[cwgator]

Southern Sidewinder. Have you not looked at the rough pic I made and the better one FamousAmos made showing the approx. location of the rides? They are fairly accurate as to what it will be like. It's obvious that they are doing something else with the remainder of the RFD area which is why the new County Fair area will start about where the entrance to Carolina Harbor is (and doesn't include White Water Falls, game stands & arcade). The food stand that you say is never open (Surfer Joe's?) will be re-purposed selling Funnel Cakes as shown in the rendering.

The park is moving/removing the slides because they want to. Would the rides fit without removal? I'm sure they could work that out if there was no other choice. However If they didn't remove Southern Sidewinder, then the new area will be quite crammed for pedestrian flow. Those rides are bigger than what you think. I would rather there be more open space to spread out than to be all up on everyone if I'm just trying to pass through.

As far as why they didn't move the slides last year could be several things:
*It might not have been in the budget
*They didn't feel there was enough time
*They didn't originally plan to put the new rides there
*They perhaps wanted to leave something more visible from the midway for the first year
*They just didn't feel like it
*Numerous other reasons we'll likely never know

[Jonathan]

I don't know what their reasons are, but one thing I keep thinking about (whether it's their motivation or not) is that if they are going for an interesting atmosphere for this new County Fair area, having a waterslide structure right up against it looming over it sort of hurts that a bit.

[FamousAmos]

I pick option three for $500.
Plans can change in an instant. Would you be surprised to hear that Whirling Dervish possibly wouldn't have even gone in it's original spot?

[cwgator]

I don't know what their reasons are, but one thing I keep thinking about (whether it's their motivation or not) is that if they are going for an interesting atmosphere for this new County Fair area, having a waterslide structure right up against it looming over it sort of hurts that a bit.

That's one I forgot to mention...but yes I agree. A water slide intruding between the rides would standout in a not so pleasant way visually. It's fine how it's been up to this point, but definitely will look better without it there next season. I'm just glad this area is finally going to have some cohesion; something it really hadn't had since it was Pirate Island and more specifically since White Lightning was removed (though it was in RFD). I really miss all that water.

[Jarsh]

Those rides are bigger than what you think.

I think people keep forgetting this one major point. It isn't just the footprint that has to be looked at with flat rides. They have a huge clearance envelope around them since they'll be slinging people all over the space above the platform. With Electro-Spin and Zephyr on that side of the midway, I'm sure the clearance envelope was just too big to keep the slide.

Besides, adding the flats in this location will allow them to remove the smaller Carolina Harbor entrance (if it's even still there) and focus on having one main CH entrance outside the park and one main entrance inside the park.

[RollerBee]

The smaller gate by Surfer Joes is either locked closed or replaced with fence.

[super7]

That's one I forgot to mention...but yes I agree. A water slide intruding between the rides would standout in a not so pleasant way visually. It's fine how it's been up to this point, but definitely will look better without it there next season. I'm just glad this area is finally going to have some cohesion; something it really hadn't had since it was Pirate Island and more specifically since White Lightning was removed (though it was in RFD). I really miss all that water.

When Carowinds had all the water, it was a beautiful park. Almost all of the water has been removed now. Just ponds of the Carolina Lake/Sternwheeler water remain, everything in Pirate Island was filled in, the Power Keg Flume water gone, the Charleston area of Plantation Square filled in. This is one of several reasons it has just become an amusement park, not a beautiful theme park.

[super7]

Ok here's my thoughts. I am loving the new area bringing life to that side of the park. I love that they're continuing to bring back former names from yesteryears like Do-Si-Do. I kind of wish the wave swinger was named Whirling Dervish again but Zephr will do. I to don't believe the slides are moving anywhere. I also think Flying Cobras Electro Spin are just the dumbest names I've heard lol. I'm happy to hear the Wings restaurant will get a face lift and some improvements. I do hope they stick as close to the concept as possible as far as the aesthetics goes, the string lights, welcome sign and I'm pretty sure all the rides will have a fancy light package.

I agree, they should have brought back the name Whirling Dervish. Agree on Electro-Spin and Flying Cobras.

The park had some great ride names in the past they need to reuse, especially versus these generic names they are using. Scrambler should be Kaleidoscope. Dodgem should be Demolition Derby or Autodrome. Flying Dutchman, Wild Bull, Wagon Wheel, Meteorite, Witchdoctor/Black Widow, White Lightnin' and Thunder Road. Lots of great names in the vault without trying!

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Southern Sidewinder. Have you not looked at the rough pic I made and the better one FamousAmos made showing the approx. location of the rides? They are fairly accurate as to what it will be like. It's obvious that they are doing something else with the remainder of the RFD area which is why the new County Fair area will start about where the entrance to Carolina Harbor is (and doesn't include White Water Falls, game stands & arcade). The food stand that you say is never open (Surfer Joe's?) will be re-purposed selling Funnel Cakes as shown in the rendering.

The park is moving/removing the slides because they want to. Would the rides fit without removal? I'm sure they could work that out if there was no other choice. However If they didn't remove Southern Sidewinder, then the new area will be quite crammed for pedestrian flow. Those rides are bigger than what you think. I would rather there be more open space to spread out than to be all up on everyone if I'm just trying to pass through.

As far as why they didn't move the slides last year could be several things:
*It might not have been in the budget
*They didn't feel there was enough time
*They didn't originally plan to put the new rides there
*They perhaps wanted to leave something more visible from the midway for the first year
*They just didn't feel like it
*Numerous other reasons we'll likely never know

Sorry, no I didnt look at it or the one that FamousAmos made. Guess It just looks bigger than what it actually is? I know the decision to put the county fair in this area was a "last minute" decision, not exactly sure how last minute, but I know this from some people that work at the park... Oh well guess we will see how it goes, hopefully they will move the cam to view the construction later on.

[FamousAmos]

It was about 4 weeks last minute.
The original plan was to place everything in County Fair. Which explains why you see paint markings. They had to survey the entire area from Cobra to Afterburn. Then the plan was changed and moved to Cobra midway. It's that simple.

[Chris]

It was about 4 weeks last minute.
The original plan was to place everything in County Fair. Which explains why you see paint markings. They had to survey the entire area from Cobra to Afterburn. Then the plan was changed and moved to Cobra midway. It's that simple.

Saying "it's that simple" is kind of an insult to the people who put months (if not years) of thought, stress, and hard work into this decision. It's hardly "that simple."

[FamousAmos]

Didn't seem like it when I was told this.

[jeffdavis]

Interesting to refer back to July 19th discussion in the general park discussion thread in light of what we now know.

viewtopic.php?p=88948#p88948

[Chris]

Didn't seem like it when I was told this.

I'm not sure how many people need to tell you this before you finally understand. They are not going to tell a regular park employee all of the logistics involved with everything. You can ask over and over. You can email whatever park manager you want. And you will always get the same vague answer each and every time.

[FamousAmos]

If you say so.
You're not in my shoes. You DO NOT see or hear what I hear. You DO NOT speak what comes out of my mouth. You DO NOT regulate what I hear or don't hear. If anything, it is rather unsympathetic of you to say that.
Thanks for insulting someone who you hardly even know (which is me)
But apparently in your little world, I'm ignorant of everything.

There's more I'd like to say, but it wouldn't be considered being excellent to each other...