Carowinds Discussion Thread

[firebird81]

I hear you, but I think seismic requirements probably will keep California from ever seeing a giga. There have been rumors, tho, that 2020 will be a very big year for Knott's.....Dippin' Dots guy has no comment, so it must be true.

[TurnOfTheCentury]

The coaster looks great!! With that said can someone please explain to me how parks like Carowinds and Canada’s Wonderland continue to get massive investments like this, fury 325, Yukon Striker ...... and how Knott’s has by far the best attenedence in the chain, maybe better than both of these parks combined and hasn’t seen an investment even 25% of this since 2004 with Silver Bullet??? I get space, but Knott’s has space when you add up parking, the shitty hotel and on and on. As a person who lives in Orange County I guess I’m jealous lol. Congrats to Carowinds on yet another massive beautiful coaster!

 

I think you partly answered your own question. Because of its location and tourist traffic, Knotts has a certain built-in draw that likely doesn't necessitate the same type of capital investment to get strong continued attendance. In contrast, cedar fair is really trying to make the two CW's strong destination parks, and thus putting massive capital into them. Just a guess, but there is an obvious difference in investment dollars.

[JG-77]

The coaster looks great!! With that said can someone please explain to me how parks like Carowinds and Canada’s Wonderland continue to get massive investments like this, fury 325, Yukon Striker ...... and how Knott’s has by far the best attenedence in the chain, maybe better than both of these parks combined and hasn’t seen an investment even 25% of this since 2004 with Silver Bullet??? I get space, but Knott’s has space when you add up parking, the shitty hotel and on and on. As a person who lives in Orange County I guess I’m jealous lol. Congrats to Carowinds on yet another massive beautiful coaster!

 

I think you partly answered your own question. Because of its location and tourist traffic, Knotts has a certain built-in draw that likely doesn't necessitate the same type of capital investment to get strong continued attendance. In contrast, cedar fair is really trying to make the two CW's strong destination parks, and thus putting massive capital into them. Just a guess, but there is an obvious difference in investment dollars.

To add on to TurnOfTheCentuty, keep in mind that Knott's literally just received a sizable investment with Hangtime. Sure, it's not quite on the level as Carowind's investment or even Canada's Wonderland, but Knott's has not been neglected any way you look at it IMO.

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

Ahhh man, I was all set to make Canada's Wonderland my big first timer park trip next summer...and Carowinds goes and does this.

 

LOL. Don't change your mind. Canada's Wonderland will be my first theme park outside the US next year and I'm very excited! But this announcement from Carowinds is truly mind blowing! I'm sure this addition will be great for the park.

[Shut It Down]

The coaster looks great!! With that said can someone please explain to me how parks like Carowinds and Canada’s Wonderland continue to get massive investments like this, fury 325, Yukon Striker ...... and how Knott’s has by far the best attenedence in the chain, maybe better than both of these parks combined and hasn’t seen an investment even 25% of this since 2004 with Silver Bullet??? I get space, but Knott’s has space when you add up parking, the shitty hotel and on and on. As a person who lives in Orange County I guess I’m jealous lol. Congrats to Carowinds on yet another massive beautiful coaster!

 

I think you partly answered your own question. Because of its location and tourist traffic, Knotts has a certain built-in draw that likely doesn't necessitate the same type of capital investment to get strong continued attendance. In contrast, cedar fair is really trying to make the two CW's strong destination parks, and thus putting massive capital into them. Just a guess, but there is an obvious difference in investment dollars.

To add on to TurnOfTheCentuty, keep in mind that Knott's literally just received a sizable investment with Hangtime. Sure, it's not quite on the level as Carowind's investment or even Canada's Wonderland, but Knott's has not been neglected any way you look at it IMO.

 

Only 14 years without a major coaster. No big deal.

[JG-77]

^As I mentioned earlier, Hangtime is a major coaster. Also Ghostrider's not too shabby either. Take a glance at my homepark (SFA) and quit complaining

[jarmor]

Today I was fortunate enough to attend the media day on TPR's behalf. Here are some tidbits some of you may want to know . . .

 

-The talk (more less "you're getting a product") started in 2016, precisely around the time Carolina Harbor was finishing up.

 

-The stars aligned as Mack had an opening slot for a 2019 coaster and Cedar Fair secured it for Carowinds.

 

-As we have seen with the last several years of additions, Carowinds is rebranding itself and being more prideful of their Carolina heritage. As the coaster was being planned, the theming and the story was simultaneously coming together at the park. Carowinds is extremely fortunate that Cedar Fair allows them to have a big voice when it comes to how things are executed at the park. We got our first eye opener of that with the conversion of Boomerang Bay to Carolina Harbor. THe parks upper personnel really pushed for the uniqueness of we now know, and love, as Carolina Harbor.

 

-The park has found a proverbival gold mine with the introduction of the walk around "local" characters. Their presence became more prominent during the teasing campaign for the County Fair addition. We were first introduced to granny when she was going on and on about her prize winning jam. The park decided to expound on that by creating a fleshed out story about her actually making moonshine in a copperhead infested barn, thus naming her "secret" Copperhead Strike.

 

Let's move on to some photos . . .

 

Will we see what's in the shed??? Barn???

If you're wondering if Granny's punch packed a punch I am not at liberty to say

That must be some special "jam" . . .

Hummm . . .

Setting up a food station.

The park had a live band on hand.

#Noted

The park generally sets the pace by going over what they have done and what is to come for the remainder of the year.

The GM, Pat Jones, Basically says, and I paraphrase . . . "You ain't seen nothing YET" lol

John Taylor continues with promoting Scarowinds since it starts in about two weeks.

I think he may be in trouble . . .

The park announced they will have a new years even celebration right at the park this year!

John Taylor is back to give us the meat of the announcement.

And he brought some company. Now WHAT could she be looking for???

After killing a . . . snake, she found what she was looking for. And celebrated with a hefty swig!

Ah, THAT'S what that was. . . but it's missing something.

There it is!

 

Back to some tidbits . . .

 

-The new area, Blue Ridge Junction, is a call back of a previous park area that is now the Carolina Boardwalk.

 

-The wings restaurant will get a complete gut job and when it returns, it will have decor similar to that of a Cracker Barrel.

 

-There will be a new path from the current Country Crossroads that will be a segway from that area to the new County Fair.

 

-The hotel is looking to be ready in the fall of 2019. The park had the option to go with a park branded hotel, like Knotts, but opted for a chain as a plus/plus for everyone. People visiting the are with Marriott rewards are more prone to stay there and the park will be able to fill more rooms in the off season.

 

-Now, the one thing that has been having us scratch our heads, the in-park teasers around the chain. It balls down to harmless fun amongst the parks. There is no deeper meaning to the teasers other than having fun.

 

I would like to thank Robb for the opportunity to attend in TIP's behalf and if anyone has any questions feel free to ask!

[pproteinc]

My question is, is the new area just the new site with the wings restaurant and extra space for future flats or does this include the crossroads area as well?

[robbalvey]

^^ Great report! Thanks again!

[larrygator]

The launch air-time hill, the compactness of it, this will be an awesome. It's like Maverick evolved into a beast.

 

I get what you mean by calling it Maverick but I think this one will be tamer yet tons of fun. I love Mack coasters and this will be an amazing addition to Carowinds!

 

Cedar Fair just crapped all over all Six Flags' 2019 additions. Well done!

 

Cedar Fair to date

Yukon Striker

Copper Head Strike

Frontier chellenge island thing

Please help me on the rest

Kings Mills autos

WOF?

Dorney?

MIA?

VF?

Knotts?

CGA?

KD?

 

Six Flags

1 giant discovery

2 giga discovery

1 S&S free fly

Endeavor 24

S&S air launch

Premier lsm launch

Chance freestyle

Snake halfpipe slide

Funtime star flyer

bucker blaster ride

Frontier city kids area

Larson super loop

Larson loop

 

Cedar Fair has not annoucned enough rides yet to compare

 

The only other announcement out of Cedar Fair for 2019 has been WOF Boathouse Grill (similar to Carowinds Harmony Hall)

[bert425]

Really good report, Jarmor!

 

and LOL. . love that pic of you in the photo-op. . .

[jarmor]

My question is, is the new area just the new site with the wings restaurant and extra space for future flats or does this include the crossroads area as well?

Aside from it being a path, it wasn't said that it will be annexed into the new area.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Awesome update, thanks Jarmor!

 

Trade you all a first gen B&M giga and a dive coaster for this and your giga, please?

 

Copperhead Strike looks incredible. Really happy to see another twisty, launchy and terrainy coaster come to a major US park. It's been a while since Maverick.

[Satans Hockey]

Fantastic report, definitely going to try to get back to Carowinds next year.

[Philrad71]

Great report, Jarmor...thank you!

 

I REALLY like what Carowinds has done in the past few years. The heritage theming, Fury, local-flavor food festivals, water park expansion, new hotel and now another really awesome looking, unique coaster.

 

Okay, sign me up for another trip to visit family in Charlotte next year!

[John Peck]

Awesome, Jarmor! Thanks a bunch!

 

After seeing the ride pad go in for what looks very much to be the Flyers, does anyone think that they could be up and running by Haunt or Winterfest? I can't tell though if a control shed has been started or not. I'm not making a trip this year, I'm just looking for opinions.

[wsixflags]

could there be the return of Woodstock Gliders?

[bgtlover]

^Yes

[JJLehto]

So Copperhead Strike, was that a launch over a hill? If so what a 180 from not so long ago when it seemed every ride had trimmed hills, imagine if we now launch over them.

Looks like a fun ride, I already had Carowinds slated for 2019 but now its deff happening.

[carowindsman]

Fury325 Golden ticket

 

Carowinds’ Fury 325 named Best Steel Coaster by Amusement Today

[Dombot]

Fury325 Golden ticket

 

Carowinds’ Fury 325 named Best Steel Coaster by Amusement Today

Anyone else not know this already happened?

[jarmor]

On Saturday the park provided a construction tour of Copperhead Strike's progress.

 

But first, let's check out some of the SCarowinds decor. I think this area is inspired by Sweeney Todd as it is called "fleet street"

 

In the area near Fury 325, it seems to be a scrape yard of sorts . . .

 

In the County Fair, they have a new pirates theme scare zone.

 

Ok, lets get this tour going . . .

 

In case you forgot.

 

First stop, a large, familiar concrete pad. No more was said as to what will inhabitat it but I have a good Idea.

 

Looking out at the site of Copperhead Strike. The coaster will sit on a hill so you should get some good shots from the entrance to Blue Ridge Junction.

 

There will be a path somewhere around here.

 

This were, I cant remember, lets just call them coaster buttplugs.

 

I think this will get a face lift. . .

 

As we walk around, you get to see who is responsible for erecting the coaster.

 

Hi Intimidator!

 

And for your viewing pleasure, supports.

 

Well that's it. I will leave you with another view of Fleet Street . . .

[JJLehto]

So, Im making a trip home for Thanksgiving, and since I always need a layover in Charlotte I always check Carowinds.

It seems they actually are open for limited hours for "winter fest" including one day from 2 - 10 :O

Anyone been here for this winterfest/know what it is? Is the full park open? I can handle cool weather but am unsure if I should bite the bullet and finally go this year, when the park may not be crowded at all (?) or wait till next year when itll be warmer and the new coaster is open

[thrillrider]

Looks like this park will be affected by the hurricane. Hope everyone that lives in the path of the storm is safe.

[bgtlover]

So, Im making a trip home for Thanksgiving, and since I always need a layover in Charlotte I always check Carowinds.

It seems they actually are open for limited hours for "winter fest" including one day from 2 - 10 :O

Anyone been here for this winterfest/know what it is? Is the full park open? I can handle cool weather but am unsure if I should bite the bullet and finally go this year, when the park may not be crowded at all (?) or wait till next year when itll be warmer and the new coaster is open

Last year was the first year (since 2005 anyway). The park was decorated for the holidays and had shows, Ice Skating , photo ops and more. The whole park wasn't open. Fury 325 and the area around it wasn't open. However, there are Christmas lights up in that area (put up recently) so there may be a chance it (maybe Hurler) could open this year. The only large coaster open was Afterburn. It's my belief they didn't want to try and have too much open to see if it would be successful there. It would seem more rides may be open this year. They'll likely post the information once Haunt is over on what attractions will be open.

 

As far as the weather, it likely won't be too cold. Maybe a sweatshirt is needed, but temps can be in the upper 70s on Thanksgiving (I lived there for 30 years).

 

Here's a map showing what was open last year (it's a bit small, but it's all I could find)