[Towerdragon82]

I'm sad!! screamscape was reporting this earlier this year that thunder road might of been on the way out. I just wish that it was hurler thunder road is a better wood coaster imho. This better be massive Carowinds that's all I'll say.

[double_a2013]

I'm calling it, Worlds first 130mph launched log flume

Part of me says Yikes, the other is oddly intrigued.

Anyway, still hoping TR is really going the hybrid route, but let's be real: the rehab of TR (and Hurler for that matter) was a mild success at best. We might as well cut TR from the lineup and have an excuse for a world-class GCI/RMC.

[JamesMCH]

I am not at all intrigued, excited or interested in what is replacing Thunder Road. I am disgusted by the removal of it. I agree with some earlier or who pointed out eliminating Hurler would be much more favorable as well as making much more sense.
Someone earlier in this thread mentioned Whitewater Falls, Yo-yo and Bumper Cars apparently being in the way or whatever expansion they have in mind. Does anyone know if these rides are actually in danger?
I really dislike the way this park is going.

[coasterbruh]

Someone earlier in this thread mentioned Whitewater Falls, Yo-yo and Bumper Cars apparently being in the way or whatever expansion they have in mind. Does anyone know if these rides are actually in danger?
I really dislike the way this park is going.

Everything is in danger...everything...well almost everything.

[tarheel1231]

^ Afterburn is the only safe thing. Cedar Fair, I hate you so much.......

[amyers420]

I'm so disappointed to hear that Thunder Road is going to be torn down. This is the classic ride that is on my must ride list every year and my favorite at the park. I find the rickety bumpiness more thrilling than the smooth as silk ride on the Intimidator. I can ride the Intimidator 10x in a row and not have the same thrill as once on Thunder Road. I hope this decision is changed. How many more new high tech rides can you really need. But once you tear down history there's no going back. Would they potentially listen to a petition to "Save Thunder Road"?

[coasterbruh]

^ Afterburn is the only safe thing. Cedar Fair, I hate you so much.......

Calm your tits...was referring to that particular list in that post.

[chknwing]

I hope this decision is changed. How many more new high tech rides can you really need. But once you tear down history there's no going back. Would they potentially listen to a petition to "Save Thunder Road"?

I doubt a petition would do anything to change their minds, however, a petition that gains the attention of say nc/sc state officials could have an impact on cedar fairs plans if both states were unsupportive of the removal. What we would have to be careful of though, is cedar fair believes this park is ready for change, if they have to fight the gp each time they try to upgrade the park, they may just move their plans to another park. You not going to bake a cake without breaking a few eggs. TR, as much as I will miss it, is a 39 year old egg that going by the normally short lines, only coaster enthusiasts/historians, like my self, don't want broken.

[mark40511]

I'm shocked too! I put Thunder Road ahead of Hurler, Nighthawk, Vortex, Cobra....They just did all that work on it, and now, if they are indeed getting rid of it, it will drop the coaster count.......And they say it's time for it to retire? Then why not the Racer at Kings Island? Scream Machine at SFoG, Rebel Yell, Screamin' Eagle.......All these are about the same age as Thunder Road and kind of similar........yet they stay. It will be interesting to see what happens, but there are other coasters I would totally get rid of before Thunder Road.

[LocoDriver]

As long as they keep the putt-putt, then everything will be fine. We know how popular it is

[BelowThePeak]

I know folks are saddened by the retirement of Thunder Road, for nostalgic and sentimental reasons. But I think its time has come. Despite the rehab in recent years, Thunder Road appears run down and dilapidated, and in dire need of a paint job. And it appears small in stature compared to the new huge coasters. And it does not have a national reputation as a signature wooden coaster, and is not a destination attraction. Plus there are the nearly identical versions at Kings Island and Kings Dominion, although who knows how long those may last as well. But Cedar Fair is all about major, big name attractions, and big rollercoasters. And apparently Thunder Road stands in the way for future expansion, and is too costly to maintain and repair. So it is finally time to retire. Sentiments aside, it is a business decision based upon long term return on investment for future growth. But hopefully more than just a water park expansion is planned in its place, as I don't think Cedar Fair wants to be losing ground in its coaster count at Carowinds. While an RMC hybrid treatment is doubtful, hopefully another coaster will eventually take its place. Or at least a good water coaster or flume ride. But eventually I want to see a huge launch coaster.

But why does it need to be any of these things? As much as I'd personally enjoy a park with 14 thrilling, smooth, modern, and 100 ft. + tall coasters, those types of rides are not everyone's forte. Obviously we need a good flagship lineup, but without a good supporting lineup, Carowinds could lose a huge part of its demographic, and in my opinion, Thunder Road is the best non-flagship roller coaster at the park.

I'm just disappointed that Carowinds management has proven that they couldn't care less about the park's history. I understood the Plantation House removal, but this one just doesn't make any sense right now. Perhaps it will once whatever we're getting is revealed, but I'm not holding my breath. At this point, the pessimistic side of me is also expecting the Skytower to be removed in the not too distant future because of its mechanical issues.

[gabed]

^ Afterburn is the only safe thing. Cedar Fair, I hate you so much.......

Yeah! Cedar Fair totally sucks for removing ONE coaster despite having built a hyper, a giga, an incredible food court, a water park expansion, a new and improved entrance, and for at least trying to save TR. I know this is basically the fourth time I've made this post, but all this “Cedar Fair must burn” talk is ridiculous. It is ONE coaster. Is it a historic and sentimental one to all of us? Yes, in fact I'm just as sad as you guys. But hey, at least they tried to save it by practically rebuilding the entire ride!

Everyone keeps saying that Cedar Fair doesn't care at all about the park's past which is a lie. If Cedar Fair didn't care, then why do you think they would have invested all this time and money into repairing the Skytower when you can get just as good of a view from Windseeker? Look at Thunder Road as well as the Plantation House. They didn't demolish these things just to watch the world burn, they did it because there was no other choice. Cedar Fair cares a LOT about Carowinds and I'm confident that whatever replaces TR will be somewhat worth the loss.

[coasterbruh]

As long as they keep the putt-putt, then everything will be fine. We know how popular it is

I see it in my crystal ball...Now, some things around it...

I'm shocked too! I put Thunder Road ahead of Hurler, Nighthawk, Vortex, Cobra....They just did all that work on it, and now, if they are indeed getting rid of it, it will drop the coaster count.......And they say it's time for it to retire? Then why not the Racer at Kings Island? Scream Machine at SFoG, Rebel Yell, Screamin' Eagle.......All these are about the same age as Thunder Road and kind of similar........yet they stay. It will be interesting to see what happens, but there are other coasters I would totally get rid of before Thunder Road.

Just like if I buy a car and you buy a car...they both wont have the same mechanical problems because we both aren't driving them the same way or taking them to the same mechanical shop. Nothing leaves due to its age really. De javu was what, 2-3 years in before it "retired" while you have kennywood coasters still active. It's more so how does it fit into the scope of what they want to do and budget.

I'm just disappointed that Carowinds management has proven that they couldn't care less about the park's history. I understood the Plantation House removal, but this one just doesn't make any sense right now. Perhaps it will once whatever we're getting is revealed, but I'm not holding my breath. At this point, the pessimistic side of me is also expecting the Skytower to be removed in the not too distant future because of its mechanical issues.

Honestly, why should they? To be honest...the park has been a shell of itself for the last 20 years or so The park stated they wanted to focus more on the carolina theme of the park...not preserve what little is left. I think the only reason Knotts looks the way it looks is because they really cant touch a lot of the ghost town area.

[aoriole19]

I am deeply saddened. There will be real tears the last time I ride Thunder Road. I also was already deeply saddened by the front entrance redesign, and am not too happy with how expensive season passes have become. This is all making me fear for how I will feel about visiting Carowinds in the future... ):

I personally consider TR one of the integral rides to a Carowinds experience. I don't know all that much about ACE coaster landmarks, but I have wondered if Thunder Road might become one, and I thought maybe it should. I love Thunder Road's name, and the story behind it, and the history of it. I also of course have personal memories attached to it: I remember the first time I rode in the front row with my friend from girl scouts. I also once rode TR 101 times in a row without exiting the ride (we did switch seats to go to an open one, but we could find 2 empty seats every time) Now that I think about it, maybe that's a bad sign :p But it was back in the days when on Sundays almost every ride was a walk-on except Nighthawk and Afterburn.

As far as future plans, it seems like the reason TR in particular was targeted is because it is in the way of the water park. As people have said, if Carowinds really wanted to get rid of a woodie, they should have chosen Hurler since it's less popular and not as deeply tied into the park's history. I think it's not impossible for TR to be turned into a hybrid coaster, but I'm not expecting it. It just seems like too big of a "coincidence" that we were expecting a water park expansion/new water ride and then they announce the closing of the roller coaster right next to the water park. But I will certainly still hope for the best (:

Also, I heard this story, but it may just be an urban legend/made up by whoever told me. The story is that Carowinds didn't do as well as expected in the first few years and they were considering closing it, so they built Thunder Road in the hopes that a big thrill ride (by 1975's standards) would make the park more money. If TR didn't do well and the park lost money that year, then it might close. So Thunder Road kind of saved the park near its beginning.

Is that a true story? I haven't heard anything else that said Carowinds was unsuccessful in its first few years...

[amyers420]

@chknwing. " What we would have to be careful of though, is cedar fair believes this park is ready for change, if they have to fight the gp each time they try to upgrade the park, they may just move their plans to another park. "

Truly though, I don't believe the gp would get behind saving any ride other than TR. It was the first major coaster at Carowinds when the park was three years old. It should stay.