[RctWeekly]

Confirmed! http://www.carowinds.com/public/news/whats_new_2011.cfm



According to Screamscape, Carowinds is rumored to maybe getting the Snoopy Starlight Spectacular evening experience in 2011.

2011 - Starlight Spectacular - Rumor - (8/4/10) After getting two great coasters back to back, no one expects Carowinds to add a major new attraction in 2011. According to my last rumor, my hunch will holding true, but instead of taking the season off, Carowinds will try out something special next season. Look for Carowinds to try out their own version of the Snoopy Starlight Spectacular evening experience in 2011, which will also be a great reason to keep the park open a bit later each evening in the summer to ensure it gets dark enough to see those twinkling lights.

http://screamscape.com/html/carowinds.htm

What are your thoughts on this?

[Edwardo]

I hope they get it. If that's what the new attraction for next year's 'off year' (As the guy from marketing called it), then I'm all for it. Would fit right in with what they were saying about a 7 week stretch of having the park open till 10 during the week. This is something I hope they roll out to all of the CF parks. I still haven't seen it in action, and think it would be a great idea to get people in the park and staying later.

[Dude]

Yess, no the park will stay open everyday until 11:00 pm!! Yay : ) -Sarcasm-

[Dude]

Yess, now the park will stay open everyday until 11:00 pm!! Yay : ) -Sarcasm-

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I wouldnt mind seeing this at all! I remember when they had the laser light shows and fireworks at night, not just at the 4th of july, and it was always fun to watch. I think this would be great for my kids to be able to see as well. I always liked this kind of thing when I was younger and I want my kids to be able to experience it as well

[CarolinaCoasterFreak]

I looked on youtube for the Starlight Spectacular at King's Island, and I think it looks pretty cool. But would this mean that there would ALWAYS be webs of lights on everything at Carowinds though? That might look kinda dumb in the daytime.

[youtube]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6yBQai9280&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6yBQai9280&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]

[rctdcifreak]

Personally, I have mixed emotions about this. Yes I would love to see something like this come our way. But sadly, even in an "off year" I think more can be done. Whether that means decreasing the cost of food while improving the quality of the food that you sell, or something else......BRING BACK THE SHADE!!!!! Even if we dont get a "new" attraction next year I would love to see the actual park quality improve. If they wanna have an "off" year thats cool but dont be skimpy. I know of some desperately needed attention in the restrooms and changing rooms to get graffiti off the walls and some nice looking restrooms to replace those that havent been touched (except for cleaning) since the 70's. Honestly though, if Carowinds only adds this new Starlight Spectacular for 2011...I will be seriously disappointed. The momentum that the park has gained within the last two years alone should be an indicator that a such a small investment would be absolute ludacris. I am not saying that an "off" year isn't needed but that whenever the off year does come there should be improvements made park-wide to showcase why we shouldn't get a new attraction. And let's face the facts: the park introduced pavers this year, along with Planet Snoopy, and Intimidator, and Rock Band, and Snoopy Rocks, and the cluster*$#^ of the identity crisis of Carolina Cyclone, so yes that was a lot to do....not to mention the forever going TR project. So don't get me wrong, I would actually welcome having something like this come about but if that alone is the only addition to the park for 2011....the season pass sales will drop again and for those of you reading this that are in a higher up position or even those that don't believe me...just watch. If that is the only thing carowinds adds without making significant park improvements then season pass sales will drop because I know I wouldn't buy a season pass only for a Twilight Experience when the park is 2 hours away for me. Just sayin....

[RctWeekly]

This goes along with what Carowinds has said at Coasterstock, with them say thing that CF wants to turns Carowinds into A mini Cedar Point maybe this is the first step into doing this.

[RRRAPIDS]

Well if this is one of the addition's for 2011, I just hope this starlight spectacular stay's in the Planet Snoopy Section only. With the number of tree's that are in that area, I think the whole area will look amazing at nightfall.

For 2011, If the park decides to stay open till 10pm daily, I would like them to add more lights to rides like Kalidescope, Scream Weaver, Southern Star, Gr8 Sk8, and Gliders.

[Jay]

^I completely agree with adding lights to a lot of the flat rides.

A few months ago I posted a trip report in part saying that Carowinds is not a night time park. None of the flats or coasters except Intimidator had lights, and for the most part the park has a bunch of street lights, which isn't a great atmosphere IMO.

[Skycoastin Steve]

If that is the only thing carowinds adds without making significant park improvements then season pass sales will drop

You do realize that a TON of behind the scenes improvements are made at EVERY park in the country during the off season, right? Do you really think that they aren't going to make other capital improvements? But also realize that they have a budget to work with, and things get prioritized. So take a deep breath and relax.

[RollerBee]

Jay, doesnt Screamer have lights? I honestly cant remember if Screamer does or not.

[Jay]

I assume you mean Scream Weaver? When I went in May they weren't even on.. I was very sad. I do remember them being on in the past though.

[rctdcifreak]

If that is the only thing carowinds adds without making significant park improvements then season pass sales will drop

You do realize that a TON of behind the scenes improvements are made at EVERY park in the country during the off season, right? Do you really think that they aren't going to make other capital improvements? But also realize that they have a budget to work with, and things get prioritized. So take a deep breath and relax.

Oh no, I do realize exactly what you are saying and I am not unaware of the behind the scenes changes that go on every off season. I do agree with you that whatever is done will have to be within budget but looking at the situation as a guest living two hours away a nighttime atmosphere itself is not going to make me purchase a season pass. Sorry it just wont, not with current gas and economic situations. I actually would welcome a nighttime spectacle but I also see areas in the park that need desperate attention as well. Every year since CF took over control of the park I have gained more respect and honor to call Carowinds my home park; that being said should 2011 be the off year I still want to see improvements somewhere within the park to be even more proud of the park than I currently am (which is fairly high). Thats all I am saying

[justin872]

I would love a starlight experience. I would also love for Carowinds to be open until 10 every night in the summer besides Friday and Saturday, but I know that would be harder on the employees. Maybe we can add a laser rock show to the amphitheater.