[coasterbruh]

A lot of us was not around to experience the original carowinds and that's ok. Cars evolve, electronics evolve . . . so why cant carowinds? I think its kinda extreme to call it a hodge-podge mess of nothingness. I mean. . . it could have seen the fate of several what seemed to be more well off parks. I walk around the park and I like what I see, and that is coming from someone who considers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure his "home parks". I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Got some pictures today, the only thing left really is some of the first curve out of the station..... Sorry if they are not the best. I got a lot more.... can post later if y'all want to see.

[tarheel1231]

I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

With that being said, do you think Carowinds is destined to become a true theme park again (maybe along lines of Holiday World where the theme's not overwhelming but it's definitely there) or is the park just going to be a typical amusement park with a few references to the Carolinas?

[coasterbruh]

I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

With that being said, do you think Carowinds is destined to become a true theme park again (maybe along lines of Holiday World where the theme's not overwhelming but it's definitely there) or is the park just going to be a typical amusement park with a few references to the Carolinas?

Technically it is already a true theme park along the lines of holiday world with its distinct areas throughout the park. Now, do I see it becoming a heavily themed theme park a la disney or universal parks . . . no. I've never been to holiday world nor have I seen many pictures of heavily themed areas of the park like I have with Dollywood. I stop my self and wonder what kinda theme could they possibly place around the park anyway other than the peanuts area, boardwalk and county fair (I omitted the harbor until it is official).

[chknwing]

I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

With that being said, do you think Carowinds is destined to become a true theme park again (maybe along lines of Holiday World where the theme's not overwhelming but it's definitely there) or is the park just going to be a typical amusement park with a few references to the Carolinas?

Technically it is already a true theme park along the lines of holiday world with its distinct areas throughout the park. Now, do I see it becoming a heavily themed theme park a la disney or universal parks . . . no. I've never been to holiday world nor have I seen many pictures of heavily themed areas of the park like I have with Dollywood. I stop my self and wonder what kinda theme could they possibly place around the park anyway other than the peanuts area, boardwalk and county fair (I omitted the harbor until it is official).

bible belt area of course.

[arby]

A lot of us was not around to experience the original carowinds and that's ok. Cars evolve, electronics evolve . . . so why cant carowinds? I think its kinda extreme to call it a hodge-podge mess of nothingness. I mean. . . it could have seen the fate of several what seemed to be more well off parks. I walk around the park and I like what I see, and that is coming from someone who considers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure his "home parks". I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

Well said, coasterbruh. Universal Orlando is also our favorite set of parks. However, I have been to a lot of other parks that are much more a mess than Carowinds. I also suspect we are going to see Carowinds gradually transformed back to its original idea of a park that pays homage to the Carolinas. It was gradually taken away over the years and lack of maintenance from former owners has paid its toll.

Big changes have to be made (and are being made) in order to make it a destination park. It is likely that none of us will recognize Carowinds in 5 years compared to its former layout and footprint.

[mark40511]

Goodbye TR

I'm glad they are improving Carowinds and creating a better water park. Too bad I don't use water parks because YOU KNOW people are peeing in that water....But whatever......

[Jonathan]

I wish they had at least preserved some small segment of Thunder Road like Six Flags did with Rolling Thunder. Alton Towers also did that by installing the corkscrews from their Vekoma looper at the entrance to the park.

[tylerSC]

bible belt area of course.[/quote]

The inspirational idea is actually not a bad suggestion.They could incorporate some themes from Heritage USA, which in its heyday was a top attendance attraction, trailing only Disney. At least have a gospel music show with some Southern gospel, Black gospel, and I suppose some Christian rock. (Although not a fan of that last one, but gotta try and please everybody). And they could even have a Tammy Faye tribute show saluting the First Lady of Christian Television, as she was a famous Charlotte celebrity from the PTL days to her later years. Even Dollywood has a gospel show, as Dolly herself recorded with gospel legend Vestal Goodman. So incorporating some Bible Belt theming is not a bad idea, as many Christian tours already visit the park. Why not have an inspirational themed area?

[super7]

A lot of us was not around to experience the original carowinds and that's ok. Cars evolve, electronics evolve . . . so why cant carowinds? I think its kinda extreme to call it a hodge-podge mess of nothingness. I mean. . . it could have seen the fate of several what seemed to be more well off parks. I walk around the park and I like what I see, and that is coming from someone who considers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure his "home parks". I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

Some of the best parks in this country have managed to add new attractions over time without losing the original feel of the park. Good examples are Magic Kindgom and Busch Gardens Williamsburg/Tampa. These parks still have most of their original theming while adding park space and attractions over time.

Carowinds was at one time one of the most well-thought out parks in the country. 8 theme sections with an overall Carolina theme. Thrill rides with real family rides (sternwheeler, train, monorail, cars, skyway etc). Water everywhere. It was beautiful. Almost all of that has been entirely destroyed now. While Paramount did most of this destruction, it really has become a true Cedar Fair park. Little theming, attractions thrown wherever, corporate fast food chain food, not that clean etc. Just not a place I would travel to visit anymore.

The only reason for coming this year was to say Goodbye to the shell of what used to be Thunder Road. If you were ever lucky enough to see the park in full form, its hard to be there now and not think of what was there before. The Goldrusher, arbor tunnel and covered bridge/mill are some of the few things left that still has the original feel of the park.

[coasterbruh]

Its funny how I see you mention Magic Kingdom and Busch Gardens but their locals who consider those parks as their home park can lodge off lots of similar complaints that you have about Carowinds . Lots of people feel The coasters on the Rhine river are an eyesore and ruin the charm of BGW not to mention that losing BBW was a grave mistake. Lots of people think that Disney is ruining the MK with neglecting areas of the park, removing classic dark rides for meet and greets and basically gutting tomorrow land and making it Pixar land. The list goes on and on how those people feel their home park isn't the same. My point is, we are always most critical of what we deal with the most and not as critical to things that are casual to us.

[Littlegiles]

^ Very well said. We are always super quick to critisize what we are most familiear with, but the examples you gave are spot on. I know that BGW, DW and UNIV are nothing like the parks I attended years back, but the things they have changed ended up being amazing.

Nobody like to see what they grew up with and enjoyed as a kid or young adult changed so drastically. It is our nature to want to protect the past, but the memories don't go away.

Now I'm was just wishing Carowinds was open till 8pm tonight because I could really go for some park time.

[MarkD]

And, that is exactly why this is the first time I went to Carowinds since Intimidator opened. Same ole' same ole' with promises that never came.

I like change and yes I hate that we've lost so much but look at what we have and imagine where we're going. Exciting times.

[SeasonDiningPlan]

A lot of us was not around to experience the original carowinds and that's ok. Cars evolve, electronics evolve . . . so why cant carowinds? I think its kinda extreme to call it a hodge-podge mess of nothingness. I mean. . . it could have seen the fate of several what seemed to be more well off parks. I walk around the park and I like what I see, and that is coming from someone who considers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure his "home parks". I still see some charm of the Carolinas at the park. Love they are evolving the food to be more carolina centric. I think this is only the beginning of the Carolina revitalization. I'm looking at all the changes with an open mind and positive attitude.

Universal Orlando has and always will be the king of theming . We consider that our home park too.

Carowinds has always been the park that is more convenient and easy to access here in NC but really pales in comparison. They have not spent money on indoor rides and this is a shame. The boo blaster is an utter joke and if you've ridden Men In Black you'll understand why.

Got some pictures today, the only thing left really is some of the first curve out of the station..... Sorry if they are not the best. I got a lot more.... can post later if y'all want to see.

Man these pics really hurt big time. I am ashamed to admit that I felt heartsick about the loss of a coaster. Who would have thought you could get attached to a ride?

[psychoticbiotic]

Man these pics really hurt big time. I am ashamed to admit that I felt heartsick about the loss of a coaster. Who would have thought you could get attached to a ride?

There's nothing wrong with feeling that way. It's a part of many peoples' childhoods and histories. What if someone told you they were going to destroy all copies of a childhood favorite book? Or, what if someone said no one would ever be able to see your favorite movie again? The difference about movies and books in this sense is that they offer entertainment in highly distributable and neatly contained packages. Roller coasters, however, are just gone once destroyed. I'm not saying Cedar Fair isn't going to make up for this because I don't know what they have in store, but I am saying it hurts to see TR go regardless of what happens and it's ok to feel that way.