[DiscoverMB]

It is official! "The Park" has announced it will not use the names of Led Zeppelin and The Eagles, bringing an end to the big names used in the park. Rumors have been circulating that the park had lost the rights to the Led Zeppelin name, which was part of its signature rollercoaster, Led Zeppelin the Ride. On Monday, the park also lost a judgement against former CEO, Steven Goodwin, and his claim to certain trademarks and intellectual rights. The park says it had already decided to rebrand portions of the park. The park had already announced the removal of The Moody Blues, Nights in White Satin - The Trip.

"There were a number of things that we had in the works with our rebrand and the new creative direction we were taking it before the ruling," Stine said. "All this does is we continue to work harder, and we accelerate some things."

There has been no comment from park official regarding new names for the rides, including Slippery When Wet and Maximum RPM!.

Also an on going mystery, is the park's name. Currently, official call it simply, "The Park", since no deal or announcement has been made with Hard Rock International. The park's website, HardRockPark.com was taken down earlier this week, because it is believe that intellectual rights and trademarks, deemed by a Delaware Bankruptcy Judge, belongs to former CEO Steven Goodwin. The park had been planning a new website prior to the courts ruling. The site in its current form, gives no contact information for anyone associated with the park, but instead, links visitors to the official Hard Rock website and a Hard Rock email address.

New park owners, have been trying to work out a deal with Hard Rock International to retain the Hard Rock Park name since the purchase in February. Rumors have been making the rounds as to exactly what is happening between FPI MBE and HRI, but no further information is currently available.

EDITORIAL COMMENTS:
Of course there is the concern that the park will not have enough time to rebrand and open in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, but the move could be a big help. While the merchandise with Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Moody Blues and even the Hard Rock name may end up destroyed or at best, on a discount rack at the shop currently known as "In Through the Out Store", merchandise with no outside copyrighted property means no royalties to third parties. This would translate to a higher profit margin for FPI MBE.

[TheInsider]

You can say goodbye to more than just those band names. Guests have seen and heard their last Bohemian Rhapsody Nighttime Spectacular too. The show will not be back for another season.

Speaking of season, the annual passes will likely become season passes only. The park should only be open until about Labor Day. So where you had a 10 month park for $150 you will now have a 3 1/2 month park for $75. That's half the price for almost 2/3's less of time. That's not a very good deal.

If the park does the price for under $40, lets say $39.99, then two adults will pay $79.98 + taxes, plus parking, which may be a few dollars less than the $10 they charged before. The cost will still be the same as the previous year's lowest price of $39 + taxes and parking. You'd save the two or three dollars on parking but pay two or three dollars more on the tickets.

If they add a child's price, which is likely, families could save a little bit more. Unless they revamp NIWS to something else, you're now down a ride. Adding in a few carnival rides will not be the park's saving grace for 2009.

I will agree about dropping the band names to save money. It would be a smart move.

[OrlandoParks]

Wouldnt they have to completely retheme the whole Zeppelin ride since they are not using the name any more? Like as in building and all?

[Jon]

They have to retheme. How else can you fit in a giant Zeppelin balloon station? Hindenburg the ride would be pretty cool though.