Myrtle Beach, S.C.—Way back when — in the days of four TV channels and rabbit ear antennas — rock 'n' roll was considered a threat to family stability, joining sex and drugs in the unholy trinity of teen rebellion.

In the progression from stacks of wax to digital downloads, those teen rebels became grandparents. And so, Hard Rock Park was built on the notion that rock 'n' roll can bring families together.

Mary Ann Chastain / AP (ENLARGE)

Visitors look out over the 55 acre Hard Rock park built around a lake. A 70 foot replica of a Les Paul guitar looms over the park.

Mary Ann Chastain / AP (ENLARGE)

Visitors watch the cast of the Malibu Beach Party at the park.

Hard Rock Park (ENLARGE)

One of the rides is based on the Moody Blues hit, 'Nights in White Satin.'

RELATED LINKS: • Check out the Led Zeppelin, Moody Blues rides at new Hard Rock Park in SC • Caribbean offers family-friendly resort packages • Top 10 beach resorts for families • More family vacation ideas • More beach travel ideas

The 55-acre amusement park is a place where tweeners riding the roller coaster scream and squeal to the driving guitar of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," a song that hit the charts back when grandpa was dodging the draft. It's a place with a merry-go-round and a biker bar.

"It's Disney with a little more adult edge," said annual pass holder Diana Pieri during a park preview earlier this month.

The $400 million Hard Rock Park, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, is the first major amusement park to open in America in a decade. It is the first amusement park ever partially designed by rock stars.

The park's three signature rides have partnerships with iconic rock bands — The Eagles, The Moody Blues and Led Zeppelin.

"Everybody has had input on their attractions," said Jon Binkowski, Hard Rock Park chief creative officer. "The bands are intimately involved with this."

Led Zeppelin-The Ride is a 3,738-foot roller coaster with a 120-foot-high loop and top speed of 65 mph.

"It was so fast it made water come out of my eyes," said 15-year-old Blake Holt.

It's a 90-second ride. But band members insisted riders hear the entire 5:33 of their first U.S. hit. The entrance and exit of the roller coaster had to be redesigned to comply with the band's demand.

"That was a long process," Binkowski said. "It took us about three years."

The Eagles and The Moody Blues, on the other hand, went back to the studio to record new versions of old hits specifically for the Hard Rock Park rides.

Members of The Eagles "wanted to score the music to the ride," Binkowski said.

The musicians used computer animation of the roller coaster and video taken from the point of view of the riders to guide them in recording a customized version of "Life in the Fast Lane." The ride is about two minutes long, but less stomach-churning than the loops and corkscrews of Zeppelin-The Ride.

Video of the recording session for a new edition of "Nights in White Satin" is shown while waiting in line for the 41/2-minute dark ride — a slow-moving, psychedelic light show set to the Moody Blues hit.

Music is everywhere at Hard Rock Park. Walking through the parking lot toward the entrance gates and All Access entry plaza you'll hear a wide range of music from Marvin Gaye to the Beastie Boys. The background music changes from section to section to match the theme of rides in the area — from '70s rock to country rock to British pop as you walk through the park. As you near the carousel, you'll hear calliope renditions of the Dave Clark Five and the Beatles.

"You don't want the music to be too loud, too intense," said Steven Goodwin, Hard Rock Park chief executive officer. "You want people to be able to carry on a conversation."

The park, Goodwin said, is designed to keep families together. Each themed section has attractions or rides for everyone. Across from Led Zeppelin-The Ride, sure to draw thrill-seeking teens, is Reggae River Falls, a splash play area tame enough for toddlers.

The rock star rides get top billing, but Binkowski and Goodwin seem most proud of the surprise amusements scattered around the park that get no hype. The restrooms next to Taste of Paradise Grill feature mirrors in which your reflection is delayed by a moment or two, making it possible, if you're quick enough, to have your photo taken next to your reflection in the mirror.

Step into the bright red telephone booth along the walk in British Invasion and the phone rings with some bloke or bird chattering on the other end. Hop on the motorcycle parked outside The Whammy Bar and the engine begins rumbling.

Beyond rides, Hard Rock Park will offer live music. You're likely to run into a musical act almost anywhere in the park. The big show, though, is in the 10,000-fan amphitheater where The Eagles and The Moody Blues are set to play in a grand opening event June 2-3.

Those shows require a special admission ticket, but other concerts — Sister Hazel on July 4, for example — are included in the park admission.

Because, after all, the family that rocks together stays together.

IF YOU GO

Getting there

Driving: Myrtle Beach is a six-hour drive from Atlanta. All but about 70 miles of the drive is interstate highway; all of it is along four-lane roads.

Flying: Delta Air Lines offers direct flights to Myrtle Beach International.

Where to stay

There are more than 460 hotels and 80,000 rooms in the Myrtle Beach area, plus condominiums and beach houses for rent along the 65-mile stretch of development that comprises the Myrtle Beach area. More information is available from the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800-356-3016; www.myrtlebeachinfo.com.

About the park

Hard Rock Park, 211 George Bishop Parkway. Admission is $50; children under 3 are free. Admission includes most concerts. Parking is $10. Park hours will be 10 a.m.-1 a.m. in summer months. 843-236-7625; www.hardrockpark.com