OPRYLAND USA Photo Gallery by Chip Curley at pbase.com

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.

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Angela Black		28-Jun-2017 19:14
Does anyone have any photos or videos at all of the Angle Inn? It was always my favorite attraction at the park. I miss Opryland a lot!

Randy		09-Jan-2016 03:14
Opryland was the best thing that ever happened to Nashville. A real shame it was torn down. I went there every year it was open and still have my Season Passes. I also bought lots of things from the park the last two weeks it was open. Signs, novelty items, etc. I really miss it!

Evelyn Totty		02-Jan-2016 20:38
Where did all of the Opryland rides go to when they closed? Evelyn & Joey Totty

Guest		02-Sep-2015 03:22
I have a question about a female performer who had a wonderful voice. Her singing performance popped into my head today. She had some solo songs in the steamboat show. Year was 1988 ish. The new tube ride (Hangman???) was always having trouble and never got on to ride it. Dottie West was the show of the day. Back to performer. She was possibly 25 at the time. Race was mixed.....looked like the Creole from New Orleans area----thus very attractive also. I was just flat impressed and blown away with her singing voice----like wow. I was wondering how her career progressed as I thought she would make it big someday. Just wondering. Any info would be great.

PHILIP DAY		13-Jul-2015 02:40
My years at Opryland were wonderful.I had the opportunity to broadcast from a small studio in front of the Roy Acuff museum . I brought radio stations to Nashville from around the USA, I was given the opportunity to meet Roy and his friends Bashful Brother Oswald as well as Roy Collins. They would come by the studio when my talent from the Grand ole Opry did not show up to preform. . I started first planting flowers in the park next I worked at the Flume Zoom (log ride) and finally filled in at the Disk Jockey Hall of Fame. Someone heard the show and offered me a regular spot on the air. I met some wonderful and nice people that just happened to play some great country music.This was a wonderful time in my life and thank you to anyone that was part of my Opryland experience., one and all. If anyone has photos of the studio I would love to see them. Thank you one and all!

NATASHA		26-May-2014 19:59
I grew up at Opryland! i think i went for the first time when i was 4. And i was there many times during the last season. By the end my favorite ride over & over was Chaos!! It was a great part of my youth. and even my young 20's. I hated to see it go. But i definitely enjoy Oprymills :)

Guest		21-Jan-2013 21:21
OH, this is so neat, that is my daughter on the Tin Lizzie in the front seat biting her fingernails like she always did! She was about 2 1/2. Now she's 34!! Oh, what fun we had.

Sherry		25-Nov-2012 06:33
My husband and I loved going to Opryland. We hated when the day/night was over each time. One of the shows that we were especially fond of was Theater by the Lake. Does anyone remember the name of the singer that always did Patsy Cline. She was so good. Of course, all the others were too! But we were just wondering where she is now?

Doug		11-Feb-2012 00:20
I miss some of my great friends who were clog dancers in the Country Music USA show. Stacy was so nice and I have not seen her in over 25 years. I was always in the audience watching the show, and she made me feel like family. Never knew what happened to her after that. I know she was from Mississippi. I hope that where ever she is, that she is doing well, and I miss her and miss Opryland as well. God bless you Stacy where ever you are.

Paul Liberti		14-Dec-2011 22:13
I was the clogger in Country Music USA in 1988 - red cast. I don't know how I got the job as I was a tap dancer from NYC... and was slated to go into another show.. and they lost their star clogger to another theme park in Florida. They ased if I would move to the country show (I knew nothing about country music at the time) and said... "I guess.." Country Music USA -- there I was!!!! My partner Pam taught me to clog in a week. It was insane. We did six shows a day... six days a week and I loved every single moment. The performers at Opryland were not hired because of a look as other theme parks would do.. you were hired because you were talented. Every step... every singer... every thing was LIVE with no pre-recording as almost all theme parks at that time did. It was an honor to be there performing. I still love my summer at Opry land. I got to work with some many wonderful performers being in the Country show as we were the "red" cast and often performed around town and at the Opry ... some of the folks we worked with were Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood, Mandrell Sisters, Dolly Parton, The REAL Minnie Pearl (we has an impersonation of her in the show) and so many more. We even did a show with Johnny Cash on the General Jackson. (performing on a moving boat comes with lots of stories!) I loved the creators, and so many of my cast mates now are here in NYC at Radio City and many Broadway shows. Karen Ziemba (amazing lady and performer), Kristen Chenowith (Way Out West), Dale Maphis (son of Joe Maphis), Sam Harris, David Elder (we were on a poster for summer auditions for 1989!!), the beautiful Cheryl Cutlip - who is still a Rockette captain and the most beautiful Rockette ever... and so many more of my fellow performers. I got to do Nashville Now, The Dolly Parton Show on CBS, and so many more industrials outside of the Park itself. I recently met my dance partner Pam in Times Square in NYC (where I live) and she was visiting from Europe with her new husband and son!!! She looks exactly the same and is as sweet as ever. Thank you Opryland for making this New York City kid a country boy!!! When I left Opryland in 88 ... I went into the national company of A Chorus Line... and "lost ties" with my country music affiliation. When I heard the park was torn down about ten years later ... I was saddened. It was a special place where so many performers trained and learned their craft.

vergena Reese		08-Aug-2011 02:24
I worked in the theme park in it's last year of 97. I ran the kidi rides, it was a really memorable time for me as well as others i no. I consider Gaylord selling the theme park on of the worst things they could have done i was so looking forward to taking my children their one day but never got the chance. Another mall in Nashville we did not need, go figure...

Randyh		05-Jun-2011 21:56
I miss the wonderful memories that were made at the park with my children. I was always hoping to bring my grandchildren there (once I had them)...sadly this will never come to pass. Opryland USA "was" Nashville. I never worked in the park, but I still see several friends that did work there. If ever Nashville wanted to stimulate the economy...rebuild Opryland USA and we will thrive again. I am thankful for the time in my life when the park was here.

KISSARMYRNR		14-Dec-2010 06:58
i just spent a good 30-40 mins reading comments. i worked ther summer of 92. choas,rocknroller coaster,grizzly,a few shifts at bumper cars, and put some time in on the skyride. if there was a car empty on the bumper cars we could hop in drive it to the side.{"never hit anyone"} yeah rite. the pizza, burgers,some1 said something about the juice bottles, but those milkshakes in front of the lil duece coupe. had many great summers there. nice memories thanks. d.love thelove2469@yahoo.com

Lisa		29-Sep-2010 14:37
Oh what a wonderful Site I loved Opryland and wish so much they would just knock that silly useless mall down and rebuild Opryland.... The mall isnt a family place I would love a theme park back in Nashville... A place for families to enjoy their time together... Esspecially Military families just up the road at FT Cmapbell think of the guys coming home and being able to take their kids to Opryland and bond after a yr or more away.... Think how fun Opryland Christmas would be again .... I wish there was a petition to bulldoze Oprymills and reopen Opryland that'll bring tourism in ... not some silly closed mall with no reopening date

Carol from KY		22-Jul-2010 07:06
I love this site!!!! It brings back so many wonderful memories. Thanks so much for all the work you have put into this.

mary		09-Jun-2010 05:05
I worked on the hangman and on the train the last year it was open. I will always cherish the memories and friendships I made. When is the park employee reunion? Email me: marybrinkley@netzero.com

Max		07-Jun-2010 03:10
Every year in June there is a PARK EMPLOYEE REUNION. This year it will be at Two Rivers Park and begins around 1:30 P.M. and goes until. Just ran across your site, sure brings back a lot of memories. I started with the Park in 1972 and retired from the hotel in 2008. I grew up there and made some of the best friends you could ever have while working there. The Park may be gone, but the memories and friendships still live on. To everything there is a time...

NSTS		07-Jun-2010 03:01
Oh what fun we had a Opryland....who needs another mall...let's bring Opryland back!!

caracasa		24-May-2010 17:33
I wish that they would open the theme park back up too. My sister and I had Season Passes and we went all the time during the summer, I have alot of fun memories. The rides, the music, Christmas in the Park. I now have 3 children, and I know that they would have loved it.

Guest		13-May-2010 13:55
I can only hope they dismantle Opry Mills and bring back the Opryland Theme Park !!

KLC		10-May-2010 21:37
klbclewis.... I was thinking the same thing.... it would be wonderful if they would bring Opryland back... we use to go to Opryland 3 or 4 times every summer.... I think I've been to Opry Mills maybe 6 times and the Opryhouse 4.....came across this site while searching for pictures of when Opryland USA flooded in 1975.... I don't know why all these people act so surprised.... it has done it before.... and one news station in Nashville said that this is the first flood in 100 years, don't think so..... I miss Opryland...it was an in-expensive vacation and you had lots of fun all in your home state.

klbclewis		05-May-2010 17:43
Now since OpryMills is completly flooded, maybe Garlord will realize his mistake and rebuild OpryLand.

Wayne Morton		08-Mar-2010 07:00
I was in the original cast of Way Out West in 87 and then Red Cast of Country Music, USA in 88. Opryland was certainly one of of a kind and I was really sad when I heard it was gone. We need to resurect America's Only Musical Show Park!!!

Karen "May" Elmore		25-Feb-2010 06:41
Hello, I was just messing around and thought I would type in Opryland and just see what come up and here it is. IT is B-E-A-UTIFUL... It has been so long. I worked there...as a performer 4 -3 years. I worked in a show called Country Music USA..YES..The Best Show in the park. I sure miss it. My name is Karen Elmore and it used to be May. They called me Bubbles.I got the name the day we were deciding on what songs to sing for the show..individually...solos and while introducing ourselves I said I was bubbley not dingy...cause I am a blond. I sure miss that place. I have tons of photos that I thought @ uploading, but going thru a time right now that is hard. I am considered as disabled because I had a wreck in '95..not my fault. It is okay. I have dealt with it and feel as if there is a reason for everything. I am a Christian and am living for The Lord and that is all that matters now. I have two beautiful boys..one 12 and one 17. Shane and Bryan. They and my hubby are the loves of my life and keep me loved. My mom and dad live right next door and you can't beat that. My mom cooks those good ole country meals all the time. So, I am well taken care of. I just wish I could do more. I will one day. I am still working on it. I am seeing a Neurologist/Orthopedist. I have already had surgery on my C5-C6, it was a spinal diskectomy Feb.'06 and had complications afterward. So close to my vocal cords, but I can still sing. Thank GOD. I do however have dreams of singing again and doing shows again. I did shows a while after I came back from Opryland and even had chances to go on and do big things, but I chose to marry and I am glad I did. I am just a country girl that likes her home and family life. I wouldn't want to travel and miss out on being so close to my family. I do write songs.. I have a ton of those. I have been through some hard times in my life, so I have some good country heartbreakers and some good gospel...I think anyway. I put my heart into my lyrics. Hey it's been good to reminiss @ Opryland and if you contact me @ those photos that I have, please do because I don't know if I will ever just upload them myself or not. They would look good here. It would be fitting to add to the greatness that you have put into it. Take care all and always...GOD BLESS... Karen

D.Womack		03-Feb-2010 03:23
I was working with Joe M. Rogers construction company when the park was being built. I didn't work there personally but a friend of mine was and we dropped him off at work everyday on our way to our job site. Bought season tickets every year and that is where the kids went daily. Then we could drop them off in the morning and leave them there all day without concern for their safety.

Memories to DVD		23-Jan-2010 16:06
We just posted some footage of Opryland in the 1970's on our blog. Check it out at www.MemoriesToDVD.wordpress.com

Pam		02-Nov-2009 05:56
Thanks for the pictures. My grandfather was one of the truck drivers that delivered the rides to the park when it was being built. I especially remember stories of the original antique carousel he helped unpack. I remember the first time I went to Opryland in 1972, I was 9 years old. When I was 13, I had my first kiss on the Flume Zoom. I have many photos over the years made in front of the blue water fountian in the New Orleans Area. I enjoyed many summer days at Opryland with my high school friends trying to figure out the "Fngle Dangle Inn" and waiting for hours to ride the wet rides to cool off. It was fun to see Roy Acuff walking around in the park. As newly weds my husband and I enjoyed sunset passes. I then took my oldest son many times for summer days, halloween in the park and Christmas in the park.When he was 3, the park closed. My father passed away and the day after he was buried, the park closed We were in the park until closing time that very last night. My brother was the chief set designer of the park until the end. It was very painful for us to let it go. My youngest son was born two months later. It is very difficult to go the the mall and have to describe to him what he has missed! Thanks again for the web site for us to reflect and "vent" and all the photos to take us back.

Bryan Hester		30-Oct-2009 20:13
You are amazing to post these. Opryland was a dream park where music and time stood still long enough to allow one to bask in the wonder of it all! Loved the shows...On with the Show, I Hear America Singing, Show Boat, Broadway, and Me and My Gal, Country Music USA and the Canitna Show.....now we have a big often near-empty, mall...Thanks a lot Nashville govt. and Gaylord!!!! (intentional scarcasm) Once one of the most beautifully engineered places on Tennessee and a HUGE tourism draw.

Evelyn & Joey Totty		22-Jun-2009 09:40
We went to Opryland Theme Park every year, since we got married in 1982. And was there during Christmas of 1997 before it closed. Sure do miss it so much. Wish it was still there.

Melanie		11-Jun-2009 03:25
I miss Opryland so much! I grew up here and have so many wonderful memories! Nashville will never be the same. I wish my husband could have gotten to go, I tell him all the time and tonight we watched the NPT show ( he DVRd for me :) It has sent me in a search for all things Opryland, a short trip back to my youth!!!

Ron C		02-Jun-2009 14:07
I saw something on Npt last night about Oland... brought back some great memories!! I worked the 50's Skyride night shift crew 83,4,5,6 during my college days... good times! :) after getting on Facebook, I found out there are many former Olanders on there! Check it out!

Steve Ison		28-May-2009 16:56
I was a performer in the "They Went That Away" show in the Cantina area in '73 and "Country Music USA" in '74. Some of the best Summers of my life. I remember getting to know Roy Acuff, who would come to our shows and then gave us advise on the various country artists. I couldn't believe it when they closed the park. It was such a wonderful opportunity for young folks to have great jobs during the Summer months. I've always wondered if anyone ever organized a reunion of past performers and others. I'll bet a lot of people would come.

pamela wayman		04-May-2009 03:55
I was married at Opryland USA to Dale Wayman, the drummer with Sandi Burnett & Chops. We married August 6, 1977 after the "Rock Show" around 11:00 p.m. All of the perfomers in the park came to the wedding after the park closed. The band members were Gene Miller, Floyd Humphreys, Bob Stamps, Dale, and Sandi Burnett. Gene Miller could sing like a bird and Sandi Burnett could make glass beak. They were the best vocalist! We had some great times at Opryland...good music! Oh yes...the drummer was fabulous:)

Gary		23-Apr-2009 20:31
I worked in seasonal security during the 1980 season while I was in graduate school at Vanderbilt. The most enjoyable summer of my life! The warm gentle breezes, the music, the fading light at sundown as the lights came on. And the great guests who seemed lost most of the time. I can still smell the greasy, fried food wafting through the air. I got to meet Roy Acuff (who didn't?), Bill Anderson, and Barbara Mandrell. I'll always remember the place

Scott M		04-Dec-2008 23:25
I met my wife while working at the park. I was there from 1986 to 1992 and she started in about 1988. We worked in the merchandise department in the areas of Western, Grizzly, and Games as supervisors. I also work at the hotel gift shop during Christmas too. We both have many great memories of working there, all of the people we worked with, and hanging out with them after work. Many times we would go to the midnight movies at Metro Center or play volley ball out in Hendersonville. It was a great place for young people to work and I learned a lot working there for so many years. It would be great to hear from those we worked with. email to rscottmarshall@comcast.net

Jamie		02-Dec-2008 23:26
I watched the 'Memories of Opryland' the other night and just beamed during the entire show because it brought back such great memories! I'm a native Nashvilian, and my grandmother used to buy a season pass for all the grandkids (there are 5 of us) each year. I remember how excited I used to get when my mom would wake me up early on Saturday mornings and tell me that my grandmother was taking all the grandkids to Opryland for the day! My grandmother loved the Flume Zoom - it was the first thing we'd ride when we got to the park, and the last thing we'd ride before we went home. I also remember the year I decided that I wasn't afraid to ride the Wabash Cannonball - I think it was a rite of passage for many, many kids. Does anyone remember the store with all the blown glass figurines? I used to get one figurine each time I went - dogs, cats, teddy bears, penguins, flamingos, whales, etc. - I still have most of them packed away in a box somewhere. Thanks for the great memories!

KidYendor		02-Dec-2008 04:58
I saw the notices on the web that it would be on but since I live in North Charleston, SC I did not get to see Memories of Opryland. I hope to find a copy of it somewhere on DVD or VHS. WNPT has DVDs for $75 but that is a bit high. I have been reading much more about the place, its landlocked location, the flood, and the unhappiness of most if not all Tennesseeans of their loss of it. I went there only once in July 1972 and look towards it when I pass by on I-40 on my way to KY and pay my respects to this once great place. I wish I had gone more times to remember more of it. Next time I'll pull off the exit and go see the mall that replaced wonderful Opryland and know more of the sadness you feel of losing this great entertaining place.

Misty		02-Dec-2008 02:00
Thank you so much for this website. I watched Memories of Opryland last night and immediately text my brother because we spent so many summers there and have so many memories it is unbelievable. There was a Season Pass in our Easter basket every year. I still can't believe it's gone. What I wouldn't give for one more day there!

Guest		02-Dec-2008 01:58
I'm 42 years old and I also watched the broadcast on PBS. It brought back many memories. I spent alot of time at the park when I was a kid and in my teenage years. I would much rather have the park than the mall where violent gang members hang out at. I don't go to the mall.

Bill Williams		01-Dec-2008 21:41
I worked at the "Mod-Skyride" in summer of 1975 and that summer has so many wonderful memories. I was chosen several times to walk behind the baby elephant in the parade to keep the children from bothering or touching the elephant. I too saw "Memories of Opryland" last night and my thanks go out to NPT/PBS for pulling those memories together. For all the alums of the 1975 season thanks for the memories. Bill

Alycia		01-Dec-2008 03:37
I just saw some of the show called Memories of Opryland on Nashville's PBS channel. It bought back so many memories. I really enjoyed working there from 1980-1982. I had the opportunity to meet so many people from all over Middle TN. We were a family back then. I worked in the Angel Inn, where we girls would sit on the wall and talk the pictures for 30 minutes at a time before you would have to go back outside and be a sweeper. I always wanted to work with the Showboat staff because the performers were SO COOL. For the guys at that time, the cool guys worked on the train and everyone would spend at least an hour swapping out their uniforms with wardrobe at the end of the night. My little brother Pierre White worked out there with his friends as well as my family had season passes every year. My nieces are now 29 and 32 years old and they wish their children could experience Opryland like they did. THANKS FOR THE JOURNEY DOWN MEMORY LANE,

Linda		01-Dec-2008 03:06
I loved the park! I went for many years but I couldn't wait until I got old enough to work at Opryland. I worked in the Plaza Cafeteria serving the only "real" food (salads, meats, and veggies) in the park. It was hard work but it was a great place to be! What a shame that the park is gone now. So many of us would have liked to share the park with our own children but never got the chance. Shame on whoever was responsible for the mismanagement that caused the closing!

Kid Yendor		29-Nov-2008 06:46
My late mother, still alive brother and sister had just arrived one hot summer day in '70, '71, or 72. I was about 13 and I recognized a man approaching me in a suit, walking briskly towards me. He passed right beside me and I turned to my mother and said, "Mom was that Roy Acuff?" And she nodded yes that it was. I will never forget it and should have asked for an autograph but it happened quickly. Minutes later we saw Jim Ed Brown getting on a ride with two females. I guess you never knew who you would run into at Opryland. I am glad there are many who are mad that it is gone for a shopping center.

Jim Kopycinski		25-Nov-2008 15:53
I worked in the For Me And My Gal show during the summer of 1982. It was so much fun. It really saddened me when the park closed.

Melissa		23-Nov-2008 17:25
I still to this day can not believe that Opryland is gone. I wish all of the time that it was still around. I grew up there and met my husband at Way out West. Spent alot of time at Country Music USA. My friends and I were there about 3-4 days a week. I was really hoping that I would be able one day to take my daughter and show her where her dad and I met and have a great place for her to spend her free time as a teen. Oh well all we have are pictures and memories that will never die....Thanks for the page

Rick		04-Sep-2008 02:02
I too was an avid park visitor. I went mainly for only one show. "Country Music USA" So with that in mind, I created a myspace tribute to the show. www.myspace.com/cmusicusa Chip, thanks for putting your heart and soul into this look back into the lives of all of Nashville's Baby Boomers. Man!, what memories. God Bless!

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~~

Guest		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

Guest		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.

Guest		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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