[gabed]

Dollywood had a similar item for Firechaser, cherry dippin' dots with cherry pop rocks sprinkled on top. It was a little too sweet for me but I'm not a big ice cream fan anyways. Sorry for getting us off topic.

[CPFriedman]

Is anyone else surprised they didn't announce a hotel/resort? I haven't seen anybody mention it.

[Jay]

No I don't think anyone was expecting that type of expansion. That doesn't mean of course that something like that isn't on the table for the future though. This expansion is to get them to that point. They don't need a hotel just yet.

[FamousAmos]

^^Considering the fact that there are a few hotels within a mile or two of the park. But at some point in the future, I would think that Carowinds would get a hotel.

[KingHippo1]

There are hotels everywhere within a few miles.

[Surf84]

While I’m not an active member of CC (I’ve only posted twice since 2008), I always come here to get news about my home park. I love Cedar Fair’s plans for the park and can’t wait to go screaming down 325 feet at 81 degrees with my hair on fire with my daughter.

I’ve been going to Carowinds since 1973 when I was 5 years old. My family and I would always ride Powder Keg first, and then ride the Eastern Airlines Sky Tower to scope out what we wanted to ride next. Then we would almost always ride the train (under the bridge) to Frontier Outpost to ride Goldrusher. We moved to Charlotte when I was 5. When I was 12 we moved to Tega Cay. That was when we, as a family purchased our first season passes. That year, the passes were processed on the upper floor of the Plantation House. I don’t know what it looks like up there now, but back then it was trimmed out and decorated as nicely as any historic house you would tour in Charleston. I will miss it. It was the face of Carowinds.

[arby]

I agree with what Jay said. A hotel announcement would have seriously surprised me - the park is not ready for that yet.

From what I see in the renderings, it looks like they are addressing the parking, traffic flow, and gate bottleneck issues. I bet this coaster as well as all the new changes from this expansion is really going to propel them to the next level. Then they would be ready to build a on-site resort. I think it's planned and most likely back by the campground. Since they are upgrading those facilities, they seem committed to keeping the campground and sharing the pool, resort entrance to the park (hint hint), etc only makes sense. Maybe they'll throw everybody a bone and design the resort to pay tribute to the plantation house.

[dabrian]

Is there enough land to build a resort to the left of TR if the water park is expanded in that direction?

[FamousAmos]

I would think that there is enough room. But with Scarowinds coming shortly, that parking lot will be used rather than the upper lot and the North Gate. The North Gate demolition should start at some point during Scarowinds. Any of you guys that spoke with John Taylor, did he talk about any of that? I'm just curious.

[Edwardo]

Matt Ouimet said in a recent interview that they are looking for a hotel operator for a proposed hotel at Carowinds, so while I didn't expect it now, it is in the works.

My guess is in the new land purchased up by I77. There's plenty of land there for a hotel and amenities.

[FamousAmos]

If they were to use that new land, they could resurrect the Monorail and have a station in the hotel lobby and a station near the North Gate. But I have no idea how much a monorail costs to build so that's all just speculation.

[Chris]

I don't expect it to be near the interstate because that would block the traveler's view of Carowinds. I expect it to be in the back somewhere (next to Thunder Road or where the employee parking lot is).

[coasterfreak]

^True, but then again think about Kings Dominion from the interstate...what a lovely view that is!

[pproteinc]

Such a lovely sign and so much green!!!

[dabrian]

Would be an added perk as a hotel guest if it were built close to the .water park like the Cedar Point hotels inside the park.