Dollywood vs. Carowinds

titancoaster · #1 06-14-2008, 03:16 PM

I will be visiting N. Carolina in about a week. This is my first trip to that area of the country, but due to time and financial restrictions we will only be able to visit one park and I have no idea which one I should go to. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. My family loves the big thrill rides, but we often explore all forms of entertainment (we have no small kids)

Nitro Luvr · #2 06-14-2008, 03:41 PM

Ummmmm, clarify your post. You label it "Dollywood vs Carowinds" and mention you are going to NC. Then you say you don't know which you should go to.... Texas or Florida theme parks. Just exactly what are you asking for here?

**Leo C** · #3 06-14-2008, 03:52 PM

This should be in travel tips maybe because that title could be taken the wrong way. It's very vague but for a more wholesome experience I bet Dollywood is the preferred choice. I have not been to Carowinds yet.

Nitro Luvr · #4 06-14-2008, 03:56 PM

I'm actually not sure which one I would prefer, because both parks only have ONE roller coaster that is worth riding more than once, Thunderhead and Afterburn. And well I loved both of them. If I had to choose I would go with Carowinds though, because it seems to have more variety.

**Leo C** · #5 06-14-2008, 04:30 PM

The family could watch the shows and ride that cool train at Dollywood. I deem Tennessee Tornado re-rideable.

Carowinds has some good punches and more variety it seems. Will mom get by there?

titancoaster · #6 06-14-2008, 04:52 PM

lol, the mom in this family is the one we have to drag off the rides, she is a huge addict

**Leo C** · #7 06-14-2008, 06:52 PM

Is Thunder Road back at Carowinds? I keep reading about its wood work on Screamscape.

CoasterKid_2006 · #8 06-14-2008, 09:52 PM

Thunder Road's back at Dollywood...? Is that what you mean....?

CoasterGuy210 · #9 06-14-2008, 10:15 PM

Carowinds has more thrill rides than dollywood and more roller coasters but Dollywood has better rides overall if that makes sense. Dollywood is more of a theme park and Carowinds is more of an Amusement park with more rides. Dollywood I think it more about the overall experience with great rides thrown in and Carowinds is all about the rides with some extra fun stuff thrown in. To the above poster about each park only having one re-rideable ride, I couldn't disagree more. Thunderhead has got to be amazing and Carowinds has an excellent variety of roller coasters, most of which are re-rideable. Maybe your standards are a little high?

**Leo C** · #10 06-14-2008, 10:32 PM

I was meaning the wooden coaster at Carowinds that was getting work on. It's not called Racer or Rebel Yell so I think it's Thunder Road.

Nitro Luvr · #11 06-14-2008, 10:36 PM

I was talking about roller coasters. OK, Ill give both parks the benefit of the doubt and say besides Thunderhead and Afterburn, TN Tornado and Borg (I can't keep up with name changes) are re-rideable, but tell me what other coasters in both parks are worth mentioning? I can't think of any. As far as other thrills and enjoyment, I think Carowinds has a slight edge over Dollywood. My standards aren't high, I'm just brutally honest about amusement parks. Carowinds desperately needs a new coaster and Thunderhead can't carry the weight of an entire park, even if IMO it is a fantastic ride.

**Leo C** · #12 06-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Well I still don't think Tornado is chopped liver. Carowinds needs help if Borg/Nighthawk is considered the headliner company.

Nitro Luvr · #13 06-14-2008, 10:44 PM

I think Tornado is a good ride. Out of all the Arrow coasters, it ranks in my top 3 more than likely. It's a little rough, but respectable. Carowinds, well Borg is an ok ride, but it surely will never be considered their anchor coaster.

**Brian F** · #14 06-14-2008, 11:52 PM

Mystery Mine is more than rerideable. Plus, if you go to DW, when you're sick of the rides, you can go check out the GSMNP, which is beyond awesome.

Dukeis#1 · #15 06-14-2008, 11:57 PM

Overall Dollywood is much better rounded than Carowinds. DW has some thrill rides but they also have shows and all that stuff. Not to mention GREAT employees and awesome food! Dollywood is also very clean.

Carowinds on the other hand is pretty much just a typical amusement park with a bunch of roller coasters...not much else. If you just want that and don't care about the other stuff then I'd say go there. (Also, there is NO shade at Carowinds - a hot summer day there is Hell)

Summed up, if you'd like a more complete theme park experience go to Dollywood. If you just want roller coasters go to Carowinds.