[Jay]

They transformed that area into "The Grove" this year. It's not going anywhere.




Start up the "WING RIDER UNDER THE BRIDGE" rumors now...

[chknwing]

oops, forgot about that.

[CoasterDad]

Personally, I think it is very unlikely that Carowinds will receive a major new coaster until at least 2015. If it were next year, site work would already be underway, as is the case at KI. As for a wing coaster, equally unlikely. KD would be the player on that. Close proximity to DW should give doubt there as well. I'm in the Intimin launch boat as well. A rowdy Intimin would make a great fit. Cyclone's days are numbered, that's not the only reason. Many other CF parks have a launch already. It would not be a giga, but more like Maverick at the mother park. I think that looping wood is off the table too, with BGW being the close candidate. Now, all of this could be very wrong. When Dick was in the BIG CHAIR, I felt CF was more predictible on future expansion. Now... I just don't know. CF is run strictly by the dollars and cents, mostly, so I hope we eventually get a good nod... again... Just my thinking...

[Merthecat]

I personally don't care if we get a Intamin or a Giga. All I hope for is something big. Although the NC side hasn't gotten anything in forever, the last thing being the Cobra, but that's barely in NC. Thrill Zone BADLY needs something down in that area. No one even goes down there anymore.

[Merthecat]

I know that CP is CF's main park...but has anyone noticed that whenever they get a new coaster, it's ALWAYS record-breaking, or first of it's kind. Yet we never see that good stuff at Carowinds! It's a conspiracy!

Like:
Gatekeeper
Top Thrill Dragster
Millenium Force
Magnum
Maverick
Mean Streak

[arby]

I'm with CoasterDad. I think that all previously observed patterns are out the window now that a former Disney exec is running the show. The only pattern I expect to see is continually rising prices, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

My preference (and hopefully a real possibility) is in line with Jonathan's: I'd like to see a quality woody come next.

[Jay]

I know that CP is CF's main park...but has anyone noticed that whenever they get a new coaster, it's ALWAYS record-breaking, or first of it's kind. Yet we never see that good stuff at Carowinds! It's a conspiracy!

Like:
Gatekeeper
Top Thrill Dragster
Millenium Force
Magnum
Maverick
Mean Streak

Intimidator is better than all these rides. Cedar Point sucks.

[chknwing]

I know that CP is CF's main park...but has anyone noticed that whenever they get a new coaster, it's ALWAYS record-breaking, or first of it's kind. Yet we never see that good stuff at Carowinds! It's a conspiracy!

Like:
Gatekeeper
Top Thrill Dragster
Millenium Force
Magnum
Maverick
Mean Streak

Intimidator is better than all these rides. Cedar Point sucks.

I love Cedar Point. MF and Maverick I would say are better than Intimidator. Planning to go there in June. Carowinds is better than Cedar Point in respect to there is not a separate admission to the water park.

[coasterdave]

Cedar Point is best an average park in my eyes. I laugh at their so called Latest Record Breaking Coaster, Gatekeeper? So it is the Tallest Wing Coaster with the longest drop they say. But what they fail to mention is there are a grand total of 6 Wing Coasters today? Yea that is a record to talk about alright.

And I draw my Monumental Conclusion that Carowinds will never have a Giga Coaster is due to Airport, Cost, and not really needed it there.

[chknwing]

I would be happy with just a different station for Nighthawk. There has to be a more efficient way of loading and unloading passengers. Thats why the lines are so long, it feels like it takes 10 mins to load and unload trains.

[mark40511]

When you say it's not needed-- When is a roller coaster not needed? I heard about height restrictions but since the Skytower and Windseeker are above 300 ft; I don't get that.

A huge GOOD wooden coaster would be good as well
Also a BIG B&M floorless like Dominator (that ride looks fun and smooth)
Not sure about the winged coaster but they do look like fun as well.

[Merthecat]

Cedar Point is best an average park in my eyes. I laugh at their so called Latest Record Breaking Coaster, Gatekeeper? So it is the Tallest Wing Coaster with the longest drop they say. But what they fail to mention is there are a grand total of 6 Wing Coasters today? Yea that is a record to talk about alright.

And I draw my Monumental Conclusion that Carowinds will never have a Giga Coaster is due to Airport, Cost, and not really needed it there.

It looks like a very fun park, and I would love to go there sometime, but I've been to Carowinds so many times and ridden every ride in the park that it gets kind of boring. I think a giga is not out of the question, just maybe not in the next 5 years. I've looked on Google Earth, and can't find a place for a giga other than behind the Hurler, but then they would have to move the fireworks. I think that a Intamin launch is a little more likely for the next few years.

And I know that they could make a giga, the Charlotte/Douglas is not that close and the skytower is like 340 feet tall. So unless they made a stratacoaster, which isn't likely at all, they are probably fine.

[coasterdave]

To CLARIFY what I was saying to clear any misunderstanding out, I was stating that I do not think Carowinds needs a coaster at or over 300 feet. I never said a roller coaster was not needed.


I agree what the park does need is a dependable wooden coaster, but if and when they do get one. I do hope that they can take care of it. Nothing like seeing a wooden coaster go to pots from the owners not doing what is needed to keep it in good shape.

[Wormy]

Given our fearless VP/GM's strong affinity for B&M, there is a possibility they're holding out for the wing rider in '15. Which would be a shame because as coasterdave pointed out, these models are a dime a half dozen already. Although that wouldn't stop them from falling over themselves again to tie-in a NC Wright Brothers theme or campaign (remember Windsucker, which actually sits in SC? Oops.) But it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either to watch them erect another B&M. Remember Intimidator construction? Good googly moogly that was fun.

Our woodie collection is mediocre at best. Express, a unique junior coaster should never go anywhere, and Thunder Road is a keeper so entwined in park history, but the jury will always be out on Hurler … damn thing. I would like nothing more than a fierce little woodie that people would actually get back in line for and put the park back on the map again. 2014 or 2015, I'll wait.

And remember two things that factor in here as well, sooner or later. Park expansion is on the way, and CEO what's-his-name Omelette has already stated preference for a water park expansion (yawn).

Good luck to us all.

[Jay]

I would say a water park expansion would be in order. They haven't gotten a slide in 12 freaking years since Pipeline Peak. But they did get a wave pool and a non-wave pool in that time. Those were yawn-worthy.


TL;DR - I wouldn't mind a waterpark expansion, but don't halfass it like everything else lately.