Carowinds Of The Future

**Wes** · #1 07-30-2010, 09:13 AM

Saturday was Coaster Stock, and during Q&A it was mentioned that the park is really looking at more expansion in their 5 year plan.

They mentioned they will most likely go to 10:00 closings during the week (in the summer) starting in the next year or two to encourage more tourism visits from out of state.

It's also encouraging to hear them talk about more big plans for the park in the coming years.

Nothing was mentioned about 2011 except not to expect anything HUGE. But that's to be expected.

**Leo C** · #2 07-30-2010, 10:05 PM

So they're not going replace everything that stands short in the park.

**Wes** · #3 07-30-2010, 10:12 PM

Why? What did you hear?

Hurler, and Carolina Cyclone can be the first to go.

DHollon · #4 07-30-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes

They mentioned they will most likely go to 10:00 closings during the week (in the summer) starting in the next year.

About bloody time too. It sure does make it hard to plan to visit the park and not HAVE spend the entire day there. I honestly was surprised last year we were able to ride all the coasters in the short time that we were there with the park closing at 8pm. (this was driving from Alabama with a stop at SFOG on the way there)

GAmFanboy · #5 07-30-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Why? What did you hear?

Hurler, and Carolina Cyclone can be the first to go.

Or Keep Carolina Cyclone and add Carolina Cobra Trains on it?

**Leo C** · #6 07-31-2010, 10:08 AM

We have 2 Arrows for sale here in NJ.

**Racer** · #7 07-31-2010, 09:45 PM

^What's the second one?

**Leo C** · #8 08-01-2010, 07:46 AM

Trains that is.

**Wes** · #9 08-01-2010, 02:31 PM

Are Vekoma lopers and Arrow even the same gauge trains?

CoasterDJ · #10 08-01-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHollon

About bloody time too. It sure does make it hard to plan to visit the park and not HAVE spend the entire day there. I honestly was surprised last year we were able to ride all the coasters in the short time that we were there with the park closing at 8pm. (this was driving from Alabama with a stop at SFOG on the way there)

I second that. That had to be among my two pet peeves with the park. I grew up with Six Flags Over Texas being opened till after dark all the time, and the rides lit up... and that was something I never could get used to living there... and it seemed to be with all the parks up there generally, but Carowinds by far closed the earliest of them all. Furthermore, as a night owl, I seldom arrived before 2-3 in the afternoon.

Maybe that is why I made more trips to Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens than I did Carowinds.

**Leo C** · #11 08-09-2010, 05:50 PM

Maybe they could develop the land in front of Intimidator and including Nighthawk into a new section. I'm saying: take down Nighthawk. That's besides taking down Hurler and building a new woodie there.

Sclisso · #12 08-09-2010, 05:52 PM

Yeah, one coaster I wouldn't be sad to see leave is Hurler. A nice GCI would be a great replacement... or some B&M =)

**Leo C** · #13 08-09-2010, 05:54 PM

The two should be in the same corner. I've only been to Carowinds twice but when Wes brought me up closer to Hurler on our way out weren't we on a gravel lot that could be prime real estate at least for a Dominator squeezed B&M?

Sclisso · #14 08-09-2010, 06:40 PM

I think they should tear some of that parking lot near the South Gate that never gets used by people and put a new area there. There's enough room for a large coaster. Maybe even one of those B&M wing rider coasters? =D

**Leo C** · #15 08-09-2010, 10:44 PM

I forgot it's the North Carolina side. I caught on perhaps NC is a bit more strict than SC with rides.

**Wes** · #16 08-10-2010, 01:26 PM

Actually Thunder Road starts in SC, goes into NC and halfway back comes back into SC.

I agree though that the area next to Thunder Road could probably be reused.

The only note is that there is an alternate exit out that way that they use on really busy days that they'd have to keep the road for.

I can see them maybe expanding into the bus parking lot too if/when they overhaul Thrill Zone.

Leo what you were referring to was the bus parking lot I believe.

GAmFanboy · #17 08-10-2010, 03:20 PM

Top 5 Big Things Someone who has never been to Carowind's would like to see at the park:

5- 2 New Major Waterpark Attractions around the Hills of Thunder Road.
4- Move Yo-Yo 300+ Yards in the South-Gate and add an S&S 40 Passenger Screaming Swings
3- Flat Ride Expansion near South Gate between Southside and Joe Cool's
2- Remove Xtreme Flyer and add a Major Attraction/ Intamin Coaster Wheel
1- Remove Hurler and add Balder (Liseberg)

AND 5 Small Things to Do:
5- Repaint Vortex
4- Rename Drop Tower
3- Take the "Carolina" Name out of Carolina Cobra, Carolina Goldrusher, and Carolina Cobra to Prevent Confusion
2- Carolina Cobra Trains added to Cyclone
1- New Film in the Action Theater

Sclisso · #18 08-10-2010, 08:15 PM

Afterburn needs a repaint also, it's getting kinda rusty.

So did you see that Carowinds started dropping hints about the 2011 attraction today? They're posting a picture on their facebook every day until the announcement. The first picture was....well I don't know what it was actually,lol.

GAmFanboy · #19 08-10-2010, 08:26 PM

Are any of My Ideas Good?

**Leo C** · #20 08-11-2010, 12:33 AM

The new trains are not worth it for Carolina Cyclone. The Carolina prefixes seem like a fixed tradition. Wasn't Vortex repainted 2-3 seasons ago?

Wasn't Cedar Fair working with GCI for wooden coasters?

GAmFanboy · #21 08-11-2010, 02:56 AM

I Meant Repainting Vortex Purple or Something

**Wes** · #22 08-11-2010, 06:50 AM

It's Cedar Fair now. They are required to have as many red rides as possible.

**Leo C** · #23 08-11-2010, 07:48 AM

I guess the only luck we'll have is the supports of Vortex getting painted yellow.

Nitro Luvr · #24 08-11-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sclisso

Afterburn needs a repaint also, it's getting kinda rusty.

Rusty isn't the word. I was truly shocked at the color of Afterburn when I rode it this summer. There is serious paint fade and wheel debris all over the coaster. It is in desperate need of a paint job. If I didn't know better, I would have thought Afterburn was SBNO considering how dirty and mistreated it looked... and this is one of my favorite inverters too!!

As far as the other parking lot, isn't that generally used when they have the golf tournament in the area? I'm sure they have some sort of contract with the golf course for it, but it would be nice to see it better used as opposed to an overflow parking lot a couple of times a year just to see Tiger get a +18!!!

**Leo C** · #25 08-11-2010, 12:36 PM

I heard about the satellite parking for golf. I bet Cedar Fair is up in the air about what primary colors relate to the Air Force and such because Flight Deck is just as much needing a paintjob at KI. Just watch they use a red track, blue support scheme.

**Wes** · #26 08-11-2010, 12:46 PM

I was out there one day when they were parking people for the golf tournament, and yes I think they parked people down beside Thunder Road as well.

When I first came in Avenue of the Carolinas (the actual entrance road to the park) I saw all those cars and thought they were there for the park! I waved at them all from Intimidator.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode