[redrunner97]

I know this is a long shot, but I heard that Dorney just removed it's Top Spin.
Is it even remotely possible that it could be moving to Carowinds to appease all of the "We need more flats!" arguments?

Personally, I highly doubt it. But I don't see why it should just be scrapped when: A) Carowinds needs more thrilling flat rides, and B) Huss Top Spins are thrilling flat rides... lol. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of them, and I can't speak for Dorney's in particular but I have enjoyed the couple I have been on.

[Coaster_Crazy09]

It was scrapped already.

[tarheel1231]

Hey guys, do you think it's bad that I think all of this new stuff is too good to be true? I feel like once the expansion is over, Carowinds is going to decline again. I don't want that to happen, but for some reason, it just seems like all of the new food offerings and park updates aren't going to last.

[carolinaman]

What's the latest on Sling Shot? I hope CF continues to invest in Carowinds. I don't know much about how it all works,but it don't seem like they would put all this money and time in the park and then just leave it.

[CarowindsCentral]

It looks like one of the big planters has been filled, and the small ones have been filled.

[gabed]

Hey guys, do you think it's bad that I think all of this new stuff is too good to be true? I feel like once the expansion is over, Carowinds is going to decline again. I don't want that to happen, but for some reason, it just seems like all of the new food offerings and park updates aren't going to last.

I'm sure that Cedar Fair will continue to invest in Carowinds well past the time when the expansion ends next year. However, I doubt Carowinds will be receiving as much as they have in the past year. But, nonetheless, Carowinds will continue to get better!

[uscbandfan]

Counties. I don't know why but late last night it just came into my head that the names of the counties of South Carolina and North Carolina were on the fountain. (They may also have been in the pavers but, right now I can't picture them there.) There are 46 counties in South Carolina and 100 in North Carolina. They may have just done the ones in proximity of the park and done the same amount for each state.

When I was a kid, EVERY TIME I went to Carowinds, as soon as I got through the Plantation House I remember running over to the fountain and finding "Spartanburg" which is where I grew up. Something tells me they're not going to have a place for that in this new design. I'll miss it.

[arby]

I am quite certain that Cedar Fair will continue to invest in Carowinds. They're not just going to invest all of this and return to status quo. They are interested in growing Carowinds for the long haul.

[redrunner97]

I've repeatedly read that some analysts predict that in 15-20 years Charlotte will be larger than Houston, Texas (making it the 4th largest city in America, by population, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago). Cedar Fair knows there is definitely money to be made in the Charlotte region and I think that's what will keep them investing in Carowinds into the future.

Now, if returns aren't as great as they hope for... that wouldn't be so good. But I'm guessing their hope is that earnings will increase somewhat slowly over the next few years not right away.

[Jonathan]

Not sure where you would have read that. Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the country but no one with any sense is predicting anything that insane. 30 years from now there will still be around 25 or so MSAs with a higher population than Charlotte.

[thunderroad528]

Charlotte currently sits at 17th too jump from 17th to 4th would be insane.

[tarheel1231]

^^Matt Ouimet predicted that. I never read that Charlotte would be the 4th largest city. He just said it would grow to be the size of Houston.

[Edit] ^ I believe Charlotte is now #16.

[Jay]

You guys are looking at the population within city limits - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population Where Charlotte was #16 in 2010. But this doesn't include suburbs or neighboring cities, and so it's kind of "wrong."

A better measure is the list of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, which Charlotte ranks #23 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas.

But I don't think you have to worry about Carowinds being "neglected" pretty much ever again. These 3 years of upgrades is to turn Carowinds into a "destination park." You don't build up a park only to neglect it a short time after.

I don't think Carowinds has ever been neglected anyway, at least when it comes to putting in new rides.

[Jonathan]

Right, city population is almost completely irrelevant because the land area of cities varies so wildly.

[hikernut79]

Good news this morning in that the snow hasn't completely shut down the crews as it looks like they are laying pavers down right now. However, it doesn't appear that they are going to be able to get a lot done overall today. I said this a while back but I am a lot more concerned about the front gate construction pace than I am with Fury being ready.

Today is the 26th so they have 22 actual work days after today until media day. The weather next week looks warmer but there is a good chance of rain several days. If they lose lets say 5 days of work due to weather between now and then that would leave 17 days to get everything completed. I'm thinking they are going to need to really step it up to get there. Not trying to be doom and gloom but it's getting down to the wire and there is a lot of work still to be done.