[njf]

The truck this morning was:
mikefehnel: The first shipment of Slingshot has arrived! This ride will be certain to deliver some screams! http://t.co/xxBLuPt36n

[redrunner97]

I watched the super long video FamousAmos posted on youtube and picked up on a few other details I don't think anyone else posted from the Carowinds presentation: (note that some of this info might not be set in stone just yet)

- There will be a roaming band -similar to Kings Dominions clown band- returing to the park in 2015. They will be performing big band songs and the national anthem. (And hopefully that amazing Carowinds theme song!!!)
- The Carolina SkyTower will be open in 2015. The glass is being replaced and other refurbishments are being made.
- They will be repaving patches of the bus lot, and of course paving the new section of parking lot -but the already paved section will not be repaved.
- A 'Carolina Chirstmas'-ish event might possibly be coming in the future, although nothing is currently planned there have been small discussions about it.
- Taste of the Carolinas is being planned as a seasonal event that will hopefully return each spring, as an extension of Carowinds In Bloom.
- They mentioned possibly using the large carts they are constructing for Taste of the Carolinas in other events around the park. (Wouldn't Halloween-themed snacks be a fun Scarowinds sampler? Just throwing that out there...)
- They are happy with the Campground right now, but didn't rule out the addition of a hotel in the future although none is currently planned.
- Slingshot will have a lighting package. Ripcord might have a light package for 2015, as well.
- CoasterStock will most likely return in 2016. (Video was a little muffled here, but I'm 99% positive this is what was said).
- MIKE LOVES TREES!!
- Shade and more trees are coming -abeit over the next few years. But it is a big priority.
- No cross-promotion with the Hornets.
- Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) and his charity are expected to be involved with the first rider auction, and that's planned to launch sometime in early February.
- Fury's night lighting package is expected to be visible from Charlotte. They want it to be lit similar to Banshee. Lift hill will change from green to white, the queue will have specialty lighting effects, there will be lasers, etc.
- The Lockers will be located between Fury and the Juke Box cafe. They will use PIN codes, not keys. There is a charge for them.

So lots of interesting news! Dare I say 2015 will be the best year yet! And this is just the beginning of the "new" Carowinds! I can't wait to see how they improve over the next few years, this is an amazing start!

... Now can we see the new park map?

[Jonathan]

Thanks for summarizing; I had forgotten some of that. Added a couple of more items to the list in the original post.

Somewhere I got the idea that there were campground improvements for 2015. Can anyone confirm whether that is true? Maybe I was basing that on the plans that were discovered that are more likely for later years.

[coasterchitchat]

Shoot- no mention of any new entertainment? If Carowinds put there own spin on Lumonsity ("Carolinsity?"), and add some stuff to the back of the new Harmony Hall stage, then the could easily hold onto guests for an extra 30 minutes- something Matt said during GateKeeper media day that needs to emphasized more in the parks.

[Edwardo]

They're building a stage outside of Harmony Hall for concerts.

I wonder if they'll keep the DJ at the front plaza stage. That was really like a small Luminosity and all the park needs for now.

[arby]

I haven't been able to get any confirmation of campground changes for 2015. However it is interesting to note that the 'temporary permanent sites' have had their units moved to the front section and everything in the right half of the 50 amp lot has been cleared so it appears improvements are being started in that back area.

[Jetp]

I was at Scarowinds this year on a Friday night and there was a DJ playing on the patio of Harmony Hall which I thought was a great idea. Glad to see they are adding the stage out there. I enjoyed the entertainment options they used to do in Thrill Zone on Friday nights a few years ago.

I work close to the park so I expect to spend a few Friday nights there this year and looking forward to seeing all the changes.

[pproteinc]

Am I to think there will be benches under the trellis in the new plaza?

[RollerBee]

It would be a nice touch, but at the time I think they designed some of the retaining wall as benches in the plaza.

[redrunner97]

Am I to think there will be benches under the trellis in the new plaza?

I know they are building curbs/retaining walls around the greenery (for lack of a better word) bordering the round portions of the plaza (at least based on the plans and animation) that will probably act as seating. Mike also mentions that the Carowinds signage in the middle of the new plaza will look very different and that it "really came together".

I can't wait to see the finished product. I feel like I might be a little too excited right now. lol.

[TheCoasterMan1]

There was a question on whether or not the NC.SC sign that was on the state border will come back. Mike said that they hadn't decided yet but they plan on improving it and making a bigger and better sign. Someone did mention that it would be nice to have the old NC.SC sign placed back by the Whitewater falls/ Cobra midway where the state line runs, and Mike was very much for that idea. So at the entrance I would look for a new state sign and at the back of the park I would look for the old sign.

[redrunner97]

There was a question on whether or not the NC.SC sign that was on the state border will come back. Mike said that they hadn't decided yet but they plan on improving it and making a bigger and better sign. Someone did mention that it would be nice to have the old NC.SC sign placed back by the Whitewater falls/ Cobra midway where the state line runs, and Mike was very much for that idea. So at the entrance I would look for a new state sign and at the back of the park I would look for the old sign.

Personally, I would like to see a new sign placed in front of the bridge rather than the old one coming back to that location. I heard that Mike mentioned something about acknowledging the border in other areas of the park, so that idea would be fine with me. It would be interesting to see the state line extended to the other end of the park, and even through Boomerang Bay (if that's what they mean by acknowledging ).

[FamousAmos]

^^You know, I could see this happening within the next few years. I've always wanted to see the state line run through the entirety of the park from front to back. More than likely, they will get a bigger and better state line sign for the new entrance, and they may use the old one next to White Water Falls on that area of the state line. But we don't know for sure.

[redrunner97]

^^You know, I could see this happening within the next few years. I've always wanted to see the state line run through the entirety of the park from front to back. More than likely, they will get a bigger and better state line sign for the new entrance, and they may use the old one next to White Water Falls on that area of the state line. But we don't know for sure.

This post might be better suited for the wishlist thread, but I'm just piggybacking off of the post above ^ and not trying to start something...

If they designed a new street sign for the bridge, then adding the old one toward White Water Falls would be a pretty neat idea. But replicas (or new/retro designs) of the NC/SC signs you see when driving across the border would make a great fit in other parts of the park too (or possibly even just after you cross under Fury along the state line in the new plaza). It would add a little bit more theme -although I'm not sure if it would fit the whole sleek, innovative motif they're going for. Again, just throwing out an idea to make up for the fact that those awesome circles with the outlines of each state didn't make it to the final entrance design:



Also, Does anyone know if there's any plans to repave the state line beyond the bridge to match whatever new portions will be added? Also, I really hope it's not solid white and that this is another case of the animation being an early draft, as I feel that wouldn't really have as much pop as gold or something (IMO).

[Jarsh]

Mike said that they would be redoing the line with concrete at the entrance.