carolinaman

They are starting to put the lights on Electro Spin and around the top of Rock-N-Roller

I went yesterday and the park opened at 9. At first it was empty but around lunch the park was FULL of school kids. It was packed. But aroun 5 or 6 the park emptied out.

This is another one not many know about. Sarasota Jungle Gardens. It's in Sarasota, about an hour south of Tampa. They have a some animal shows and exhibits and you can feed the Flamingos. They will actually eat out of your hand. The park also has nice botanical gardens you can walk through. The last time I was there (2004), they had some live parrots in the gift shop that would talk to you. The kids loved it. They don't have any rides or at least they didn't last time i was there. http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/

Fury 325

Me and the family (8 total) went to Dollywood last week for three days. This was the first time in 22 years that me and my wife had been there and it was the first time any of the kids had been there. I was very impressed with the park over all. The cleanliness of the park, the operations, the total experience was great. I have to say that Lighting Rod lives up to it's hype. IT IS AWESOME !! I ended up with three rides total all on Thurs. in the cold rain. I love how they have playgrounds for the smaller ones around the park so they have something to do while the bigger ones ride. We will be spending a lot more time there this year.

I went to the park yesterday and today. Yesterday was the park was busy and I didn't get to ride a whole lot. Tried to ride Lightning Rod three time with no luck. First time I was at the gates ready to load and when they were about to open the gates, the Operator said there was lighting detected in the area. So I waited for that to pass (about 30 min). When they gave the all clear they said they would run some test runs. After the test runs were done, they was about to let us on and the operator said lighting was again in the area, so I left. Came back about 5, and I thought I was finally gonna ride. They buckled us in and then told everyone to unbuckle and get back in line as there was a problem. The ride never reopened. Today was a different story. I rode three time today and each time there was maybe 5 to 8 people in line. Man that is one crazy ride. I LOVE IT !!!! Going back tomorrow. I was impressed that the ride time were so accurate.

As far as Elcectro Spin, I noticed last night that it looks like they still have to add lighting or something to it as you can see what looks like bolts all over it where something can/will be mounted to it. If you look close at the picture I took last night you can tell what I'm talking about.

I think we will see more lights and things added over the next several weeks. Kinda like with Fury, the lights under the bridge was added after Fury opened.

From Snapchat

I will be there in two weeks with the family. It has been 22 years since I have been there and looking at these pictures, I can't wait.

From Carowinds Snapchat

^ We was told at Winter Warm Up that SFOG started construction a lot earlier than other parks on purpose. The reason being is that it would give The Sally Corp. time to do all the rides and not be stretched so thin trying to so many at one time. So it looks like the others are way behind but really they are on schedule.

They removed two game stalls on the end to open the area up in front of JLBFM. Kinda hard to tell by the pictures but if you look close you can tell where they took them out.

Sorry , didn't see it.

From Carowinds Snapchat

From Carowinds Twitter

ERT schedule is out now.

I'm really looking forward to riding the Top Scan and the Troika. I have never been on either one, but they look like a lot of fun.

Here is some pictures of the new rides today from Carowinds and Coaster101.

Here is a link to video I took during the County Fair construction tour.

Carowinds gave a hard hat construction tour today. Some of the things we found out today. The Troika came from Japan and the rest of the rides came from Europe. The Zephyr sits on the state line so you will be swinging in two states. Each car of the train for The Flying Cobras will have it's own theming. They are adding some menu items to Wings and Dockside Fries. Things like Fried Corn. Construction is on schedule and is expected to be completed on time. Electro Spin will be repainted when it is finished be assembled. White Water Falls will not be returning for 2017 and it was not told or even hinted at what might be coming in the future for that area. Here is a link of some pics I took today.

When I went to Winter Warm Up, they did say it that VR will be returning, but not on DDD. They hinted around at some rides like Mindbender, Skyscreamer, Monster Mansion, Acrophobia and a few other rides. They showed a video of a guy walking around with a VR headset and looking at different rides. All they said was the ride it will be going on was in the video. I can't remember all the rides they showed but it was expressed that nobody there wanted it to go on Mindbender.

The Rock-n-Roller is looking good. Glad to see it will have a back on it. From Carowinds FB page.

Afterburn and Woodstock Gliders.

I don't know if anyone can tell by the pictures, but they removed two game stalls to open up the area in front of JLBFM. They said the snack stands in that area will also get a make over to match the theming of the area. And Dale Kaetzel said the reason Superman is getting just red and blue paint is because the yellow does not hold up well. He also said that the Georgia Scorcher trains have been repainted. It was asked if any other coasters were being repainted and he said not at this time but they know it is needed. They also said that VR will return but it will not be on DDD. They would not say what ride it will be going on.