[coasterfreak]

Looks big for sure. Either they're not finished with the orange markers, or this "secret" doesn't have many supports. Or its not a ride at all...

[Merthecat]

Well, here's a picture I made of a possible giga plan:

[Rosko97]

I actually love that^

[arby]

I was going to redo my images and upload them again (I usually resize to 800px wide and this board likes 500px wide.) I'll do that for future posts because my markings are too small on the existing one if I do that.

There are a few more orange markers that I don't have in my drawing but I neglected to print out a google map before I went there. By the time I got home, I forgot the location of a couple of them.

With that being said, I don't think those are for supports for any coaster but are survey stakes that will be used for upcoming ground work. My speculation is that this is phase 1 of a larger plan which includes putting the infrastructure in place for a park expansion, reworking the access parking for future plans, the on-site hotel we all are pretty sure that is coming, etc.

I heard some rumors while I was there and I also talked to an engineer who was working around the perimeter of the bus parking lot. I'm not big on rumors so I'll keep them to myself. However, the engineer was there because it was raining and he was evaluating how groundwater was draining on the property. He said the blueprints he was carrying would be of no interest to me.

[chunkyskunk]

One thing for sure, we will NOT be getting Dinasours Alive and Windseeker so we can smile about that:) I am still going to stick to nothing big for 2014. If this is something big, such a park expansion and/or a major coaster I can see it making sense this could be some preliminary work for 2015. I will also stick to my thoughts on a giga coaster anytime soon is ludicrous. Makes no sense for us for several reasons. We would get a launcher or a wing coaster before we would get a giga. Also, it almost seems like we enjoy all of this pre knowledge speculation and marker searcher more so than actually finding out what it is.

[chknwing]

tear down the waste of space useless Paladium. omg where will they have the christian concerts. how about at a church. The Paladium is comepletly underutilized. It has what maybe 3 or 4 concerts a year? Knock it down.

[chunkyskunk]

Do not really appreciate the recent comment concerning the concerts. How about we keep the thread on topic here and the jury disregards your middle 13 words from your comment. I am not really in favor of removing anything at all and do not see the need of it. The park has removed too much in the past to start with.

[coasterfreak]

I have to agree chunkyskunk. From the side of music, I love those concerts. Skillet, Red, Thousand Foot Krutch. These guys aren't just your run-of-the-mill Sunday morning Christian worship bands. These guys are legit rock bands with a legit following. They are just as awesome as anyone you'd hear on The End or The Planet. As a matter of fact, Skillet plays on both of those stations.

On the park-side of things, the concerts bring some of the largest profits every year. It helps the park tremendously that way and there's nothing wrong with that.

[Jwrickner]

Does anybody know when this project will be officially announced?

[chknwing]

I said it was underutilized. theres no way that you can tell me they use it to its full potental.

[arby]

Yeah, for all we know, they're putting in sidewalks around all the roads. It's really too early, yet, for speculation especially about any coaster. I'm keeping my eyes open to see if anything develops from all the utilities being marked and some survey stakes being in the ground.

I am particularly curious about the three blue and pink markers. They seem to signify something, or they did it to mess with us. Time will tell...

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Thanks arby for the pix on TPR I saw it on facebook and took a look. I saw some of the markings on the ground a few weeks ago but didnt really explore around to see what I could find. Where exactly is that land that the park purchased a while back? I really believe now that I see these images it will be a new entry plaze, just like mentioned above expanding because of all the land they purchased etc... I see it being the beginning of the "resort" that will likely come about in many years..... If that is what it is... I hope they at least add a flat ride as well or something somewhere....

[chunkyskunk]

Overall chknwing I agree it is not used to it's potential. The answer there is to increase shows and events. Not to remove it.

[Jonathan]

The Paladium will never be what it once was in its early years when it was drawing some of the biggest names in music. It's simply not competitive as a venue anymore as the Charlotte area has grown up. You have a range of large venues (Verizon Ampitheatre, TWC Arena, BoA Stadium, etc) that are all around better options for most acts. I would imagine that the concerts the park does currently have are huge money makers for them, especially the Christian shows and festivals that I imagine draw in lots of big groups and families, which overlaps with the main target demographic of the amusement park.

[chknwing]

Ok I'm gonna toss this concept out there for the Hotel. Most seem to think Carowinds would build the hotel in the land just purchased but personally i think it would be better to build by the south entrance.