Something my girlfriend told me last night

[ksimms2]

I've been to Graceland when i was 16. Now i'am 23, i am getting ?old? though i am still ?young?. When i was there in Memphis, the only thing i was focused in was Graceland not its environmental. I mean i wasn't looking for any "wows" at all, i was there just to pay my respect to the MAN himself and to experience his presence while visiting HIS HOME and HIS and HIS FAMILY?S GRAVES (may they rest in peace).

Though i am "young", i think everything should stay as they are. Because no one has to satisfy "new generation Elvis fans'" thirst but someone has to teach them how to respect and how to protect some values indeed.

I dont think any of the Elvis fans, if they really are fans i guess, do need the ?wow? effect to stay and come back for more, eventhough they are ?young?.

If it is inescapable to make those changes and turn the place into a big curcius for new generation, let them do it unless they STAY AWAY FROM THOSE GATES.

Fire-Eyes, you are right on the money! I love your photo/avatar by the way.

[The King's Queen]

To simply answer your questions.

A)To lure in newer and younger fans and visitors they have to spice it up, make it hip and attractive and I don't mean a hip hop appeal either. I mean make it fancy in it's surroundings. Nice facilities a la Disney complex such as Epcot. Make it fan friendly (something it lacks today). make it children and family oriented.

B)Disney and Graceland are prpbably as close as the two could be. Mickey and Disney. Elvis and Graceland. Both world figures. Mickey is the Elvis of animation. Elvis is the Mickey of the entertainment world. Sadly though the fans think this is a knock on him but it's not.

C)You're living in denial if you think the only reason people visit Graceland is due to it being just his home. Think again. Why do people visit the Grand canyon, statue of Liberty, or Pearl Harbor? Because it is a historical landmark just as Graceland is today. Simple as that.

D)Exactly what is at Graceland today that would attract black families besides it being a historical landmark? I don;t think you or others see the importance of those $$$$ signs in the future of keeping EP popular.

And I do respect your views. but most don;t respect or even try to comprehend mine or the actual plans for this amazing and honorable tribute to the man. And that bothers me as a true fan.

EP75...if I may take the liberty of explaining something to you, perhaps it would help. I really don't think it is the fact that people on here "don't respect" your views...I think it has more to do with the fact that you come across as always on the "defensive". WE, all understand the actual plans...really, we do. It just comes across as if you are trying to MAKE us like those plans...and it seems as if it angers you because we differ in opinion with you. I don't see the importance of catering to a specific age group or race either...there is just as much appeal for a black person as there is for a white person. It's about the MUSIC...and the MAN. I am sorry that we seem to butt heads on this over and over, but I just don't see that Elvis needs all of that to be remembered and idiolized. If you like it, then fine. I am not trying to dissuade you from your standpoint. I am merely trying to make you see that WE are not being mean or rude by disagreeing with you. And too, I don't think that I am "living in denial" by thinking that a logical reason to visit Graceland is because of Elvis..if I visit the Grand Canyon, it is because I love natural scenery, if I visit Pearl Harbor, it is because I am enthused by history...when I go to Graceland it is because I love Elvis. Money should NEVER be an issue in keeping someone's memory alive. That is done within the heart. Perhaps you underestimate the Sillerman/EPE advantage to raking in all of those $$$...they are the ones who will profit. Just giving you my opinion...no hard feelings...

[Miss Clawdy]

First off don't come at me in some kind of attack mode. Second the wow affect wasn't my idea but Bob Sillerman's. His own words at that. Yes me, my girlfriend and others my age and younger happen to like to be wowed by attractions. I don't get wowed at looking at unattractive buildings or surroundings. I got wowed a little at the first sight of Graceland. But after the tour and visiting the plaza, I wasn't wowed except for the cars and the planes. I was expecting more than was there. I know if I took Anna today to Graceland she would not be overwhelmed as some of you die hard fans are when you see it. She might enjoy it. but she wouldn't be wowed. I can assure that. So that was why I suggested we wait until the changes have been made. I'm sorry if you or anyone else has a problem with my own personal choices that I make in my life.

I think you misinterpreted my post, I didn't mean to attack your personal choices, it was just a simple question, because I do not understand what these "wow" attractions have to do with Elvis and Graceland. I do understand that Sillerman and his buddies want to make more money and nothing else. Thank you for answering my question.

[Fire-Eyes]

Fire-Eyes, you are right on the money! I love your photo/avatar by the way.

Thank you Kelly

[ksimms2]

C)You're living in denial if you think the only reason people visit Graceland is due to it being just his home. Think again. Why do people visit the Grand canyon, statue of Liberty, or Pearl Harbor? Because it is a historical landmark just as Graceland is today. Simple as that.(written by EP75)

You've crossed the line on this one, that is EXACTLY why we go to Memphis/Graceland.

[marijaep]

Question : Are they REALLY going to change anything there?

If so...If I could, I would run and 'catch' the original atmosphere, because that's the main point in going to see Graceland.
If they change something it means that it will never be the same....
My opinion : Leave Graceland as it is.

[ksimms2]

Here is where we compromise: Some of us fans go there for Elvis and the atmosphere and things being the SAME - while others like EP75 and his era want something new and exciting. We want different things and we don't all agree on what we want and are going to keep going round and round on this issue.....so......we agree to disagree and see how this plays out. Yes?

[jak]

"C)You're living in denial if you think the only reason people visit Graceland is due to it being just his home."

That's the only reason I've been there over 20 times.With all due respect I think you dont understand why so many people feel the need to visit Graceland.It's because they feel closer to him.I wish they would close all the shops and turn that area into a park.Just a nice quiet serene place to reflect.That's just my opinion and I know that wont happen.It wouldnt generate enough revenue.
Jak

[marijaep]

Here is where we compromise: Some of us fans go there for Elvis and the atmosphere and things being the SAME - while others like EP75 and his era want something new and exciting. We want different things and we don't all agree on what we want and are going to keep going round and round on this issue.....so......we agree to disagree and see how this plays out. Yes?

hehe, Kelly, so true.
You are The Voice Of Reason this time lol.

[Diane]

I agree with you Jak 100%. For the most part people have been flocking to Graceland for the exact reasons you went there. If big businesses keep building for all the wows and the $$$$$, we won't HAVE any parks or quiet serene places anymore, the wildlife will be gone and shortly so will we. We need a balance in nature to survive!!!!!

Diane

[ksimms2]

hehe, Kelly, so true.
You are The Voice Of Reason this time lol.

Thanks Marijaep....I'm sure we all agree on this one point atleast....(not my being the voice of reason....but to agree to disagree....)

[jak]

I agree with you Jak 100%. For the most part people have been flocking to Graceland for the exact reasons you went there. If big businesses keep building for all the wows and the $$$$$, we won't HAVE any parks or quiet serene places anymore, the wildlife will be gone and shortly so will we. We need a balance in nature to survive!!!!!

Diane

Hey Diane
I was 14 when I first went there in 1979.I will never forget standing at those gates the first morning.I might as well had been at the holy land.It was almost magical.That's why graceland is so special to so many.For me the commercialization has somewhat detracted from that.
Jak

[Donut]

The first time I went to Graceland I was bothered even for the bus taking me up to the house because I thought you could be able to go up there walking so go figure what I think of all that improvement...

[Diane]

Yes Jak, it would for me too. I haven't been to Graceland yet but like every fan who hasn't, hope to someday. I won't even think of going if all the commercialization is overwhelming it.

My idea of seeing Graceland is just the house and grounds and if I want to buy some memorabilia, go downtown to places that carry that stuff - nowhere near the house.

They can clean up the surrounding area and do away with all the cheap tacky buildings there is there now and instead, put in a nice large treed park with a bit of landscaping here and there, surrounding the house with only maybe a new museum building so they can turn the racketball building back into what it was, and a nice but understated amphi-theater where they would show Elvis' movies and concerts. That is the most I would want to see them build and even that could be done without.

Diane

[Miss Clawdy]

"C)You're living in denial if you think the only reason people visit Graceland is due to it being just his home."

That's the only reason I've been there over 20 times.With all due respect I think you dont understand why so many people feel the need to visit Graceland.It's because they feel closer to him.I wish they would close all the shops and turn that area into a park.Just a nice quiet serene place to reflect.That's just my opinion and I know that wont happen.It wouldnt generate enough revenue.
Jak

Thank you, you voiced my feelings. 3 weeks ago, during Elvis' week, I visited Bad Nauheim, I went to see the places and houses where Elvis spent his years in the army, and even there there was something special I cannot explain. Near the hotel where he stayed a few weeks there is an Elvis Memorial, not very big, and the fans brought flowers, pictures and candles to pay their respect to Elvis, I stood there with a lump in my throat....and I had a presentiment of how it would be like visiting Graceland.

[The King's Queen]

I was 14 when I first went there in 1979.I will never forget standing at those gates the first morning.I might as well had been at the holy land.It was almost magical.That's why graceland is so special to so many.For me the commercialization has somewhat detracted from that.
Jak

Now see...that is what I am talking about! A 14 year old kid back then...but the spirit and the "wow" that was there then just overwhelmed you...how wonderful Jak! That is the WOW that I was speaking of before... It is so sad to think that there may come a time when all of the spirit that is Graceland will be taking a backseat to the commercialization of the money-makers... For crying out loud, if they are NOT going to Graceland for Elvis...they don't need to go at all. What would be the point???

[Pieterpix]

i wish that Graceland was only open for the real Elvis-fans, i was at Graceland this august and there we're a couple of non-Elvis-fans, who rushed through the house in a hurry, if you know what i mean, and i didn't like it also that i must take a bus to go to the house, further i don't like all the shops on the other side, and the prices they have, the things you buy there are very expensive, i wish that Graceland was a very quit place to go without the fancy stuff and everything, but it won't ever happen

[rocknroll]

You make good points. But let me point some things out.

1)EP isn't getting younger. But his fans are. However it has been the original fans that were there or born during his rein that makes the legend continue. What would happen if Graceland stayed the same and Bob Sillerman wasn't involved? It would eventually grow old and outdated as it is becoming now and would have to close due to lack of visitors. This however would come once the originals were gone and that would be within the next 10 years. EP would have been 72 himself. So imagine the fans who followed him since the 50's. they too are up there in age.

2)Graceland claims that more than half of it's visitors are 35 or younger. However that does not mean that even a half of the percentage is teenagers. There plan is to draw is bigger overall numbers and by making the place a "wow"experience those numbers will grow.

3)Kids go to Disneyland or Disney World and get wowed. But they never grow out of that phase either. EP is like that with his fans. Once you get hooked you're hooked for life. But how many kids actually are hooked on EP today? That's what you got to remember.

4)Graceland isn't a home anymore. It's not been a home since Delta Presley died. It's a national historical landmark and tourist attraction. It's not just for fans to go and visit his grave. It's a place to go and see the history and legacy he left behind. It's a museum practically. But the new plans call for it to be restored back to it's originality. Which should be a blessing to the die hard fans.

5)By making the changes and expanding it to give it that fan appeal and popularity that Disney has will only make it a bigger hit than it is today. Never do I see a commercial about visiting Graceland. But I see Disney all the time. That's what Bob Sillerman wants with Graceland. To be a major attraction to all ages and races. Graceland really doesn't have that appeal going for it today.

6)The "wow" affect will only make visitors want to stay and come back for more. Having the extra land and down the road they can expand even more to create even more new attractions.

7)There are hi-tech state of the art museums all over the world for historical figures. But there isn't one official museum for EP not even at Graceland. And now there are plans for a hi-tech interactive museum for visitors to discover and learn all about the man, and yet some holler. Go figure.

Wow you are obsessed with this.

I guess if your girlfriend says it should be done then that's all EPE needs to know....let the demo begin!

[rocknroll]

To simply answer your questions.

C)You're living in denial if you think the only reason people visit Graceland is due to it being just his home. Think again. Why do people visit the Grand canyon, statue of Liberty, or Pearl Harbor? Because it is a historical landmark just as Graceland is today. Simple as that.

Unbelievably ignorant statement....but expected when considering the source.

[jak]

"For crying out loud, if they are NOT going to Graceland for Elvis...they don't need to go at all. What would be the point??? "

You pretty much summed it up for me.
Jak