

jeremy		24-Apr-2008 21:16
These memories are so good that I just want to cry. It's a complete shame that the next generation doesnt get to share the magic that was Opryland. What can we do to bring it back?!!!!!!

Candy Solomon		15-Apr-2008 02:50
Candy I miss the park to I was an area hostess around Country Music USA 1986 to 1989 I wish they would not have closed it.

Roger Farley		05-Apr-2008 20:00
I remember working at Opryland my Jr. year in high school.My friend and I worked in the parking lot.I drove the tran , and sometimes rode on back and had to say my spill on the speaker.Welcome aboard the Third National Bank,Operyland tram.Please remain setted and keep arms and legs inside tran at all times.lol.I really miss the park, my family have had so many good times through the years it was here.Opryland will always have a special place in my heart.

Guest		27-Jan-2008 23:57
My father worked for an airline and when I was a little girl he took my family to Opryland for the day! We left home in Philly early in the morning and were there when the park opened and then flew back home that night. My favorite ride was the train ride through the park. It sure is sad that it's gone.

Mike Watkins		27-Jan-2008 06:45
Thanks for the pictures of one of the greatest theme parks ever!! As I go through things at home I will run across items from Opryland and it takes me back to the good old days. My Mother and I went there for the first time in 1973 and from that point on I went at least once (more like 3 or 4 times) a year. Even though it was a 3 hour drive (from Princeton, IN) it was always well worth it!! As soon as I got my driver's license my friends and I would go to the park for the day or a weekend. I used to like to come down by myself and stay for 2 or 3 days and spend the whole time at the park. My favorite shows were the early shows on the Showboat stage and the I Hear America Singing show. I look at my still photos of those shows and wish I had videos of those shows that I so enjoyed!!!!! I've been to both Disney World and Disney Land and while I like both of them I would take Opryland over them any day! As many have said in their comments, I too have no use for Opry Mills. If it Gaylord decided they were going to tear Opry Mills down and reopen Opryland I would be first in line with a bulldozer!!!! My friend and I stayed at the Opryland Hotel a few years ago and walked over to Opry Mills. As we walked through remmnants of the park I stopped and dreamed about the good times I had there and wished that I was there again. If anyone has videos of the Showboat or I Hear America Singing shows and could share them, please let me know. Mike Watkins, connaway1@gmail.com

Don		23-Jan-2008 15:43
I also miss the park I once had the chance to go in May of 1983 with my eighth grade class as a 14 year old but didn't in the summer of 1993 as a 24 year old I didn't pass it up my kid sister,her boyfriend,and my niece all went and really enjoyed it so much that we also returned the next summer of 1994 I always wanted to go as a kid but never got to but nevertheless I did as a young adult and at least now have those memories I wish it were still here for my wife and children to experience and enjoy it was what Nashville was all about such a shame a greed took away such a wonderful place

Sam		22-Jan-2008 19:42
Actually it was built of 28 million according to what I can find by Life & Casualty. I more than agree though, most idiotic move Nashville and Tennessee ever made was allowing Opryland to be closed. I have many memories and they almost bring me to tears. What a shame it is not to be able to take my daughter and create memories that would she would treasure just as I do.

Ernie Aguilar		06-Jan-2008 17:43
Can you believe Opryland was built for One Million Dollars!, Today, you couldn't get the parking lot built for that. What a smart guy, the Brittish guy who closed Opryland and built a Mall in place of it. Alot of people got their start in show business there. The whole thing is a shame. Nashville can't seem to get a break. With a redneck police force, and a mayor who brings the worst football team in the NFL to the city. It is just a plain shame

Janet		03-Jan-2008 20:50
Janet I worked at Opryland from 1985-1988 in the live entertainment dept.(audio engineer) All your comments and photos take me back to a great time in my life. I was fortunate enough to work around so many talented entertainers, many who are still have their hand in music today. In fact I was trying to see if there was a list of old employees on the internet when I came across this site. I would love to talk to some of the guys that worked in the audio dept years ago. Like most things in life, we don't really appreciate something till it is a fond memory to us and I do have some very fond memories of this place.

dinamaya		14-Dec-2007 01:02
I worked at Opryland USA in the show I HEAR AMERICA SINGING in 1978. It was a great experience all the way around. I met many wonderful people that I regret I have lost touch with. Jayne Bartish dinamaya@wowway.com

Shea		28-Nov-2007 21:53
I started working in the shows at Opryland when I was 16. I still live in the Nashville area and miss the theme park so much. It was a great place to work. I met my husband at Opryland the first day I arrived. We have been married 20 years. Some of my dearest friends worked at Opryland. I wish the park was still there, so I could take my kids.

D		19-Oct-2007 16:50
Thank you so much for posting these pictures. Every summer, in the 80's, we went to Opryland on vacation. I'm sad that it's gone. I remember the year they introduced the Screamin' Delta Demon I was just tall enough to ride it. And how excited we all were when Chaos opened. That was such a new-age ride, so advanced! Advanced for the 80's anyway :) Oh and the fruit juice in the containers that were shaped like fruit. I was a little kid at the time. What can I say?

Gary		22-Jul-2007 21:14
I remember when I went on my 8th grade feild trip to Opryland. It was so cool but you really had to hurry to do alot when you are there with a school. It was the biggest mistake of there life to take away the coolest theme park out there. I hope one day Nashville will have another theme park so we can take are kids to. Maybe there could be a Dollywood # 2 you never know!!

Wendy		19-Jul-2007 19:41
My fondest memories of growing up in Nashville are working at Opryland from 85-91. Met my husband Ram along with some other Fiesta Texas trainees and moved to San Antonio to help open up Fiesta Texas. Now when I go home to visit, I cry when we pull up to Opry Mills. I see the old wall that led to the Grizzly observation deck. I never will be able to take my children to where there Mom and Dad met. After being a Operations supervisor, I got to know every inch of the park. I still can't believe it is Gone!!! Nashville will never be the same to me.

Jason		10-Jul-2007 04:46
If anyone is interested I have the music that was played inside CHAOS. Just send me an email at stLjason1@hotmail.com if your interested.

Caleb		01-Jul-2007 19:39
i know i get so depressed i cry when i thing about all the good times i had there. i remember going to the very last christmas special and seeing all the rides tore down and being so sad. cause what do you think that does to a kid seeing his fav place tore down. what makes me even madder is that none of the rides even exist anymore except hangman and rock n roller coaster. the rest were scapped. even chaos which was my fav. so im with the boycott of the mall and with you on wanting one more pizza from doo wahh ditty city

Guest		26-Jun-2007 15:44
I wish I could eat one more pizza in Do Wah Ditty City

Shane		14-May-2007 14:35
ugh this is so sad to look at. i really miss opryland. it can't ever be replaced. i say we bull doze the mall down and the hotel. i had many memories of opryland myself. My family moved here in 1990 and we practically lived at opryland and took all our friends of out of state there. we had season passes. many memories of riding the rides with my dad. I was only 14 or 15 when opryland closed. we went to the christmas in the park one last time. very sad. i'll always remember and cherish the memories. Thanks Gaylord for ruining our childhood memories all so you could make a buck.

Dwana		18-Apr-2007 21:37
I MISS OPRYLAND TOO!!!! SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES I HAVE ARE FROM THAT PLACE. I MISS THE PEOPLE I MET THERE. I MET SOME GREAT FRIENDS. MY HUSBAND TOO!! I WISH IT WAS STILL AROUND.

Alexa		16-Apr-2007 18:58
My mom worked at Opryland. She was in a show called Me and My Gal in the 70's and she did a lot of the commercials. It was her dream to go back, and take me and my brother & sister too, but as we were ready to plan a vacation, we heard on the news that the park was being demolished. i really wanted to go to see what it was like since my mom says how great it was. She really misses it a lot and it seemed like a really cool place to go. My mom tells me a lot of stories, shows me the pictures and her commercials. It makes me sad to think how many people miss the park including my mom. I have a lot of interest in Opryland and knowing more about it, thats how i found this site.

Sheila		16-Apr-2007 03:19
I am so glad I found this site.I was born and raised in Donelson and the last count I had gone to Opryland over 700 times.My friends and I would be dropped off by one of our parents and we would stay all day.It is sad that my children were never able to have the park to enjoy.My protest has been to never spend a penny at the Opry Mills mall I know that might sound really dumb BUT I JUST MISS OPRYLAND~~

JohnElks		26-Feb-2007 02:38
I just found this site tonight and in just the pictures I have viewed so far, I found myself starting to cry! I'm 27 years of age and remember OpryLand Theme Park from the early 90's, I still have two season passes I kept as souveniers, one from 1991 and the last season pass ever issued there in 1997 with the Hangman pictured. I regret the fact that I have been to the mall that replaces the park and have spent money at the mall as well, I'm deeply ashamed of myself for doing so! I miss the theme park as much as anyone else on here, if not a whole lot more! I was viewing the pictures and came across the antique looking cars- the Tin Lizzies, I don't remember the exact spelling, sorry. But I do remember each ride, name for name. My favorite were the rollercoasters, I LOVED Chaos, The Rockin Roller Coaster, The WaBash Cannonball, The Hangman, and even though it wasn't a true roller coaster, The Screamin Delton Demon. Really, truthfully, there's not really one thing about the park I miss more than the other. I have tried to forget and live my life, but memories continue to be triggered, and I am saddened deeply! I don't suffer from depression, but right now I think I know what it's like... R.I.P. OpryLand Theme Park You are missed by MANY!

Neal		10-Feb-2007 07:33
I personally BOYCOT the mall and would never stay at a Gaylord Hotel or resort. Corporate GREED took away a Nashville landmark. I am just glad they cannot tear down and bulldoze my fond memories and joy the Opryland Theme park gave me as a child and teenager. Not that I am bitter or anything. If anyone has any pictures of the trains, I would love to have them. tunicapokerdealer71@yahoo.com

aib1997		22-Jan-2007 14:39
I miss Opryland so much, my fav memory is going there with my first boyfriend when I was 14. So much fun!!! The mall that replaced the park will never create the kind of momories the park gave people. =)

Tony Isenhour		02-Jan-2007 23:18
I worked at Opryland when I was 18 yrs old and feel as though I grew up there. I am still a perfromer some 25 years later and still feel as I owe my professionalism and talents to an incredible park. I have worked in many places since and have never worked again in such a professional place. I was going to Opryland as a kid and was so excited to work there as a young adult. My partner Mariette and I were the first cloggers ever hired there and we were honored to travel the world with Opryland. I miss the park and my heart hurts everytime I've been to Nashville since the park was torn down. It was as important to me as the Grand Ole Opry itself and theme parks will never measure to such a beautiful place as Opryland. Someone needs to bring this icon back as young performers everywhere are in need of a training ground like I was..

Greg		23-Dec-2006 04:04
Thanks you so much for the memories.You know, seeing these pictures is like smelling that smell that takes you back to that one time in your life that you'll always remember, and these pictures are the same way. I can remember each time i went, and who I went with, and all the great times.How I wish my 3 kids could have a place like I had. Thanks again.

eric		11-Dec-2006 16:56
The Angle Inn blew my mind when I was a kid. Wish I could find some photos of it.

Lena (Vaughn) Wooten		05-Dec-2006 04:55
I GOT MY FIRST KISS ON THE CHAOS!!!!!!!!!

Lena Wooten		05-Dec-2006 04:48
It is so great to see these photos again. My husband and I grew up at Opryland. We now have two children. It is sad that there is no longer a place as cool as Opryland to take our children to in Nashville. Opry Mills certainly did not repace Opryland.

Jessica Tubbs Riis		16-Nov-2006 10:06
Thank you so much for this tribute to a place I hold so dear. Like Mr. Trivette, as an adolescent, it became a dream of mine to become an Opryland performer. From the time I was 8 years old until I turned 18, my family visited the park every other week during the summers and almost as often when it opened up for Christmas. Sadly for me, the park closed the year I was old enough to audition and move to Nashville on my own. During that decade we became good freinds with some of the gospel singers there (then Cumberland Boys) and made so many cherished memories. I still tear at the thought of the time gone by...

Evie		03-Oct-2006 16:50
Thank you for the walk down Memory Lane. I worked at Opryland in food service in the summers of 85, 86, and 87. Met my first "real" boyfriend there. It makes me sad to not be able to take my children back to Nashville to see it.

Abby "Booth" Burke		12-Sep-2006 18:49
I worked at Opryland in the Showboat '82 and Sing TN '83. I was a girl from Massachusetts who came to TN not knowing what to expect and came away a well rounded performer with a trunkload of memories and great friendships. I have moved back to TN and I am so sad filled when I think about Music City USA missing it's crown jewel: O'Land! A river boat cannot take the place of the many choices we gave the music loving public! A mall most certainly cannot give the traveler the escape they need....If any of my past cast mates are out there, please email me and let's remember....abigail.b.burke@vanderbilt.edu

David		30-Aug-2006 06:04
Hey, i worked there in the mid eighties and i miss the park more than anything.....i wish i could find alot of info on my favorite thing in the park, The Angle Inn....that was the coolest thing to see as a kid...anyway, thanks for the pics and memories.....i hate gaylord for closing what everyone loved about nashville,..what a shame.

Amy from Kentucky		27-Aug-2006 21:34
I, like everyone else who has commented, LOVED Opryland. I can't say how many times my family went there as a child and young adult. I remember the original "Timber Topper"!When I was 7, I was running and jumping over the chains surrounding the front entrance turnstyles (after my Dad had already threatened to spank me - yes! right there in public) and caught the chain between my sandal and toes, fell right on my face and broke my two front teeth! As kids, my brother, sister and I wanted to RIDE, RIDE, RIDE, but we always went to "I hear America Singing" to appease Mom. (Of course, we loved it too, but never admitted it to her!) As we grew older, we were even able to take my brother's son once or twice. Golly, I miss that place and get teary eyed just remembering. I am sickened that we are unable to go there again and eventhough the memories are good, it isn't the same. I can't imagine a city with the history of Nashville throwing away its roots. Maybe that's why Branson and Dollywood are such hotspots now. Can they not see that?? God bless you all.

Allan Trivette		22-Aug-2006 07:22
I, too, get depressed every time I think of Opryland being no more than a memory. The place was a turning point in my life. As a very young teenager, my family and I visited Opryland for the first time, and I saw my first live musical show, "I Hear America Singing", and my life was changed! From that moment, being on THAT stage, in THAT show became, literally, a dream for me. It took me nearly ten years, during which I moved to Nashville and became a MAJOR "groupie" of the performers and shows, but.......I DID IT!!! I was FINALLY an Opryland performer! My first year, '83, I was in "Sing, Tennessee!", and the first half of the next year in "I Hear America Singing (IHAS), and "Sing, Tennessee!" the last half. Oh, what memories! Luckily these days, I am fortunate enough to go to NYC every fall, mainly to see the shows. How it tugs at my heart when I see some of my former castmates now and then........ON BROADWAY!!!! I get my ticket, take my seat, scan the Playbill, and come across their bio, not knowing they're in it beforehand. What a thrill. And, how bittersweet. I do go back to Opryland often, but only in my memory. I want to go back for real, for sentimental reasons, but......it's no longer there. Simply put, the person who made the final decision to replace that place of memories with a shopping mall should be sentenced. They took the music and the place in which to leave the world's worries behind, but, thank God, they can't take our memories! It sure would do my heart good to hear from my old castmates. So, if any of you out there come across this website, please e-mail me at: allant@xtn.net Thanks so much for this walk down memory lane..........Allan Trivette

Bill		17-Aug-2006 18:32
I had the priviledge of working at Opryland USA for over 10 years, years of memories and great times not only for myself but for the many guests I brought there. Nashville will never be the same and that is too bad. The city should never of allowed (at least not without a fight) an institution to be replaced with of all things another mall.

Larry J		13-Aug-2006 06:26
I worked at Opryland the summers of '87 and '88, on the Flume Zoom and then the front gates. My future wife worked as a sweeper for 5 years in numerous areas of the park. Prior to that , I held a season pass from '72 to '85. I can't count the good times and memories that were made there, but as time continues to pass, they become more and more precious. Maybe Opryland didn't have the most thrilling or exciting rides and perhaps the shows were not Broadway caliber... but it was a sweet time of innocence that is more appreciated down the road. In my obviously biased mind it will always beat 6 Flags or whoever else. My children will only be privy to the tales of Opryland that their "ancient" parents tell. Roy Acuff lived in the park in his last few years and every Friday he would walk down to the gates and talk briefly with us kids, before going to the Opry for his performance. It was a good time in life that still comforts me when I think on it. May the LORD bless you.

Dean Perryman		08-Jul-2006 19:26
Wow, love those pictures and I sure do miss the place. As a youngster, well, when old enough to go on our own, my pals and I loved to go in the fall, when it was less crowded, and we would ride the Timber Topper over and over again, running down the ramps when it finished, full speed to the entrance, sometimes catching it before it went back out! When the Wabash Cannonball came to the park we would do the same thing. I worked there in the fall of 1977, at the popcorn stand in the 50s area and I loved the music coming from the Rock and Roll theater and the oldies they played on the loudspeaker...and the cuties that frequented the 50s area...perfect job for a 16yr.old boy. The last time I went was on a date in the mid 80s and I was sad to see it close some years later. Alot of good memories that place gave me.

June Harold		10-Jun-2006 01:09
Come join us at... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/memoriesofoprylandusa/ It's our way of keeping Opryland 'open for another season'.

Phil		05-Jun-2006 02:30
I took my family to Dollywood last week and it reminded me of Opryland USA so much that I found myself flooded with past memories of my childhood theme park. I wanted to see if anyone else still thought of Opryland USA and I found your site. Thank you for all the pictures and memories. My parents started taking us to the park at least once per year since it opened in 1972. Then in the late 70's and early 80's, My friends and I would drive up ourselves. It was a fun place to be a kid with your friends and later, a teenager with girlfriends. Remember the live 50's Rock n' Roll show in Doo Wah Diddy City? The whole atmosphere of the park was great! College, marriage, mortgages and my own children being born later distracted me from going to the park. But then in the mid 90's I re-discovered the park all over again by taking my kids there. As special as the park was to me before, I think being there with my children was the most special times. Reliving my childhood memories while creating "daddy" memories at the same time was special! I thought we would go there as a family for years, but I only got to take them there two summers and three Christmases. Remember the fires, hot chocolate and "A Christmas Carol"? I was crushed and bewildered when I heard they were going to tear it down. Unbelievable! Thanks again for the photos. I would love to see more.

Opryland Fan Forever		10-May-2006 19:46
My wife and I met the summer of 1981 when we both worked at Opryland. I ended up working at the park for four great seasons (81-84) and my wife worked there until we got married in 1990. Makes me sick to think about that great park being demolished for no better reason than stupid corporate greed. I can still close my eyes and walk through each area of the park as if it were still there and almost hear the great music. To this day, I still have flashbacks to Opryland whenever I hear the songs that played as the background music on the loudspeakers.

Guest		09-May-2006 21:28
At this moment, I've learned for the first time that Opryland is gone. My family is thinking about relocating to Nashville, I was hoping to bring my girls to Opryland the way my parents brought me and my brothers there when we were just kids. The Chaos was my favorite ride(it was a rainy day when we were there-no lines-we must have rode on that thing 30 times!). Too bad-well, atleast the memories live on.

Gaylyn		29-Apr-2006 05:34
I only had a chance to visit Opryland with my four sons one time. We loved it and it was so much fun. Our favorite memory was of the insect zoo, my oldest son is terrified of spiders, so his reaction is a fond memory. Unfortunately all my pictures were lost to water damage. So that makes your site even more special. Thanks for a walk down memory lane

saddend		21-Apr-2006 17:39
When they took away opryland,they took away the souls of millions of people. this was not something that can be replaced by anything but greed and stupidity.hey nashville,,,whats next? build and invest $millions$ into stadiums with losing teams or superspeedways with no nextel cup races? or even better lets build a new baseball park for a aaa team that you cant give away tickets to! lol! wake up-stand up!this is your home!

Guest		10-Apr-2006 14:59
Boy, Do I rember the day . My Jr. year in High school working in a shop called Junk and Stuff. Patti my best friend worked ticket booth. Opryland gave us a chance to work and play with safety at our back yard. There will never be another theme park like it. I am with ya on tearing Opry Mills down, Nothing but another shopping mall that doesn't even impress me. If i wanted to shop an outlet mall would go out of town.Sandy from the old school

Jim		13-Mar-2006 02:29
Katie, the metal coaster with the horizontal loops was called the Wabash Cannonball. The metal coaster with the vertical loops was the Rock-N-Roller Coaster. I really miss that place. It makes me sad for Nashville. The last thing we needed was another steenkin mall. We used to go visit any time we just had nothing to do. We had season passes every year. :-( Thanks for the pictures! Jim

Dixie		28-Feb-2006 14:13
I met my husband of almost 20 years while working in the shows at the Park in the 80's !! Some of our closest friends are former Oprylanders. On our way through Nashville last summer, I stopped wiith our kids at the guard shack and if you stand and look at the Live Entertainment building to your right (not too far right or you'll see the Hotel!) it's almost like Opryland is still there.

katie		23-Feb-2006 20:26
I am the baby of four siblings and my mom and dad took us to Opryland in 1988, I was 10, and this was the last vacation for our family to take together because my brother and sister had just graduated high school and moving on, we still have the little photo keychain that you look through the tiny lens and see your photo that a worker takes of you at the ticket gates. This also is sad because this was the first rollercoaster I ever had rode and my dad paid me ten dollars to ride it and I peed in my pants on the ride, but I rode it, does anyone know the name of the metal coaster that had the loops...I wish I could take my husband and little boy but it's gone...

Mary		01-Feb-2006 01:08
Thanks so much for having these pictures up on the web. I grew up 5 minutes from Opryland and spent many happy evenings there in the summers of my childhood, getting in with my Good Times pass. My mom would drop my brother and I off at 5pm and pick us up at 10 (boy those days are gone, aren't they, leaving children alone in a theme park!). We were perfectly safe and would have the best time. Then I worked in the petting zoo the summers I was 15 and 16 - hard work but one of the best jobs I ever had. It was a wonderful place and I was very sad when it closed, since I never had a chance to take my own children there. Just good memories left - thanks again.

dave mason		30-Jan-2006 22:30
It was a sad day in june when i sat in my golf cart as an opryland security guard, and watched the memories of my childhood being loaded off onto trucks, as i cruised through the empty park i could only think back to the 80,s when there woula been lines stretching out way passed the rides.I stopped to talk to one of the contractors he is a nashville native as well, and we were just kinda jokin on how nashville had changed in the past few years.But we both agreed that money makes people do strange things, like tear down a theme park and build an over priced giant fleamarket, with some restraunts..One thing is for certain the park is gone but the memories live on ..........

Sharon		18-Dec-2005 20:20
My sentiments about Opryland are pretty much in line with what the others have said. I see these pictures here and it's as though it's been just yesterday since I've ridden the SkyRide or the train. Whenever I go to Opry Mills (not often), it STILL smells like Opryland, doesn't it?Probably one of the biggest mistakes ever made in Nashville was letting Opryland go.

Pam		12-Dec-2005 22:56
TO THIS DAY I CRY THINKING ABOUT OPRYLAND BEING NOTHNG BUT A GREAT MEMORY. A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL DON'T KNOW IT'S GONE. GAYLORD IS THE MOST SELFISH MAN THAT EVER LIVED TO CLOSE SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE THAT WAS FULL OF TALENTAND BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS HAD I NOT BEEN PREGNANT..I WOULD HAVE LAID DOWN ACROSS THE ENTRANCE TO KEEP ANYTHING FROM HAPPENING TO MY BELOVED OPRYLAND.AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ALONE. I SAY LET'S DEMOLISH A USELESS MALL ( OPRYMILLS) AND BUILD A THEME PARK!!!!!

Terrell Raley		06-Oct-2005 16:54
My father was the "candle man" in the Hill Country area for over 10 years. I grew up in the park with my two brothers. I've learned that most of the rides, including the Wabash Cannonball and Chaos, were sold as scrap metal to an independent contractor in Indiana. When I die, I want to go back there. Also, the Rock'N'Roller Coaster is at the Six Flags Theme Park in Lake George, NY. The Old MIll Scream is at Enchanted Village in Seattle.

Barry Chamberlain		04-Oct-2005 21:41
Worked at Opryland the first summer it was open. Fun place for kids to work. Took my children there when they were small too. But no more. Sad.

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