[bgwfreak]

Carowinds will go retro and open on Fridays in April and May. They tried this a while back, but then stopped it just as quickly.

http://www.carowinds.com/visit/visit_calendar.cfm

[KenB]

Note that often times when they're open on Fridays it's for "Education Days" - which means busloads of teenagers. Typically they'd open 9am-6pm on those days. At my old job I often had half-days on Fridays, and it was off Westinghouse so was close to the park. I'd go to the park when getting off work thinking it'd be a slow day and be sadly mistaken - the place was slammed.

Not trying to knock the park for being open any extra days, nor trying to discourage anyone from going - just be aware it might be busier than you think.

[RollerBee]

Not sure what you mean retro, Carowinds has been open on fridays in April every year for Education Days. It looks like they finally pushed it off to May, but I know in 2006 Education Days started in April cause I worked it. I hated it cause they was even more brats visiting than we had working all summer. Note to self: Never ever work with high schoolers again, too much DRAMA! Of course, my age group isn't much better.

[Jonathan]

Yeah, I'm fairly certain they have been doing this for many years.

[army of 1]

I know the park has been open on Fridays for the past couple years or so....

And yes, it is busy...

Yes, the park is full of teeneagers..

Yes, we older peeps feel outta place... Its still fun...

It does seem to calm down about 2p though..

[swampfox43]

Out of curiosity I checked the schedule on several brochures from the 1990's (specifically 1994, '96 & '99) and they all showed operating hours on Fridays in April and May.

[bgwfreak]

I guess I just never paid attention.

[chargercrazy]

Don't beat yourself up over it, Wes.

[KenB]

To really go "retro", they'd close on Fridays instead. The true "old timers" like myself will remember that Carowinds did indeed close on Fridays during the summer, with the exception of July 4th week. I know they were still doing that in the 80's, not sure when that stopped. Supposedly it was to "get ready" for the weekend / Saturday, which made some kind of sense I guess, but it always seemed odd to me - even as a kid way back then.

[coasterbruh]

Don't beat yourself up over it, Wes.

By all means wes ignore him. Commence with the beat down...

[RollerBee]

If I remember correctly, Carowinds was closed on Tuesdays or Fridays during the 90s for awhile. Anyways, you want the wooden or steel coaster support to be beaten senseless with. Personally, I wood chose the wooden one.

UPDATE: Carowinds was closed on Fridays in 1990, I assume that being closed on Fridays ended when Paramount took over or soon after.
Source:
http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/1990/pcar1990_5.html

[CoasterDad]

I recently emailed Dani a note that not only should the park be open (as it has) on Fridays in April and May, but also in the Fall months of September and October, just like at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. My kids do well in school and we allow them to miss a few days each year for "park" attendance. We like Fridays and for us, we make a fall retreat to Williamsburg, but I could see us spending a day at Carowinds too. Also, being open the week of SPRING VACATION would be a good idea in the future, just like SFOG, especially if we get that BIG drawing card in 2010! It just makes common sense and now, unlike before, they may have enough staff to make it happen.