A group of enthusiasts and two members of the Paramount’s Carowinds Public Relations staff headed into the park before guests were allowed in.

The tour began with a walk around of the general area of the expanded water park that will be re-themed from Water Works to Boomerang Bay.

As we walked past the wave pool (re-themed to the Great Barrier Reef) we noticed the main restaurant was being updated and improved.

The changing area near the middle of Boomerang Bay was also undergoing a major overhaul, and we learned that the entire building will be revamped.

We headed up the stairs of “The Abyss” (a raft ride that is in total to near-total darkness) to get a better look at the next section of the water park. 

The area of the park that used to be home to the swinging ship Frenzoid had been completely leveled. The small pond was filled in, and work was being done on two new attractions for the water park.

Platypus Plunge, a two-person raft tube ride featuring many twists and turns down a 100-foot-long route before splashdown, and Kookaburra Bay, a 125,000-gallon lagoon, were both in the early stages of taking shape.

Both attractions take up the entire space vacated by Frenzoid and also come close to the right side of the Thunder Road coaster.

Two hosts from the park answered questions. One question pertained to the new section of Boomerang Bay and if it would offer guests a third entrance to the water park. The staff said it would not at this time, but at some time in the future it might.

The fate of Frenzoid was asked about and we were told that Frenzoid was currently sitting behind the Drop Zone drop tower. The ride is currently in several large pieces in the area. No word yet on if it will be sold, moved to another Paramount Park or scrapped.

Many thanks to the wonderful Public Relations staff at Paramount’s Carowinds for their efforts and for allowing us a sneak peak at the new Boomerang Bay.

Families and fans of water parks will have something great to look forward to in the 2006 season as the water park gets a makeover and several new attractions debut.