[arby]

There was also a meal at the Windseeker announcement, the SCarowinds VIP tour, and the opening of Windseeker.

Here's the meal from the Windseeker announcement. I didn't have any of the fresh grilled shrimp or a few other offerings.

IMG_0778_edited_sm.jpg (234.46KiB)Viewed 2604 times

[mark40511]

It's interesting that the arrival of track and construction for Intimidator was progressing faster than this, and yet, it's a smaller coaster than this is going to be. Since this is a larger coaster it seems it would take longer to construct. I wonder why intimidator's track arrived before the park went to weekend only last year?

Additionally, why does Carowinds go to weekends only after this week? I'm guessing it's because of school. It's just weather is usually summer/spring like there in Charlotte all the way until November.

[Jarsh]

Interesting that the park would have foos at the announcement. Media Day I would've expected since that's the norm for most parks, but announcement? I must be thinking back to the few announcements I've been to where it literally started at 1:00 and was over at 1:15, lol. Show up, get a goodie bag, woooo - new coaster, see you at media day, thank you for coming kinda thing.

It's cool though. Especiallt since the park has so much to talk about.

[saxrokinhomo]

Hopefully I can score an invite for the next big announcement and the way CF is talking I probably wont have that long to wait.

[Chris]

Maybe its not hornet theme persay but the name is the same as a hornet. Like Hugos Fury. It would be a hurricane themed ride but the teaser is trying to to give you the name by teasing hornets aka Hugo the hornet.

That could work. Considering Hugo was an epic event for NC & SC, tearing a path up the middle of the state. Didn't Hugo cause the park some damage as well? I've always thought Hurricane Hugo would be a good name for a ride at Carowinds. Enough years has passed so folk would not be too upset by using that for an amusement park ride.

It sounds cool but I'm not so sure if enough years have passed. People lost loved ones and I doubt they would want to see a new coaster or thrill ride where people are having a blast on Hurricane Hugo. But, what do I know?

[Capler]

It's interesting that the arrival of track and construction for Intimidator was progressing faster than this, and yet, it's a smaller coaster than this is going to be. Since this is a larger coaster it seems it would take longer to construct. I wonder why intimidator's track arrived before the park went to weekend only last year?

Additionally, why does Carowinds go to weekends only after this week? I'm guessing it's because of school. It's just weather is usually summer/spring like there in Charlotte all the way until November.

Mark, I was wondering the same thing earlier in the year. Bigger coaster = earlier construction schedule and parts arrival. Then we learned about all the coasters B&M is doing this year and questioned why they are doing the largest one last? Who knows maybe it has something to do with the complexity in adjusting the production line. Judging from the recent plant pictures the HW coaster is finishing up and ours is just now into full production.

On your seasonal hours question, it use to be because parks could not get high school workers. But I'm not sure that is the case anymore since the recession. They now have an endless pool of potential workers to choose from in all age groups. Since the area is becoming more urban, perhaps they will go to a 4 day week in the future.

[DavidW]

When thinking about the production schedule, you have have to consider lots of variables. For one, 3 of the coasters are being shipped overseas, so that's probably why they were completed first. Then HW is getting something that has never been attempted by B&M before, so they may have wanted more time after its assembled to work out the bugs. After that you have our giga. A tried and true design that is "close" to the plant. B&M has built enough hyper-esx coasters to know what issues could come up and problably have accounted from them. Also, Carowinds is close enough to where they can deliver the track as needed instead of having it all show up at once.

[LyonsRonnie1]

Another thing to think about is, since it's a larger coaster it's going to take longer to pour all the extra footers. So they realistically wouldn't need the track until later because they still have dozens of footers to measure, dig, pour, etc.

Also, they honestly could be trying to 'hide' it (by not having anything delivered until late) so it'll be a bigger surprise... which would hint at the coaster being something spectacular (tallest in the world, etc.)

[FamousAmos]

Right now, this is the longest part of the construction; pouring the footers, prepping the land, and constructing the track. I also agree that the previous coaster track pieces that we saw at Clermont needed to be completed first so they can be delivered. Our giga is also going to take a little longer to manufacture. Not to mention that the North Gate area of the parks will be changed to a degree (or so I am led to think that). Only then would they be able to begin erecting the track sections. There's still lots of work to be done. But so far, there is amazing progress on the new Toll Plaza.

[chknwing]

did a quick drive by by the park. Not much has changed, the toll plaza has some horizontal steel

[ReillyK721]

I hope they just keep the name simple if the name does turn out to be hornet related. Something simple like Stinger or Swarm would be great. Even though those names have been used on other coasters, Stinger at Dorney is themed to a scorpion and both Swarm and Stinger aren't very well known coasters. Very few members of the GP know those coasters even exist. If not, they could name name it The Hive or just Fury 325 and theme it to hornets. I'd prefer just plain Fury or Fury 325 over Hornet's Fury 325 or Hugo's Fury.

[TheCoasterMan1]

Has anyone been picked to go to the announcment? According to the carowinds Facebook page they were supposed to select by 5 P.M.

[FamousAmos]

I haven't heard yet. But I doubt they chose me.

[FamousAmos]

I don't mean to double post, but I called Carowinds just now.

They WILL be streaming the announcement live at 11:00am. They will post a link on their Facebook page.

[Tawny71]

I doubt they'll choose me, either, but I hope they do!

It's awesome that they gave some passes to Jonathan for Carowinds Connection members, too. They really seem to be appreciative of their fans.