[Cameron]

Plenty of space for that in the area honestly.

[tarheel1231]

It doesn’t have to go in Blue Ridge Junction (not that it could). There’s plenty of space in Crossroads, which is where the original ride was. You could put it in Dinosaurs Alive since that space is opening in a year.

[Cameron]

I hope not. Please don't waste all that prime space on antique cars lol.

Could easily fit in BRJ and go under afterburn. Just not in the area I drew it lol but could go under.

Dosen't have to either. Could turn around behind yoyo.

[tarheel1231]

I hope not. Please don't waste all that prime space on antique cars lol.

Could easily fit in BRJ and go under afterburn.

It wouldn't have to use the entire DA plot. Depending on the size of the coaster, they could expand the footprint out to the parking lot by going under/over Intimidator. The park has a ton of space they can use if they reshift the parking lot layout:

2019-02-26.png (1.88MiB)Viewed 3628 times

[Coasterphreak]

While I'm all for adding flats, it's *extremely* unlikely that Cobra is going anywhere in the next ten years considering it's only operated for twentyish seasons and Vekoma Boomerangs regularly go thirty-plus without issue, especially when you consider that parts availability won't be an issue for a long time to come.

[Rabidfrog]

Tarheel suggested a Mack Twist and Splash and I think it would be awesome.
https://mack-rides.com/products/spin-ri ... -n-splash/
Especially losing RRR something like this going in would be great. I know my crew loved the Nick splash coaster and this has a similar feel.

[Cameron]

That's cute and would fit perfectly here:

[Carowinds Sully]

While I'm all for adding flats, it's *extremely* unlikely that Cobra is going anywhere in the next ten years considering it's only operated for twentyish seasons and Vekoma Boomerangs regularly go thirty-plus without issue, especially when you consider that parts availability won't be an issue for a long time to come.

Agreed. And it just got a re-theme so it isn't logical to take it out

[Edwardo]

Boomerangs are super cheap to run and maintain and popular. It’s notbgoing anywhere anytime soon most likely.

[tarheel1231]

I honestly don't think the park has a coaster that's in danger of being removed. Cobra and Nighthawk in particular are very popular despite having low capacities and being deemed by enthusiasts as rough (though I've personally never had a bad ride on Nighthawk, I must be riding a different coaster than y'all).

[coasterbruh]

I think at this point all the coasters are safe. . .

[Edwardo]

The only coaster I could see potentially leaving at some point is Nighthawk at some point when cost is more than worth.

Everything else is so common and easy to maintain.

[jakeh30]

I do love a lot of these ideas! Here are some of my own:
- Remove Vortex and replace is with an antique car ride or a collection of family flats, as I feel carousel park should be more of a family oriented area. Also make this section aesthetically pleasing with lots of flowers and greenery, maybe even a nice fountain.
- I do like the lowlands/wet country theme and could see this be applied to the lower part of crossroads with southern star and pvz area. Also add some flats and some landscaping and I’d think the lowlands would be awesome!
- In the DA area I would like to see a gci with some surrounding flats to tie into the crossroads theme. I’d also like to see this area get a more definitive theme, something like an old rural piedmont feeling that can create a smooth transition from BRJ to crossroads and down to the lowlands area. It should feel like someone is traveling across the state!
- Finally I would like to see nighthawk replaced. I would like to see a b&m wing or flyer. If not one of those I think a gerstlauer infinity coaster would be an awesome center piece over the water! With this of course a redo of celebration plaza with more modern architecture like the Starbucks.
- Also I think a Mack water coaster concept would work in the RRR plot.

[Techedchart1551]

some ideas:
Twisty GCI in DA area, very well themed like mystic timbers
Mack water coaster or intamin family launch in a new themed land where RRR was
RMC near paladium
Remove nighthawk, put a water coaster or family launch there if it doesn't get put in the RRR space first.
Antique cars near afterburn
PVZ gets removed and the building gets used for a new theatre or a dark ride

[tarheel1231]

Here is my final concept for Pirate Island in repurposing the land for the rapids:

Pirate Island 3.png (1.14MiB)Viewed 3469 times

Now before I go more in depth with this, I'd like to make a case for bringing Pirate theming into the dry park. While Carolina Harbor does have references to Pirates, it feels woefully underutilized. Pirates have great potential for theming, and they deserve something more elaborate than a repainted splash playground and a slide complex.

This concept is meant to be Carowinds' equivalent to Ghost Town or Wildwood Grove, as a large themed area with interactive elements and family attractions. It would be one of the most ambitious additions in the chain, and some of the notable elements include:

Twist 'n' Splash
Mack Rides Twist 'n' Splash themed to floating powder kegs ("Battle Barrels"?). I've already explained why I'd like to see this (low space, high capacity, low maintenance, etc.).

Tavern
This would fill the gap for the park's full service restaurant. I'm not entirely sure about the elevation changes, but I know that it's significant enough to warrant Rapids having a lift hill back to the station. For this reason, the restaurant would have two stories, with the top one being the one entered from the regular midway, and the bottom one being a basement with a bar (explaining the tavern part). Upper level would be the family friendly version. The menu would be made up of seafood for the most part.

Show Stage
Another realization I came across while developing this concept is that Carowinds is severely lacking in shows. Other than Cirque and Peanuts, and that one nighttime show on the plaza stage, the park doesn't have any big, choreographed shows. This attraction would take a page out of Canada's Wonderland's playbook as a high-diving show. The stage would be themed as a ship, there would be a swordfight, and the loser of the fight would be forced to "walk the plank" (dive) into the water.

Kraken
Animatronic Kraken that comes up every 10-15 minutes. This would be our equivalent to the singing mushrooms at KD.

Interactive Playground
Shipwreck-themed playground similar to Shipwreck Shore at Shanghai Disneyland. There would even be decks where you can pretend to fish. There would be water cannons, and a small room representing the "Captain's Quarters" where you can find props and treasure.

Shops & Exhibits
I figured these could be made up of craft shops, small colonial houses, and exhibits featuring characters. One of these could be the return on "Fowl Play", a show that used to be at the park featuring birds. Parrots would be the main stars of the show because... Pirates.

Lagoon
I'd hate to lose all those trees, but another thing Carowinds is missing is water features. This would help with placemaking and making guests feel as if they are on a remote island.

Overall, I feel this is something that could really make the park stand out. It's littered with easter eggs and experiences that everyone can do, whether they're coming to the park to ride things or not. I don't know if the park is reading this, or if they've given up because I've spammed the thread for the past five years, but remaking the area into something along these lines, pirate-themed or not, would be an incredible addition to the park.