[SouthKnox79]

Okay first off let me first introduce myself. I am Brad and probably one of the biggest theme park junkie out there, but that's all. I am not claiming to be anyone "in the know" I just wanted to share my view on Carowinds and it's future. After watching for years now the theme park industry this is nothing more than just my thoughts.

I really feel that Carowinds will unfortunately see it's demise in the next 3-4 years. I'm not basing this on Hard Rock Park's influence. Though that will not help. It's more of Cedar Fairs previous actions but more so their most recent ones. I do truly hope I am wrong there's a lot I love about Carowinds. Unfortunately, Cedar Fair has yet to make any truly substantial investment into the park with none announced and much like Geauga Lake they are beginning to DE-tract the attractions if it holds true and they remove Super Flying Saturator. At least without something to replace it. If it does leave and reappears at HRP I think we should all start going to the park like it might not be there next year. AGAIN I hope this doesn't happen and I'm not saying that it will I'm just saying.... It's Possible but then again anything is possible.

People please don't get mad at the dismal outlook I have in regards to Carowinds I really just have a lot of concern in it's future.

[PreferParamount]

Carowinds is probaly going to get whateveer rides are left over from GL, Carowinds is like the recycling bin, where all of the crap that no one else wants goes. like BORG. And if FSS does go to HRP which i don't think it will, then yes Carowinds is at the bottom of the Cedar fair to do list. But I don't think FSS is going toHRP, if it dosn't stay at carowinds, then it will most likly stay in the company chain. This is just a gess.

But I do wish tat Cedar Fair would make their anouncement already, even if they arn't doing anything, PLEASE announce something! I'M DYING HERE! :angry:

[Jonathan]

It's the first year of Cedar Fair's ownership. A lot of you seem to have expected that they would install a bunch of coaster and flats their first day in the office. I'm just as frustrated as most of you when it comes to some of the current situations with the park, but I feel like the long-term outlook is bright.

[Thriller]

^I agree. Carowinds is a big money making park that has nothing but a bright future if managed right. Cedar Fair I hope is just taking their time to plan out a great future for Carowinds as they may be expanding Carowinds by all we know. But as of now, Carowinds needs some action and it does seem that CF is thrown us on the back burner, but Carowinds has too much potential to just throw away!

[bgwfreak]

I feel like the longterm outlook for the park is very good.

The park is not going to go belly-up in 3 years. Sorry, it ain't gonna happen.

While the park doesn't release profits, I feel sure that they've been making profits all the Parmaount years and this year as well.

Scott (with the park) also feels sure that CFairs plans for the parks future are bright.

Carowinds is the only park in Charlotte (one of the fastest growing cities in America right now)...it's the only park within a 2.5 hour drive as well.

It's the only Theme Park/Water Park within 5 hours I think.

Carowinds isn't going anywhere. It might hurt a little next year cause of HRP, but not that much.

Carowinds chances of becoming a Geagua Lake are not very good. Geagua Lake was never busy...go to Carowinds on a Saturday. It's packed. Even during the week they do decent business. Geagua Lake on a Wednesday had maybe 200 people in the ride side...ok, maybe 300.

If Hard Rock was going to be such a draw for Charlotte, then the same should have applied for SFOG. I never hear GP people in Charlotte saying...hey, we're sick of Carowinds. We're driving down to SFOG! That's something only enthusisats do.

Regional theme parks (excluding places like Orlando) get most of their business from their local market. Not 4 hours away.

[coasterbruh]

Im just in a "sit back on the porch and wait" mood right now.

[SouthKnox79]

Just to add slightly and I really don't mean to be argumenative at all. I am sure though that when Cedar Fair took control of Geauga Lake most people and especially myself had at first GREAT outlook for CF's plans for the park. Yeah I know Carowinds is sometimes busy on Saturdays I've seen that numerous times but I also remember the Sunday I went this year and was able to walk on all coasters except for the two train wait on Borg. Not to mention the horrible experience I had that day with many on the ride staff. So I'm not saying that I "for sure" think that Carowinds will go belly up in 3-4 years I just think Cedar Fair will not hold on to the park. I do think that Carowinds has so far received the shaft from Cedar Fair. The park this year received VERY LITTLE improvement the whole time I was there this year I kept thinking "what did they do in the off season?" I always understood why some little things got overlooked at Kings Island this year with the install of Firehawk and major repairs to SOB. On the other hand only a refurbished ride is re-installed to Carowinds and other than that it was pretty much a trash can investment. I may and hope to be wrong in my thoughts of Carowinds future but I tell you one thing. I really really hope that Cedar Fair would just let someone else buy the park to operate it as a theme park and not one day in the off season announce that when you come back the next year Carowinds will be simply a waterpark.

[Jonathan]

It's not even remotely the same situation. I would type out a long post explaining why, but I don't really feel like it at the moment. Perhaps later if I have some time. Any fears that a Geauga Lake scenario would happen to Carowinds are silly and unfounded.

[arjaybee]

I think most amusement industry people have said that Cedar Fair really likes Carowinds in regards to its available land for expansion and its location and that they have big plans for the future of Carowinds. GL was within 2 hours of CP and wasn't as profitable as KI. Sure anything is possible but most people aren't concerned about Carowinds being shut down. :ph34r:

[bgwfreak]

The park this year received VERY LITTLE improvement the whole time I was there this year I kept thinking "what did they do in the off season?"

What? These aren't enough?

<a href='http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2538007200054618143xeHkhv' target='_blank'></a>

And I think you're also forgetting that Thunder Road has had major work done on it. They of course took down backwards, I think to start work early on it. Forwards got a lot of TLC and then was reopened.

I think Hurler was also worked on a bit.

They also built a brand new fountain over by the flyers.

Give CF some time before you start pulling out the torches and pitchforks.

[PreferParamount]

About that thundar road thing, did it fail an expection or something. because it's one of my favorit rides there and i was mad that they decided to work on it in the middle of the season. :blink:

[Edwardo]

Why would Carowinds be gone? It makes money. This was CF's first year of operation, and they brought back a good flat, ran the park well, and quite frankly, I think they're doing fine. I didn't expect CF to come in and start slinging flats and coasters at all the parks, they just took on a few billion in debt.

Geauga Lake isn't closing. People seem to be confusing 'No More Dry Rides' to 'The Park is Closing'. That's simply not true. I do think that eventually Geauga could have made a comeback, but not in it's current form. I would have at least re-opened the original water park to expand the water park offerings, kept the Arrow Looper, 2 of the wooden coasters, the kiddie ride, and some small flats. But Geauga was not making money in that form.

And everyone wants to point at Great America. I REALLY don't see that park selling. The team that wants to buy it is asking the city for money to buy the stadium in the first place, and Cedar Fair, like any fiscally responsible company, is asking for fair market value. I doubt that the park would even close if it does sell. The city seems to want to keep the park and build a stadium.

Carowinds is a park that has potential and is doing well. With HRP going in, CF would be stupid to shut down Carowinds. Besides, there still isn't any competition less than 4 hours away.

I would expect most of the CF parks to not get anything major (or at least new) for a couple years while CF gets their debt down.

I would like to see Villian go to Carowinds, though.

[cdp123]

No, it's just that at some time, many rides need some Tender Love and Care, and/or meet Cedar Fair's tight maintenance expectations, which is what happened with Thunder Road, the turnaround needed a lot of work as apparently it was unsafe and rough, Forwards seemed to need less work than back, so it was opened. But no problems, just get ready for a great 2008!

Also, I agree that Cedar Fair needs some time, I mean, after all, Cedar Fair only wanted Paramount for Kings Island, which was not only profitable, but was a big threat, so they got what the wanted. I just think that they're going in order. In my eyes, Cedar Fair is going as so: King's Island (Firehawk), Canada's Wonderland (Behemoth), Kings Dominion (Dominator), Carowinds (Whatever), and Great America last (Because they just got Survivor). But that's just my 2 cents.

[GriffonBoy69]

^ that and the fact that i keep hearing that scott keeps saying 09 looks bright, and that it will be something that enthusiasts will drool over.... just what i heard...

[Dukeis#1]

Didn't know where else to post this, but Cedar Fair has announced some major plans for Great America that include a Top Spin and GCI wooden coaster:

<a href='http://www1.cedarfair.com/GreatAmerica/news/detail.cfm?item_id=652' target='_blank'>Theme Park will start new year with New Attraction, New Show, and New Name</a>