Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation
Encyclopedia
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (abbreviated HFE) is a privately owned themed-entertainment company that operates several theme parks and tourist attractions within the United States.
Founded by Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri
, in its early years HFE was simply known as Herschend Enterprises. In the 1980s the name was changed to Silver Dollar City Inc., and in 2003 the company gained the current name. HFE is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia
. The company's mission is to "Create Memories Worth Repeating." Company CEO Joel Manby
was featured in the March 28, 2010, episode of the CBS
reality series Undercover Boss
.
area attraction called Marvel Cave
. Hugo suffered a heart attack and later died in 1955, however Mary along with her two sons continued to improve the cave attraction by installing electric lighting and building cement walkways. A cable train was installed in 1958 to ferry guests out of the depths of the cave upon the end of the tour. The attendance nearly doubled and a small frontier town was erected to entertain visitors as they waited for their cave tour. In order to increase attendance furthermore at the attraction, a gimmick was used by naming the village "Silver Dollar City
" and distributing silver dollars as change to every visitor in hope that when they would spend the rare coins they would tell people where they had got them from. The idea was a success, and the Herschend family soon found themselves involved in the theme park business.
In 1969, Silver Dollar City drew national attention when producer Paul Henning
brought the cast and crew of the popular Beverly Hillbillies television show to the park to film five episodes.
; White Water
(1980), a themed water park
; and a riverboat
attraction on Table Rock Lake
called the Showboat Branson Belle
(1995). Besides operating Marvel Cave
, HFE owns nearby Talking Rocks Cavern
(1969). The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City is the park's official campground.
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation obtained a long-term lease to operate Atlanta, Georgia
's historic Stone Mountain Park (1998). They have introduced several themed attractions including an area named Crossroads, an 1870’s themed entertainment and craft village. In Valdosta, Georgia
HFE has recently purchased the Wild Adventures
theme park and Splash Island Water Park. The reported purchase price was $34.5 million.
In November 2007 HFE acquired controlling interest in Newport Aquarium
located in Newport, Kentucky
and Adventure Aquarium
in Camden, New Jersey
. Both aquariums feature interactive encounters with marine life like shark
s, sea turtles and seals
. Other animals that are included range from penguins to hippopotamuses.
In addition, HFE owns Ride the Ducks
amphibious tour attractions in Branson
, Newport
, KY, Philadelphia, Stone Mountain Park, GA, Seattle and San Francisco.
Also in San Francisco, HFE operates Classic Cable Car Sightseeing, the oldest land-based sightseeing company in the Bay Area.
In 2011 CNL Lifestyle Properties and HFE announced that Herschend would assume the day-to-day management of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort and Elitch Gardens
, after CNL and former operator PARC Management
agreed to terminate the lease agreements for these parks.
, called "Goldrush Junction." The following year the attraction was renamed "Silver Dollar City Tennessee" to launch a development plan that would transform the property into a theme park patterned after the original Silver Dollar City in Branson. For the Pigeon Forge park, the Ozark Mountains theme of the original Silver Dollar City was slightly reworked to represent the Great Smoky Mountains
and Appalachia culture
instead, fitting the location in the foothills of the Smokies.
In 1986, Dolly Parton
became a co-owner, and the park's name was changed to "Dollywood
," reflecting her involvement. At this point, the Pigeon Forge park was branched off into a separate division of HFE called The Dollywood Company, which oversees all the properties that Dolly Parton has interest in.
Along with the Herschend family, Dolly Parton co-owns the Dixie Stampede dinner attraction chain, which has locations in Pigeon Forge (opened 1988), Myrtle Beach
(1992), and Branson (1995). A location in Orlando
opened in 2003 and closed in early 2008.
In 2001 a new water park was opened adjacent to the Dollywood theme park called "Dolly's Splash Country
."
, Frontier City
, and Six Flags
. White Water Branson, built in 1980, was the forerunner and is still owned by HFE; while the White Waters in Oklahoma City
(1981), Grand Prairie, Texas
(1982), Garland, Texas
(1982) and Atlanta
(1983) have been sold.
The 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre opened in 1992 by the Herschends. The theatre was co-owned by singer Kenny Rogers
. Along with Rogers headliners were Glen Campbell
, Louise Mandrell
and Barbara Mandrell
. In 1994 HFE entered into a ten year contract with Radio City Entertainment. The Grand Palace Theatre would be the first to host the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
starring the world famous Rockettes outside of New York City
’s Radio City Music Hall
. The shows were successful and led to Radio City Entertainment launching tours of their shows in other cities throughout the United States.
HFE built the $10 million Grand Village Shops with Kenny Rogers
adjacent to The Grand Palace Theatre in 1993. Ozark wares and English China filled the twenty six New Orleans themed shops. HFE later bought out entertainer Kenny Rogers and sold The Grand Palace in 1996 and The Grand Village in 2005.
American Adventures, a children’s theme park opened alongside White Water Atlanta
. The park was sold to Six Flags in 1999.
In 1994, The Dollywood Company constructed a large music theatre in Pigeon Forge called "Music Mansion". Headlined by James Rogers, the highly successful theatre was operated by HFE until 2001, when it was sold to Anita Bryant
. In 2005 the theatre was sold again and converted to a WonderWorks location. A Music Mansion Theatre was planned for Myrtle Beach, but never materialized.
In 2003 the Dollywood Company opened a new Dixie Stampede location in Orlando, Florida
along Interstate 4
. The location operated until early 2008, when the property was sold to an adjacent outlet mall for an undisclosed amount. HFE has plans to build another Dixie Stampede in the region at some point, though specific plans have not been disclosed.
In 2004 HFE purchased the Hawaiian Falls
water parks located in Dallas, Texas, Garland, Texas
and The Colony, Texas
. In 2006 all three parks were sold.
Due to unreliable peak season water access, Ride The Ducks in Memphis
closed in 2007.
Celebration City
in Branson closed on October 25, 2008. The company has plans to restructure the site.
Founded by Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
, in its early years HFE was simply known as Herschend Enterprises. In the 1980s the name was changed to Silver Dollar City Inc., and in 2003 the company gained the current name. HFE is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. The company's mission is to "Create Memories Worth Repeating." Company CEO Joel Manby
Joel Manby
Joel Manby is the current Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Herschend Family Entertainment, a privately owned themed-entertainment company that owns and operates 24 properties across nine states, including Stone Mountain Park, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar City...
was featured in the March 28, 2010, episode of the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
reality series Undercover Boss
Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series)
Undercover Boss is an American 2010 reality television series, based on the British series of the same name. Each episode depicts a person who has a high management position at a major business, deciding to become undercover as a entry-level employee to discover the faults in the company...
.
History
HFE traces roots back to Hugo and Mary Herschend from Chicago, Illinois along with sons Jack and Pete. The family vacationed in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains region and fell in love with the nature the area offered. In 1951 Hugo obtained a 99 year lease on a Branson, MissouriBranson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
area attraction called Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave is a National Natural Landmark located just west of Branson, Missouri, on top of Roark Mountain in Stone County. The cave was known by the Osage Indians in the early 16th century, after a tribe member fell through the cave's main entrance, a sinkhole. There is evidence that in 1541...
. Hugo suffered a heart attack and later died in 1955, however Mary along with her two sons continued to improve the cave attraction by installing electric lighting and building cement walkways. A cable train was installed in 1958 to ferry guests out of the depths of the cave upon the end of the tour. The attendance nearly doubled and a small frontier town was erected to entertain visitors as they waited for their cave tour. In order to increase attendance furthermore at the attraction, a gimmick was used by naming the village "Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is a theme park in the state of Missouri. Opened on May 1, 1960, the park is located between Branson and Branson West, Missouri, on Highway 76...
" and distributing silver dollars as change to every visitor in hope that when they would spend the rare coins they would tell people where they had got them from. The idea was a success, and the Herschend family soon found themselves involved in the theme park business.
In 1969, Silver Dollar City drew national attention when producer Paul Henning
Paul Henning
Paul William Henning was an American producer and writer. Most famous for the successful TV sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, he was crucial in the development of several "rural" comedies for CBS.-Early life:...
brought the cast and crew of the popular Beverly Hillbillies television show to the park to film five episodes.
Current properties
In Branson the company owns the theme park Silver Dollar CitySilver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is a theme park in the state of Missouri. Opened on May 1, 1960, the park is located between Branson and Branson West, Missouri, on Highway 76...
; White Water
White Water Branson
White Water Branson is located in Branson, Missouri and is known by most in the area as just White Water. It features a wave pool, a series of tubular slides, a ProSlide mammoth family raft ride, and a slide deck featuring 2 speed slides and 4 "Racing Lanes"....
(1980), a themed water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
; and a riverboat
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
attraction on Table Rock Lake
Table Rock Lake
Table Rock Lake is an artificial lake or reservoir in The Ozarks of southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas. It is impounded by Table Rock Dam constructed in 1954-1958 on the White River by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is one of the tourist draws for the nearby town of Branson,...
called the Showboat Branson Belle
Showboat Branson Belle
Showboat Branson Belle is a riverboat—more specifically, a showboat—on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri. The lake is landlocked by the Table Rock Dam on one side and the Beaver Lake Dam on the other side...
(1995). Besides operating Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave
Marvel Cave is a National Natural Landmark located just west of Branson, Missouri, on top of Roark Mountain in Stone County. The cave was known by the Osage Indians in the early 16th century, after a tribe member fell through the cave's main entrance, a sinkhole. There is evidence that in 1541...
, HFE owns nearby Talking Rocks Cavern
Talking Rocks Cavern
Talking Rocks Cavern is a cavern system located in Stone County, just west of Branson in the US state of Missouri. It is a privately operated tourist destination....
(1969). The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City is the park's official campground.
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation obtained a long-term lease to operate Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
's historic Stone Mountain Park (1998). They have introduced several themed attractions including an area named Crossroads, an 1870’s themed entertainment and craft village. In Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
HFE has recently purchased the Wild Adventures
Wild Adventures
Wild Adventures Water & Theme Park is located from Valdosta, Georgia, United States. It is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. The park features approximately 59 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island water park and...
theme park and Splash Island Water Park. The reported purchase price was $34.5 million.
In November 2007 HFE acquired controlling interest in Newport Aquarium
Newport Aquarium
-External links:*...
located in Newport, Kentucky
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
and Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium
The Adventure Aquarium, formerly the New Jersey State Aquarium, is a for-profit educational entertainment attraction operated in Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River waterfront by the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation...
in Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
. Both aquariums feature interactive encounters with marine life like shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
s, sea turtles and seals
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
. Other animals that are included range from penguins to hippopotamuses.
In addition, HFE owns Ride the Ducks
Ride the Ducks
Ride the Ducks is a national duck tour operator, and an eponymous tourist attraction in U.S. cities such as Branson, Missouri, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Newport, Kentucky, San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Stone Mountain Park, Georgia. It makes use of over 90 amphibious vehicles to...
amphibious tour attractions in Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
, Newport
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
, KY, Philadelphia, Stone Mountain Park, GA, Seattle and San Francisco.
Also in San Francisco, HFE operates Classic Cable Car Sightseeing, the oldest land-based sightseeing company in the Bay Area.
In 2011 CNL Lifestyle Properties and HFE announced that Herschend would assume the day-to-day management of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort and Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens was a family-owned seasonal amusement park, theater, and botanic garden in the West Highland neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, United States at 38th and Tennyson streets. For more than a century Elitch's was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado...
, after CNL and former operator PARC Management
PARC Management
PARC Management, LLC is an operations company based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. which operates various parks, attractions, recreation and entertainment venues throughout North America.-History:...
agreed to terminate the lease agreements for these parks.
The Dollywood Company
The Herschends extended their brand in 1976 upon purchasing a small tourist attraction in Pigeon Forge, TennesseePigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 5,875....
, called "Goldrush Junction." The following year the attraction was renamed "Silver Dollar City Tennessee" to launch a development plan that would transform the property into a theme park patterned after the original Silver Dollar City in Branson. For the Pigeon Forge park, the Ozark Mountains theme of the original Silver Dollar City was slightly reworked to represent the Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range rising along the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern United States. They are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains, and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province. The range is sometimes called the Smoky Mountains or the...
and Appalachia culture
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
instead, fitting the location in the foothills of the Smokies.
In 1986, Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
became a co-owner, and the park's name was changed to "Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
," reflecting her involvement. At this point, the Pigeon Forge park was branched off into a separate division of HFE called The Dollywood Company, which oversees all the properties that Dolly Parton has interest in.
Along with the Herschend family, Dolly Parton co-owns the Dixie Stampede dinner attraction chain, which has locations in Pigeon Forge (opened 1988), Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
(1992), and Branson (1995). A location in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
opened in 2003 and closed in early 2008.
In 2001 a new water park was opened adjacent to the Dollywood theme park called "Dolly's Splash Country
Dollywood's Splash Country
Dollywood's Splash Country is a water park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, adjacent to the Dollywood theme park. The park's central theme rests around entertainer Dolly Parton’s childhood swimming in the rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains...
."
Past properties
HFE built several water parks in the 1980s which have since sold to other companies such as Wet 'n WildWet 'n Wild
Wet 'n Wild is a chain of United States water parks founded by Seaworld creator George Millay in Orlando, Florida in 1977. The Wet 'n Wild name is currently branded onto two water parks owned by different companies: Wet 'n Wild Orlando, operated by Universal Parks & Resorts under the Wet 'n Wild...
, Frontier City
Frontier City
Frontier City is a western-themed amusement park in Oklahoma City's Adventure District. It is currently owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by former Six Flags executives Kieran Burke and Gary Story. The park is the subject of the song "Frontier City" by the Nashville band Kings of...
, and Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
. White Water Branson, built in 1980, was the forerunner and is still owned by HFE; while the White Waters in Oklahoma City
White Water Bay
White Water Bay is a water park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma built in 1981. Originally built by the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, White Water Bay was picked up by Premier Parks in 1991 and its name was changed from White Water to White Water Bay...
(1981), Grand Prairie, Texas
Boardwalk Fun Park
Boardwalk Fun Park was a amusement park located in northeast Grand Prairie, Texas near the intersection of Belt Line Road and Interstate 30. It was originally a water park.-History:...
(1982), Garland, Texas
Wet 'n Wild
Wet 'n Wild is a chain of United States water parks founded by Seaworld creator George Millay in Orlando, Florida in 1977. The Wet 'n Wild name is currently branded onto two water parks owned by different companies: Wet 'n Wild Orlando, operated by Universal Parks & Resorts under the Wet 'n Wild...
(1982) and Atlanta
Six Flags White Water
Six Flags White Water is a water park located northwest of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Originally opening in 1984 as White Water Atlanta, the park became part of the Six Flags family of parks in 1999...
(1983) have been sold.
The 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre opened in 1992 by the Herschends. The theatre was co-owned by singer Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
. Along with Rogers headliners were Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
, Louise Mandrell
Louise Mandrell
Thelma Louise Mandrell, also known as Louise Mandrell, was born July 13, 1954 and is an American country music singer. She is the younger sister of country singer Barbara Mandrell, and older sister of actress Irlene Mandrell. Louise had a successful singing career in country music with a string of...
and Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s...
. In 1994 HFE entered into a ten year contract with Radio City Entertainment. The Grand Palace Theatre would be the first to host the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an annual musical holiday stage show presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show features over 140 performers, lavish sets and costumes and an original musical score. The 90 minute revue combines singing, dancing and humor with traditional...
starring the world famous Rockettes outside of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
’s Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
. The shows were successful and led to Radio City Entertainment launching tours of their shows in other cities throughout the United States.
HFE built the $10 million Grand Village Shops with Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
adjacent to The Grand Palace Theatre in 1993. Ozark wares and English China filled the twenty six New Orleans themed shops. HFE later bought out entertainer Kenny Rogers and sold The Grand Palace in 1996 and The Grand Village in 2005.
American Adventures, a children’s theme park opened alongside White Water Atlanta
Six Flags White Water
Six Flags White Water is a water park located northwest of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Originally opening in 1984 as White Water Atlanta, the park became part of the Six Flags family of parks in 1999...
. The park was sold to Six Flags in 1999.
In 1994, The Dollywood Company constructed a large music theatre in Pigeon Forge called "Music Mansion". Headlined by James Rogers, the highly successful theatre was operated by HFE until 2001, when it was sold to Anita Bryant
Anita Bryant
Anita Jane Bryant is an American singer, former Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant winner, and gay rights opponent. She scored four Top 40 hits in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Paper Roses", which reached #5...
. In 2005 the theatre was sold again and converted to a WonderWorks location. A Music Mansion Theatre was planned for Myrtle Beach, but never materialized.
In 2003 the Dollywood Company opened a new Dixie Stampede location in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
along Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
. The location operated until early 2008, when the property was sold to an adjacent outlet mall for an undisclosed amount. HFE has plans to build another Dixie Stampede in the region at some point, though specific plans have not been disclosed.
In 2004 HFE purchased the Hawaiian Falls
Hawaiian Falls
Hawaiian Falls Waterparks is a family-friendly waterpark chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area. The chain is composed of three waterparks. Hawaiian Falls Adventure Park, now known as Hawaiian Falls Firewheel was the first park, opening in Garland, Texas in 2003...
water parks located in Dallas, Texas, Garland, Texas
Garland
A garland is a class of decoration, of which there are many types.Garland may also refer to:-Places:*Garland, Arkansas, a town in Miller County*Garland County, Arkansas*Garland, Maine, a town in Penobscot County...
and The Colony, Texas
The Colony, Texas
The city is bordered on the west by Lewisville Lake and Lewisville, Texas, on the north and east by Frisco, Texas and on the south by Carrollton, Texas and Plano, Texas...
. In 2006 all three parks were sold.
Due to unreliable peak season water access, Ride The Ducks in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
closed in 2007.
Celebration City
Celebration City
Celebration City was a "night-time theme park" located in Branson, Missouri, USA. Celebration City was themed after America in the 20th century, with areas based on Route 66, Small-town America in the 1900s, and a beachside boardwalk in the 1920s...
in Branson closed on October 25, 2008. The company has plans to restructure the site.
External links
- Herschend Family Entertainment official website