[LocoDriver]

I say yes, weather permitting.

[Dukeis#1]

For the time in being, I'll have to say No.

<a href='http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/images/pdf/2003-top-50-north-america.pdf' target='_blank'>Attendance last year</a> was rounded to 1,776,000 and 224,000 guests is quite a jump to make in one operating season.

Considering that in <a href='http://www.ibiblio.org/darlene/coaster/FAQ/FAQ.attendance.html' target='_blank'>1993</a>, 11 years ago, Carowinds had 1,600,000 visitors, we've moved up slowly, but I'm beggining to think that is because the park is pulling as many visitors as it can currently. After all, Charlotte, unlike Williamsburg or Pigeon Forge, is a banking city, so there are not really that many tourists to visit.

Maybe we'll break 2 million in a few years, but I don't see it right now. Top Gun and the Borg *** certainly help though.

[twistytie]

I said yes, and I'll be surprised if Carowinds doesn't. They're doing a lot more advertising, and I think everyone who comes to the park, and sees especially BORG, they're going to tell their friends that thet have to come check it out. The park's management has been doing a great job, and they deserve this big milestone.

[swampfox43]

I'm very doubtful that Carowinds will break the 2 million attendance mark this year. My main reason is the economy and high gas prices.

Remembering 1999 when Top Gun opened and gas prices ranged from 79¢- 99¢ a gallon, the economy was very good and they still couldn't quite pull it off leaves me doubtful about 2004.

I'd like to see it happen though.

[MarkD]

There is alot more buzz around town and people I talk to in person and on the net about Carowinds. All of it being good and more "talk" of having to visit this year. Now if they do or not who knows but it is nice to hear more possitive comments this year. I know that I will be bringing parties of 3 plus me the entire year. Everyone knows how I love parks in general and as much that I believe Carowinds has changed in the off season has made me an answer man at work and the sites I visit.
If word of mouth has anything to do with attendance then I think we have a good chance of at least having a record year.

[KenB]

That's how it is with me as well - lots of friends and coworkers are asking me about BORG and the park in general. I think that they are doing a great job marketing BORG and that seems to have caught the attention of the public. Aside from those that live between here and SFOG and have heard of or ridden Superman, the flying coaster gimmick seems to be really unusual and appealing to a large amount of people.

Actually I think gas prices help a park like Carowinds since people may be taking shorter trips than usual, so more of the local area crowd will go there instead of taking trips elsewhere. Gas prices shouldn't deter too many of the people 2-3 hours away that visit the park a time or two a year from going.

I think too with their season pass initiatives this year they should get a larger than normal season passholder base earlier in the year than usual, and once people have a pass they're likely to go a few more times and maybe bring friends. The free parking deal at the end of last year seemed to be popular, judging by the amount of people I saw at ERT on opening weekend - and the platinum passholder deal also seems to be doing well judging by the number of cars I see in the passholder lot some days.

Taking the AB figures and their comment that attendance was down 4% due to the weather and taking that hit out - they would've been at about 1.85 million. That's only 150,000 short of 2 million. I think they would've had even more than that last year if we had typical weather - I'm impressed they hit what they did considering how many days I was there and the park was totally dead due to rain.

The park looks to have about 120-130 operating days this year plus Scarowinds, so all they need to do is pull an extra 1000 people a day in on average. The weekends I've been look to be busier than the same ones last year, and with days like Good Friday with 12,000 in attendance vs. a predicted 4,000 certainly make it seem doable.

Now if we can just get them to understand the amount of people a hyper would draw in - especially if they beat SFOG to the punch.....

KenB

[LocoDriver]

I'm very doubtful that Carowinds will break the 2 million attendance mark this year. My main reason is the economy and high gas prices.

Remembering 1999 when Top Gun opened and gas prices ranged from 79¢- 99¢ a gallon, the economy was very good and they still couldn't quite pull it off leaves me doubtful about 2004.

I'd like to see it happen though.

You've made a better point for PC breaking 2 million than not doing so. Gas prices will keep the locals from going to SFOG, BGW, Disney etc. and staying home to visit the local park. Not to mention that it's cheaper to visit PC than all those other places if your noting that the economy sucks.

[swampfox43]

I'm very doubtful that Carowinds will break the 2 million attendance mark this year. My main reason is the economy and high gas prices.

Remembering 1999 when Top Gun opened and gas prices ranged from 79¢- 99¢ a gallon, the economy was very good and they still couldn't quite pull it off leaves me doubtful about 2004.

I'd like to see it happen though.

You've made a better point for PC breaking 2 million than not doing so. Gas prices will keep the locals from going to SFOG, BGW, Disney etc. and staying home to visit the local park. Not to mention that it's cheaper to visit PC than all those other places if your noting that the economy sucks.

Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it. Higher gas prices also means it takes more money per month to do the necessary things like go to work, etc. That extra money can definately eat into a family of 4's budget.

But, I see your point as well.

[Dukeis#1]

You've  made a better point for PC breaking 2 million than not doing so.  Gas prices will keep the locals from going to SFOG, BGW, Disney etc. and staying home to visit the local park.  Not to mention that it's cheaper to visit PC than all those other places if your noting that the economy sucks.

That also means people who would be visiting Carowinds from Lower South Carolina and the NC/VA border may be tempted to stay closer to home as well, so it works both ways.

But, I still don't see the jump to 2 million coming this season. Top Gun didn't do it, Vortex didn't do it, so I doubt Borg Assimilator will do it either.

[LocoDriver]

Once again weather permitting I think they will. If not I really bet that they still break their own personal attendance record. Keep in mind the Charlotte metro area has grown quite a bit just since 1999 (TopGun). This is where PC gets most of their attendance from. I really don't see them getting to many folks from the SC/GA border or the NC/VA border either. Most of them probably visit SFOG to the south or PKD/BGW to the north. PC doesn't really market in those areas.

I really have noticed a big boost in advertising as well this year. I think that coupled with BorgASS will make it interesting. I for one have bought a season pass for the first time in several years. Why....Because of Borg Assimilator and the fact that my summer tavels will be more limited this year with the cost of gas.

[Trev32]

how many people do you guys think carowinds has gotten this year so far??

[LocoDriver]

how many people do you guys think carowinds has gotten this year so far??

Just taking a guess. I'd say between 75,000 and 100,00 guest so far. I'm basing that on 9 operating days at 10,000+ a day. I know that last Friday they got somewhere around 12,000 which was a surprise.

[LocoDriver]

Just got back from the park today. I know it's early, but if Carowinds keeps pulling in the numbers like they had today then their going to be really close to that 2million barrier. Maybe they won't be close at all, maybe they'll blow it away.

I was really surprised at the crowd. Even though it's a Saturday, with springbreak in I figured that a lot of folks would be out of town. The lines were long on all the major rides. I figured I could get a quick trip on Vortex or TopGun with Borg being the main attraction. I figured wrong! It's weird to say, but I was really pleased that the other coasters were doing so well with ridership, even though it cost me some rides today.

ThunderRoad crews still not racing the trains. Still can't figure that one out :angry:

[Cephas]

I think it will be close, but we still won't reach 2 million.

Attendance for 2004 will be around 1,900,000-1,950,000.

[LocoDriver]

If it gets that close, Paramount will fudge the attendance numbers.