[aoriole19]

It says that one of the trains was backwards until 2008. Is this right? If so, they must have flipped it back forwards near the beginning of the 2008 season, because my first ever ride on TR was in 2008 and at the time it had already been changed back to both forward. I'm 100% sure about this, though it's very possible that the train went backwards for the first 2 months or so of the 2008 season since I don't know that I went until maybe May.

[cwgator]

^Yes. Thunder Road had one side running backwards from the 1995-2007 seasons (blue train). It went back to facing forward for the 2008 season. I rather enjoyed riding in the last row. It looked/felt like you were going to fall out onto the track. It was exhilarating.

[gabed]

Why can't they just tear it down now so this can all be over? I love Thunder Road and all, but I don't know how much more #savethunderroad, “I hate you for tearing it down, Carowinds!”, “Never going to the park again if they take it down!” “Carowinds and Cedar Fair SUCK for taking it down” and now “I'm going to kill myself if you take it down!” I can stand.

Like somebody here (can't remember who) said during the final days of the Plantation House, just tear it down already. Like a band-aid, it's better to rip it off fast than slowly.

[RollerBee]

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[arby]

I was angry at first but got over it. Since I have no idea on what their real 'big picture' is for the park, I decided to cut them some slack even though I'm always extremely disappointed to see any wooden coaster torn down. I suspect in the long run it will all work out to a bigger and better Carowinds.

[Sean978]

I was angry at first but got over it.

Take note RollerBee...

[RollerBee]

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[Jay]

You say these things as if you have all the information. Sometimes things may not be as cut and dry as they seem...

[RollerBee]

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[Chris]

You can put me in the camp that was deeply saddened when this news broke but has come to trust in Cedar Fair. They know what they are doing. Does it suck we are losing a classic? Yes. Do I trust Cedar Fair and believe they have a great plan in place for these next few years? Absolutely!

[coasterbruh]

I ain't angry, I don't agree with it as a coaster enthusiast or an amusement industry analyst.

Wait...what???

I could always count on Thunder Road not having a long line, the waterpark is full of them.

Gee...I wonder why.

A better decision would be to do the waterpark expansion under Thunder Road in 2016, then add an Unique ride to the County Fair next to Thunder Road.

WOW...You should be The president of it all! Why didn't they consider that option? Oh wait...Its because TR would have still been a money pit the park didn't see the need to keep throwing money at. Money Money Money...it balls down to the bottom line.

[Jay]

Do people think they are tearing down Thunder Road for no reason? It pretty apparent to me the ride (just like the Plantation House last year) may have some unseen problems that were due to poor upkeep from previous management. Amusement parks don't typically rip out rides unless a) it has crazy maintenance costs b) a ride is unpopular c) they think they can utilize the space better. I imagine all three of these came into play for the Thunder Road decision.

Here's how I imagine some people are seeing conversation Carowinds had -
"We need a new waterpark so let's tear down Thunder Road."

When in reality it was likely -
"Thunder Road has unsolvable/expensive issues so unfortunately it has to come down. What can we expand in it's place?"

How much money is it worth to keep Thunder Road afloat? A million? More? For a ride you can't advertise? They aren't going to put commercials on tv for a 40 year old wooden coaster, that most people feel is "old and rickety" anyway. It definitely sucks that it's going away, and its a huge loss to the park's coaster lineup, but I have a hopeful feeling that gap will be filled in soon.

I also have a feeling lots of people are underestimating next year's addition, which *wilI* be highly marketable.

[RollerBee]

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[Chris]

^^

[coasterbruh]

I would love to know the logic in bringing Frenzoid back.

There was nothing really wrong with the ride from what I can tell. It was just in the way. I think that was during a time when paramount started to give a flying phuck about the parks and had a whatever attitude.