General Carowinds discussion
By tylerSC
#55598
If Cedar Fair is trying to make Carowinds the Cedar Point of the Southeast, then you can expect them to add more big rollercoasters. And I am glad to see them build a giga coaster, as they need more major league attractions as a tourist destination. It is a bit of a long drive to Sandusky, Ohio or even Richmond, Va. For me, it is a 90 minute drive to Carowinds and a little over 2 hours to Six Flags in Atlanta. From Greenville, SC. And I would rather go to Carowinds. So keep building the big coasters, and add some flat rides as well.
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By chknwing
#55603
actually the simple solution is to get rid of the traffic light and make a Y exit, There is enough space on the opposite of the street carowinds could purchase in order to build a simple ramp over the street and straight to the 77 exits.
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By Chris
#55604
chknwing wrote:actually the simple solution is to get rid of the traffic light and make a Y exit, There is enough space on the opposite of the street carowinds could purchase in order to build a simple ramp over the street and straight to the 77 exits.

That sounds like a mighty expensive simple ramp; or as I like to call it, overpass.
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By Jonathan
#55607
As a transportation planner, it's kind of terrifying the unsightly and enormously expensive things that people will support just to shave a couple of minutes off their drive.
By RollerBee
#55609
Why not just make the exit by Thunder Road Right turn only and the exit to Ave of the Carolinas left turn only and add a stoplight. Ave of the Carolina left turn to Carowinds Blvd only, exit by Thunder Road right turn only onto Carowinds Blvd. My next suggestion is connecting Ave of the Carolinas to (indirectly) Westinghouse Blvd via the Industrial park. I agree with Jon, there is no need to spend millions of dollars on this.
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By tarheel1231
#55612
Carowinds needs trees. Carowinds needs flat rides. Carowinds needs a churro stand. I don't think the park needs a giga. It would be nice to have one, but there are better options for attractions at the park.
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By Chris
#55613
If Carowinds wants to be a destination park, and especially if they want to be the 'Cedar Point of the South', they absolutely need a giga.
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By saxrokinhomo
#55615
Do we need one? Yes, but IMO they should build something more distinct and unique and bring in the giga in a few years to stave off the " they just built a bigger intimidator" argument many will scream...either way a new coaster is exciting regardless
By theintimidator
#55619
I'm sorry, but we really don't need one. We have the Intimidator. I know Leviathan and Behemoth got huge success, but us coaster enthusiast are different from the average amusement park go-er. They'll just think, oh, just like Intimidator because it's big and tall. We need new experiences, we do not need a flyer, a sit-down, a hyper/giga, any more PTC train woodies, but we need flats, and a wing coaster. We are getting both a giga and a wing shortly afterwards. The giga will be next year, and the wing will be around 2 or 3 years later. Don't say it's impossible. Look at raptor and mantis. That's only a 2 year difference. Look at Millie and Dragster... That's a 3 year difference. I know, I know, the economy isn't as good now a days, but cedar fair definitely has the money for a 50 million dollar expansion. If I am not mistaken, the wing coaster may or may not be apart of that expansion (:
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By Jonathan
#55622
They'll just think, oh, just like Intimidator because it's big and tall.


No, they won't. Why does everyone on here seem to think this?

You guys are all so into coasters that you have lost all comprehension of the perspective of the average park visitor. Not to mention if that was an actual problem Cedar Fair would already know it having done the exact same thing at Canada's Wonderland.
By tylerSC
#55623
Chris wrote:If Carowinds wants to be a destination park, and especially if they want to be the 'Cedar Point of the South', they absolutely need a giga.

That is my thinking as well. And remember part of their greater market also competes with Six Flags in Atlanta and Kings Dominion in Virginia. So for strong competitive reasons, they definitely do need a giga. But they definitely need to follow up with more flat rides also.
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By bgwfreak
#55625
I don't think the park NEEDS a giga to even bring in that many guests.

Guests don't care about breaking records, they care about a new coaster and one that looks fun or interesting.

I have yet to hear anyone complain that Banshee only broke one record. I keep hearing how great the ride it is.

All that being said, the park does need something even bigger than Intimidator to make it a destination park of sorts. With 3 world class coasters and 11 other average coasters, they will be well on their way.

Look at Cedar Point, imho they have 5 great coasters, and then a bunch of average ones.