[FamousAmos]

Carowinds won't be getting a strata. They almost didn't get to build Fury due to the close proximity of the airport. I asked Steve Jackson if this was true, he said yes. Then I asked if anytime in the future could something taller be built, and he said that it is very unlikely. The FAA wouldn't allow it.
Also, those strata's are only worth the launch to me. The height is just, meh.

[uscbandfan]

If a plane is flying at around 400 feet off the ground over Carowinds, they have a LOT more things to worry about than whether a strata coaster is in the way. Those glide-slope restrictions are ridiculous. I think Led Zepplin (Time Machine) was something like 14 inches under the glide-slope restriction at Myrtle Beach. Imagine a jet at 150 feet that far from the airport. sheesh.

[FamousAmos]

I know it's crazy, but the park can't do anything about the regulations.

[Bigcoasterguy]

Wasn't skytower cited as a possible cause for a crash in the 70s or 80s?

[Chris]

^ Yes, David Letterman's successor, Stephen Colbert, lost his father on that flight.

[Jonathan]

Sort of. It wasn't really the Skytower that was a potential factor but rather the LACK of the Skytower in that they could not locate it or any other visual identifier due to heavy fog. The accident report concluded that the pilots were distracted and did not notice their altitude dropping due to non-essential chatter and their attempts to visually locate the airport.

[Merthecat]

I don't see why they can't expand without tearing down Thunder Road. Here's my ideas:

Untitled.jpg (712.05KiB)Viewed 3766 times

Orange = flat ride
Green = launch coaster
Blue = waterpark

Sure, it doesn't include a water coaster or a log flume, but that could probably be added too...

[HavenHamilton]

Top Thrill Dragster is very fun. But very short. With very long lines. People would love it. In an odd way, it's like a coaster/flat hybrid.

That being said...I don't think Carowinds needs one.

[dagizmo]

There are rumors of RMC doing topper track on ghost rider. If this is true then that means CF and RMC are working together. Don't you think it is strange that this relationship appeared around the same time that our parks colossus supposedly going?
AND CF wants to make us the CP of the south, so it would make sense to give us the first RMC? I think it is possible that TR will be getting RMC topper track, or Iron horse treatment

[tarheel1231]

^

"The ride is being retired to make room for future family-fun attractions."

[dagizmo]

The perfect cover

[tarheel1231]

^ For what? Why is it so hard for people to accept that TR is leaving?

[dagizmo]

^ For what? Why is it so hard for people to accept that TR is leaving?

Your probably right. I am sad that it is most likely leaving, but i'm just saying there is a small chance of Iron TR.

[kirkgun]

I'd take a TTD type ride. It wouldn't be at the top of my wishlist, but I'd happily ride it (on days with short lines).

I'd so much rather have a new (or rebuilt) woodie/hybrid. I'd rather have a launch coaster that turns and loops and goes up and down for 60+ seconds, than one that just goes up and down once and lasts for less than 20 seconds. I'd even happily take a wing coaster. Those are higher on my wishlist than a TTD, but I'd still be happy with a TTD type. I'd take a water coaster, with the emphasis on coaster part of it, water is not so important.

I'd also be really happy with the addition of several common run-of-the-mill flats. A couple really great flats? That is almost as good as new woodie.

Things I'd like less than a TTD type ride? Log flume, water park expansion, new changing rooms, new direct entrance to the water park. Those aren't at the bottom of my wishlist. Those aren't even on the list at all.

But this thread was about "realistic replacements", right?
My realistic replacement? new changing rooms, waterpark expansion, boring-ass log flume, entrance to water park

[Merthecat]

If it is a log flume that we're getting, then it better be one heck of a log flume.