A New and Improved Graceland: Love it? or Leave it!

[EP75]

I don't think I misinterpreted your previous post also you are repeating it once again. In my words: You are not going to visit Graceland because of Elvis the man, or because Graceland was his home, or because his grave is there, but rather you want to experience some new "wow" attractions. Then why has it to be Graceland where you want to see all these changes happen?

No comment. I've explained it over and over and over and over again and still hasn't sunk in to some. So I'm not going to repeat myself again. Bottom line is the changes are coming. Get used to it.

[The King's Queen]

No comment. I've explained it over and over and over and over again and still hasn't sunk in to some. So I'm not going to repeat myself again. Bottom line is the changes are coming. Get used to it.

There is no need to come across rudely. People just may NOT get used to it.

[JudyMcKinn]

I think cleaning up the area will be very good for Graceland. When Elvis lived there, it was mostly in the country. Now it has built up all along the road, and the area isn't even safe any more. I don't think Elvis would be happy with this. We want to be proud of Graceland, and of the area Graceland is in, don't we? I am for a huge general cleanup campaign inthe whole area. Keep Graceland and the property Elvis had, and fence, gates, etc, like they were, but in good repair. If the area around gets built up by a nicer hotel, larger and/or nicer museums of Elvis' memorabilia, etc. I think it might attract more fans, and potential fans to the area. I am looking forward to what will be done.

[King_Creole]

In Total Agreement! These changes are just to benefit the "money-makers"...nothing else. Elvis' legacy can stand on it's own...without all of the hype. I don't mind the "clean up" effort, as I have stated before, and they can re-do the hotel, and the plaza. But I really wish that they wouldn't commercialize it so much. Elvis has been the main attraction there for 30 years...and if I'm not mistaken, this years Elvis Week was huge, so I kinda feel like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". He lives on...on his own merit.

Beautiful, Intelligent and Elaborate reply King's Queen !

This is FACT and reality bites too hard for some ...

[The King's Queen]

Beautiful, Intelligent and Elaborate reply King's Queen !

This is FACT and reality bites too hard for some ...

Thank you King_Creole...I just don't understand some of the mentalities around here....

[T_J]

I think cleaning up the area will be very good for Graceland. When Elvis lived there, it was mostly in the country. Now it has built up all along the road, and the area isn't even safe any more. I don't think Elvis would be happy with this. We want to be proud of Graceland, and of the area Graceland is in, don't we? I am for a huge general cleanup campaign inthe whole area. Keep Graceland and the property Elvis had, and fence, gates, etc, like they were, but in good repair. If the area around gets built up by a nicer hotel, larger and/or nicer museums of Elvis' memorabilia, etc. I think it might attract more fans, and potential fans to the area. I am looking forward to what will be done.

Exactly! I keep reading the comments that things should be left how they were when Elvis was alive. That misses the point that the area is already not how it was when Elvis was alive. It's getting more and more run down, and that would continue without the welcome investment. No one is talking about touching the mansion or the grounds. Those will rightly be preserved, which is surely the only real concern? Provided that is the case, I am struggling to see anything wrong with improving the surroundings with a state of the art hotel and museum, and an attractive pedestrianized area. These won't detract from the importance of Graceland or make Graceland a secondary part of the experience. They will simply provide a more pleasant and educational experience outside the grounds.

[Getlo]

Exactly! I am struggling to see anything wrong with improving the surroundings with a state of the art hotel and museum, and an attractive pedestrianized area.

It's not these sorts of things that are bothering those of us who are generally against the changes, TJ.

Yes, the surroundings need to be cleaned up and improved, primarily with a better visitors' centre.

But the rest is unnecessary: the Heartbreak Hotel is good enough, and big enough now. It just maybe needs a refurbishment.

What Graceland doesn't need is a petting zoo; computerised b.s to allow Elvis, Marilyn and Marlon Brando to walk the halls; and all the other technological whizzbangery described.

As has been said on this thread, all of this other rubbish is window dressing, and has nothing to do with perpetuating Elvis, but more to do with dragging in more $$$$$.

Elvis is just a product to EPE now - the spirit of the man is becoming less and less important to them with each passing day.

[T_J]

It's not these sorts of things that are bothering those of us who are generally against the changes, TJ.

Yes, the surroundings need to be cleaned up and improved, primarily with a better visitors' centre.

But the rest is unnecessary: the Heartbreak Hotel is good enough, and big enough now. It just maybe needs a refurbishment.

What Graceland doesn't need is a petting zoo; computerised b.s to allow Elvis, Marilyn and Marlon Brando to walk the halls; and all the other technological whizzbangery described.

As has been said on this thread, all of this other rubbish is window dressing, and has nothing to do with perpetuating Elvis, but more to do with dragging in more $$$$$.

Elvis is just a product to EPE now - the spirit of the man is becoming less and less important to them with each passing day.

So you're not against the Heartbreak Hotel being refurbished, but you are against a better hotel replacing it? Hard to understand that logic.

I think you are getting too caught up in what you term the "technological whizzbangery". It's not like they are planning to turn it into a science fiction attraction. What they will do is use modern technology to provide an interactive, educational and entertaining experience. This is pretty standard in most major museums and similar attractions, and it's to the benefit of visitors. It won't be of detriment to the spirit of Elvis in the least, as the untouched mansion will remain. And so what if money is a motivating factor? It's not a crime to make money in this world. You would be the first to complain if over time Graceland become unprofitable and the tours ceased. Sure, I don't think we are close to that yet, but an investment in the future is sensible, provided it is respectful to Elvis' image and done in a classy way. I've heard nothing to suggest it won't be.

[Getlo]

So you're not against the Heartbreak Hotel being refurbished, but you are against a better hotel replacing it? Hard to understand that logic.

That's right. The expense of a new hotel is unnecessary. The HH doesn't need much work, and it's position is fine. But it does need friendlier staff!

I think you are getting too caught up in what you term the "technological whizzbangery". It's not like they are planning to turn it into a science fiction attraction.

Well, if a 3D version of Elvis ends up wandering the Trophy Room, get back to me!

... the untouched mansion will remain.

Yes, but it's the surrounds that are a concern. Most fans on the poll here don't like the changes, and I would imagine that extrapolates into the real world.

And so what if money is a motivating factor? It's not a crime to make money in this world. You would be the first to complain if over time Graceland become unprofitable and the tours ceased.

On the contrary. I've always said that Graceland will not be a tourist attraction forever. I would be perfectly okay with it being closed down and simply kept as it is, with no fan ever setting foot on the grounds again (with EPE giving, say, ten years notice for fans who want to save up and go there). As for money, no it's not a crime. But money seems to be the overriding factor - not just the motivating one - in these changes. "Elvis" the man is forgotten.

See bold comments above ...

[ksimms2]

This thread is going nowhere. Getlo I agree with you 100% - HHH is fine - just needs refurbished - why tear something perfectly fine down to replace it with something larger (oh wait....2 of them) larger and more expensive? I would only stay at heart break hotel my first visit....part of the whole experience....they certainly can improve stuff...but overall it's fine. This thread is just causing alot of arguments and will continue to do so.....I like Graceland just the way it is....I go there for Elvis only....not for some big showman ship thing......I wish everyone would quit arguing over this......very frustrating to read and some are just so rude it's not even funny.

[presley31]

Once again people can't accept others opinions, l agree kelly this thread is going nowhere.

[ksimms2]

Thanks Jen....I just hate to see nice people fighting....I enjoy the threads on here and the debates...but when it turns ugly....not good....I think if we all stated our ages while doing this thread - we'd see the age difference and what us "old timers" want vs. the "young bucks".....I think that is where the difference lies...maybe not for all young people - but it seems to be the majority wants this huge change....and let's face it - no matter how we each feel - they are going to do what they want with Graceland anyway (EPE I mean).....right? We can bicker until we are blue in the face...EPE will do whatever they want no matter what we think.......

[presley31]

l agree 100% kelly

[Diane]

This thread has been going around in circles for what ten pages now? and spilling into others with an overwhelming majority going for exactly what Getlo stated above. I think that says it all.

Diane

[KPM]

I think Graceland will always have crowds of tourists-I pointed out in another thread that Buffalo Bill was buried on Lookout Mountain in Colorado in 1917 and it draws people the world over- one of the biggest tourist attractions in Colorado. They have spruced it up a time or two and they have renovated the museum a couple times. No one alive today could possible remember Wild Bill from memory-they know the legend. 90 years after he died people are still going to see a wild west folk hero. I think Graceland has a long run ahead. IMO the only way it will ever be closed is if Lisa decides to do it, not because of lack of people wanting to visit.

[keke23]

TJ, ITA with everything you posted. The best description yet. Everything you basically said is what I was told by my source months ago.

Getlo, you're obviously confused as are so many others about what is bein planned. They aint makin it no futuristic science exhibit. They aint makin it into a theme park. They aint doin nothin but expandind as all major companies do in the real world. They're just gonna use modern day technology to present a better experience.

Kelly, aint no one fightin. All I see is a lot of debating goin on. IMO, the HH is outdated and they need a new modern hotel. Sillerman wants a convention hotel, as Jay has pointed out a thousand times, lol, so he can bring conventions to the area. That means more visitors to Graceland and more money in OUR community and economy.

I really don't understand all the hatin on this exapnsion project. This is the only place I see so much criticism about what they're plannin to do. Everyone here in Memphis are all for the changes that I have talked to. They know it'll benefit the city as a whole and improve the Whitehaven community.

As it is today, Graceland is a big business to the city. But makin it bigger will only help develop better investments around that area of town and help our strugglin economy.

Most Memphians call it the ghetto or the hood now where the mansion is. I should know. I used to live walkin distance from Graceland. And it wasn't safe to do that. The area's gotta be improved. And the only way that happens is if the new redevelopment happens.

IMO, I think Graceland needs to upgrade all of it's buildings and it's security as well. The plaza is a joke. All it is is a shoppin center transformed into a ticket booth and a couple museums.

Lisa and Cilla have been wantin to tear it down and build a first-class museum for a long time so they could tell his whole story. They now can do that.

[Getlo]

Getlo, you're obviously confused as are so many others about what is bein planned. They aint makin it no futuristic science exhibit. They aint makin it into a theme park.

Er, no I "ain't" confused at all, thank you.

I have formed my opinion based on the very cagey information from EPE given so far.

Your connection with EPE and ther Sillerman expansion goes beyond just mere support, methinks ...

Why is it so difficult to comprehend that not everyone is in favour of the changes? Not everyone should slavishly folow what EPE says without question ...

[keke23]

So then an Imax Theater is still possible????

Could that complex that Bob Sillerman is planning look something like this?

It's the NASA Space Center Complex in Florida. I can see an EP WOrld park-like complex next to Graceland. This would be the ideal way to go imo.

That looks and sounds like about what I was told it was gonna be....a complex. So maybe this is what he's buildin next to Graceland. Except I don't think it'll have rocket models, lol.

As for the Imax theater, I don't know. At first, I was told there probably wouldn't be one. But now I'm hearin differently. So maybe one is bein planned after all.

I haven't heard much lately from my source. Everything's tight lipped all of a sudden.

[keke23]

Er, no I "ain't" confused at all, thank you.

Your connection with EPE and ther Sillerman expansion goes beyond just mere support, methinks ...

For the record, I don't support EPE. I have my own perosnal issues with them and it don't concern these plans at all.

I don't know anyone at EPE or Sillerman. My source doesn't either. But he knows someone who was in the room at the city meeting when Sillerman pitched his plan and everyone bought it. That's where I get my info from.

And you are confused because you said it was gonna be somethin it's not. So you're confused.

[Getlo]

And you are confused because you said it was gonna be somethin it's not. So you're confused.

I think we can all see who's confused here, darlin' ... but thanks for your input.

If you wish to disagree with me or anyone, Lakeisha, then have the courtesy to either say "I disagree" or simply keep the debate going with your posts.

But starting a post with "your (you're) obviously confused" smacks of poor attitude, IMO.

I have seen on other forums where people have been almost beaten into submission if they don't agree with certain posts. There are a couple of posters on here who behave like that to me, and others. But I sussed them out very quickly.

Just because someone disagrees with you is no excuse to criticise (instead of debate in a healthy way) any issue.

Thus far, I am utterly unimpressed with the expansion plans for Graceland. I extend to you the courtesy of believing the plans are all just wonderful. So please extend me the same courtesy to believe they are not.