[bjames87]

Hello. I am making me first trip to Carowinds over Easter weekend. Driving down from Ohio. Any suggestions on local hotels? Any tips on food or hidden gems besides the obvious coasters?

Thanks!

[Jetp]

The hotels closest to Carowinds are not very special but you can at least walk to the park from the Comfort Inn.

Nicer hotels are located off I-77 and Tyvola Rd (Hilton, Crown Plaza) or Woodlawn (Newly renovated Courtyard and Embassy Suites).

There's some newer hotels at South Tryon and I-485 in the Ayrsley development which is walkable to some decent restaurants... Harry's for example. Or go to Pineville to retail hell. Plenty of hotels, restaurants and a mall there.

[tarheel1231]

Hello. I am making me first trip to Carowinds over Easter weekend. Driving down from Ohio. Any suggestions on local hotels? Any tips on food or hidden gems besides the obvious coasters?

Thanks!

Harmony Hall is your best option for food, the flyers are not to be missed!

[redrunner97]

My biggest tip would be to ride Thunder Road on the left side (commonly/controversially dubbed the NC side).
I find it much smoother than the other side. But there's no reason not to try out both.

[FamousAmos]

This is probably a horrible idea (from what I've heard), but I'd like to ride one side backwards. I never got the chance to do that. Maybe next year, I hope. John seemed to like the idea for thunder road's 40th.

[redrunner97]

For a first trip I would also suggest taking a photo at the state line. That's one thing you just can't pass up!

This is probably a horrible idea (from what I've heard), but I'd like to ride one side backwards. I never got the chance to do that. Maybe next year, I hope. John seemed to like the idea for thunder road's 40th.

Not to turn this into another wishlist thread, but Carowinds posted something about Thunder Road a couple weeks back and a ton of the comments were about how it looked better white. I really hope they reconsider painting it -despite the cost. As for the 40th anniversary, I could see them getting new cars maybe, and painting the station / redoing the sign? Who knows.

Maybe they will turn one of the trains backwards for the 40th anniversary season? That'd be interesting. I'm not exactly clamoring for it though lol.

[FamousAmos]

Even though I'd love to see it White again, this is what Mike said: "I-I can guarantee we won't be repainting it white. Painting a wooden roller coaster is a really big task. So I know we're not planning on painting it white. But good thought. We'll make notes, right J.T? "

Anyway. we'll see what happens (fingers crossed)

[saxrokinhomo]

I'm almost certain we would see one side backwards before we see it painted. At this point, with the direction CF is taking, the money is better well spent on further realizing the original dream of Mr. Hall for the park...now if we could just get that on site resort we'd be set.

[Jarsh]

I'm almost certain we would see one side backwards before we see it painted.

I've got money on the complete opposite. It'll be painted before it's turned around again. Carowinds didn't turn the train back to facing forwards to piss off a bunch of coaster geeks. They turned it around because the train manufacturer (PTC) has stated numerous times that while their trains *can* run backwards with some modifications, they do not recommend it. Therefore, ALL of Cedar Fair parks have turned their backwards running coasters around in order to follow the manufacturers guidelines.

If they didn't and something bad happened, then Carowinds would be held liable for any damages because they were running the ride in a fashion that it wasn't designed to run in.

[FamousAmos]

I have only one more comment on this idea. Get new style trains. Perhaps even have a design similar to that of the original trains; the cop and bootlegger. But of course, design the trains to not be as heavy as those were, and have them designed to be able to perform perfectly both forwards and backwards. I'd say 3 million at most for new trains.

Anyway, back to the first trip.
Nighthawk is a great ride to get done early in the day, since it is such a low capacity ride. But then again, it is all on personal preference. I don't mind waiting for it once, but I may not ride it again that day unless the line is VERY short (20 minute max).

[Edwardo]

New trains without any new engineering would be several million. New trains with new engineering would be even more. PTC put out a memo like Jarsh Stated that it isn't recommended. Just like they added the belts. If parks don't comply and a train malfunctions or something g happens, the manufacturer can refuse to service it.

I'd rather they spend money on actual improvements and new rides.

[MarkD]

Why don’t you try and stay at one of the Cabins in the Campground? They are pretty nice and very convenient with transportation to the park.
As far as eating don’t eat at places you can eat anywhere, our Harmony Hall has great choices.
Yes, by all means get your picture taken straddling the State line. That has been a 42 year old tradition.

[LocalYokel]

The hotels at the park are all mediocre. I would stay in Rock Hill at the Courtyard off exit 82 or TownePlace Suites off exit 79, in Charlotte at the hotel in Ayrsley (I forget which chain this is), or if you're into fancy digs at the Balantyne hotel in Charlotte.

If you're coming here to visit Carowinds, eat at the park.

[solarplexus]

The Airport isn't far from Carowinds at all and there are several Hotels in that area - I cannot speak to the quality of them. The neighborhood is what you would expect around an airport.

[solarplexus]

Welcome to NC by the way!!

As far as hidden gems, I agree that Thunder Road is a must ride classic.