[Edwardo]

But, there are opinions...and there are things the company keeps saying. In the last few years, since they got ouimet at the helm, they've focused on Carowinds and stated a renewed interest in resort/hotel building. It's in their short term plans. These aren't my opinions, these are facts from a company that stated they are growing Carowinds into more of a destination park.

A hotel would be supported greatly by:

Being right off the interstate
Being right by a large regional amusement park
Being right by a sports complex used for regional sporting tournaments.

Opinions are fine. I'm just reading what and listening to what the company keeps saying...

[RollerBee]

And who mostly goes to the mall and the speedway . . .

Mall = Locals, speedway = rednecks.
Next question in a series of 20?

[redrunner97]

Coaster nerds who can't stop thinking like locals vs a multi-billion dollar corporation who says that Carowinds can sustain a hotel... hmmm...
I think I'll go with Cedar Fair on this on. Lol.

Look, they know what they're doing. Charlotte is the third largest metropolitan area on the East Coast, with tons of attractions and the eighth busiest airport in the country; and the city is only getting bigger and more diverse. A hotel makes so much sense! It's obvious why Cedar Fair is pushing for the park to get one as fast as possible, it's because they've calculated how much potential revenue they're losing by NOT having one. CF is literally in the business of making extremely informed and educated decisions like this; if they say the park needs a hotel, that's it. It's getting one.

[Edwardo]

And who mostly goes to the mall and the speedway . . .

Mall = Locals, speedway = rednecks.
Next question in a series of 20?

Concord mills is the most attended TOURIST attraction in North AND South Carolina.

What bruh was getting at was all of
The families roar gomtomthat area. An area with tons of other attractions including the most attended in two stated (Mills) and a race track.

Families. Like the kind that go to Carowinds and stay over nite.

[MarkD]

For sure Concord Mills attracts the tourists. Some of my Family lives on the VA / WVA border and their friends always talk about their yearly vacation to The Mall and yes, most of them stay at the lodge.

Now, a lot of people from that area also talk about how Carowinds is an awesome place but it is just too far for a day trip. In that they speak of "If there was a better place to stay at Carowinds they would drive down Friday after work, spend all day Saturday at the park and drive back on Sunday." Although it is only a 4 hour drive I can agree on it being to far for a one day trip, especially if you have kids. Heck, I just went to Kings Dominion Wednesday, arrived at 9:15 and left about 3-3:30 ish and that drive home was not not pleasant. Hot, sweaty, tired and then a 4 hour drive home?

So, I honestly think a Resort type accommodation would do just fine if not better than most think. After all, we are talking about the GP and not enthusiasts. A lot of the GP can not afford to go to Florida, California or even Ohio but they can afford a little get away weekend.

Rollerbee, you obviously don't know Nascar other than what you see on TV. That's ok but it's a lot more than rednecks watching cars go 'round and 'round. But then again, I am into cars, performance and speed.

[FamousAmos]

I would honestly love a hotel that even had a small indoor waterpark. A nice large theater (because there are a lot of associates here who want the park to have an in-house show), and other amenities.

[coasterbruh]

Keep in mind, if a place like that does come it would not be for the associates but for guest of the hotel. And why would associates want that anyway? It's not like the partk has onsite housing.

[arby]

A nice large theater (because there are a lot of associates here who want the park to have an in-house show)

Here you go. It has plenty of room and is available most of the year.

paladium.JPG (179.63KiB)Viewed 4524 times

[Edwardo]

Ha!

[FamousAmos]

Edwardo, were you in Carolina Harbor today?

And also, all of the international associates would love on site housing. The hotel would be a separate entity for guests only. It's possible.

edit:
even with on site housing, I would still stay at the campsite.

Edit 2:
By theater, I mean something like this: But not this scale of course

[Edwardo]

Indeed I was.

[FamousAmos]

I saw you. Wasn't sure if it was you. They needed help in the waterpark today and we were overstaffed, so I went and helped all day. I should have said hi. This Saturday perhaps.

[coasterbruh]

Edit 2:
By theater, I mean something like this: But not this scale of course

Unless Carowinds moves to Vegas that will never happen. How many hotels, well outside of Vegas have theaters in them?

[FamousAmos]

One can simply dream.

[tarheel1231]

Have any of the hotels in the area considered renovating? I know the Comfort Inn across the street recently improved but most of the hotels around the park look pretty dumpy.