[KenB]

You spend far more time walking past rides or waiting in line for them than you do actually riding them when at an amusement park. I'd certainly rather look at nicely painted colorful rides such as Nighthawk, rather than the peeling mess that was BORG - even if I'm just walking past it to ride Intimidator.

[Dude]

I could care less about paint, many on here talk about how great new paint would be for this or that, but I'd rather them BUILD than worry what color something is. But that's just me

*Sigh* It's not like they are out repainting new things. They are repainting things that look like CRAP. (As Cyclone has looked from about 2005 to last year) Repainting rides freshens up the area, and can make an old ride look brand new. I would rather paint the existing attractions rather than get a whole bunch of new stuff and let the older stuff rot by the wayside.

^ No we badly need a Intamin. We don't need another B&M, we already have 3-4.

I don't understand this logic at all. How about the park decides what would be best for the park next, THEN decides on a manufacturer. Not the other way around.

Also curious about our 4th B&M...

I was trying to say 3 or 4 B&ms..lol

[carowinds4ever]

I hope this helps everyone out about the height restrictions, One of my good friends is a pilot for us air. Eating dinner one night i asked him about flight paths and what not.

I asked him how high in the air are the planes overtop of carowinds in a flight path approach for landing, he answers between 3500 to 4200 feet depending on weather, and other variables. I then asked what are the height restrictions on buildings or objects in the direct flightpath?. He said to his knowledge the faa requires the following for 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet where the plane flies required 4,000 feet of airspace to object. 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet where plane is in the air is 2,000 feet of airspace to object. Under 2,000 feet free of obstruction minus highways and small buildings and such.

To sum it up carowinds would not be able to build over 1,500 feet without permission from the faa. But this is just here say, and he does not work for the faa, however just a pilot that flies in and out of charlotte 4 times a week. So, i think it's safe to say that height really isn't an issue seeing how coasters aren't over 460 feet much less 1,500ft. Just my opinion.

[TrojanCamMan]

^ Thanks for the information.

We most likely won't see a coaster breaking 1,000 ft anywhere in the world. I guess that is what a airplane is if you think about it.

[Edwardo]

According to FAA guidelines, if you're building, here are the rules as far as when you need their permission (this isn't just for building something close to an airport, this is building ANYTHING ANYWHERE).

(1) Any construction or alteration of more than 200 feet in height above the ground level at its site.
(2) Any construction or alteration of greater height than imaginary surface extending outward and upward at one of the following slopes:
(i) 1 00 to 1 for horizontal distance of 20,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest runway of each airport specified in paragraph (a)(5) or this section with at least one runway more than 3,200 feet in actual length, excluding heliports.
(ii) 50 to 1 for horizontal distance of 10,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest runway of each airport specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section with its longest runway no more than 3,200 feet in actual length, excluding heliports.
(iii) 25 to 1 for a horizontal distance of 5,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearest landing and takeoff area of each heliport specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.
(3) Any highway, railroad, or other traverse way for mobile objects, of a height which, if adjusted upward 17 feet for an Interstate Highway that is part of the National System of Military and Interstate Highways where overcrossings are designed for a minimum of 17 feet vertical distance, 16 feet for any other public roadway, 10 feet or the height of the highest mobile object that would normally traverse the road, whichever is greater, for a private road, 23 feet for a railroad, and for a waterway or any other traverse way not previously mentioned, an amount equal to the height of the highest mobile object that would normally traverse it, would exceed a standard of paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section.
(4) When requested by the FAA, any construction or alteration that would be in an instrument approach area (defined in the FAA standards governing instrument approach procedures) and available information indicates it might exceed a standard of Subpart C of this part.
(5) Any construction or alteration on any of the following airports (including heliports):
(i) An airport that is available for public use and is listed in the Airport Directory of the current Airman’s Information Manual or in either the Alaska or Pacific Airman’s Guide and Chart Supplement.
(ii) An airport under construction, that is the subject of a notice or proposal on file with the Federal Aviation Administration, and except for military airports, it is clearly indicated that airport will be available for public use.
(iii) An airport that is operated by an armed force of the United States.

So no, Carowinds can't build up to 1500ft and not contact the FAA.

[Edwardo]

I don't understand this logic at all. How about the park decides what would be best for the park next, THEN decides on a manufacturer. Not the other way around.

The only thing from Intamin I'd like to see Carowinds get would be a Maverick type coaster.

But there are plenty of other GREAT manufacturers out there that don't get enough exposure in the states. Have you seen the LSM launchers that Gerslauer, Zierer, or Mack are making? I'd love something like Blue Fire Megacoaster, a ride that is getting GREAT reviews, at Carowinds.

And what about Premier? They make great rides, and people say their new coaster at Kennywood is good.

There are more coaster makers out there than just B&M and Intamin. And since Stengel designs for most of them, you're going to get a great ride.

[KenB]

I'd say with Intimidator filling the height and length need at the park, Carowinds is really only lacking two things.

One, a quality, modern wooden coaster with an interesting layout. T-Road may be a stellar ride when they get done with the rehab, but it's still going to have a simplistic layout. Hurler is an epic FAIL quality-wise at this point in time. In the past it delivered great airtime, but still had a boring layout vs. say a GCI. What's needed is a GCI, Intamin or Gravity Group woodie somewhere in the park.

Two, a launch coaster of some kind. Any kind, really. Carowinds and KD introduced launch coasters to the world back in '77. Since then both parks lost their originals, but KD has gained 3 launchers to continue the tradition of King Kobra. Carowinds on the other hand hasn't seen a launcher since White Lightnin' left in '88. My vote would be Premier, but anything with a launch would be welcome for a change of pace. I hope they stay FAR away from something by Intamin w/ a cable, although something "electric" from them would be fine.

The one thing the park really doesn't need is anything else with loops. Carowinds ranks third in the world in number of different inversions according to RCDB, behind only SFMM and SFGAdv. Of course there would probably be some inversions on a launcher unless it's something simple like an Impulse, and that would be fine. What isn't needed is a floorless, or as some have suggested Led Zep / Time Machine from Myrtle Beach.

[mark40511]

I had no idea that the Intamin Top Thrill Dragster and King da ka were such maintenance nightmares....I always thought Vekoma machines were the nightmares as far as maintenance went.....Oh well, yes.....Carowinds needs a launch coaster....and a flat ride (delirium)......I wish there was some way they could make vortex higher and longer instead of getting a new coaster or getting rid of it....Chang was so much better....(but also newer) than Vortex....Wasn't Vortex the 2nd stand up coaster in the US? It's still pretty good, just wayyy to short..... I've always LOVED Thunder Road....I could ride it over and over....Hurler (not so much).....Hurler is ok but such a boring layout....Isn't carolina cyclone like a mini version of Viper at SFMM? I watched a POV of that and it looks great, of course, it's newer than cyclone...

[Edwardo]

Ken I agree. I definitely think a custom wooden coaster, by anyone, would be a good fit at the park at some point. And something launched would be wonderful. Mack built this, and everyone who has ridden it says it's as good or better than Maverick, with much better restraints.

Gerstlaur built this, and they've done others like it. It rolls out of the station into the launch like Kennywood's new one, has a tophat, a few inversions and bunny hills, and would be a good fit for Carowinds.

Speaking of Kennywood, this looks to be a lot of fun, and a nice step up from family to thrill ride, without being too extreme.

But even if they just added something like this, this, or this, they would have a solid looper that would be a hit. And none of those are B&M or Intamin, or even Vekoma.

[coasterbruh]

Please, no rocket! That thing isnt that enjoyable to me.

[mark40511]

Ken I agree. I definitely think a custom wooden coaster, by anyone, would be a good fit at the park at some point. And something launched would be wonderful. Mack built this, and everyone who has ridden it says it's as good or better than Maverick, with much better restraints.

Gerstlaur built this, and they've done others like it. It rolls out of the station into the launch like Kennywood's new one, has a tophat, a few inversions and bunny hills, and would be a good fit for Carowinds.

Speaking of Kennywood, this looks to be a lot of fun, and a nice step up from family to thrill ride, without being too extreme.

But even if they just added something like this, this, or this, they would have a solid looper that would be a hit. And none of those are B&M or Intamin, or even Vekoma.

ALL of those look GREAT and they don't look like they would take up a HUGE amount of space.

[Dude]

Ken I agree. I definitely think a custom wooden coaster, by anyone, would be a good fit at the park at some point. And something launched would be wonderful. Mack built this, and everyone who has ridden it says it's as good or better than Maverick, with much better restraints.

Gerstlaur built this, and they've done others like it. It rolls out of the station into the launch like Kennywood's new one, has a tophat, a few inversions and bunny hills, and would be a good fit for Carowinds.

Speaking of Kennywood, this looks to be a lot of fun, and a nice step up from family to thrill ride, without being too extreme.

But even if they just added something like this, this, or this, they would have a solid looper that would be a hit. And none of those are B&M or Intamin, or even Vekoma.

That second would not fit perfect because of one thing LOW CAPACITY

ALL of those look GREAT and they don't look like they would take up a HUGE amount of space.

[Edwardo]

Because A boomerang and a bunch of other smaller family coasters have such great capacity? Heck, Nighthawk has sucky capacity too...

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Well, do you want another load capacity like nighthawk if its a nice launch, or would your rather have a people eater like intimidator? I would rather have the people eater, I dont like waiting in line to long I will never wait in line for nighthawk more than 10-15 minutes, hence why I NEVER ride it. I may ride it during ERT just because less people and its at night... As far as the height restrictions, thanks for clearing all that info up, but carowinds doesnt need a coaster more than 232ft, unless its NOT intamin... which I dont see that happening so, lets just be very happy with what we have. Yes, I do agree that we need a good woodie, but I guess what we have is OK. Although now that the trim is on Hurler, its just not the same... its very strange. Anways if we get something we get something if not, i wont be to disappointed. I just want to see some more in park improvements. Oh well maybe hints will be here in 2 weeks...

[TrojanCamMan]

I would not mind seeing a major beautification project. Paint buildings and rides needing paint (Vortex, Ricochet, Afterburn, Drop Tower) Refurbish a few things. The pavers will look nice going in too.