[Dukeis#1]

At the recent "Flying Eagle" meeting, Max & I were informed the park did not break the 2 million attendance mark for the 2004 season. On the other hand, financially, it was their best year ever.

[bgwfreak]

^^ Well he just started posting here Duke, so he didn't know that Max had already said that. :ph34r:

Who ya gonna call...

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

Hmmmm, 150 Borg rides...hmmm who could that be? lol

Welcome to CC Chris! Always glad to have another Carowinds fanboy on the boards.

[montumax]

Welcome to CC Chris! Always glad to have another Carowinds fanboy on the boards.

Going for 500,000 posts over here too?

[coasterdude89]

Yep. Welcome to the boards!!!

[carowindsfreak13]

Well next year should have 2 million if the improvments are to be great as they say.

[Trev32]

^For once, i agree with you

[swampfox43]

^^So, you're saying that since Top Gun & Borg couldn't push the attendance over the 2 million mark, that adding 2 small flat rides will? You are joking, right?

[carowindsfreak13]

No, What I forgot to add that , If the weather would be nicer than what this year provided it would have a better year. But the AS, Could make it top over two million if the redo satisfies the parents and thay will take their kids more to carowinds. And they would want to come back more that year.

[CoasterChris]

If we didn't break the 2 million mark this year then likely it wont happen until the next coaster is installed.

[CMT]

I disagree with that last post. I don't think installing a new coaster will promise a 2 million plus attendence. I feel the park will reach that mark when this park finally decides to become a "family park " again. Carowinds is targeting young people these days, but in the long run the park needs to realize that if the parents of those young children have nothing to do at carowinds other than sit on a bench all day, they'll begin to stop bringing their children.

[swampfox43]

I disagree with that last post. I don't think installing a new coaster will promise a 2 million plus attendence. I feel the park will reach that mark when this park finally decides to become a "family park " again. Carowinds is targeting young people these days, but in the long run the park needs to realize that if the parents of those young children have nothing to do at carowinds other than sit on a bench all day, they'll begin to stop bringing their children.

That's a very good point CMT. Carowinds has taken steps backwards in being a family park with the removal of such attractions as the Monorail, Sternwheeler, Train, Cable Cars, etc. Growing up with Carowinds since 1973, those were the only rides my parents would ride with me. Now, they are all gone. Not all parents like thrill rides or even kiddie rides that spin.

But although I respect your opinion CMT, I am not convinced that being a family park is what it would take to push attendance over the 2 million mark. That's certainly one piece of the puzzle but I also believe that if the park promoted itself outside it's current 100 mile radius, that would help. And yes, I also believe a non-cloned Intamin hyper coaster wouldn't hurt either. But we've been down that road before.....

[wdwspider]

More to do overall. I think the parade was a step in the right direction. Having Seasonal extras throughout the year promotes return visits -the parade did this, The Movie Magic show not so much.

Also, the return of shows to the park. When there is enough variety in the park, then it will be a two day park. Incorporate a "Fantasmic" or "Indiana Stunt Spectacular" type show at the amphitheater a few times a day during the summer between concerts and such.

I agree, more for non-thrill riding guests. Grandparents and non-coaster riding adults are few and far between in the parks. Even if their kids or grandkids do want to go to Carowinds, they don't take them for lack of alternative experiences. yes, this is changing some, but needs to go furthur and promoted more to get the new people to visit who no longer do or never have.

[carowindsfreak13]

I disagree with that last post. I don't think installing a new coaster will promise a 2 million plus attendence. I feel the park will reach that mark when this park finally decides to become a "family park " again. Carowinds is targeting young people these days, but in the long run the park needs to realize that if the parents of those young children have nothing to do at carowinds other than sit on a bench all day, they'll begin to stop bringing their children.

Hey thats my Idea of it and most people disagreed about that now he Right and I'm not? JK

[CMT]

Well, the key to this thing is to increase awareness about the things people don't usually assoicate Carowinds with. Meaning, there needs to be more promotions on the attractions that are not the center of Carowinds' advertising. By now we know about the super giants like the Borgs, Top Guns, etc. One thing I would like to see return to Carowinds is the entertainment department in general. The loss of several indoor show venues over the last 6 or so years has contributed to the steady decline in older guests attending the park.
Today's Carowinds does not show a good representation of families. It seems like every year, you don't see as many families enjoying the park together as they once did. Since the target guest are now teens, you see more groups of teens scattered around the park. This isn't a bad thing; it's just seems like parents would rather drop their children and friends off at the park and pick them up later in the afternoon.
Another reason we could be having problems is that Carowinds is being to get too "crowded". I am not meaning people, but by attractions. Trust me, I love seeing the park grow, I just wish it were more feasible for the park to expand out-ward, not upward. I read many posts on here about Carowind's loss of theme. Well there's the answer. It's hard to theme an area when in a couple of years, you slap a ride in the middle of that area that has nothing to do with "themed area".
Those remarks are just my wishful thinking. From a marketing view however, we are doing really well money-wise as a park. That is right now. In the long run however, I would push to return to the more traditional themepark. Remember, what makes a guest's day AWESOME at Carowinds is the unexpected. Sure you can put a "new" coaster or ride in year after year and it is "new" until after that first ride. No matter how many times you ride Borg or Top Gun, there will never be a larger lift or different turns; it always stays the same and to a regluar guest, that will soon be forgotten. However, take for example a little girl's father winning a large prize at a game or a young boy who gets a chance to go on stage and dance with Scooby. That is the unexpected. Those are the memories that family will take home.

[Cephas]

One thing that carowinds can take into mind is that the number one reason why people like disney world (from a study done by disney) is that its clean. With carowinds, I don't really see the management keeping the park very clean. (ex. litter, dirty restrooms, gum everywhere, and maybe some people that aren't very "clean"). The number 2 reason is friendly employees, this is an area that carowinds could improve on also.

Guess whats special about tomorrow!