General Carowinds discussion
#83594
FamousAmos wrote:
Littlegiles wrote:Does anyone have a good pic of the rendering that labels all the new stuff. Might be nice to have one in the thread that we can refer to with questions and comments. I know there was some talk about where the bar was located (cough cough....very important) as well as some other "location" comments.

I tried to take a good pic but that poster they had outside had too much light behind it for me and I couldn't get a good photo.


sorry Dale, I'm in class today. Maybe tomorrow.


They are all on page 1 of this thread.
#83596
Capler wrote:
arby wrote:While I want this part of the topic to die, I do feel the need to point out the positive aspects with some factual data.

The former Dick Kinzel entourage did consider selling the park in 2009. They are also the ones who did overpay for Paramount parks. Why did they do that? Because they saw the big potential in growing Cedar Fair in the long term.

Since 2009, Mr. Kinzel retired and the board of directors looked outward to find a solid CEO to run the company and move it forward. They brought in Matt Ouimet who had experience in areas they were lacking, mainly targeting families of all ages and not just thrill seekers. Looking at the big players out there, that is really what draws in the crowds and money.

Since Mr. Ouimet took over, they have restructured their debt several times and now have it under control. They do have a plan to pay it down and are using proven business tactics to do so. While their growth has been relatively slow and steady, they know that because in order to get to the next level they have to pay out more than normal just to get the key Cedar Fair parks up to snuff. That in turn should continue to increase their revenue and allow them to pay off the debt sooner.

If you look at their debt and say they are bankrupt, the same probably goes for most of us here, since not many of us are able to pay cash for our houses and cars. We owe more than we make in a year but work hard at our jobs in order pay our monthly debt payments and focus on removing the debt all together, not considering ourselves bankrupt. Mr. Ouimet keeps mentioning focusing on investments with a high ROI (return on investment) and I think they are doing good in that perspective.

The stock market keeps an eye on these things much closer than we do. So instead of focusing on everything in the picture left of the red line, I focus on the big positive that is indicated on the right of the red line, which is more the present and less the distant past.

FUN.PNG


Also, people fail to realize that stakeholders always look forward, Your value today is based on future growth potential. Over on TPR someone came on the other night and slammed Kings Dominion by saying the reason the park is not getting the Carowinds treatment is because over the years they had been give preferential treatment. Yet, Carowinds, which had been fairly neglected had managed to keep up with them in attendance and revenue. Of course Rob, called him a 'dick' and banned him. From a profit point of view, the guy was telling the truth. The situation suggests the park was undeserving it's market. The same can be said for Canada's Wonderland. KD has had a boat load of money thrown at it but currently the growth potential is not there. Apparently I-305 did not deliver the expected boost. Like at Cedar Point, CF will continue to pump money into Carowind's and Wonderland until the growth levels out. This is why it is important that we keep buying passes and keep visiting the park. As some have said over and over, the heads at CF know what they are doing. The water park, and Scarowinds likely account for a huge chunk of profits for the park, Thunder Road did not. Honesty, Thunder Road lost it usefulness as a profit generating entity decades ago. It was just taking up space and costing money to keep running.
Yes I liked Thunder Road and hated to see it go, no a waterpark is not my favorite thing to do, but I am able to step back and see the big picture. All those screaming little kids filling up the wave pool and pooping and urinating in the water are going to bring me my Giant Frisbee and another coaster real soon. So bring on the slides, the new entrance, and I might even come over lay on a lawn chair and watch dirty little kids play in nasty water, but I'm not getting in. :D[/quote
I didnt understand why he banned the dude. I saw that and haven't been back on there. Thankfully we can express our opinions here.
Oh yeah, it was me lol.
#83599
We have been to the water park once, and it was just too many people in too small a space, so this expansion will bring us back for sure. I love it has more stuff for smaller children. I also like the new seafood place, as it's one thing I can get my kids to eat at about anytime (they hate chicken nuggets, go figure). I love the names chosen, except the Myrtle Turtle, though I'm glad they did give a nod to Myrtle Beach. My kids are going to have a blast and that will give my hubby more time to ride the coasters without being hurried by impatient little ones. I also like they are making a new changing area and more cabanas. Overall, I think it's a good move.
#83600
Was it confirmed that the old bath house is getting renovated?
If so, thank God. Last time I went it was filthy.

I hope that they really make Carolina Harbor feel different in every possible way from Boomerang Bay.

The renderings show lots of trees and grass, I really hope they come through on that. It doesn't just make everything look extremely better, but it immerses you in the park.
#83609
Littlegiles wrote:^^ On the website it states....
"In addition to upgrading the current family changing areas, a new bath house will be added for additional capacity."


Yes. It shows the new one between the new entrance gate and the sand volleyball courts. It would make sense to put close to the front gate because who would want to walk all the way over to the current bath house to change if they're coming in from the parking lot? The new one can service the gate and the modernized old one can still service those entering from the park.
#83618
Does it look like Jackaroo landing is being removed? I can't find it on the new rendering, but it does look a little stylized, it could have just been overlooked. It would make sense if it is leaving, since it is basically just a smaller version of the new water play structure they announced. I don't think it would be very popular, when a nice new one with an even larger dump bucket is just a short distance away.

I was also curious about the current kiddie section, its not too exciting now, its going to look downright shabby next to the new kids stuff they are adding. I wonder if any of it is also going to be renovated away.

I'm just happy that they aren't removing Kookaburra Bay, I think that is the best kept secret in the whole waterpark! You can pretty much always find a chair back there and it's much more quiet and less crowded than the wave pools or main kiddie area.

I am also disproportionately excited about a new park exit. I was really thinking that they would fix the cluster-you-know-what that is the parking lot after last season, only to find that it is still a mess. I swear some guests think they are on the Charlotte Motor Speedway the way they drive in the parking lot! I'll be looking forward to exiting the park without any white knuckle moments next year.
#83621
cndleonthewater wrote:Does it look like Jackaroo landing is being removed?


It's staying. Just getting a re-theme. :thumbup:

Platypus Plunge = Pelican Plunge
Sydney Sidewinder = Southern Sidewinder
Awesome Aussie Twisters = Barracuda Blasters
Pipeline Peak = Storm Surge
Crocodile Run = Coastal Currents
Down Under Thunder = Hurricane Falls
Bondi Beach = Tidal Wave Bay
Jackaroo Landing = Pirate's Landing
Kookaburra Bay = Sand Dune Lagoon

Dorsal Fin Drop and Surfer's Swell will remain the same.
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