General Carowinds discussion
By LocoDriver
#47
With the removal of the Sternwheeler, this leaves the Carolina Goldrusher as one of the last original attractions at Carowinds. With this in mind I think it's important that we don't lose the Goldrusher. I've seen/heard rumors in the past that we may lose this ride.

I think it would be neat to see Paramount retheme the ride and therefore save it's existance at the park. As mentioned before in the old forums, I believe that they should make the ride a Ghost Train theme. Maybe recover the one helics that was uncovered several years ago. Also add some spooky theming and a pre ride show to help sell the theme.

To go along with the Carolina Boardwalk Theme(which it really doesn't do so now) I think they could tie the preride show into the legend that exist down in the Wilmington area. I don't remember all the details, but many Railroad historians could provide the details. The legend as I remember goes something like this: Many years ago, there was a bad train collision between two seperate trains. This collision happened in the Wilmington area(This ties into the Boardwalk Theme). I believe then that the two trains belonged to either the Seaboard Airlines or Atlantic Coastlines. Not sure if it was before the merger. Anyway that old rail line has since been abandoned by CSX Transportation. On certain nights the public in the area around the old line still hear a train whistle and see train lights where there is no tracks around.

Just a random thought. I think it would add some excitement back into the ride and also add another quality ride experience with little dollars spent.
By LocoDriver
#48
Forgot to add my idea for the preride experience. I think they could use all those unused monitors from the Hurler and move them over to the Goldrusher. The monitors could tell a story about the GhostTrain(Similar to the way that BGW does with the BigBad Wolf). While waiting for the train to arrive the station, the passengers waiting to board will have to hand over a boarding pass in which they received at the turnstile. The pass will state that they're about to ride a Ghost Train and they're doing so at their own risk. I know that this is a little cheesy, but what the heck.

As for the on ride experience, the last tunnel should be really dark. Just before arriving back to the station, some strobe lights could be used. When the lights illuminate, an oncoming train (Optical Illusion with the aid of projector) will appear as if your going to hit head on. At the same time a Loud Train Whistle will be heard. This has to be as loud or louder than the roar you hear on ThunderRoad's tunnel.
User avatar
By MarkD
#50
Personally I ride it every time I go to the park but I would really like to see it either gone or moved into animation station. There is no real room to do anything for it because it is now sandwiched in between the Vortex, Saturator, Flyer. To me it is a jr/kiddie ride and they could move it to the section behind the Thornberry's River Adventure and where the train is. There seems to be a lot of unused land over there. (Carnival of Terror path)
If they moved it maybe they could put in a good flat ride in its place.
By Dukeis#1
#51
LocoDriver wrote: Forgot to add my idea for the preride experience. I think they could use all those unused monitors from the Hurler and move them over to the Goldrusher. The monitors could tell a story about the GhostTrain(Similar to the way that BGW does with the BigBad Wolf). While waiting for the train to arrive the station, the passengers waiting to board will have to hand over a boarding pass in which they received at the turnstile. The pass will state that they're about to ride a Ghost Train and they're doing so at their own risk. I know that this is a little cheesy, but what the heck.

As for the on ride experience, the last tunnel should be really dark. Just before arriving back to the station, some strobe lights could be used. When the lights illuminate, an oncoming train (Optical Illusion with the aid of projector) will appear as if your going to hit head on. At the same time a Loud Train Whistle will be heard. This has to be as loud or louder than the roar you hear on ThunderRoad's tunnel.

I Think it would be a cool idea. Particularly if they really did a good pre-show and everything.

Of Course it would probably be a good idea to re-theme the station to make it more like an actual train depot.

I Like you idea about the last tunnel. Maybe they could hook an Air-Horn up in there so that when trains went through it would give a loub blast!
By Trev32
#52
i hope they don't get rid of it,i like that ride,i ride it evry time i go(but my bro always ruins it by making smart comments on the ride <_< ) they should retheme it though
By The Anomaly
#55
I would also hate to see it leave even though I don't ride it much. That was one of my favorite coasters at the park as a child.
By ghettopastries
#56
I don't think it is going anywhere.
By Trev32
#60
your right it probably won't,but later on they might get rid of it for a stand up inverted wooden coaster or somthin
User avatar
By coasterbruh
#66
i dont say remove it i say just leave it like it is......its pretty obvious it doesnt fit into the boardwalk theme but when walking to the que its like walking away from boardwalk into another space.......like a sub-land...........the themeing is fine the way it is..........besides where would the pre-show and all the other stuff gonna take place??
By The Anomaly
#67
On television monitors maybe?
By Dukeis#1
#68
...or in a new que house and station.
By CarowindsZone
#69
As long as we get to keep the Carolina Goldrusher, I am happy!
User avatar
By coasterbruh
#70
Hummm.......well i kind of figured most people would understand, however when i said where is it gonna take place i meant track location.
By Dukeis#1
#71
Well, I think we mean the ride would remain at the same location, and they would just enclose the helixes or the ride.

The Pre-Show would take place before you actually got on. That's why they call it a Pre-Show.
User avatar
By coasterbruh
#72
I think i have to break it down............Where..........will...........the.......pre-show......take......place??? let me give examples; on Tower of Terror the pre-show is in the little room. Where can it be placed on Goldrusher?? The station isnt that large to enclose it. Being that the "pre-show" takes place before getting on the ride.............