[shane235]

I know something that is long and straight that would fit in TR's spot...

[Jarsh]

Here's what I could/would/wish listing see them doing. I was telling someone else last night that I don't think Thunder Road's track is in the way as it's been proven at Kings Island and Kings Dominion that they can/will go under racing coasters for expansion. I think Thunder Road's STATION is in the way.

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When you look at the area around the station and not around the track, you can start to see how an expansion there might make sense. I mean, everything there (aside from Thunder Road) is movable in one form or another. If you move all the flats around to other places and get rid of Thunder Road then you have a very nice expansion area that already has electrical and water hookups at the ready.

[LocalYokel]

I agree that Thunder Road is probably not in the way of a water park expansion. I think the water park entrance is going to take over the Southern Star and YoYo area, which leaves no way to access Thunder Road.

I'm not expecting anything to replace Thunder Road.

[uscbandfan]

One thing I hope does NOT happen (at least for my daughter) is a separate admission for the water park. We usually take one of our visits every year specifically for the water park (with a few rides VERY early and VERY late in the day). If they charge a separate admission for the water park, it will not be on our agenda... ever. It was a separate entity once before and I hope for whatever reason they included them both together is the same reason for keeping them together now.

I wouldn't mind an entrance directly into the water park from the South Gate area though. That way we don't have to carry clothes and towels and stuff through the main park to the water park.

[RollerBee]

The waterpark(1989) has always been included with Admission to Carowinds. http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/1990/pcar1990_4.html

Ocean Island Wavepool(Tidewater Bay, Big Wave Bay, Great Barrier Reef) had separate admission from 1982 until 1988.
http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/1983/pcw1983_4.html
Damn a $20 bill brought a lot back then. I paid $48 for a bathing suit At Carowinds Monday.

[uscbandfan]

Right. I was using "waterpark" as a generic term to include the original wave pool. Still remember the bridge over White Lightnin' as a highlight to enter the water area from the main park. HEY, General Admission was $11.95!!! How about "Throwback pricing" for next year. (Like THAT would ever happen. )

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I think the entire water park will get a makeover, hopefully the kid play area will get completely torn out and re-built. I also hope they re do the lazy river (wishful thinking) but it needs to be changed up. I think we will see a water ride as well, while I am not 100% convinced it would be another log flume, I guess anything is possible. I could see us getting a slide with the floors that drop out as well. I am hoping for a water coaster slide, like river rush... They have to have something fairly big planned to take out thunder road.... Please tell me they will be taking out the "action" theater as well or at least converting it into something decent..

[RollerBee]

I dare say they to rip out the changing rooms and built updated ones. They were Eww the other day.

[Jarsh]

I'm sure we won't see a huge expansion to the size of the waterpark for next year, but we will probably see the addition of a slide tower or two in the area where TR's station is and then the entire waterpark will get a make over into Soak City. New paint and signs on everything to go along with the new name.

When you think about it - while it might be a multi-million dollar expansion, that multi-million would get used up very quick with the demo of TR and the retheme into Soak City.

[RollerBee]

Just seen a interview with Mrs. Thompson and she said "Big Splash and more"

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Yea I agree it wont be huge, just because of the amount of work that will need to be done. I wouldnt be surprised to see some new flat rides or family rides of some kind and maybe some more work on the parking lot.

[redrunner97]

^ ^ Laresa also said "we're giving the fans what they have been asking for".
The big things people on the facebook page are constantly asking for are a new entrance directly to the waterpark and a log flume. Could that be a hint perhaps??

...as far as the whole 'station is in the way' argument. Why couldn't they build a bridge or something to connect the ride to the rest of the park. I don't know if that would be economically feasible or possible based on where they plan to place things, but it's just a thought.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I am thinking more along the lines of some flat rides, people constantly are asking for flats....Along with the start of the waterpark expansion. We had a log flume and it came out, dont know why they would put one back... I guess anything can happen though. I think just some additional water slides/improvements. I guess an entrance wouldn't be totally out of the question, dont know why we would need it though, I guess it would make a little bit of sense..

[redrunner97]

Yeah we (the enthusiasts) ask for flats. But back when the park was teasing Fury people went ballistic and 9/10 guesses were either a waterpark entrance or a log ride. (or a parking deck -but that's obviously not what she was talking about). Maybe it was enough that they decided to work it into their expansion plans, post-Fury.

[RollerBee]

Apparently they wanted but not at the costs of Thunder Road.