[Coasterphreak]

The odds of a stadium getting built in SC are pretty low because someone would have to come up with public money since the Panthers aren't about to foot a ~1.5 billion dollar bill by themselves.

[yawetag]

The reddit /r/rollercoasters meetup has changed to Saturday. We're meeting at the gate pre-opening, then going to CS when the park opens.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters ... _together/

[Christopher Mallis]

https://www.thestate.com/latest-news/article227546074.html

Not sure if you guys saw, but the Carolina Panthers are looking to possibly move the headquarters and practice facility to South Carolina. The rumored locations are in Rock Hill. York, and Lancaster counties. All of which are close to Carowinds. According to the Panther's owner the site could feature hotels, dining, and a sports medicine facility along with the Panthers' offices and practice facility.

I feel Carowinds would benefit a ton from this if it were to happen. I don't think there would be any kind of official partnership but I think Carowinds could get a boost in attendance being so close to the facility. What do you guys think?

This has been in the works since 2018. The facility would not be in the way of Carowinds' land and expansion. they're looking to put it in a grassy field over where theirs some car sellers and a gas station. (lol sorry but i don't really know where that is)

[uscbandfan]

The discussion is to build it at the old Charlotte Knights stadium property in Fort Mill (If you've seen the big baseball water tower on I-77, you know exactly where that is.) It's about 3 miles south of Carowinds down I-77.

They're hoping for the same thing that happened in Dallas when they built their training facility. The thought is that it would spur the development of Hotels, Restaurants, Malls, apartments, etc as people come to the facility to watch practice, buy merchandise, etc... I'm sure some high end apartments would be built for the players and their families. Talk is also about expanding the Rock Hill Airport to handle the increased traffic. Currently, the home field would stay at Bank of America Stadium in Downtown Charlotte (which I think it should... with a few upgrades).

As to the training camp... it would move to the new location. A HUGE loss to Spartanburg as they bring in MILLIONS of dollars every training camp.

Of course, Charlotte is still devising a counter offer to keep them in Charlotte.

As to Carowinds... sure it would get an uptick. Why wouldn't it? More people staying in the area looking for things to do while they're there. Not sure the uptick would be enough to be measurable though.

[Kineticmind]

Here's a few shots of the new dorms...

[tarheel1231]

The hotel looks like it’s nearing completion structurally. I may take some pictures later

[Kineticmind]

They removed the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in Harmony Hall Marketplace. Really hurt my feelings.

[jeffdavis]

The whole Blue Ridge Junction area was done so well! So much theming! The gliders are just as much fun to snap as ever. I miss the trees from the old location that seemed so close to the ride.

The Intimidator crew was flying tonight. Several others were sluggish but I know there are a lot of new ride operators.

The park was packed! I get a laugh when the park markets pass holder night as "exclusive".

[Stayseeliz]

They removed the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in Harmony Hall Marketplace. Really hurt my feelings.

I was sad about that too!! They have two machines by the cobra and the ones near the fury are still in place though. I wish they hadn’t taken them out of harmony hall though.

They have also gone done to one entree at Panda Express with the dining plan.

[Glitch99]

Am I mis-remembering, or was preview night a lot different than last year? I seem to recall them just waiving everyone through the parking booths, and only used the south gate. And it wasnt nearly as busy? But I think it was also close to 20 degrees cooler last year, too.

We've again come to the conclusion that going to Carowinds for just the evening stinks. For some reason we (including toddlers) can get there before the gates open in the morning and still be going strong right up to the closing announcement at night, but for some reason getting there at 6 and only staying a couple hours is completely exhausting.

[mdsmith98]

They used both gates last year. Not sure about this year. I would say crowd levels were about the same as last year. It just seemed crowded bc everyone was crowding at Copperhead, but the rest of the park was reasonable.

[yawetag]

We've again come to the conclusion that going to Carowinds for just the evening stinks. For some reason we (including toddlers) can get there before the gates open in the morning and still be going strong right up to the closing announcement at night, but for some reason getting there at 6 and only staying a couple hours is completely exhausting.

For us, it was because the kids were up so early (6ish for school), so dragging around 9:15.

Today, though, they were able to sleep in, so they got a good rest, and were still going strong when we walked out at 9pm.

[yawetag]

Anyone know if Hurler was running at all this weekend? Didn't see it run at all on Friday, most of Saturday (opening to 9pm), and while we there on Sunday (noon to 4).

[mdsmith98]

Anyone know if Hurler was running at all this weekend? Didn't see it run at all on Friday, most of Saturday (opening to 9pm), and while we there on Sunday (noon to 4).

It was closed all weekend, probably finishing up the retracking process. I also heard a rumor that they are waiting on a part for something in the electrical room, and that it could take two weeks. No idea how true that is.

[anthonydj]

Anyone know if Hurler was running at all this weekend? Didn't see it run at all on Friday, most of Saturday (opening to 9pm), and while we there on Sunday (noon to 4).

It was closed all weekend, probably finishing up the retracking process. I also heard a rumor that they are waiting on a part for something in the electrical room, and that it could take two weeks. No idea how true that is.

From Carowinds Fans Only FB

“The Hurler could open THIS WEEKEND, they are waiting for a part to arrive. Once the part has arrived and gets installed, they will be able to open it.”