Opryland Trip 1981

[@chrisallen7911]

It was the closest thing to the Land of Oz that a child could ask for. It is missed like a dear childhood friend.

[@chrisallen7911]

Nashville native here also. Thank you for this priceless footage of the most beloved place in Nashville. It was a crime to destroy it and it's history forever. We have never recovered from its loss. Your background music is wonderful and reminds me of what they played throughout the park. Your video is just like being transported back in time. Love IT!!!

[@righthearproductions8934]

Agreed. I'm not a Nashvillian, but we would visit Opryland every year from KY. It was my favorite place on the planet. Terry London and all the others responsible for its destruction for a mall is criminal in my book as well.

[@donkeeton7897]

Totally agree visited 1993 and 94 what a wonderful and beautiful place it was for folks to visit what a disgrace it was to close it down future generations will only know it in pictures and videos like this school and church groups families tourist all enjoyed visiting the park and it also provided seasonal jobs for many young people and it had the shuttle service to and from the park the hotel and showboat river cruises so 😔 sad the park is gone as Amy Grant sang you take paradise and put up a parking lot like Nashville needed another mall.

[@cloud29z]

That. Was. Awesome. Thanks for the memories Opryland!!!

[@lindaschreiner6999]

Opryland was a wonderful family place! The best entertainment, an opportunity for young musicians, singers, dancers, producers, etc. to do what they love! One of the worst decisions made was to replace it with a mall!

[@jamesclark4578]

Thank you for such a treat. I loved Nashville in the 80s and Opryland was so special to me and my family.

[@dstevens4673]

Excellent film!! I remember Opryland so well.. wonderful place. Nashville is not the same place today, not even close.

[@EdTignor]

This is the best video of Opryland I have seen. My grandparents had season passes and took me and my siblings a lot in the Summers here. The videos while riding the rides is unbelievable. It really is like I'm back there again. Thank you so much!!!

[@jrvbamafan1]

Mr. Marsh I just wanted to thank you for posting this video. I was only a year old in 81, but my family went to Opryland every year from around 83 until the park closed in 97. It remains some of my fondest memories as a child. There was a magical feeling about that park that I have yet to find at any other theme park I've been to. It is also one of the few places I went with my biological father and mother before they divorced, and so many emotions were brought back through the lens of your camera. I actually teared up seeing the Wabash cannonball as I have special memories of it being my first real roller coaster. I have always lived in North Alabama and Opryland was just a little over an hours drive for us. They should have never torn down such an incredible place to put another useless mall in its place. I wish my family now could experience what I did as a child, but your video allowed them a glimpse into stories I have told them about Opryland. Sorry for the long message but I was just taken by a wave of good emotions seeing this. God bless and take care

[@aprilpinkard9929]

jrvbamafan1 Amen!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@chrisallen7911]

I cried too and have watched over many times. It is just like being there at 9 years old in 1981. Yes the place had a magical feel to it that's hard to explain.

[@logue444]

Wow. Who makes home movies this good?? This is great. I worked at Opryland in 1981 and my sister worked at the Opry for many years. This is a slice out of my past. Thanks for sharing!

[@bryanbrown2355]

Nashville native here. this video is incredible. it really does a great job of capturing what we loved about opryland. thank you for sharing.

[@DukeMarsh]

So glad you liked it...it was one of our most enjoyable vacations!

[@ryansmithsonwork]

dude, brought back a lot of childhoods. tremendous gift.

[@ChannelEleven59]

Duke… i come to this video about every other year since its been posted. Cheers me up. I grew up near Opryland and miss the perceived simplicity of life then. Thanks again Mr Kot-aarree.😊

[@mrswheat423]

Awesome. Looks like one of my family vacays. Thanks for the memories. I was 12 in 1981. I'm 50 now. Where has time gone.

[@ChannelEleven59]

I absolutely love this video! Brings back the memories. I grew up in Murfreesboro and it was such a treat to go to Opryland back in those days. Thank you for posting. And Im sorry but i can't help it........ LOOKING GOOD MR KOTTER!!!! ; )

[@DukeMarsh]

Ha ha...you're not the first to call me Mr. Kotter (I had the 'fro from about 1977-82).

[@garyhughes8849]

I would love to see a new operyland you could make a day

[@samfrey6205]

That was one of the best shot and edited home movies that i have ever seen! Well done sir! Nice sound editing as well.

[@nashvilletennessee3194]

Sam Frey I 100% agree with you! So well done.

[@ncavlleguy]

Thanks for sharing ,Oliver and I are the same age ,I was also 14 that June and my family and I had taken my grandparents to opryland that very same July of 1981 ,what a fabulous vacation that was oh to go back to those days , y’all were ever driving a olds cutlass just like the one my parents had only theirs had a black ragtop how AWSOME is that . Thanks for sharing and bringing back some of my most fondest memories of my youth 😄🇺🇸❤️

[@randyporter3491]

Another video on here finally reveals the massive mistake by one CEO, who decided to close the park, even thought it was profitable. This is beyond sad to those of us who loved this park and worked there. Opryland had "something" that will never be replicated. It was truly a magical place, that was impeccably managed and operated. Everything had to be perfect, from the flowers, to the food and cleanliness. Employees were not allowed to have a bad day and were screened and hand picked, from thousands of applicants. The entertainers were among the best in the world. It was a safe and secure place were kids could spend the day, with or without parents. All that replaced by a "mall", that no one has ever liked. Great video Duke, thanks for sharing. Sadly, video is all we have left and thankfully, some had the good sense to capture and preserve it like you did.

[@aprilpinkard9929]

This video is amazing! All my favorite rides from childhood! Thank you sir!

[@feathersax]

Excellent! Worked as a musician at Opryland in 1975, the we got season passes during the 80s. Our son practically grew up at Opryland USA. Great memories.

[@kileymurphy725]

Fantastic!

[@DukeMarsh]

Thanks!

[@mikeisi]

Wow, fantastic footage!! The transfer is such good quality. I was born in 81 in Nashville and grew having summer passes to here. Thanks for uploading. I miss it tremendously.

[@johnarmstrong6227]

A front row POV in 1981. You were quite ahead of your time! Great video, brings back some fun memories. Thanks for putting this out here for everyone to enjoy!

[@DukeMarsh]

So glad I was into Super8 film-making at the time!

[@DJaySplitSecond]

Wow I was 8 at the time living in NJ, my mom had 5 kids and can never afford trips and things like this so thank you for posting these Time Machine videos

[@bridgettejones8650]

Loved your video. Spent my childhood in the park and a number of years working there. It brought back great memories. So glad you have fond memories of Opryland too.

[@DukeMarsh]

So glad you liked it, Bridgette...being from Indiana, it was a one-time event for us!

[@philipbambarger4340]

This is great.. my parents took us growing up very early 90's. Miss this place so much. Nashville lost a staple piece of history only to have a mall take its place. NO GOOD.. Thanks for the nostalgia ;)

[@kellybreece]

This is amazing!! Your footage is phenomenal. And from a native Nashvillian who misses this place, wow what a ride to go back and relive it. In 1981, I was 9 years old.

[@DukeMarsh]

We had a great time on our one and only visit to Opryland!

[@MrGoodgirl1777]

Im a Nashville Native too. I used to work at the park as well. I miss Opryland so bad. I was 6 years old in 1981.

[@nachoaveragerealtors]

This was awesome...I bet your kids love this...wish we had taken movies when we went to Opryland...this brought back memories!!!

[@DukeMarsh]

Yes, the movies I took in the 70s and 80s are priceless!

[@Scott0102]

I would have been about the same age as your son at this time. My favorite childhood memories are of Opryland every summer, and sometimes more than once. I was so disappointed when it was demolished and a shopping center built. I have said many times how I wish my kids could have enjoyed it growing up as much as I did. Thank you for posting.

[@DukeMarsh]

You're welcome!

[@bradpepperelizabethsmith3116]

Thank you for sharing this! I worked at Opryland in the last 80s and this brings back so many great memories. It broke my heart when it was torn down and stupid mall was built. I have only been to "Shopryland" a handful of times and would much rather have the park. Safe place for kids and fun for all ages. I miss it so much.🙁

[@DukeMarsh]

I'm so glad we drove down from New Albany, IN to visit. My only other trips to TN were to the Smoky Mountains.

[@aprilpinkard9929]

Shopryland😂. I can't wait to work that one in the next time my husband drags me to Bass Pro Shops at Opry Mills. I always spend the whole trip complaining about how they tore down a great land to build a MALL🤢

[@nedflanders6092]

this is golden!

[@DukeMarsh]

Thanks, Ned!

[@tashee8772]

Watching this from Opryland Hotel Today.Truly enjoyed.😊

[@crystalbauer9631]

This is so heartwarming. I really enjoyed watching this. As a native Californian who now lives in Nashville, I've heard many stories of Opryland and getting to see this film really gave me a great idea of what it was like back then. Your narration cracked me up, especially, "hello again!" You seem like a fun dad and a far out dude. I do hope you make more videos.

[@DukeMarsh]

Glad you enjoyed it, Crystal! I'm still making mini videos, mainly in and around the Louisville, KY area. You can check me out on Facebook if you like! facebook.com/DukeMarsh

[@TropicalRain21]

What a wonderful trip down memory lane! I miss Opryland so much! Thank you!

[@tsh1964]

Duke, really enjoyed viewing this, brought back good memories.

[@DukeMarsh]

So glad you liked it!

[@jaytoday10]

Thanks for posting this! What an awesome time to be alive! I was only 3 months old at the time of this video. However, I ventured there in the 86-96 many many times and I have nothing but GREAT memories from Opryland! What a great place and time that we can’t get back. But it sure is fun to be able to see it once again. Thank you

[@CritterHouseUSA]

My family and I went to Opryland from 1988 - until they closed. Some of the best memories of my life. Still can't believe it's gone. Thank you for posting this!!

[@DukeMarsh]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jennywright7009]

This is made of awesome. I was 13 in 1981 and lived in Franklin, TN. I LOVED Opryland. It bought back so many happy memories - thanks for sharing!

[@DukeMarsh]

My kids loved it! I'm glad it brought back happy memories for you!

[@josephmackela8466]

I love this!! Almost like going back in time. I was here as a kid in 1981!! We’re from Indiana also!!

[@DiamondRioFan1]

Loved this video. I was probably working those 2 days you were there. I LOVED how you kept running into Kelly (the sweeper in the New Orleans area). It was the BEST place for a first job. THANK YOU for posting this!!

[@DukeMarsh]

Kelly was a cutie. So glad I pulled this movie out of the archives!

[@FrankCostanza-u4b]

Thanks for sharing the video. I grew up there and wish the park were still there.

[@JAX-TV]

Thank you for posting this. Brought back a lot of memories

[@amberanntn]

This was an awesome blast from the past! Thanks for posting. I miss my childhood and Opryland! 😭

[@carlasanders69]

Aww, this is the sweetest thing ever! Thank you for sharing!!

[@modelworksajt1301]

What an amazing video!! I grew up going to Opryland and still miss it. Sadly if it were built today it wouldn't be safe to go to and not have nearly the charm of the original!

[@martinrice6541]

You brought back some great memories! And I see you are still at it! Hats off!

[@stephenwphillips]

Hey Duke! I'm the author of a new book about Opryland, "Opryland USA (Images of Modern America)". I just want you to know how incredible this video is. I wanted to share with you a few things I noticed about your amazing video. + The Fiddler's Motel is now known as the Fiddler's Inn, still located right across from Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; it was featured on "Hotel Impossible" a while back + In my book research, comprising over 4,000 photos, I never once saw an attraction sign for the Flume Zoom with its Gatorade sponsorship logo attached + Likewise, the seldom-seen alternate Grizzly River Rampage logo that was placed on top of the queue building, shows up here in this video in its clearest and most prominent appearance to date. A different GRR logo was used on all merchandise and marketing materials. + During the opening and closing years, the "Cannonball" in the "Wabash Cannonball logo " was red. I'm not sure how many years in-between that it had the all-blue color scheme. This is my first time seeing it displayed in this manner. + I've never seen that sign/fence for Do Was Diddy City before! + Several of the larger shows are noticeably absent from the video. However, a dad with 2 teenager might have skipped those altogether. + Not counting officially produced marketing materials; news stories from local TV; video packages from WSM Inc., WSM-TV (now WSMV), TNN, or Gaylord Entertainment; or filmed segments made by Opryland Productions, this could be the only professional-quality tour of the park. I occasionally give talks and lead discussions about Opryland. I was wondering if you would give me permission to share this video along with other videos I use in the presentation (I can send you some Opryland-related goodies from OprylandUSA.com if it will help :) ) Also... if there is any raw footage or similar videos, I'm sure that i'm not the only one who would love to see them.

[@skmc6915]

Do you by chance have any pics from the old water slide park on Music Valley drive? It was in the spot Grand Ole Golf is now.

[@DukeMarsh]

Hi, Stephen! Thanks for your interest and info about the history of Opryland. I guess I never realized that this "home movie" could have such historical interest. My kids and I took several mini-vacations which I documented on Super8 film. There is no other footage from that trip, I really don't remember shooting any stills, as well. This film certainly has the personal slant on a visit to Opryland. Feel free to use it in any way that you would like. Just an added personal note...I later shot video professionally for over 20 years, but music is my main interest. My other trip to Nashville was way back in 1960 when the Carnations, a band in which I was playing, made recordings at the RCA Victor Studios (same one in which Elvis, Boots Randolph, etc. recorded). I'm 75 now, still actively performing music locally (Louisville, KY area). Best of luck with your new book!

[@DukeMarsh]

Sorry, we only stopped at Opryland.

[@jbw9999]

I rode that slide. It was the good old fashion type that was a concrete trough on a hill (vs. the modern plastic tubes on supports). You got flung up the sides in the corners but there was no worry of falling to your death. Do you remember the one like that across from Rivergate Mall in the 70's and maybe early 80's? It was behind the Honda dealer (which I don't think was there then) and you slid down the hill towards Myatt Drive.

[@Hrd4]

Native Nashvillian here and love love love this Duke. Thanks and God bless. Lots of changes to Opryland through the years...the Rock n roller coaster originally started out as the Timber Topper. The Angle Inn was the Hilton Tilton. I worked at The Fiddlers Inn in 1988. Randy Travis got his start at the Nashville Palace which used to be just next door. Such an amazing video. Thanks for bringing back such an amazing piece of so many of our childhoods. I now live in Southern Indiana! :)

[@jodigeorge2804]

Love this. I spent my childhood hanging out at Opryland(season passes). I sure do miss it.

[@DukeMarsh]

Glad you liked it, Jodi!

[@bcarr1752]

Amazing I miss opryland dearly

[@princessmissy50]

Great video! I'm a native Nashvillian and I still miss Opryland so much.

[@wildcatcountry-bigbluenation]

One of my favorite uploads on KZbin. I'm glad someone captured what Opryland was like in the early 80's. Great job!

[@angiehollowayphotography7396]

Our family had season passes to Opryland for years. Some of my favorite pictures are of days at Opryland. When our Indiana family would visit that was always a must see. I'm glad they got to visit it before it closed down. Being a Nashville native and still living here, there is hardly a month that goes by that I don't hear someone mention that they miss Opryland. As fate would have it, we RARELY step foot in the mall that took it's place. Thanks for sharing. I was vicariously walking through with you!

[@DukeMarsh]

Thanks for your nice comments. It sounds as if Nashville natives have the same nostalgic feelings about Opryland as people from the Louisville area have about Fontaine Ferry Park. Our family made many trips to the Smoky Mountains over the years, but I can remember only two trips to Nashville: the trip to Opryland in 1981, and a much earlier trip to the RCA Victor studio where the band in which I was playing cut a record. The same hallowed halls in which Elvis Presley, Boots Randolph, et al, recorded!

[@SFC44E4X]

Wow! So many memories. I worked there in 1978-1979. In fact, after the log ride scenes, you walked past my Sipper Cart that was on the right side. It’s a white rod iron cart with a yellow and white cover over it. So cool to see it again.

[@aegisofhonor]

The most depressing sentence I have ever heard in my life; "Opryland, the theme park that is now a mall". I wish I got to go to Opryland, and was very sad to see it close down back in the 1990s before I ever had a chance of going. Cannon Ball, Hangman, Chaos, the Flume Zoom, the Cumberland Museum, so many great rides and attractions, so much fun. I'm not a huge country music fan, but it's the one place I really wish I got to go to as a kid or teenager.

[@robynspangler]

Duke that is ME @ 2:40. Do you have any other footage from the Jukebox Theatre?

[@lovebaja]

Wow, that must have been exciting to see yourself like that! Amazing.

[@morocsrblx2028]

I really wish I was alive to have gone here. My mom always tells me about it and seeing it now makes me really wish it was still around. The mall they built to replace this park is always the same and people just go around trashing it, so most times it's not enjoyable walking around.

[@KDaynes43]

You drobe through my hometown Etown.....lots of memories of Opryland. Wish it hadn't shut down.

[@Cinearte]

This video brought back so many memories. I used to go to Opryland every summer and I miss it. Thank you for posting this video.

[@DukeMarsh]

Thanks, Angel...good memories for us, too.

[@catfish24]

Good times. Thanks for posting.

[@eionlovejoy586]

Fascinating video looks really good after all these years!

[@nathanmiller6051]

This is awesome. Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.

[@michaelmcneely1247]

Flume Zoom first, then Wabash Cannonball, then Grizzly River Rampage, then make our way around to Doo Wop City for the Rockn Roller Coaster, then Tin Lizzie’s....then a corndog, fresh lemonade and funnel cakes. Now, let’s circle back around. (1981, before Screamin Delta Deamon, Hangman, Ole Mill Scream and Chaos)

[@ThornMage]

Last time I went to Opryland was early 90's. Chaos and the Screamin' Delta Demon were my favs.

[@travisfoster1023]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Love it.

[@DukeMarsh]

Thanks, Travis!

[@lindascarbrough6485]

Loved Opryland it's a shame they tore it down thanks for this footage its awesome!!

[@chickchanteuse1]

Cool video! I wish you had gone to a few shows and added them but I get it being there with teens. I did 4 different shows in the park from 1977-79. Though I wasn't a fan of how they treated us performers (dance rehearsals on concrete, no water or bathroom breaks, etc) I still appreciate the experience it offered to all of us who worked there. And the very idea that they closed it to build a stupid mall still upsets all of us!

[@arciefan]

One of the things to me that made opryland so special is they built it among the trees. Beautiful park and lots of shade . People were everywhere when I was there in the mid 80s. No way I thought it would have shut down. Very sad when it did. Thanks for your great video!

[@wcm68tn]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@DukeMarsh]

You're welcome!

[@skmc6915]

Thanks so much for this. I was 11 then. There is a good chance I was there that day lol.

[@DukeMarsh]

Maybe so...my kids were 14 and 15 then.

[@pvvol6571]

That was outstanding. I grew up outside of Nashville and have old silent 8mm footage our our family's trip to Opryland back in the late 70's. Priceless!!!!

[@MustangMach1696.0]

Thanks my friend for this great video gotta love ❤️ it.

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Wow. Rich Color in this home movie!!

[@johnmakin3225]

Very awesome! I liked sad sams at the end. That place is still there.

[@antonyandrerenaissanceart977]

John Makin ...run by the family of the original owner...very lucrative stop for them...

[@Legaltype1963]

My most favorite place in the world.

[@whitsatterfield7289]

Wow! Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@mtgreenwoodbustout]

Great video, Duke. This place looks like it was a lot of fun.

[@stevealexander6035]

I was 21 years old at that time and somewhere in the crowd. Great times with great people. Build it back and they will come !

[@jerryroach881]

I bet that the kids are parents theirselves I'm getting old.OH-WELL.

[@lynnbatey7947]

I totally enjoyed this .

[@wallywallace7410]

Thanks for putting this up Duke. Surprised it took me this long to find and watch it. It is by far the best video I've ever seen about visiting Opryland. It is truly a treasure.

[@carlasanders69]

Christopher Guest couldn't have done a better job. This is wonderful. Love your sense of humor. Thank you for reminding us Nashvillians of our beloved Opryland USA. As a drama student at the nearby high school, I was in several Opryland commercials. Watching your video was delightful. It brings back so many great memories.

[@offrails]

6:50 - the locomotive "Beatrice" lives on here in Florida at the Kirby Family Farm in Williston - looking a bit rough due to exposure to the elements, but still running. She was actually a real steam engine and worked on a plantation before being moved to Opryland and was converted to diesel around 1980 - the logs on the tender are actually fake and are designed to cover the radiator, etc.

[@kristiecain3242]

Absolutely amazing footage! Love your creativity and candidness. We used to go to Opryland all the time as kids, and what an insane move it was to tear it all down for a stupid mall.

[@keithmarty]

I was 11 years old in 1981 and grew up in the Nashville area. In those days, we had a "Good Times Family Pass" that, I believe, got us in after 4-5:00pm weeknights and all day on weekends. Our family of six, and everyone we knew, LOVED going to Opryland USA!!!! I miss it still to this day! Thanks for the video that brings back great memories!! 😊

[@DukeMarsh]

Glad you enjoyed it. We are from New Albany, IN, and made only one trip to Opryland.

[@Jetmace]

Very well done.

[@YourFavoriteHayley]

This was ... amazing. Thank you so much for capturing this, and capturing it so well.

[@gshockley100]

Thank you so much for posting this! I grew up going to Opryland and worked there for two seasons in the late 80's. So sad that they tore it down for a mall.

[@ericdavis2407]

Thank you for sharing. I was 10 that year and you video brought back so many wonderful memories of trips I took with my family to Opryland.

[@DukeMarsh]

Glad you enjoyed it...I only went to Opryland once, and am so glad I was into Super8 movie-making at the time!

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

My family went to LaserVision in 1981 too!!!

[@josephmackela8466]

We went there at around that same time in 1981.

[@SFC44E4X]

Video is so good I had to subscribe to your channel! Thank you!

[@leyawhite4232]

This is so cool! I was 13 at that time and lived close enough to Opryland to go a couple of times a summer. Thanks so much for posting.

[@DukeMarsh]

You're very welcome!

[@SnoopRockinJayDawg]

Great footage. Funny. And you sound just like Marty Stouffer from Wild America!

[@davidfarler9110]

Love the video Duke thanks for sharing and bringing back wonderful memories

[@aaronpropes9134]

Thanks for sharing this! I loved around a lot as a kid, but I think your video shows something that Opryland had that others didn't - they had some of the nicest grounds of any theme park; they obviously put a lot of work into it. Even though I went to quite a few as a kid, Opryland always felt like "my" theme park.

[@lindawall9942]

I could just CRY! Memories sweet Memories! Awesome video. There aren't many Shoney's to be found any more either:(

[@dori9754]

What awesome memories!

[@rejectedjeepers7317]

Thanks for posting. Loved opryland more than disney. Such a wonderful place.

[@slynnedwards]

This is great. Thanks for sharing.

[@DukeMarsh]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@Krissoard]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@fulltilt151]

Duke! Tell me you have more videos!!!!

[@DukeMarsh]

I do...I will digitize as many as possible!

[@steved8878]

This would make such a great short for Rifftrax.