Carowinds Discussion Thread

[Vonni]

^ I disagree completely. The complex would have just been added to another Park in the chain.

[PhantomPoster32]

Maybe/Maybe not. OOF was definitely a test park for the design.

[FSUFanChris]

Is it any surprise that the chain is cloning OOF's slide complex once again at another water park in the chain? I think this makes the 4th (counting the original).

It's funny cause if WOF just took the mat racer CF offered them then none of the parks would have that awesome complex. You can thank WOF management for those shiny new slides.

I've never heard this story. Details?

[WOFanatic]

Is it any surprise that the chain is cloning OOF's slide complex once again at another water park in the chain? I think this makes the 4th (counting the original).

It's funny cause if WOF just took the mat racer CF offered them then none of the parks would have that awesome complex. You can thank WOF management for those shiny new slides.

I've never heard this story. Details?

While at Coaster Mayhem in 2013 the GM told me that CF offered them a mat racer and a water park overhaul. WOF responded saying they wanted something more original in their water park to gain more attention (especially with Schlitterbahn building the world's tallest water slide in the same city). So they asked White Water what they could do with the area and White Water offered them what they have now. So yes, OOF pretty much developed the complex with the help of White Water. The capacity of a mat racer, but with six unique slides for the whole family. It was genius.

[FSUFanChris]

^ Thanks!

[PhantomPoster32]

Frank Wilburn also likes to tell stories so while there might be some meat to the story, it was more than likely enhanced for the attendees of Mayhem.

[DILinator]

4.) Separate entrance to water park and exit out of parking lot

 

I love this concept, personally! I've always thought it'd be so much simpler to have separate entrances (while still keeping it one price), to allow for people to access the water park directly from their car, and then return after changing before going into the dry park at that entrance.

 

7.) 500,000 annoying Facebook comments on August 27th complaining Thunder Road was removed for nothing

 

 

Personally, I'm fully expecting this to only be the beginning of expansion there. I noticed that there is still some room left over where I suspect they'll add some sort of small, coaster, possibly launched, and of course, the Action Theater seems like a prime location for their future Amusement Dark. It seems like having addressed the front of the park with Fury and the new gate, they're now turning their attention to this side of the park. By the time this expansion is done, they'll have really brought some more life into that part of the park. One thing I noticed when I was there for the first time earlier this year, was that area back there seemed really quiet. While that made it more endearing to me than the unshaded and crowded front of the park, it definitely seemed like an area primed for some expansion. Maybe you all see it differently, but those are my impessions, looking over the next 5 years or so. By that time, I'll probably be living in North Carolina, so it may be my home park, depending on where in NC we end up settling!

[PCW_Nut]

Personally I think this is a great addition to the park. Updating the water park is a great way to provide more for families to do and help improve an aging area of the park. This will allow more guests to come into the park and do something in case they aren't a big roller coaster or ride fan. Think of large families that can now come in and have something to do together rather than some sit out cause Fury is too tall for them.

 

If I play fantasy theme park designer do I think there would've been a way to do this and keep Thunder Road? Sure, but that' why it's a fantasy and other people are paid money to do what's best for a park. Of course it will, typically at least, suck to see a coaster go but when you think business/park future, additions like this just make sense.

 

I hope the slide complex has a couple of the drop box slides as those will add some added thrill in there as well.

[drummermattk]

^ I disagree completely. The complex would have just been added to another Park in the chain.

 

 

KI maybe for 2016?? still surprised to see splash pads instead of slides. Looks like a new entrance and parking lot.

[DonkeysWaffles]

This could have been done without removing Thunder Road. Nice addition, poor execution by Carowinds

[jarmor]

I feel carowinds wants the water park to have a different atmosphere from the regular park. More tranquil, so to speak. Can't do that?with a coaster running thru it every few minutes.

[coasterkid124]

To sum up the water park renovation/expansion to Carolina Harbor thanks to Carowinds Connection's find:

1.) Wave pool with sand volleyball courts nearby

2.) Slide tower (same as the new one at KD, Dorney, WOF)

3.) Water play tower/structure (replacing old wave pool)

4.) Separate entrance to water park and exit out of parking lot

5.) Splash pad (assuming it is the same as KD/CW/VF's)

6.) 2 new bathhouses

7.) 500,000 annoying Facebook comments on August 27th complaining Thunder Road was removed for nothing

 

 

The only thing that irks me is the separate admission. Normally parks that have it, I don't go in the water. Not that I don't like water parks, which I do, but I don't see a reason to pay extra if I can get wet on rides in the park.

 

I'm guessing that they don't want it to get too crowded right away.

[jarmor]

To sum up the water park renovation/expansion to Carolina Harbor thanks to Carowinds Connection's find:

1.) Wave pool with sand volleyball courts nearby

2.) Slide tower (same as the new one at KD, Dorney, WOF)

3.) Water play tower/structure (replacing old wave pool)

4.) Separate entrance to water park and exit out of parking lot

5.) Splash pad (assuming it is the same as KD/CW/VF's)

6.) 2 new bathhouses

7.) 500,000 annoying Facebook comments on August 27th complaining Thunder Road was removed for nothing

 

 

The only thing that irks me is the separate admission. Normally parks that have it, I don't go in the water. Not that I don't like water parks, which I do, but I don't see a reason to pay extra if I can get wet on rides in the park.

 

I'm guessing that they don't want it to get too crowded right away.

Ummmmm...there is no separate admission.

[coasterkid124]

For next season? I know there isn't currently, but it sounded like they are building a new entrance for it so that they could apply that.

[blk_mamba]

This could have been done without removing Thunder Road. Nice addition, poor execution by Carowinds

 

I am inclined to agree just as a gut reaction however I'll wait to see the final renderings of what they want to build.

 

**Pure speculation** What if they are building one of those fancy Master Blaster water coasters.

 

I'd be ok with them getting rid of a coaster to build a ride like that in its place. Carowinds is tight on space regardless and that turn around for Thunder Road takes up alot of space that could be used for a waterpark expansion especially b/c the coaster is not that popular anymore.

[jarmor]

They aren't tight on space. They just brought more land a few years ago. This was more of a logical decision vs space.

 

For next season? I know there isn't currently, but it sounded like they are building a new entrance for it so that they could apply that.

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.

[drummermattk]

I honestly think cedar fair is taking notes with kings island. How they have the separate entrance with their waterpark. I think in the near future we will probably see separate entrances at all of the parks. CRpwinds and valley fair this year. Hopefully.

[robbalvey]

We are looking for someone to attend the Carowinds announcement for TPR on August 27th at 11am. If you are able to attend, please contact robbalvey@themeparkreview.com Please note & include in your email:

 

- Your Full Name

- Your Age

- Your email address and phone number

- Links to your social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc) that show examples of photos you've taken at parks

- Links to any trip reports you've done on TPR

- You must be over 18 years old and provide your own transportation to the event.

- You must be willing to take photos and maybe video to post a trip report to the TPR Forums.

- You must maintain a mature attitude at all times. Don't go asking the park for special stuff. Don't go complaining about stuff. Just be cool, have fun, and appreciate that you're getting to do a cool invite-only event.

 

We will select someone based on the emails we receive.

Edited August 11, 2015 by robbalvey

[PhantomPoster32]

Not to mention Oceans of Fun at Worlds of Fun already had a separate entry

[DILinator]

I just had a thought, looking at the leaked water park layout...

 

Many people are disappointed, feeling like the water park expansion clearly did not necessitate the removal of Thunder Road. Looking at the alleged layour, that clearly seems to be the case. As I stated earlier in the thread, I think a new coater will be in part of TR's old footprint eventually, mitigating some of the angst. I was looking mostly at the still empty station land, and figuring it would have to be a smaller coater. However, I did notice that in addition to that part of the old footprint, there will be a cleared spot of land in the middle of expansion, and then a lot of additional cleared space where TR's turnarounds were. Potentially, a larger steel coaster (possibly an RMC even, I suppose) could head right down that way, how TR used to, coming down in the middle before ending up in the bigger section for most of it, and then returning. Given that they already have both a Hyper and a Giga, I'm not sure that there's another coaster that would work with that kind of footprint, other than an RMC potentially. It's likely we won't see this, but I did note that it's at least possible, given the open land remaining...

[jarmor]

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?

[DILinator]

^A steel coaster with a skinny footprint, and minimal need for supports, could easily get back there going over the waterpark. There's even a middle portion of blank land for the lower part of hills. However, remember I said it wasn't likely, especially since the type of coaster that could best utilize that land, they already have two of (hyper, giga). I agree that a further waterpark expansion would make the most sense back there.

 

Speaking of which, I have to admit I'm surprised that there isn't a Pro Slide Tornado as a part of this expansion. Those seen to be pretty common for waterparks these days, and they're a great slide! Maybe something like that would be part of a future expansion.

[JonnyRCT3]

Complainers will always complain, but I think Carowinds is moving in the right direction with this one.

 

With the addition of Fury which is aimed at thrill seekers and giving the park national attention, makes the park a "hot" destination. And the new Dining & show options (which cater towards everyone) provide good deals on food which give people more incentive to buy (thus increasing revenue). These additions appeal to a wide variety of people, re-gaining the public's interest in the park. And now with the waterpark expansion, Carowinds again re-gains the public's attention by showing them that not only do they offer world-class thrills, but also a great waterpark. This could possibly lead to extended stays, and the longer the guests stay the more likely they are to spend more money. Cedar Fair's strategy to accelerate Carowinds forward is wonderful. The park is moving away from Thunder Road, and into the future with Fury & water.

 

This park is shaping up nicely.

[pproteinc]

On my way to work this morning I saw the claw sitting in the parking lot so I assumed deconstruction would start today. WELP it def did all the remaining are the station, lift hill to the bottom of the first drop and turnarounds everything in the middle is scrapped

[chknwing]

but can it still get RMC'd?