jarmor

I would definitely check out Knott's on the 13th. The park will be completely dead and there are plenty of great rides, even with the Ghostrider closure. Agreed. Make your own little West Coast Bash. Knott's is fantastic, in contrast to SFMM it's a lot more than just the coasters, it's a very nice park. That said though, Xcelerator, Silver Bullet, and Montezooma's Revenge are all amazing. Don't forget to eat at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner and have some boysenberry pie. I'm gonna be at knotts on the 11 lol lol. I just went ahead and booked the flight to come back home that Monday night after SFMM since it closes at 6. Gonna wake up super early, probably catch a shuttle from the knotts area to LAX Monday morning, get a rental and get to the park before opening so I can have a head start! It shouldn't be that busy right? I know last year the DLR was SWAMPED Columbus Monday . . . Thanks guys for all the help.

Hummm . . . it seems Hollywood got combined with Orlando when??? 5-6 years ago? Before that I LOVED HHN. . . now I have a strong liking of it. I kinda figured for an anniversary year, we were gonna see some things rehashed. I'm digging the meshing of past themed and houses. Compared to Hollywoods returning of 3 houses and one dance show, Orlando blows it outta the water lol!

Not much at all . . . for now. From what I "hear" it wasn't in the plans to remove it, just yet but due to "other" problems with it, coupled with very low ridership the decision came to remove it. There has been permit floating around for grading in the county fair section. Maybe we will see what becomes of that in October? But as of right now, the Skeleton crew show for SCarowinds is to be he held in the County Fair.

Carowinds Announces The Largest Waterpark In The Carolinas Carolina Harbor Coming Ashore In 2016 PR Newswire Carowinds CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Carowinds is unveiling plans to bring a fresh and exciting Carolina coastal experience to guests with a historic waterpark expansion in 2016. The transformation is part of the park's commitment to celebrate Carowinds' heritage as the place where the Carolinas come together, creating an "aquatic playground" with thrilling new attractions, new amenities and a new coastal name - Carolina Harbor. Carolina Harbor waterpark will be included with park admission and will offer guests relaxing moments of tranquility and refreshing thrills by the "shores," plus delivers a best day ever guest experience. The addition is the latest phase in a $50 million plus multi-year expansion at Carowinds, an effort kicked off by building the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster, Fury 325, as well as new park food offerings which are regionally relevant. "We listened to our guests and have made a promise to bring them more family-friendly attractions," said Mike Fehnel, Carowinds vice president and general manager. "And we're happy to be delivering on our promise with the addition of Carolina Harbor – a guaranteed ultimate waterpark experience. Carowinds is growing by leaps and bounds and continues to put us on the map as the premier entertainment destination of the Carolinas." Carolina Harbor will feature a combination of thrills, relaxation and family fun, including twice the number of water slides than the current Boomerang Bay. Carolina Harbor will feature many of the park's current popular waterpark attractions, while introducing a variety of new ones: Blackbeard's Revenge is a thrilling new six story tall water slide complex that features three exhilarating attractions and a total of six thrilling slides: - Pirate's Plank will send guests plummeting down a nearly vertical free fall where the floor drops out from underneath. - Cannonball Drop will twist and turn riders through an enclosed chute with four intense 360-degree turns. - Captain's Curse shoots guests down a series of intense drops and turns. A new two-acre family area will include many new activities to enjoy together: - Seaside Splashworks, a multi-level children's water spray ground, will feature over 80 countless play elements including a giant 423-gallon tipping bucket. - Kiddy Hawk Cove and Myrtle Turtle Beach are two areas specifically geared with the little squirts in mind. These toddler areas will include jets of water spraying up from the ground surrounded by a charming garden atmosphere. - Surf Club Harbor will be our newest wave pool, creating up to six foot waves in 12 different wave patterns, mimicking the high surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Carolina Harbor will also feature many new amenities: - New Entrance – A separately gated entrance convenient for guests who wish to enter the waterpark only. - New Restaurants – Harbor House a new restaurant featuring two 2,400-square foot outdoor seating patios. The restaurant will serve various Carolina favorites including BBQ and seafood. Schooners will be a full-service bar. - Sand Volleyball Courts – New professional style sand volleyball courts will allow both casual and competitive play. - Additional Plush Cabanas and Seating – Over 40 new cabanas will be added at both wave pools and the new family area. An additional 1,100 lounging chairs will also be available for guests to enjoy some fun in the sun. - Upgraded Facilities – Current family changing areas will be upgraded. New restroom facilities and a bath house will be built. Carowinds has recently been named one of the nation's top amusement parks by the Travel Channel and Fodor's Travel, and TripAdvisor's family travel site has named it one of the country's 10 Best Amusement Parks for Families. The park will be sharing additional plans for the 2016 season later in the fall. To see Carolina Harbor illustrations, construction photos and more, visit carowinds.com/carolinaharbor. In addition, guests can purchase a 2016 season pass or renew their current season pass for the lowest price of the year at carowinds.com. some shots from the day . . . You guys ready???? The townsfolks are out and looks like they're ready for a swim! Guess we need to head this way . . . For a beach? The Gm came and spoke some of this years success and SCarowinds. immediately, John Taylor came and talked about some of next years offerings like the all new cirque show. Then some performers came out for a preview! Then it was announced! Journey to the Iron Reef! Lol . . . The sea-ret is out! And that's it for 2016 . . . Outside the concept art was out on display but I'm here for the food! The park has these snazzy plate for us to dine on! Closer view . . . A lot of what was served will be featured in the new restaurant! Hats off to carowinds new chef who has transformed the entire menu in less than a year! Well, that's it! The 2016 season is gonna be as big as the 2015 because those Carolina folks love them some water parks!

I love how virtually EVERYTHING is a nod to the past and mostly original content and the best of! Only a few more weeks . . .

OH NO!!!! I had the bright idea of going to the park oct 12-13th but after reading I realize it is no longer a year around park with daily operations! Luckly, I see the park is open the 12th for Columbus day . . .so, is there anything else in the area to do on the 13th or should I just fly back home?

Yes. Its best to do the Boo-fet dinner. You get a free refillable cup for the entire night and about 30 mins early entry before the rest. not to mention the food is pretty good. I used my 30 mins last year to get a return time for the zombie shooting experience since they usually run out of tickets for it fast, went for a quick ride on silver bullet, then xcellerator then started with the Houdini maze in the back and worked my way to the front. However, I always go on a sunday night.

Whoa! Never seen a B:TR get that close to the ground during the first half . . .

KD has an AWESOME planet snoppy area. It would be nice if they can have as many adult/family flats as they have kids flats. KD doesn't need a new coaster, to compete with the two parks that have more flats than KD they have to build up their arsenal. They have like what . . . 6 adult/family flat rides? Busch gardens has about that much in just the italy section of the park. If you guys havrnt notice, a lot of park chains realize coaster after coaster isn't helping the ROI bottom line. I know I know, people get tired of riding the same coasters when they go. Well, take in one of the park shows. Take a stroll thru dinos alive. Spend some time in the water park. I would rather see the food get MUCH BETTER at KD before a coaster. What's the point of having new coaster after new coaster when no one wants to spend money on your food, where the real money comes in at. You pay every time you eat, not every time you ride a coaster. Universal and disney have figured it out. Unique food offerings and good overall quality in food and merchandise is what brings in the bucks.

I hear a lot of people saying (read, whining) KD needs a coaster . . . Blah blah blah. But, am I the only one who remember that chart showing all 11 parks and their revenue? KDA is 6 out of 11 meaning it not one od the most successful nor is it one of the least successful. It would surprise if me if the even get a coaster in 2017.

She wrote it to sensationalize the topic and draw attention to herself. That's the annoying part of it. Journalism isn't about presenting something that is correct or factual anymore, it's about how much attention can you draw to yourself so your editor will give you a raise. In a way, I'm upset with myself that I even posted a link to her article. All I did was give in to what she was looking to accomplish. *sigh* Ohhhh. . . I didn't look it from that angle.

To be fair, the lady didn't really imply cedar point was the blame. She created an article with two opposing arguments placing blame.

WHAT!!! No VIP! I did it for the first time last year and loved it . . . guess I gotta re-adjust back to the old days.

^ I've seen more people take the chicken exit for water slides than roller coasters! Especially those drop box slides . . .

Unfortunately??? I think its needed . . .

Yes. Unlike KD, it was never included in admission and the park shuts down then re-opens. If you had a pass, you could get it for free!

Didn't that cancel HHN orlando after the cedar point incident???

Who wouldn't included dragons challenge as two? I counted and with opening dates would put the relocated from hard rock park as the 100th, looks like its gonna be a close race with the flyer and hyper! Lets see who opens first . . .

You're RIGHT! it does have that vibe!

^ Thanks. The star wars stuff got my attention (never seen the movies but I don't think I have to to "get it"). However, the Toy story stuff reeled me in! That coaster looks like its gonna be great for a family attraction and something IMHO the studios needs! California screamin east???

Any idea when this stuff opens?

You can almost bet all the land in in the south west corner is gonna be for the water park eventually. How would a coaster even get back there since its landlocked by the water park?

So that list means carowinds is the 5th successful park in the chain?

They aren't tight on space. They just brought more land a few years ago. This was more of a logical decision vs space. Very unlikely to happen. Adding it more so as an added value so people who are doing the water park only won't have to lug their stuff from the north or south gate.