[Drafin]

First, we don't even know if they've removed it permanently.  And second, I usually respect all your posts, but that's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard.  The removal of one decoration would change your opinion of a park that drastically?

I agree, we do not know if the Queen is gone forever or just on leave. As for the "one decoration" part; for me it is not just the Queen being removed it is the sum of all the parts being removed. As I stated in another post it is the removal of many of the historical parts that have made PC feel like just another park.

I was excited when I heard that the Sternwheeler would become a restaurant or gift shop as it showed that PC at least acknowledged the history and heritage of this wonderful park. But as with everything else in life, money talks.

To me this "cracked hull" is just way to convenient for my tastes.

Drafin

[Jonathan]

The cracked hull post was made by someone who has never posted here before and hasn't posted here again since, so I don't think we can automatically take his word as 100% true. It's like you said though, money talks. Heritage and history is something that does not play a role in the amusement park industry. The park has had its reasons for removing everything that they have removed, and they don't just remove things for the sake of ticking off enthusiasts. As for the Sternwheeler, let me bring up a point that no one has made yet:

Smurf Island has been completely torn up for construction of the flying coaster, and that includes the riverbed and the area around it. I doubt they just planned to set the Sternwheeler down and then construct around it. It is likely that if the Sternwheeler *is* staying, they would relocate it to some sort of storage area while they prepared the site for the ride and the site for the boat. Remember that the riverbed is going to be changed a lot and refilled with water again, and they would also likely construct mounts for the boat so that it isn't just tied up and floating in the water. Not to mention, if the park decides to convert the boat into a restaurant or store of some sort, it may be easier for them to do some renovations and work on the boat away from the construction site. I'm not saying I know the Sternwheeler isn't gone for good, because I don't know anything for a fact. What I am saying is not to get into an uproar and start sending letters to God about saving the Sternwheeler ( ) since we don't even know for a fact that it is gone.

[LocoDriver]

Drove by Carowinds Friday and did not see the Boat at all in storage. Any idea where it might be stored at? It may have already been scrapped. We all know what that means.

[Jonathan]

I *highly* doubt that the Sternwheeler will be scrapped, regardless of whether it is removed or not. I'm sure that if it is removed it will be sold or given to perhaps a musuem or a park or something for display.

[AMartin777]

Well, Alan, I actually agree with everyone about the historical aspect of the boat.  What I don't agree on is how everyone seems to think this will ruin Carowinds or something.  The only people who really care about the riverboat are likely the people posting on these boards; not 99% of the people cranking through the park gates each year.  The Sternwheeler isn't the first historical item to go (that is, *if* it is indeed going, which we still don't have 100% confirmation of), and it won't be the last.  We've seen Blackbeard's Revenge, White Lightning, the monorail, the skyway, and countless other former park attractions sacraficed for change; that's the nature of an amusement park.

I agree with you that the majority of the people coming through the gate are oblivious to the historical significance of certain items within the park. But I would like to point out that the majority of the people coming to the park are also younger (teenage) and most havn't had the opportunity to personally invest in gaining an appreciation for the history of the park. I also submit to you that this appreciation cannot always be gained in a lasting and truly meaningful way if you are not exposed to it first hand.

The removal of the previous rides/attractions from Carowinds are an inevitable part of change for the park but there comes a point where you have to draw the line between what is "expendable" and what lies at the "soul" of the ideals that make you who you are. Too much change can lead to a disconnect between the essence of the ideas on which something was founded and the people the ideas were meant to affect.

Ask yourself this: What is an essential element that makes you think (and feel) Carowinds?

They don't have a specific, identifyable character such as Disney has Mickey Mouse. The logo has always been somewhat distinctive in its shape even with the "mountain" included from Paramount. What else? I believe the Sternwheeler could be cited as an example of that "identity". Parks have personalities and the historical atmosphere on which they were built is intrinsic to their existence and future success. Parks ignore this to their peril.

[Jonathan]

I don't really think that is as big of a deal for a local draw park though as it is for a tourist drawing park. Having an essential element may be the thing that makes families say every year or so,"Hey let's go to Carowinds this weekend," but adding new rides and attractions is what makes people buy season pass and come back for another visit. Yes, the roots and background of Carowinds may be slowly deteriorating, but without change the park would not survive. It's interesting how over the past years the same people who are posting on these boards (and I'm not directing this at you Alan) said over and over and over "Put something on the island put something on the island!", along with other enthusiasts and local park visitors, and now the same people are saying Carowinds is being destroyed because of it.

[Dukeis#1]

While change is good, ripping out the boat was like pulling the out heart of the park.

Imagine if Disneyland removed Sleeping Beauty Castle. I know it would certainly have a major impact on that park, and it would just not feel quite "right" again.

Next season when I visit Carowinds, it will definatly feel like something is missing, or the park is incomplete. It's removal (or mounting) will really leave a void in the park for those who don't need high speeds or G forces to enjoy themselfs. And, I'm talking about the 55+ crowd who are bringing there grand children for an afternoon visit.

I also think putting a big Coaster right in the middle of the park is a mistake. You'll be able to see it where ever you are within the park, and now we'll be able to say that the park is almost completely shrouded by coaster supports and track. The whole thing reminds me of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

[CarowindsZone]

Dukeis#1 is right Stealth replacing the sternwheeler is a mistake, it is an unwritten rule for theme park design not to put a coaster in the center of the park.

[coasterbruh]

comparing that to the magic kingdom is like apples to oranges. carowinds wasnt built around the sternwheeler. however magic kingdom is built around the castle. its all about what the public want and given the choice i think the public would want to get rid of the boat vs. some othr ride. like it was mention earlier everyone was pratically screaming put something on the island. and now when they want to people are crying about the change. you just cant please everyone i see...........

[CarowindsZone]

But the riverboat was in the center.

[Jonathan]

I guess that's why the following coasters are the centerpieces at their respective parks:

Batman, Great America
Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point
Loch Ness Monster, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Corkscrew, Valleyfair
Wildcat, Lake Compounce
Corkscrew, Michigan's Adventure
Viper, Six Flags Astroworld

Also, comparing Carowinds to Disneyland is like comparing apples to oranges.

*EDIT: Coasterbruh beat me to it

[TFaile001]

[QUOTE]I don't really think that is as big of a deal for a local draw park though as it is for a tourist drawing park. Having an essential element may be the thing that makes families say every year or so,"Hey let's go to Carowinds this weekend," but adding new rides and attractions is what makes people buy season pass and come back for another visit. Yes, the roots and background of Carowinds may be slowly deteriorating, but without change the park would not survive. It's interesting how over the past years the same people who are posting on these boards (and I'm not directing this at you Alan) said over and over and over "Put something on the island put something on the island!", along with other enthusiasts and local park visitors, and now the same people are saying Carowinds is being destroyed because of it.



Umm, well when we said put something on the island, we meant LEAVING the island, not flatting it out and making it another paved area. (Remember an Island is a piece of land where water is on all sides) Well we dont have taht anymore, thats why people are mad.

[CarowindsZone]

You said it perfectly. We wanted the island left as an island, and the sternwheeler left as a ride. I am right?

[coasterbruh]

beggers cant be chooser............are you willing to pay for the boat to be brought back...............just wanna knowe how many are. they are the coporation im sure they know what they are doing. they probably weighed their options and came up with the outcome.

[CarowindsZone]

I would rather have the riverboat and island over any rollercoaster.