Carowinds Discussion Thread

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I know this is a long shot, but I would love 2017 to be the flats and a GOOD wooden coaster. But like I said that is a long shot.

 

I dont get why it seems necessary for parks to have at least one "good" wooden coaster. SFGAdv's lineup is amazing, but if El Toro was steel, the park would be missing something.

[jarmor]

I would personally LOVE one of those MVR/Gravity Group woodies to show up at the park. They seem like good traditional wooden coaster fun!

 

Or they can contact RMC to remake the crystal beach cyclone!

[CaptainUnknown]

I don't see Carowinds getting a new coaster until 2019/2020. I expect/hope it will be a GCI woodie replacing Dinos Alive.

[jarmor]

Today Carowinds invited the media back out for an off season update. In case you didn't know, Carowinds is in the process of almost doubling their water park as well as installing the world's first intra-active 3D attraction based off the Plants Vs. Zombies video game franchise as well as debuting a Theme park based Cirque Imagine show. So, lets get on to the pictures.

 

This view use to be different not too long ago.

 

While the park is busy transforming things inside, they are also preparing for the future outside.

 

After a short drive to the south gate, the parks PR manager, Laresa Thompson, gave us a briefing about the tour.

 

Not too long ago, this lot was full of water slide parts!

 

First up, Plants Vs. Zombies!

 

As you see, not much is changing as far as the building itself.

 

So aside from some cosmetic changes, its the same interior.

 

Once all the seats are installed, it will bring the total to 64 with an hourly capacity of 600-700.

 

A Pre-POV!

 

The park is coming alive this time of year. This area . . .

 

Will soon be filled with these.

 

Well, we know at least one coaster is ready for 2016!

 

Moving on to the Starbucks . . .

 

You're currently looking at what took just 3 weeks!

 

I have to say, it looks nice so far. But it clashes with the art deco design of the other buildings. Hopefully they will be revamped soon.

 

Still a ways to go inside.

 

Just looking at the plans gave me confidence that I could complete the project all by myself!

 

I cant wait until it opens!

 

And if you're in the area and looking for a job.

 

At the speed they are going, the will be finish in no time.

 

They have to wrap the mouths of all their Dinos so they would all attack themselves as they experience cabin fever in the winter.

 

Something is missing?

 

The park decided to get rid of its mini golf.

 

Let's head into Boom . . . err . . .that's gotta change lol.

 

Virtually every inch of the water park got new paint. Hard to believe those slides are as old as they are.

 

This new, awesome looking play structure is taking over the original wave pool's spot.

 

Looking back at the plot, once the stage and mini golf was removed, it sure did open up a lot of space . . . say for a family raft slide???

 

More revived slides.

 

The old bath house is getting gutted out to feature only restrooms . . .

 

And the rear is getting new changing facilities.

 

Doesn't look like much compared to the new one right?

 

Even the play area for very small kids are getting new elements as well as extended family restrooms.

 

The park added this last year. Cool touches like these are awesome.

 

A new path will be made here to get to the newer area.

 

These were added barely 2 years ago, and new ones are already at the park!

 

The star of the new expansion!

 

The complex is about 90% complete.

 

Here is the new pool. It will be geared towards teens and adults with its 8ft depth and much larger waves. There should also be party cabanas over here as well.

 

Looking back towards the new water park entrance.

 

The highlight of the tour for me, the new bar will be right there!

 

Just look at the color POP!

 

The new eatery, Harbor House is said to serve carolina inspired dishes, especially seafood.

 

It will feature 2 covered seating area.

 

Last but not least a look at the basically completed new bath house.

 

2016 is sure to be a great year at Carowinds as they surpassed their attendance goals last year with the addition of Fury 325. With the largest water park in the carolinas, the world's first intra-active 3D gaming experince Plants Vs. Zombies and a great Cirque show this is sure to be another record setting year!

[RyanTPM]

^Thanks for that, good to see what's going on from inside the park.

[palmerleeberry]

The waterpark will look even nicer once they plant in the grass and fill up those water attractions with water. As for the miniature golf course that has been removed, I don't have any tears for it since I've never played that course because it was never opened whenever I visited the park. I believe I can see a nice flat ride going into that vacant spot.

 

I believe Carowinds is gonna be "The Park" to visit this season and in the next season if they continue making the improvement and upgrades they've been doing.

 

"Don't bug me; I'm taking a nap!"

[palmerleeberry]

The waterpark will look even nicer once they plant in the grass and fill up those water attractions with water. As for the miniature golf course that has been removed, I don't have any tears for it since I've never played that course because it was never opened whenever I visited the park. I believe I can see a nice flat ride going into that vacant spot.

 

I believe Carowinds is gonna be "The Park" to visit this season and in the next season if they continue making the improvement and upgrades they've been doing.

 

"Don't bug me; I'm taking a nap!"

[coasterbill]

Everything looks great! Thanks for the update.

 

... well except the Starbucks. That looks awful. It should be a Dunkin Donuts.

[drummermattk]

Could that big gray building be for a dark ride or is that a maintenance shop.............

 

And interesting to see some slide pieces are painted to feature some trippy waterslides!

What the inside of some slides will look like in some places

[coasterfreak101]

... well except the Starbucks. That looks awful. It should be a Dunkin Donuts.

[jarmor]

Could that big gray building be for a dark ride or is that a maintenance shop.............

 

 

Its for a little of everything, except a dark ride. the park is preparing for the eventual growth of the infrastructure so they are moving some outfits into bigger locations and re-purposing others for other stuff. It's a lot going on inside and outside the park!

 

Speaking of outside the park . . .

 

There is a Wendy' s at the entrance and they seem to be stuck in a time warp lol.

[PhantomPoster32]

Could that big gray building be for a dark ride or is that a maintenance shop.............

 

And interesting to see some slide pieces are painted to feature some trippy waterslides!

 

They had those on the original slide complex at Oceans of Fun (that has been cloned several times now). Basically it is acrylic sections put into the opaque fiberglass tubes. The sun then shines through and you get this cool effect.

[carolinaman]

I was looking at joining Club TPR and it says that there are discounts for parks. Do they have discounts and perks for Carowinds and if so what are they?

 

 

EDIT, I tweeted and asked Carowinds and they said not at this time.

[DorneyKid14]

So this might have been asked before but, could you see vortex getting a floorless conversation like mantis did?

[grsupercity]

So this might have been asked before but, could you see vortex getting a floorless conversation like mantis did?

 

A regular sitdown train would be a lot less expensive.

[coasterbill]

I enjoy Vortex and think without the standup gimmick it would be pretty dull so I hope they keep it the way it is. It's the only standup I've ridden that I enjoy.

[CoasterDirected]

I enjoy Vortex and think without the standup gimmick it would be pretty dull so I hope they keep it the way it is. It's the only standup I've ridden that I enjoy.

Yeah, it seems that bigger is not nearly better when it comes to stand-ups. I haven't ridden either Vortex's but I have ridden Georgia Scorcher and thought it was actually really fun, especially because of all the twists.

[VF15]

So this might have been asked before but, could you see vortex getting a floorless conversation like mantis did?

I read on another thread that the CGA Vortex conversion may have been put on hold or cancelled because Rougarou ended up costing more than expected, so I'm not sure if it would happen here.

 

Speaking of Vortex, I'll be riding it this year, and it will be my first time riding a stand-up coaster. Since most enthusiasts say stand-ups are painful or unpleasant, is there any way I should ride it so that I have a decent ride?

[SFOGdude25]

So this might have been asked before but, could you see vortex getting a floorless conversation like mantis did?

I read on another thread that the CGA Vortex conversion may have been put on hold or cancelled because Rougarou ended up costing more than expected, so I'm not sure if it would happen here.

 

Speaking of Vortex, I'll be riding it this year, and it will be my first time riding a stand-up coaster. Since most enthusiasts say stand-ups are painful or unpleasant, is there any way I should ride it so that I have a decent ride?

 

When you get in the seat, adjust the height to where your knees are ever so slightly bent. That way, when you stand up straight (don't lock your knees), your weight won't be on your crotch but on your feet. It's actually not all that uncomfortable when you do it right. Do NOT put the seat all the way down. I've seen people do this, but it puts ALL your weight on your crotch, kind of like riding on a bike seat, but with g-forces.

[Vonni]

I'd rather just see Vortex replaced all together, but I know that would be quite a ways down the road if it were to happen.

[carolinaman]

I have only rode two stand-up coasters, Vortex at Carowinds and Georgia Cyclone at SFoG. Georgia Cyclone is a lot smoother and a lot more fun than Vortex. I like the layout better also. I don't know why Vortex is so rough but It would be more enjoyable if they could smooth the ride out.

[SFOG1991]

^You mean Georgia Scorcher (GA Cyclone is the wooden Cyclone inspired coaster at Over Georgia), and Georgia Scorcher is probably the only fully enjoyable stand up I've ever been on out of...

 

Scorcher, Vortex (Carowinds), Vortex (CGA), Mantis, Chang/Green Lantern, Apocalypse, and Shockwave (KD).

 

I don't think Vortex at Carowinds is bad though.

[SFOG1991]

So this might have been asked before but, could you see vortex getting a floorless conversation like mantis did?

I read on another thread that the CGA Vortex conversion may have been put on hold or cancelled because Rougarou ended up costing more than expected, so I'm not sure if it would happen here.

 

Speaking of Vortex, I'll be riding it this year, and it will be my first time riding a stand-up coaster. Since most enthusiasts say stand-ups are painful or unpleasant, is there any way I should ride it so that I have a decent ride?

 

When you get in the seat, adjust the height to where your knees are ever so slightly bent. That way, when you stand up straight (don't lock your knees), your weight won't be on your crotch but on your feet. It's actually not all that uncomfortable when you do it right. Do NOT put the seat all the way down. I've seen people do this, but it puts ALL your weight on your crotch, kind of like riding on a bike seat, but with g-forces.

This is completely accurate! You still deal with head banging and on the larger models, the feeling that your legs are dying from positive Gs, but this will save your crotch and make the ride enjoyable.

[carolinaman]

Your right, I meant Scorcher not Cyclone

[cdcruizer05]

So ready for thursday, first time season pass holder here, and ready for preview night...wishing for some good weather! We took a dive in temperatures this weekend low 50's after being in the 70s/80s first part of the week, so excited!

 

I miss you fury!