[Capler]

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.

Again it's all about name recognition. Just passing by, Carowinds does not look like much from the interstate. If you put the name out there, a casual passer who is unfamiliar with it will wonder, 'what the heck is Carowinds?' Once they return home they may look it up and discover it is a place they might want to stop with the kids when passing through another time. I'm done several places like that. There is something about big signs being an indicator of your importance. We all have to admit that the Kings Dominion sign is rather significant, and it excites us as we pass it. I also use it as a landmark when talking to folk on the phone, 'have you passed the big Kings Dominion sign yet?'

[RollerBee]

It i kinda hard to miss a giant red coaster among the other visible rides. KD is far more hidden, hence the need for the sign.

[bobbyfoster]

True...there is a big red coaster that can be seen from 77 if you are truly looking for it. You have to remember the human eye doesn't always see Red.

[NCtdBear]

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

Years ago sign ordinances were passed and they can not make a larger sign. Actually if I remember correctly if they wanted to change it in a bigger way then they would have to go smaller. That is what I heard the last year it was a KECO park.

[Jonathan]

Just passing by, Carowinds does not look like much from the interstate.

Huh? It's enormous. You can see some of the rides from like five miles away.

[tarheel1231]

Woo-hoo! 500th comment! If Carowinds does decide to buy the Plaza Fiesta Building, they could use the fiesta sign as a new sign.

[Wormy]

Woo-hoo! 500th comment!

Yes. We know.

Although they may want to think twice before putting something like this out by the interstate...
[imagezoom]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/11230393275_ce326891e1_c.jpg[/imagezoom]

[Capler]

I see such a sign as being a destination marker sort of like the 'Hollywood' sign is. The current sign at the entrance is sort of underwhelming. The 'Carowinds' sign inside the park at the entrance plaza is a lot more interesting. Hey, when you are in the business to entertain, every little detail counts. I've always like the 'Volcano The Blast Coaster' entrance sign as well.

[shoey82]

A sign would be cool, simply to flash messages if anything. Look at Kings Island, HUGE sign in the parking lot of the park, well use to be anyway, I remember the old was got destroyed in a storm years ago, so idk if they every re-built it. Anyway, point Im making is that it doesnt matter if the park can been seen or not when it comes to the huge signs, sure its a consideration when it comes to cost, but the main reason for giant signs is to get noticed, flashing some deals or something like that. I have worked for several companies who had huge signs right in their parking lots or next to the store, for the simply reason of just getting your attention.

[Merthecat]

While we're still on the topic of the sign...I rode past there last Saturday and the sign's message was messed up.

[Edwardo]

Then how do you explain why other companies put big tall signs on interstates?

Large signs don't 'bring in money'. Carowinds has lasted this long without one. And if there is a sign ordinance, then it's unlikely to ever get one. What would be the benefit of such a cost? People see the park, there are signs on the interstate for Carowinds (Road signs), and it's a regional theme park, people going there are...going there...

That is like saying Pepsi commercials don't help sell Pepsi because people already know what they want to drink.

There's so much wrong with that line of thinking. Again, apples to oranges. Pepsi is sold at stores. Both Pepsi and Carowinds have commercials on TV and Radio. You don't see every store that sells Pepsi with a huge sign on the interstate...

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.

Carowinds is a regional theme park. An average family of four just 'passing thru' aren't going to see some huge sign on the side of the road and go "Hey, we're going to the beach, but let's spend nearly $300 to go to this park we're unfamiliar with". Neither would a single person say "Hey, let me spend nearly $80 to go to this place for a while since I'm 'passing thru'". That's not how people work.

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.

South of the Boarder is not a regional destination like Carowinds is. It is and always was a place for people to stop on I95 on their way south, when the interstate system wasn't what it was now, and most people would stop half way. It was a good idea to put it where it is because of the location being nearly half way for most people traveling south on vacation. Stop in the afternoon or evening to rest, eat, shop, and, oh! There are some attractions (that used to be) here. That place was for a different time, which is obvious in that the park closed down, the convention center is closed, and most of the rest of it is shuttered. But it's not a destination, it's a (rather famous) stop over for people driving from north to south. They were relying on people just popping in. They also didn't charge what Carowinds charges to experience SotB.

As for Plaza Fiesta, if it were me, and I had money to invest, I'd go further with the Hispanic 'theme' of the place, but instead of a mall, I'd preserve the food court, add hispanic themed attractions and nightlife, and have it more of a smaller take on something like CityWalk, Downtown Disney, etc., with a couple lounges, clubs, some minimal attractions, lots of food, and some more upscale hispanic themed shopping. That would compliment Carowinds.

[Edwardo]

True...there is a big red coaster that can be seen from 77 if you are truly looking for it. You have to remember the human eye doesn't always see Red.

So people that are colorblind don't see a 200 foot tall steel structure? Or 2 300 foot tall towers? Or the various road signs that say Carowinds or Carowinds Blvd?

[KingHippo1]

South of the border is a giant trex dump, they need 900 billboards. Carowinds is a household name around 400 miles in any direction. You don't have to see advertising to know there is honeybaked Ham around the holidays. Word is the greatest advertisement

[Jarsh]

Carowinds is a household name around 400 miles in any direction.

400 miles might be stretching it. 200 sounds like a more plausible target for the park. There is no the average household will know what or where Carowinds is if they live in Cincinnatti or Louisville. The idea of Carowinds being a household name in Cincinnatti or Sandusky is laughable at best. Heck, I'm betting when the Sandusky register printed the release about Cedar Fair investing $50m in Carowinds the locals up there had no idea such a park existed, let alone it being a sister park to Cedar Point and Kings Island.

[Cameron]

I honestly think it just depends on where you are. Yes 200 miles seems more likely but you'd be surprised how many people in Florida (especially Orlando) know about Carowinds. That's pretty much the same for every park.

A lot of people here have never heard of Cedar Point, Kinds Island and SFGadv just to name a few.

I think parks (unless you Disney or Universal) mainly Market in a 100-200 mile radius and if you product is good word of mouth travels fast and far.