[tarheel1231]

I don't know why, but if there was a tram to take you to the front gate from the hotel, it would be really cool if there was something like a trolley station inside the building.

trolley1.jpg (120.33KiB)Viewed 3213 times

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I really don't see the reason for having a resort. The park already has a campground. If anything, I would rather see Camp Wilderness expanded. Maybe an indoor water park would be nice but not a full hotel.

As JamminJ said, not a lot of people want to stay at the campground, and the cabins are not cheap to rent at all if you don't like to stay in a tent. I enjoyed the campground, but you have to rent a fire pit which i think is nuts.... As for plaza fiesta, I see no reason why they would tear it down just because hammricks said in the article they were moving. It looks to me like it was their own decision to move to a larger location? I don't know though. I too always see a LOT of people at the mall, and my kids love the indoor play area. Have any of you been in there to go to the play thing? Its really nice and I don't see why they would tear it down. I used to take my daughter there a few times a week when she was small, I don't take them as much now, but they still love it. I used to enjoy climbing the thing and taking pictures from the top, the thing has to be at least 40' tall... I don't see them tearing the mall down, and I don't think its a waste of space. I could see it converted to an indoor water park, but I doubt it? I guess anything is definitely possible, but from what I read in the article and what I got out of it, its just hammricks that is leaving and nothing else so I see no reason for it to be demolished etc. The kids plaza fiesta is popular if you ask me and I don't see it going anywhere...

[RollerBee]

Reread the article, Hamricks is being forced out. The owner of the mall must have plans for the spot otherwise they wouldnt create vacant space.

[pproteinc]

As for the mall I think it's pretty absurd to say it's a 'waste of space.' Ever since the remodel into Plaza Fiesta a few years ago, the mall always has seemed packed when I go to Carowinds.

Yea, everybody park their cars there and walk to the park.

I do agree with you though. The Plaza Fiesta have taken a turn and I do feel that it's glory days are drifting away. Hey the food court is still quite alright IMO.

Looks like some good work going on in the pond.

[jordN1414]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/11/26/4499988/plaza-fiesta-tenants-unnerved.html#.Up9l32RDt9I

[Capler]

I would love to see CF buy the property even if they did nothing with it right now. It is within their natural boundaries. IMO, Carowinds should have always owned that space. As far as the mall goes, the hand writing is on the walls for enclosed malls. They are going out of business left and right. High Point basically closed down it's mall, (sold to High Point University), and it is much newer than Carolina Place.

[KingHippo1]

It's a kids heaven. And a trophy wife's dream. And my dream as well. Trophy wives are my thing. God bless them.

[Merthecat]

Well, you have to admit, guys, that Plaza Fiesta does block the view of Carowinds from I-77...

[chknwing]

yes it does

[Jay]

What? You can see Intimidator from miles around...

[Capler]

Carowinds needs a presence on the Interstate, even if it is nothing but a big Kings Dominion type sign. That sign in Doswell is a landmark. If you knew nothing about the Charlotte area and was passing Carowinds for the first time, you could miss it if you are not looking for the tall structures in the background.

[bobbyfoster]

I've always wonder why Carowinds didn't have a sign like KD.

[RollerBee]

A large sign by the interstate wont bring in more money.

[Jay]

I agree that a large marquee out on the interstate would be 'cool,' but I doubt it would serve much of a functional purpose.

I would venture a guess the reason Kings Dominion has one is because unlike Carowinds which is fairly visable from the Interstate, Kings Dominion has that LOVELY line of giant trees, which really prevents you from even knowing a park exists on the other side.

[Capler]

A large sign by the interstate wont bring in more money.

Then how do you explain why other companies put big tall signs on interstates? That is like saying Pepsi commercials don't help sell Pepsi because people already know what they want to drink. You are targeting folk who are unfamiliar with you. Such a sign could entice a family who is passing through, or visiting the area for the first time but are not very familiar with Carowinds. I remember seeing the South of the Boarder ads up and down the interstate. By the time I got to the place and saw the big sign, I was ready to stop and check it out. I had no idea what a dump it was.