I miss the park. I use to go there as a teen. It was a waste to build another mall and do away with Opryland. I've only been to the mall twice since it opened.
I was employed years ago cleaning the entire mall after hours. The mall is so huge it took me 8 hours just to vacuum the entire mall. The bathrooms were a job in itself. In the time I worked there, I lost 25 pounds. It was after the mall closed to tourists and kind of fun around Christmas. Cleaning the food court during the day and clearing the tables was a lot easier. I do miss the original, pre flood mall, when the Ghirardelli chocolate shoppe was open and right next to it, a bookstore where I spent many happy hours drinking coffee in the coffee shop while I tried to decide what to buy. The selection of books was huge at bargain basement prices! They also had a selection of children's toys and other gift items. I really was deep into the hobby and handicraft section where I learned how to crochet and oil paint
Great video! My family used to travel to the Nashville area fairly often from 2002 to 2005. We would occasionally stop at Opry Mills while in town. The thing I remembered most about the mall was Rainforest Cafe. My younger self was astounded by all the rain, thunder, lightning and animatronic animals. I feel a strong sense of nostalgia for those days. 🥲
I first visited Opryland Theme Park on grand opening weekend in 1972. We lived in Nashville and went often. The mall is good but nothing like the park was, espeically since they had live musical productions going on all over the park.
Yes we felt the same way saying... It's JUST A MALL! Us locals started calling it SHOPRYLAND. Yes I always felt a sadness that they destroyed the theme park that once was part of the heart and soul of Nashville.
The loss of Opryland was a huge loss to Nashville. In addition to being a major tourist draw, it was a huge source of summer jobs for young people. The musical them meant there were lots of shows, which meant lots of jobs for performers. Just as Steve Martin honed his craft as a performer in theme parks doing magic and comedy, quite a few professional musicians started out learned how to entertain audiences by doing show after show, day after day. There was a less obvious side to Opryland. At one time there was a huge television production center there. Many syndicated shows, including Hee Haw, ended up being produced there. It was a huge employer of both behind the scenes skilled workers and professional musicians providing the music for the stars appearing on these shows.
So the food court used to be called Picnic Park i thought this mall was thriving fine… because I visited the mall in 2022 but I guess one little year can change everything, so I wonder how the mall is doing in 2024? If you really want to see a mills mall with color left then you should see Sugarloaf Mills in Georgia sadly they did recently take down there food court design in August 2023 but you can still see some wall paper left and some storefront designs too. And even the number of the neighborhood your in is still in the style of when it opened in 2001, however it’s not a dead mall and I’m not saying its all intact of what it once was when it opened as Discover Mills but they’re still some of it left and you can easily point it out once you’ve seen it. Great Video I always liked the mills malls as they are my favorite mall cooperation
I lived in Nashville from 2012-2023 and people were STILL pissed about the closure of Opryland, and it closed in 1997. When Gaylord got rid of the executives who closed the park, the new people in charge couldn’t find any records or justification as to why it was closed, and they were still fielding angry calls and letters years later. Word on the street was that they “had a bad year”. So the geniuses built the whole thing on a flood plain - The Opry had white-flighted out of downtown in 1974 and spurred the development in the area - and the mall was flooded in 2010 and closed for two years. Many people thought it was poetic justice and demanded the theme park return in some capacity, but it was not to be.
I'm not an Amazon shopper, but I absolutely hate malls. I will go shopping at a store, but not at one of these monstrosity malls. And I miss Opryland too.
Richland Fashion Mall in Columbia, SC is a great dead mall to visit. I remember when I was little going there to window shop with extended family, especially around holidays. It was like a gorgeous museum. Now it's dark and spooky, with Barnes & Noble being the only shop left that actually gets proper business, although there are a few tiny others.
As someone who’s lived in Nashville my whole life and goes to opry mills multiple times a year I have to say it’s going down in quality compared to when I was a kid. You’re constantly passing people smelling like weed and there’s been violence problems there as well, I believe that’s part of the reason the curfew for youth was put in place (could be wrong about that) and there are so many cops there now and they check your id when you walk in (after 3).But the hotel is still really nice. My friends and I try to stick over by the hotel or in the bass pro if we go, but it’s still wayyyy better than the Rivergate mall 😂😂
You should make the short drive up I 24 and come to Clarksville Tennessee to our Mall Governor Square, Mall. It’s another one that’s not dead. The mall is always busy.
I am here at Opry Mills Mall Today only because a friend of mine has job interview there today. I have not been here since they mall was flooded. All.the good stores are gone. I used to work here but now there isn't anything that would make me want to come here because it's BORING! I mean, there is nothing stimulating about this mall. Nothing here but way overpriced clothing stores. Just yesterday, I was shopping at Walmart and bought a dress and blouse for a,total of $25. I just saw the same clothes in Opry Mills for $250 total. Same color, style, everything. The food at the food court is WAY Overpriced too. No originality--Burgers, fries, shakes, other ethnic foods. Heck, I don't like cooking but when I saw the price of a damn Burger combo meal for $15, NO WAY. I realize that Nashville is a tourist city but I have lived her for 30 years and I never was much into this mqll
I miss the park. I use to go there as a teen. It was a waste to build another mall and do away with Opryland. I've only been to the mall twice since it opened.
The crazy thing is that a new theme park was supposed to open right around there about 10 years ago…but more on that next video!
I completely agree. I wish it could be restored.
I was employed years ago cleaning the entire mall after hours. The mall is so huge it took me 8 hours just to vacuum the entire mall. The bathrooms were a job in itself. In the time I worked there, I lost 25 pounds. It was after the mall closed to tourists and kind of fun around Christmas. Cleaning the food court during the day and clearing the tables was a lot easier. I do miss the original, pre flood mall, when the Ghirardelli chocolate shoppe was open and right next to it, a bookstore where I spent many happy hours drinking coffee in the coffee shop while I tried to decide what to buy. The selection of books was huge at bargain basement prices! They also had a selection of children's toys and other gift items. I really was deep into the hobby and handicraft section where I learned how to crochet and oil paint
I miss feeding the stingrays before the flood!
That food court was always there... I worked at TGI Fridays as a server when it opened back in the late 90's... Great Vid!
Thanks bud! Tricky to tell from the old pic, but I guess I can see it being the same basic shape. Glad you enjoyed 🙂
The mall doesn't open until 10:00am. Of course its empty. I would rather have Opryland theme park back. At least its still thriving.
Great video! My family used to travel to the Nashville area fairly often from 2002 to 2005. We would occasionally stop at Opry Mills while in town. The thing I remembered most about the mall was Rainforest Cafe. My younger self was astounded by all the rain, thunder, lightning and animatronic animals. I feel a strong sense of nostalgia for those days. 🥲
Thanks bud, I appreciate that! Yep, I think many of us have those strong memories of the Rainforest Cafe storms and such 😀
I first visited Opryland Theme Park on grand opening weekend in 1972. We lived in Nashville and went often. The mall is good but nothing like the park was, espeically since they had live musical productions going on all over the park.
Yes we felt the same way saying... It's JUST A MALL! Us locals started calling it SHOPRYLAND. Yes I always felt a sadness that they destroyed the theme park that once was part of the heart and soul of Nashville.
The loss of Opryland was a huge loss to Nashville. In addition to being a major tourist draw, it was a huge source of summer jobs for young people. The musical them meant there were lots of shows, which meant lots of jobs for performers. Just as Steve Martin honed his craft as a performer in theme parks doing magic and comedy, quite a few professional musicians started out learned how to entertain audiences by doing show after show, day after day.
There was a less obvious side to Opryland. At one time there was a huge television production center there. Many syndicated shows, including Hee Haw, ended up being produced there. It was a huge employer of both behind the scenes skilled workers and professional musicians providing the music for the stars appearing on these shows.
Honestly, I’m bummed I never got to check out Opryland! Think it closed before I started doing the kind of touring that I do today 😔
So the food court used to be called Picnic Park i thought this mall was thriving fine… because I visited the mall in 2022 but I guess one little year can change everything, so I wonder how the mall is doing in 2024? If you really want to see a mills mall with color left then you should see Sugarloaf Mills in Georgia sadly they did recently take down there food court design in August 2023 but you can still see some wall paper left and some storefront designs too. And even the number of the neighborhood your in is still in the style of when it opened in 2001, however it’s not a dead mall and I’m not saying its all intact of what it once was when it opened as Discover Mills but they’re still some of it left and you can easily point it out once you’ve seen it. Great Video I always liked the mills malls as they are my favorite mall cooperation
Opry Mills Mall can rot. Opryland should still be on that property.
thanks for the tour
You bet!
awesome video, as a titans fan I'd like to get out of Opry Mills if I can when I can finally get one for a game
Definitely recommend it! Just don’t expect too much more than a standard, though very large, mall. Nashville is great on game day though 🙂
I lived in Nashville from 2012-2023 and people were STILL pissed about the closure of Opryland, and it closed in 1997. When Gaylord got rid of the executives who closed the park, the new people in charge couldn’t find any records or justification as to why it was closed, and they were still fielding angry calls and letters years later. Word on the street was that they “had a bad year”.
So the geniuses built the whole thing on a flood plain - The Opry had white-flighted out of downtown in 1974 and spurred the development in the area - and the mall was flooded in 2010 and closed for two years. Many people thought it was poetic justice and demanded the theme park return in some capacity, but it was not to be.
It would be a blast to drive a gokart in there while it's closed.
Nice video 👍🏻😃
Thanks dude, appreciate it! 🙂
I'm not an Amazon shopper, but I absolutely hate malls. I will go shopping at a store, but not at one of these monstrosity malls. And I miss Opryland too.
Remodel sucks. Still glad to see the place thriving though
dead mall vids hosted by an english man just hits alittle different
Dumb move replacing Opryland!
Richland Fashion Mall in Columbia, SC is a great dead mall to visit. I remember when I was little going there to window shop with extended family, especially around holidays. It was like a gorgeous museum. Now it's dark and spooky, with Barnes & Noble being the only shop left that actually gets proper business, although there are a few tiny others.
Ooh, thanks for the tip! Although no plans to be in that neck of the woods any time soon unfortunately 🙁
No the food court has always been there
That makes sense when I look at the old image again: although the details have changed, the shape does sorta look the same.
As someone who’s lived in Nashville my whole life and goes to opry mills multiple times a year I have to say it’s going down in quality compared to when I was a kid. You’re constantly passing people smelling like weed and there’s been violence problems there as well, I believe that’s part of the reason the curfew for youth was put in place (could be wrong about that) and there are so many cops there now and they check your id when you walk in (after 3).But the hotel is still really nice. My friends and I try to stick over by the hotel or in the bass pro if we go, but it’s still wayyyy better than the Rivergate mall 😂😂
I was just there two months ago and people were shoulder to shoulder walking. Who let you in after hours?
They have (not particularly well publicised or taken advantage of) mall walking hours in the morning prior to opening! That’s when I visited ✌🏻
You should make the short drive up I 24 and come to Clarksville Tennessee to our Mall Governor Square, Mall. It’s another one that’s not dead. The mall is always busy.
waiting for him to do a video of the concourse in skelmersdale
Added to my list! Though I’m not sure when I can realistically get down that way…
I am here at Opry Mills Mall Today only because a friend of mine has job interview there today. I have not been here since they mall was flooded. All.the good stores are gone. I used to work here but now there isn't anything that would make me want to come here because it's BORING! I mean, there is nothing stimulating about this mall. Nothing here but way overpriced clothing stores. Just yesterday, I was shopping at Walmart and bought a dress and blouse for a,total of $25. I just saw the same clothes in Opry Mills for $250 total. Same color, style, everything. The food at the food court is WAY Overpriced too. No originality--Burgers, fries, shakes, other ethnic foods. Heck, I don't like cooking but when I saw the price of a damn Burger combo meal for $15, NO WAY. I realize that Nashville is a tourist city but I have lived her for 30 years and I never was much into this mqll