[Chris]

Obviously if we want the park to keep adding amazing rides, more and more patrons will need to come each year.

Pretty simple question here. If we want Carowinds to become the "Cedar Point of the South", then with that comes Cedar Point type lines. Here's the question I have...

Would you prefer the park stay as it is right at this second? Moderate lines and maybe two or three days a week of walk-ons. Fury 325, Intimidator, and Afterburn.
or
Would you prefer the park add a new 'world class' type coaster (doesn't necessarily mean $25+ million) every 4 or 5 years, but with those coasters come constantly long lines, all summer long? Some examples: RMC, Mack, Eurofighter, launched wing, etc. but 45-60+ minute waits per ride, at best.

[Edwardo]

They can add coasters, the waits will never be like Cedar Point. That's just marketing speak for "place with lots of roller coasters". Cedar Point is a destination because it has more than just rides, it's got Beaches and Sandusky is a tourist trap.

Having said that, and knowing that it's unlikely Carowinds will ever get CP sized lines, I'd rather have more rides. There is only a finite amount of people that will come, and there is only a finite amount of rides they're going to add.

[kirkgun]

They can add coasters, the waits will never be like Cedar Point. That's just marketing speak for "place with lots of roller coasters". Cedar Point is a destination because it has more than just rides, it's got Beaches and Sandusky is a tourist trap.

Having said that, and knowing that it's unlikely Carowinds will ever get CP sized lines, I'd rather have more rides. There is only a finite amount of people that will come, and there is only a finite amount of rides they're going to add.

That's very true, but what will the limits be (rides and park patrons)? Has it already been achieved with Fury? Maybe.

It won't be known, until it is known.

I hope that limit has not been reached with Fury. What the business folks are going to be looking at, to determine those limits, is the bottom line. Sandusky is a tourist destination, and that is part of the draw to Cedar Point. There is no question about that.

But with Carowinds being so close to a large and growing metro area, Carowinds has a possible different kind of advantage over Sandusky. It has large pool of very local potential patrons, who don't need to travel to ride roller coasters (and who don't need to blow large amounts of additional money for transportation, lodging, breakfast and...). It can be a staycation thing to do. It simply can be fun local thing for families to do on a summer day. So, even if there aren't as many folks who come to Carowinds as part of family vacation travel plans, like Sandusky, Carowinds has a million folks like me. A million people, with roller coasters "in their backyard". That is something Sandusky and CP does not have. The more rides they build, the more likely my family will continue to keep spending money to go to Carowinds.

And there are other types of vacationing folks too, besides the kind who choose to travel to a vacation destination area, like the Sandusky area. There are the types of vacationers who primarily travel to visit family (or friends). I know we travel for both reasons. Folks certainly do come to visit their relatives who live in the Charlotte area. And then they look for things to do. The whole extended family, local residents and visitors, might go to visit to Carowinds for a day during that visit. So even without Charlotte having the draw of being a traditional vacation destination based upon unique geography, it has the draw of being a vacation destination for the families and friends of about a million residents. I know that my friends and family that live scattered across the country have seen Fury on the news (and then I told them that my wife and I bought season passes). They have all mentioned they would want to go to Carowinds when they come to visit.

Just because Charlotte is not Sandusky, does not mean that Carowinds is destined to being less of an amusement park than Cedar Point. Like I said, it just won't be known until it is known.

I'm hoping for more, and more and more.

[mark40511]

YES! Carowinds has massive potential. It's already way up there now! But I have a feeling Carwinds will just keep getting better and better. People who have never heard of this park suddenly know all about it thanks to Fury. Keep building the big thrill rides and improving the park : XD

[Edwardo]

Just because Charlotte is not Sandusky, does not mean that Carowinds is destined to being less of an amusement park than Cedar Point.

I never said it would be less of a park, I don't believe that at all. It's going to be different, though.

Everyone seems to think them saying the "CP of the South" means we're gonna definitely get hotels, be in the race for most coasters, this, that and the other. And I think people are taking that and the 'Coaster Mecca' comment too literally.

They're almost already the CP of the south when it comes to coasters. If they can find a partner to run a hotel (according to what the park has said in the past), I can see that coming. We know we're getting a waterpark expansion. And I don't see flats being out of the question. But Charlotte isn't a tourist destination, and I don't see Carowinds getting at or above CP attendance for a while.

[Capler]

I want Carowinds to keep growing because that will be the only way to secure it's future survival. If that means longer queue lines, then so be it. But with that said, I want them to expand the natural foot print of the park in the same way they expanded the toll plaza, entrance plaza and parking lot. On crowded days, the park is beginning to feel like the state fair on a Saturday night. That works for the fair, but is not so good for an amusement park. Most families are on a budget, and after sending hundreds of dollars to get into the place, you really don't want to waste half of your time in slow moving lines that snake around the park. That time can be better spend doing other stuff. This is why I like Kings Dominion, instead of being stuck behind a ground of people, you can dip, duck, cross and get to a certain area pretty fast. Carowinds use to be that way, but those days are over. There is basically only one path to anything thing, the choice you have is whether to go clock wise or counter clock wise.

[uscbandfan]

Carowinds use to be that way, but those days are over. There is basically only one path to anything thing, the choice you have is whether to go clock wise or counter clock wise.

I disagree, Back in the 70's and 80's you HAD to go counter clock-wise or clock-wise to get to EVERYTHING. One way in and out of County Fair. Now that "smurf island" gone, you can now cut straight through the park to Boomerang Bay. No more having to walk up and over the bridge (clock-wise) or way around by the Goldrusher (counter-clockwise) to get back there. If it was still there, it would essentially be a direct path from the front gate to White Lightlin'. The path under Nighthawk is a HUGE improvement on that score. I'd love for them to go further in the Thrill Zone area (former Wayne's World) and convert the maintenance road behind scrambler to a path from the Carolina Plaza straight to the Thrill Zone and Fury instead of having to wind through the Carolina Showplace. (Then again, they probably want it that way to have more traffic along those areas. There's probably a method to their madness.)

[saxrokinhomo]

I think opening the path behind Scrambler would be great but may not be possible. It is connected to the road under the bridge in the entrance, and I remember Steve saying something at WW about how they had to make improvements for the bridge not only for ADA standards but also to meet current fire code, allowing access for fire trucks. So that road behind scrambler may not be able to be used for a walkway.

[FamousAmos]

Also because that road would be how a fire truck would get to the Theatre in case of a fire.

[Capler]

Carowinds use to be that way, but those days are over. There is basically only one path to anything thing, the choice you have is whether to go clock wise or counter clock wise.

I disagree, Back in the 70's and 80's you HAD to go counter clock-wise or clock-wise to get to EVERYTHING. One way in and out of County Fair. Now that "smurf island" gone, you can now cut straight through the park to Boomerang Bay. No more having to walk up and over the bridge (clock-wise) or way around by the Goldrusher (counter-clockwise) to get back there. If it was still there, it would essentially be a direct path from the front gate to White Lightlin'. The path under Nighthawk is a HUGE improvement on that score. I'd love for them to go further in the Thrill Zone area (former Wayne's World) and convert the maintenance road behind scrambler to a path from the Carolina Plaza straight to the Thrill Zone and Fury instead of having to wind through the Carolina Showplace. (Then again, they probably want it that way to have more traffic along those areas. There's probably a method to their madness.)

That is true, but the paths were unobstructed and concise back then and not filled with stuff. If you went clockwise, after leaving the plaza area, there was not much there before you got to County Fair. The park was designed like a wheel with the island being the middle. Around the island was the main thoroughfare that should always flow. The various sections radiated out like spokes. The only time you should experience congestion is when you get off the main center path and travel down a spoke. This is a classic amusement park layout.

[RollerBee]

That's odd, I always seem to experience congestion on the main walkways and have more walking space on the spokes. Interesting enough the hub and spokes design came was popularized because of Disneyland, the wheel part came much later.

[Capler]

That's odd, I always seem to experience congestion on the main walkways and have more walking space on the spokes. Interesting enough the hub and spokes design came was popularized because of Disneyland, the wheel part came much later.

It is that way now because previous owners messed up the wheel by placing attractions in places that now slow down traffic. The McDonald's drive thru now exits right onto the interstate. While I'm thinking about it, I would like to take this opportunity thank all Fast Pass purchasers for paying for my parking. Your generosity is very much appreciated. I don't mind coming to the park on Sundays and late afternoon, when I don't have to pay $15 for parking with my Gold Pass.

[Atombomb]

They can add coasters, the waits will never be like Cedar Point. That's just marketing speak for "place with lots of roller coasters". Cedar Point is a destination because it has more than just rides, it's got Beaches and Sandusky is a tourist trap.

Having said that, and knowing that it's unlikely Carowinds will ever get CP sized lines, I'd rather have more rides. There is only a finite amount of people that will come, and there is only a finite amount of rides they're going to add.

Sandusky is a tourist destination because of Cedar Point!!

[RollerBee]

By the way, just point out that Scrambler, Goldrusher and Powder Keg were all directed place on the main walkway around the park. The Carowinds spokes seem to be other attractions back in the early days. There again this was before theme parks had just rides.

[Edwardo]

Sandusky was a tourist destination before the park because of the beach. The park sprung up because the beach was so popular.