[montumax]

^Well wern't we really close this year. If we were, then just a mediocre attraction would be needed to push us over the 2mm? I'm thinking that the AS redo just might even do it.

Why does the number of guests matter if the park is doing well financially?

I really don't see the AS renovation doing it. In the past when they've added attractions to cater to the all important family demographic, they didn't break it. FSS didn't do it. Ricochet and certainly RRR didn't.

I remember hearing some figures a few years ago that Carowinds had the highest family turnout out of all the Paramount Parks. (I could be wrong because its been a few years.) So, they're going to cater to that area and do you blame them? Families spend money.

Sometimes I wonder if the lack of major thrill rides hasn't hurt the park. 5 years between Borg and TG. Families may be a big part of the business but so are the thrillseekers. Even adults need a fix from time to time.

[bgwfreak]

Do you think a new coaster would really push them over the top? Top Gun didn't do it. Borg didn't do it. Would a hyper really do it? A new GCI?

Probably not I guess.

But if Carowinds did build something "worldclass" such as a Thunderhead type of ride, then I think it could bring in the enthusiasts more.

Do you know how close they were to 2MM this year? Or can you share that?

I guess it really doesn't matter if it's 2,000,000 guests or 1,980,000. As long as the park had it's best year ever that's what matters.

I think Dollywood's numbers are helped a lot by such a long season. If Carowinds had summer sized crowds for 2 months extra like Dollywood, then maybe they could easily make that number.

And as we heard from Six Flags, this year had some TERRIBLE weather and caused a LOT of people to stay away from parks! lol (Six Flags calls poor customer service bad weather). lol

[Carowindsman]

Yah that was the problem this year was the weather we probably could have got it but will just have to see. I believe Top Gun helped alot more than Borg did when it came out since most people knew Borg was originally Stealth. But Top Gun was Original other than the name. But we will just have to see.

[montumax]

But if Carowinds did build something "worldclass" such as a Thunderhead type of ride, then I think it could bring in the enthusiasts more.

I think the park's rep could have something to do with it too. I haven't been to DW. But, the stuff that I hear about the park, the employees, etc., makes me want to go there.

Carowinds on the other hand....I did encounter the occasional polite employee. Don't get me started on the travesty of what was the Hurler crew. It just doesn't have the atmosphere of some of the other parks. I think the Hollywoodization has killed the uniqueness that the park once had. On some of the boards, Carowinds is considered just as bad as SFOG, which to me, isn't that bad of a park. It does have a better coaster collection than Carowinds.

Yes, I'd love to see another "signature" type attraction at the park. Something original (and not used) and something preferrable not movie themed.

No, didn't get an exact figure on the attendance while at the Flying Eagle meeting. Maybe we'll hear soon.

[coasterdude89]

Dollywood is great. It is really starting to be a great park. They may not have alot of rides, but they do have two awsome coasters, flatrides, and water rides.

Thudnerhead is awsome. It' my favorite wooden coaster.

Tennesse Tornado is a lot of fun. When it opened up in 1999 it was one of the Top Ten Scream Machines in the south!

Daredevil Falls is the best water drop ride that I have ridden, even though you don't get that wet, but it's themed, and if the tallest and fastest type of that ride in the world. And the best part is that you have no restraints.

The Mountain Slidewinder is a water slide that goes down the mountain and you will get soaked to the bone. It's been named the best non coaster ride in the world many a time.

The Rapids are the best that I have ridden. There are actually dips in it. And, if your lucky at the end, you will get soaked by the waterfall while waiting to enter the station. But, I never get wet but my parents do. They operate this one with a smart technique. They send the boats out in groups of four or five and they have like three groups, so there might be a long line, but you'll be on the ride in a jiffy.

One note about the mountain slidewinder, this is a slow loading ride. It was a short line but it took us over forty five minutes to get on it.

And the water park is so much fun. It's a million times better than Water Works. The slides are on hills and they actually have body slides! (I've never riden Pipeline Peak at Carowinds since I haven't been to the water park in years)

When we went in June Big Bear Plunge wasn't finished yet due to bad weather during construction, but that looks fun! I can't wait for next summer, we go to Pigeon Forge every year and we are most definitly going back there.

A tip though, if you want to got to Splash Country and Dollywood buy the three day pass becuase it is worth it because you can leave one park and go to the other!!!

In my opinon, if we could combine Dollywoods atmosphere along with there rides and theming and employees and Carowinds' rides, then we would have one great park!

Sorry if this is off topic and all, but since some people have never been, I thought that I would give them an overview of the park. Oh, and if you do go, be sure to get a funnel cake. Oh, there so good!

[Dukeis#1]

I think one of the reasons for Dollywood's success is it's location. 11 million people visit Pigeon Forge annually, so a lot of tourists are already in the area and it's not as hard for the park to draw them in. Then, like bgwfreak said, the park has a very long operating season. It's open almost every day April-October, and then 4 days out of the week in November and December.

I think Dollywood holds the record for the biggest attendance jump. In 1985 as Silver Dollar City it had 500,000 guests, but in 1986 as Dollywood it drew 1.3 million, and by 1991 it had reached 2 million. Quite amazing...

I think that if Carowinds really improved it's image by being cleaner and continuing to offer more for families, the park could easily top 2 million.

[bgwfreak]

Dollywood is great. It is really starting to be a great park. They may not have alot of rides, but they do have two ...

Dude. :blink:

There is a great little thing called a paragraph Look into it.

I'm not trying to sound like a smart ***, but it makes it very difficult to read posts like that.

I didn't even bother to read it as a result.

Have a nice day

[coasterdude89]

^I took your advice and edited the post into paragraph form. For some reason, tabs wasn't working so I used spacebar. I hope that it's easier to read now. I'll start doing parargaphs for now on. It's just that I get carried away and forget to do it.

[Cephas]

Tennesse Tornado is a lot of fun. When it opened up in 1999 it was one of the Top Ten Scream Machines in the south!

Dude, when it first opened, were there 10 decent scream machines in the south? How about you broaden your horizons a little?

[coasterdave]

He is refering to what Southern Living ranked the coaster when it opened.

[Dukeis#1]

I think Top Gun made that list as well, though it was obviously not made by a coaster enthusiast.

[MarkD]

I think it's great we had a great financial year. We need a few of those.

This is what I think could push Carowinds over that 2mil hurdle:

1. Employees interaction and attentiveness to guests with a smile.
2. Up the excitement around the park. Hire a couple acts that walk around and do spontaneous interactions with guests. Do something to keep the guests mind off how much they are walking around without really doing anything.
3. Try to work with outside companies on developing the exit area on both sides. Right now it is basically your normal interstate exit with a Theme Park. Nothing else to do except eat and sleep once you leave the park. Give Families a little more reason to spend a couple days there.

[coasterdude89]

Sorry about that top ten scream machine list, To me, it is a fun coaster and is scary the first time that you ride it because you don't expect the first drop to be so small and then go into a curve and down the tunnel. But, I was just going by what it says outside the station.

It might not be a scream machine to you, but for those of us who have never been to alot of parks and to Cedar Point, it is a scream machine.

You are entitled to your opinon and I the same since we live in a the US. Okay, better stop before I get banned or something.

This is a great way to waste my
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'> 200th POST</span>

[bgwfreak]

Coasterdude you're not alone, I really like Tenn Tornado

And I've been on 99 coasters so far, so it's not like I've not been on any quality rides.

Does it take the place of my favorite arrow looper from Loch Ness Monster? No.

But it's in my Top 5 arrow loopers. I love that first "drop". I was laughing all the way into the tunnel it was such a surprise.

[CoasterChris]

I may be crazy here but i'll go out on a limb and say the park got over 2 million this year.