What's happening to Rawhide in Arizona?

Just wondered if anyone knows what is happening with the Rawhide theme park/attraction in Scottsdale, near Phoenix, Arizona?

I hear this is the last operational season at the current location this year and re-open at a new location.

For those of you not familar with Rawhide, it is sort of like a smaller condensed version of Knott's Berry Farm before it become a haven for roller coasters. I know the attraction was trying expand when I lived in Phoenix, but getting the land was a problem I think.

Phoenix still needs a major ride park, maybe Rawhide can expand to be that park. And be well-masterplanned, unlike Knott's.

[Big Drunk Dave @ DL]

Rawhide Secrets... REVEALED!!

Rawhide is moving it's location over to the Queen Creek/Chandler area. I don't know if this has to do with expanding, or if its current location is too commerical, or the property costs are too much in Scottsdale.

Hopefully the transfer will bring in more quaint and charming attractions as well as the current ones they have already.

[Dutchman]

If it's in Scottsdale the property value went through the roof. Somebody more than likely made them an offer they couldn't refuse. Me, I like going to McCormick RR Park when I'm in town. If I have extra time I go over to Encanto Park. I did the mechanical spec on the carousel there and supervised it's set up (last time I was there the concessionaire was beating the crap out of it. He didn't care, it belongs to the city).

[33 reject]

Yep, the old Rawhide property became too valuable to hold onto in North Scottsdale. I remember when that place used to be in the middle of nowhere and have some fun field trip memories of that place. Now it is in the middle of a wealthy housing community and I am pretty certain that it will join the fate of its neighboring property.

A few years ago, I went to see Weezer play there and it was the most surreal concert I've ever been too. Imagine an old west town, filled with bus-fulls of Asian tourists, and a bunch of indie kids searching for the concert stage (which was a trick to find). At one point, we went across the street to get a drink at the AJ's grocery store - a hotsey-totsey grocery store where the bag boys wear tuxes, and shoppers bring their pet Chihuahuas with them. The whole evening could have inspired several Simpsons episodes. It was a scene.

Glad to hear they are relocating!

[Flint]

but ick... Chandler? nasty little town.

[33 reject]

Here's the official scoop:
http://www.rawhide.com/moving/default.asp

Looks like they're moving to the Gila River Casino area... Opening December 2005!

[dramaqueen]

Chandler is quickly becoming as swanky as Scottsdale..

My boss went to a Garth Brooks concert there in the 90's and it started raining during "the thunder rolls"- He actually sings about that concert in another song, I forget which one.

[Aladdin]

I live only 3 miles away from Rawhide, and it is sad that after about 35 years, the new west of Scottsdale, is finally saying goodbye to the old west. It has the charm of the Old West, with Main Street paved with dirt, stagecoach rides, rodeos. And North Scottsdale residents certainly enjoy the Forth of July Fireworks they offer at this location. It certainly is a Tourist stop too.

Scottsdale will still have the 5th ave shops, with a small taste and tribute to the old west, and the merchants in the area were very vocal about keeping there portion of the old west alive, when a large waterfront shopping area was proposed to replace the 5th ave shops. But Rawhide leaving is certainly a much larger loss to Scottsdale. But because Rawhide is just one business, instead of several, this move can't really be stopped by the City of Scottsdale, or its residents. (Unlike the Scottsdale waterfront project).

Seems ironic that this Old West Town will be "mmmoOOooved" to an Indian Reservation. There was talk a few short years ago about Rawhide becoming "city locked" and didn't know how much longer it could remain open where it's at now. It was sold to another company, and they have had to come to terms with this.

Hopefully with all new infastructure, with the exception of some of the building facades, they will be able to add some new attractions. And being on an Indian Reservation, perhaps they could even a whole Indian Village area.

The north valley area of Phoenix/Scottsdale is certainly enhanced by the presence of Rawhide. It adds that Western flavor. And what this area needs is certainly not another few car dealerships, and stripmalls, and grocery stores, as there are already plenty in the immediate area. It's really sad to say goodbye old west, and have a used car salesman greet us instead. Certainly is a reverse of Green Acres, "Goodbye countrylife. Hello big city life. Bleah!

[GoofyGuy]

Chandler's not so bad anymore. The last few years have had a huge ammount of new things built. The nice new mall along with upscale houses and strip malls. It's better than the desert that was there before and really brings a much nicer sense to what was becoming a smaller Mexico. I live right by there, so it's nice to have some great places to shop and eat.

[MickeyJCA]

Yea for Rawhide. And while we're on the subject, bring back Legend City and Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum! Legend City sucked, no doubt, but it was all we had. And the Wax Museum provided me with years of freak out memories (remember that creepy Abraham Lincoln --- his eyes would follow you!).

[Disneynut]

Chandler is quickly becoming as swanky as Scottsdale..

My boss went to a Garth Brooks concert there in the 90's and it started raining during "the thunder rolls"- He actually sings about that concert in another song, I forget which one.

Actually, the Garth Brooks show was at Westworld not Rawhide. They are only a few miles apart. Rawhide was bought by Larry Van Tyl who owns most of the car dealerships in town. His business practices are questionable, however, the cost of lititgation does not seem to be enough to stop him. Even I won a judgment against him.

The plan last I heard was to subdivide the land, part for high density condos and retail and part for additional dealerships.

[dramaqueen]

Ahhh- thanks for the correction

[Disneynut]

Ahhh- thanks for the correction

The Garth Brooks show was actually quite good that evening even with the weather. If I remember, I think it was on, or around, the fourth of July. In any case, it brought back good memories so thank you for helping relive my younger days!

[FigmentJedi]

I remember going to Rawhide when I was younger, maybe around 10 years old. It was during a trip down to Arizona and we stayed at my grandma's timeshare down there. Main thung I remember there was the gold panning and the train ride.

[dshimel]

I can see West World from my work's parking garage.... I live 5 miles away... Been here 3 years. I've never been to Rawhide OR West World... Though I've seen the fire works many times....

Yet, I've dirven to SoCal at least 2 dozen times over those 3 years to go to Disneyland!