davlow06 wrote:
If you've read this far, I just wondered for the regulars that go quite often, was this Saturday an anomaly? Is Carowinds usually more crowded early in the Summer or could the park be seeing a resurgence with the new coaster and park renovations?
Like the others, I have not gone once on a Saturday this year. My first time going to Carowinds was on a Saturday (in 2012). It was crowded on that day. I don't remember what part of the Summer it was though. I didn't go back for over 2 years, so that should indicate that I really didn't enjoy myself too much that day.
We got season passes this year (yay, Fury). We've gone a bunch of times so far (but not on Saturdays). The lines for the rides have been pretty good most all of the time. We pretty much stick to Fury if the lines are getting long at all, as Fury is the only one that can consistently keep the line moving at a decent pace.
Now about the experience at the food service places? Your experience could happen on any day, and crowd size doesn't seem to make one bit of difference. If the park is pretty much empty, there will be fewer food places open, with fewer cooks and cashiers working. So the exact same thing can (and sometimes will) happen on any given day. The food service department of Carowinds is an absolute train wreck. There was a mother who just exploded on the employees of Papa Luigi's Pizza on this past Friday night. She was pretty funny. She said, "I'm from south Georgia, so I've had to deal with people who are slow at their jobs my whole life. This [Carowinds experience] is incredible! Y'all have no business working in a service industry!" There was one completely overwhelmed girl working her butt off (and really struggling), and about 4 other employees who were just standing there talking to each other.
My wife said to her, "You said exactly what I was thinking, but would never say out loud." And we chatted with her as we ate. She was so agitated she kept standing up, and pacing around the dining area as she kept ranting. When the cashier outside asked her the problem, and then tried to defend the workers, she went off for another 5 minutes.
I don't bother complaining and I certainly don't yell at anybody. I just move on. I've just come to expect the worst. Anything better than that becomes a pleasant surprise. Setting your expectations low, is the way to go.
You did everything right (changing lanes and even entirely changing places, when things go bad). I don't have any other advice beyond that. All you can do is hope and pray when it is time to eat or get a drink at Carowinds. Sometimes it is not so bad.
