[Sean978]

I've been to all three and I agree with super7 that Kings Dominion's is the best. Either way all three are on a different level than Carowinds.

Having just been to KD about a week ago I can say that although the International Street is near perfect, the ticket booth and toll plaza need to be torn down ASAP. They have a medieval castle look to them that is no where else in the park. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if KD was to see a new entrance in the next few years, it needs it BADLY.

[coasterbruh]

^and move Ricochet in it along with a more exciting coaster. Hmm, what about adding a Wing Coaster to the side. We could be like Canada's Wonderland but so totally awesome-r!

Have you been on a wing coaster?

[RollerBee]

No, but Suspended coasters seem to be suspended and we have other under the track coasters. Dollywood 2019!!!

[coasterbruh]

No, but Suspended coasters seem to be suspended and we have other under the track coasters. Dollywood 2019!!!

uh...uhh,,,ok

[super7]

Reading this thread, I'm realizing how few of you have been to Canada's Wonderland. They have the same Royal Fountain as KI and KD, and Wonder Mountain which is much more beautiful than those Eiffel Towers (cascading waterfalls into the head of the Royal Fountain beats a steel triangular post ), including having trees not only around it, but ON it! Also, no pedestals, dinosaur, or flagpoles. Instead, a Canada flag flower bed! We also have decently themed two storey buildings throughout, and three daily shows along International Street.

It's too bad you guys didn't get any kind of fountain. It could have looked really nice. Maybe that'll be the "big splash" next year!

I have not been to CW, but from the photos that I have seen, it looks like it is as gorgeous. The buildings are the same as KD. The waterfalls off Wonder Mountain are spectacular.

[Capler]

I've been to all three and I agree with super7 that Kings Dominion's is the best. Either way all three are on a different level than Carowinds.

Having just been to KD about a week ago I can say that although the International Street is near perfect, the ticket booth and toll plaza need to be torn down ASAP. They have a medieval castle look to them that is no where else in the park. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if KD was to see a new entrance in the next few years, it needs it BADLY.

I was just looking at photos of KD's Spring Bloom Fest, and it is a stark reminder of what Carowinds use to be. No our plaza was not as grand as theirs but it still had charm. I agree Sean, the KD toll plaza is ugly. Carowinds wins that war hands down. We have a better parking entrance and parking lots as well.

[tarheel1231]

I just saw a video of International Street at KD and it looks absolutely stunning. I wish Carowinds' entrance had the same level of beauty and charm KD's does. At our park, it seems like a lot of attention was put into making the arrival great, but once you get inside the park, it feels the same. The architecture at International Street is beautiful but the level of natural beauty is even more impressive. I just wish our front gate had more of a "main street" feel.

[Mr.Nitro]

Don't get me wrong, I love the big world class attractions we have gotten over the past 15 years, but I also miss what has been lost. I've been going to the park since the 1970's, and the transformation has been dramatic.
Now the park feel very cluttered, like a fair midway. (But at least the NC State Fair still has it's lake and wooded area.) Back in the old days you use to only get that cluttered feeling in the County Fair section. The park also use to have very distinctive sections or rooms with green space serving as barriers. I like crowds but sometimes I want to get off the beaten path and just chill for a moment without dodging people. Like at Wal Mart, it requires a lot of energy maneuvering around people, strollers and babies, all the time. You need spaces you can stop with your kids and make them sit still for a minute, while they eat their junk food and fuss at them away from other folk.

The last available place I could do that was in the Thrill Zone. I loved going back there because it was a bit isolated and I could use the not so crowded rest room and just chill for a few minutes. Now that Fury is there, that space has been changed forever.
As I think about this, I honestly feel all of this could have been avoided with better planning by the park. Fury, Intimidator and even Afterburn to some extent had little to do with it because of their placement used mostly parking lots.

The biggest sin ever done to the park is when they took out the river and the tree covered island. That barrier shaped the park and into distinctive areas. You really felt like you were going somewhere when you had to walk around, without seeing what was on the other side. Now with Nighthawk, Windseeker, and the Flyer in there, it just adds more continuous clutter. I love Fury the ride, but it's like a big freaking mountain. You can see it from wherever you are in the park. I use to think Thrill Zone was far away, not any more with mount Fury looming over the entire park. The park feels so small with a towering structure sitting on one of it's corners. Oh well, l love Fury anyhow.

Remember the park-like setting that was in the Top Gun area? I use to love that section of the park with it's benches and trails. Last night I found myself staring at the old grist mill wheel and the little pool/fountain, realizing it is all that is left. It is such a small area, but by far the prettiest place left in the park. How could they do this to a once lovely park?

Anyway I continued on around the park and the only not so congested space left at the park is the bathroom area that sits back close to the water park. I wonder if they could plant a couple of trees and place a bench back there for an old man like me? I really hate the park did not preserve it's green space.

Will things ever change, probably not? I had hopes last year when they extended the front entrance. But instead they put in a parking lot, and a big sweeping entry plaza that is not even inside the park. Perhaps one day when I'm dead and gone and Carolina Cyclone is no more, they will relocate the maintenance area, and extend the park back and bring a tree or two back into the park. That would be nice.

I so agree with this part. My fondest memories of the park as a kid were coming in through the south gate to that area, and hearing the Wild Bull roar, and seeing the Whirling Dervish in action

[Capler]

The funny thing is that the park was an ugly concrete jungle when it first opened in the 70's. People constantly complained about the lack of trees and the heat radiating from the pavement. It made those long walks around on a summer day somewhat difficult. But as time would have it, those little saplings eventually grew up and provided a nice canopy.

[tylerSC]

I don't expect them to replicate Kings Dominion/Kings Island type entrances at Carowinds. The old Main Street atmosphere has been phased out with the removal of the Plantation House and the new open area. It now has a more modern feel, and is in the style of the new entrance at Cedar Point. With a big coaster dominating. I rather like what I have seen but would indeed like to see them bring back a big water fountain.

[tarheel1231]

I vote for more chill spots. The park was nearly empty when I went this Wednesday, but it just felt so crowded. Everyone walks on the same path and there are no places to just calm down and take a break.

[RollerBee]

Did they ever reopen the walkway between Vortex and the back side of Slingshot.

[cwgator]

^It was open when I was there 2 weeks ago.

[FamousAmos]

as far as I know, it's been open ever since media day.

[CarowindsCentral]

as far as I know, it's been open ever since media day.

They had a temporary fence up because there wasn't a permanent fence on the backside of Slingshot.