[Jonathan]

Forseer pointed this out in the park map thread, but I figured I would make a new thread specifically for this. This is a drastic change from the way things have been done in the past, so I'm interested to see what you guys think.

<a href='https://www.carowinds.com/passholders_insidetrack.jsp' target='_blank'>Here</a> is the information for the new Platinum Pass, and the benefits. It seems that the Platinum Pass focuses around exclusive ride times. I'm know the park received negative feedback last season regarding the shadiness of the Top Gun ERT, with the times changing randomly and the ride never opening on time, so this new program will probably go smoothly.

Here are the dates and rides involved in the new program:

MARCH and APRIL WEEKENDS
Kids Rule Saturdays


March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: Carousel, Peter Potomus' Magic Flying Balloons, Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster, Top Cat's Swing Time, Chopper Chase, Taxi Jam, Yogi's Jellystone Garden, Dastardly & Muttley in their Flying Machines, and Judy Jetson's Jetliners.
County Fair Sundays


March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: TOP GUN: The Jet Coaster, Thunder Road, Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion, and Dodgems.

MAY AND EARLY JUNE WEEKENDS
Summer's Coming Saturdays


May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: TOP GUN: The Jet Coaster, Thunder Road, Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion, and Dodgems.
Out-of-this World Sundays


May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: BORG Assimilator, Rugrats Runaway Reptar, Rocket Power Air Time, Wild Thornberry's River Adventure.

SUMMER
Super Size Sundays


Sundays between June 6 and August 15 (June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 4, 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15)
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: BORG Assimilator, Vortex, Wild Thornberry's River Adventure, and Kaleidoscope.
Thrill-Seeker Thursdays


Thursdays between June 17 and August 12 (June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12)
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: TOP GUN: The Jet Coaster, Thunder Road, Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion, and Dodgems.
Family Fun Fridays


Fridays between June 18 and August 13 (June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13)
Rides open from 9-10 a.m. exclusively for Platinum Pass holders include: Carousel, Peter Potomus' Magic Flying Balloons, Top Cat's Swing Time, Chopper Chase, Taxi Jam, Yogi's Jellystone Garden, Dastardly & Muttley in their Flying Machines, and Judy Jetson's Jetliners.

Water Works Wednesdays
Platinum Pass holders can enjoy an extra hour in WaterWorks on Wednesdays between June 16 and August 11 (June 16, 23, 30, July 7,14, 21, 28, August 4, 11). All attractions in WaterWorks will open at 10 a.m. (instead of the usual 11 a.m. opening time), exclusively for Platinum Pass holders. Platinum Pass holders must show their processed photo ID card and will only be admitted through the WaterWorks entrance closest to the Wings restaurant in Carolina RFD. Only Platinum Pass holders will be admitted at 10 a.m. Other guests or non-Platinum Season Pass holders will have to wait until 11 a.m. to enter WaterWorks. All attractions subject to change due to weather, maintenance and availability.

Two Ride Tuesdays
Platinum Pass holders can ride some of their favorite attractions twice (without getting off) on Tuesdays between June 15 and August 10 (June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10). Double Ride Tuesday attractions include: Carolina Cyclone, Rugrats Runaway Reptar, Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster, Thunder Road, and TOP GUN: The Jet Coaster. Platinum Pass holders will have a special DESIGNATED CAR on these attractions in which they may stay on to ride for a second ride. Platinum Pass holders must show their processed photo ID to receive a Double Ride token that will allow them to ride twice (if they choose to do so). The designated car will be clearly marked in the ride station. NOTE: Last rides of the night will not be available for a Double Ride by Platinum Pass holders. All rides subject to change due to weather, maintenance and availability.


I know that Kings Island did the Two Ride Tuesdays program last year, and they may have tried some of these others as well. Interesting, no?

[MarkD]

If I were 16-21 or if I was so young my Mom had to take me while I was out of school I would love the ERTs. As it is now I only go on Sundays and the occasional Saturday night with my kids. So, I won't get alot of the ERT benifits.
I am real surprised about ERT on Borg tho. I thought for sure they would offer this up for the season anyway.
I'm going to go chack out the other parks and see what thier "perks" are.

The only thing I saw that was cool is the Season Pass Holder appreciation day at King's Dominion. The park is closed to the general public and only pass holders get in.

I would say after looking at all the parks we have the best perks!!

[coasterbruh]

Im a little confused......i got my pass last year so i have a regular pass?? and they dont have upgrades to plat. pass........help me out someone!! lol lol


Carowinds said......

Purchase your Season Pass by 8 p.m. on April 25, and we'll upgrade it to a new Platinum Pass at no additional charge. (If you bought your 2004 Season Pass in the fall of 2003 or winter of 2004 and already had your ID card made, we will mail a special sticker to you that will automatically upgrade your Season Pass to a Platinum Pass.)

I got it now........Whew!! i thought i was gonna have to purchase an upgrade!!

[KenB]

Hmmm....not sure on the new ERT.

It has some plusses, as we get more than just one ride open, it's for an hour and we do get weekends for awhile where we get Borg and Top Gun during the weekend. With as much hype as this is getting, they *should* be running this properly this time instead of the inconsistent way they did it last year. Still, it seems they're going for overkill when all they had to do to fix the problems last year were to open the parking area earlier so we could get to the park by 9:30, and have the TG crew READY to start the ride at 9:30, with a security guard to check passes.

Overall it's a minus, though, for those of us who mainly went on weekends and took advantage of ERT on Top Gun and the new ride on Sundays. I work during the week, so won't get much use out of the Thursday TG ERT. I work close and get off in the afternoon, so can hit the park to take advantage of the Two Ride Tuesday, but it's never been that busy during the week to where I ever waited long for any of the rides, and can usually get re-rides just fine. I guess what they're going for is trying to get more families involved by having multiple attractions open, instead of just the thrill-seekers.

It won't be TOO bad - summer Sundays should still offer quite a few Top Gun rides after getting off Borg, as most people will go run to ride that and TG moves people through quickly.

Hmmm - looks like I was wrong about one thing. I was trying to figure out which Carowinds coaster would be my first of the season. I was going to see how they were working ERT to see if it'd be TG or Borg - yet it looks like it'll be good old Scooby Doo to get things started on the 20th. I figure then on to Borg if it's running, as that line will get huge, and then on to TG.

KenB

[MarkD]

Yea Ken it looks like all of us who said we were going opening day will be seeing each other on Scooby Doo.
We should all get very familiar with the song so we can sing it while in the station and going up the lift hill.

[Cephas]

I don't really know if the park will be that crowded on opening day, as nobody I know outside of the board is going. I just get told that I'm obsessed when I say I'm going on opening day.