[ha1ord]

Hi all, new poster here but I am a HUGE Carowinds fan.

My family lives in Atlanta and I have been coming to Carowinds for a few years now.
I sell this park to everyone I know (often taking the kids of friends to make them believers).
It is a 3-4 hr drive compared with 1hr to 666 Flags but still worth it - I much prefer to spend time in the van as opposed to time in line.

Today (July 13-Monday) rain was forecast all day but I have prepurchased the 4 tickets for $99. so there was no backing out!
We arrived just after 10am and hit it hard while the black clouds misted us.

Here is our ride intenerary -

Vortex
Roarin Rapids
Cobra 3 times
Goldrusher
Screamweaver 2 times
Hurler 2 times
Cycolone
Whitewater Falls
Thunder Road 2 times
Afterburn 2 times
Runaway Reptar
Bondi Beach/Pipeline Peak
Nighthawk
Roarin Rapids
Thunder Road 3 times
Southern Star
Spongebob 3D
Afterburn
Cobra

We left at 6pm, 27 major attractions in 8 hours. We were/are exhausted and this included over an hour in the wave pool!
The thrill rides are unbelieveable and it is amazing that you get to ride so many of them during your visit.
There were NO WAITS for any rides, (well, about 10 minutes for Nighthawk but most we got to re-ride if we wanted).

The staff was terrific at every ride - personable, friendly, and helpful.
Other visitors were also courteous, kind, and helpful. We had a really great time and a terrific day.

I realize that short lines means the park is probably not getting the attendance it needs and that is a double edged sword.
We love the short lines but I do NOT want Carowinds to disappear in these bad economic times.

SO - Please all you Carowind Go-ers/Lovers, talk it up and get people into the park!

Oh. I do have a negative to bring up.

Food Costs. This is really obscene. I brought lunch in the van but deliberately bought lunch inside to help the park.
Three tiny lame pizzas and cokes cost me $40. THAT wont happen again. Get over it with gouging people for much needed drinks
and snacks. You are just sending us all to the parking lot.

SUPER BONUS!
The staff at every ride was friendly, excited to be there, knowledgable, and helpful. Kudos to Carowinds HR and the people of N/S Carolina
for producing such cool people to staff these attractions. GREAT JOB!

Final Thought -
We just did a 7 day, on property, WDW trip last month. My kids had much bigger smiles today than they did after that trip.

Everyone needs to throw some support behind this park or it will disappear.

Thanks and God bless!
Andy

[AINeuge]

Hey Andy, glad to hear you had a good time! So did you actually get that itinerary finished? It makes me a bit dizzy just looking at it...

[ha1ord]

Hi AINeuge!

Yes, we got thru the list. That wasnt really a list of what we wanted to do - but what we did!

The staff definately added to the experience. The only down story about staff is about the carnival games- they were a little aggressive.

We'll be back and will try to bring many with us.

I was really depressed looking at the small number of cars in the parking lot - but we enjoyed the NO WAIT as well.
I do hope that attendance increases, this is such as great park - i hope North Carolinans appreciate that. - And buy tickets and go!!

666flags is just as bad for food - I just thought Carowinds would be Better - the same as everything is "better" there.


And finally - I meant no offense (little old us) - I was just saying that is is even worth 6+ hours driving to get there and partake.


Over & out,
Andy
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:50 am
Posts: 7 Hey Andy, glad to hear you had a good time! It's nice to see people make that kind of journey for "little old us." So did you actually get that itinerary finished? It makes me a bit dizzy just looking at it... I guess you really did catch the park on a good day- or a bad day depending on who you ask.

It's also really good to hear that the staff added to your experience. That's always a great thing, and I think Carowinds has always been good at that. I work at First Aid, so if you never see us its a great thing. As for food... well, yeah. It's terrible. Is/was it that way at the flags? I think food's been pretty steep as long as I can remember.

Anyway, good to hear! I hope you can come back and see us.

Thanks for the great info portal and info!

Andy

[Davidtmp]

Dude, you missed one of the best major attractions at Carowinds!! You didn't ride the Phantom Flyers!!!! Other than that, I would say you had a pretty full day!

[billcollins531]

The staff this year has been much better than usual, in my opinion.
Paramount's staff was total crap! at least what I can remember of them...
yeah dude, you need to ride the flyers next time you go! best flat ride there.

[b&mcoaster1095]

^The staff is trying to win some award for "nicest staff of the year" or something like that.

[Iheartcarowinds]

Whatever they are doing, keep it up! It's working. I have enjoyed this season more than any other season I have been in the park.