[Merthecat]

Did anyone else notice that in the video the supports for Vortex were black?

[Jonathan]

I don't know if that necessarily means anything. Might have just been an oversight on the animator's part.

[arby]

Also, the NC/SC border will remain with an even bigger sign from what I remember.

Regarding the plantation house, officials said they had a real hard time with that. Everybody wanted to try to save it, but there were major issues with the air conditioning that is in the attic. They had two choices - completely gut the building or remove the roof to replace the air conditioning system. After further inspection, the building is not in good enough shape to relocate or do anything else with. They were sad to note that the best solution was to remove it. One did specifically note that this new entrance place will handle 3+ million guests where the current layout won't.

I didn't do a good job taking notes so the thoughts are coming to me randomly.

[Jonathan]

My thoughts on the plantation house are this: From a historical perspective, I am very sad that it is going simply because there will now be very little left from the original Carowinds. It is really the same park in name only. It sounds like Paramount is primarily to blame for letting it rot, as they were for many of the most devastating removals of park history (the Sternwheeler still hurts).

With that said, it seems like this new entrance area is going to be light years better than the underwhelming welcome to the park that guests have always had. And the plantation house, even though it gave the park some flavor and character, totally blocked the view into the park. This new area looks more open, more attractive, and more appropriate for the top tier park Carowinds is now striving to be.

Was there any mention of the future for the south gate?

[arby]

Was there any mention of the future for the south gate?

I wish I had thought to ask that question. I didn't hear anything about the south gate from the conversations I was involved in or listening to. Hopefully someone else there did think to ask.

[Jonathan]

Maybe we can set up a Q&A or something in a couple weeks with John, Julie, or Jerry (what's with all the J's?).

[arby]

That would be great.

[billmurray]

The new entrance now explains the massive room between the old entrance and coaster on the blueprints.

[pproteinc]

Well I spoke to Mike Fehnel and before I could say anything he said, "just know I LOVE TREES." I just fell out. He is a really down to earth person, I really enjoyed speaking to him. I like him already. I did squeeze in a giant frisbee type ride and how can I have his job he gave me an evil grin and a hmmm interesting. Guess I'll have to wait until after the big splash announcement next yr.

[RollerBee]

I am personally hoping for the final product to be more Southern like we currently have.

[RollerBee]

Did they say anything about changes to exiting the parking lot?

[Jonathan]

Well I spoke to Mike Fehnel and before I could say anything he said, "just know I LOVE TREES."

ROFL. Quote of the year.

I'm not gonna lie it was refreshing seeing this thing go down with no Kinzels on the stage. Not that they didn't do great things for Cedar Point and Cedar Fair, because they certainly did, but nepotism always makes me nervous.

[arby]

Well I spoke to Mike Fehnel and before I could say anything he said, "just know I LOVE TREES."

ROFL. Quote of the year.

I'm not gonna lie it was refreshing seeing this thing go down with no Kinzels on the stage. Not that they didn't do great things for Cedar Point and Cedar Fair, because they certainly did, but nepotism always makes me nervous.

Also PR/Marketing said that Mike wanted to send Carowinds Connection a picture of him hugging a tree with the caption 'I LOVE TREES.' You can be certain that he'll make sure that more trees are planted in the park. While it won't fix anything overnight, it will make a difference years down the road.

I told them to go ahead and send us the picture and we'd be happy to post it.

[FamousAmos]

So we can FINALLY end the long tree debate

[OakenBucket]

Sad that the Plantation house is going away !!! But we must give a little, to move forward. Hope the Big Splash in 2016 is a Mack Flume !! Need a top notch family ride to complement Fury 325