[Dharma_Guy]

I thought it would be a cool place to keep current on which rides are not up and running. I went this past Wednesday and several rides were not operating. Scream Weaver was down, which I always ride that. I honestly didn't see TR operating, but not positive on that one. White Water Falls was down as well. I read before that Rip Roarin' Rapids has been down for a while now. What is the official word on RRR?

[Jonathan]

Someone on our Facebook page said Rip Roarin' Rapids opened over the weekend. A lot of rides are down this week due to staffing. This is a difficult week for the park because schools are still in session so they are very understaffed.

[Jarsh]

Carowinds posted on their Twitter page that they were repairing the queue at RRR so if it isn't open, it shouldn't be long until it does.

[Dharma_Guy]

The staffing issue does make a lot of sense. I love Scream Weaver though, so hopefully it will be up and running next time I visit. RRR is good on the hot summer days, but the line is always crazy long. The people I go with always insist on riding it, so I usually ride it. As far as White Water Falls, I prefer to stand on the bridge compared to riding the ride. Get more wet that way anyways. lol.

[Jetp]

I was down on Carowinds blvd getting gas at lunch and noticed Skytower was up a the top but not running.

[arby]

I was at the park today and over half of the rides opened late. As Jonathan said, right now it's because of staffing. One of the full time park employees who I spoke with today was mentioning the same thing about staffing being an issue right now.

[uscbandfan]

I hate it for those that shell out the cash for a day at Carowinds and a lot of the rides not be operating. If it was me, I'd feel gypped especially if my favorite rides weren't operating. (You might say a sign board out front might fix that but it wouldn't for those traveling a distance and also for those planning around vacation days at work, etc.) Glad I have a season pass so I can be casual and have the option of not trying to ride everything and knock myself out in one day.

[LocalYokel]

There are two TV screens to the left of the ticket booth listing what rides are not operational. However I've never seen anything other than Skytower listed, even when I knew other rides were closed.

[Sean978]

I was able to miss school today to go to Carowinds and I got a ride on Skytower today right after the park opened, but I didn't see it running after that all day. Understaffing?

[aoriole19]

Why is staffing such a big problem? I understand high schools are still in session, but what about college kids? Do they purposely look to hire more high schoolers, or is it just that college kids usually don't apply? All of my friends in NC and SC colleges have been home for several weeks now, and my school ended last week.

[Chris]

^ $8 an hour doesn't pay rent. I also imagine Cedar Fair limits all of their employees to 29 hours so they don't have to give them health benefits.

[RollerBee]

29 hours? I worked over 74 hours in one week alone back in my day at Carowinds. Which by the way, Seasonal employees are exempt from nearly everything, overtime for an amusement facility is 45 hours but Paramount gave us overtime at 40 hours.
Edit: Seasonal employees must work more than 120 days a year to health benefits under ObamaScam.
At less than 30 hours a week, it barely going to be worth working for $8.
I used to drive 160 or miles a day to Work for Carowinds, I was paid $6.75 an hour. Under the new laws, I wouldn't have made no money. When I worked at Carowinds, I was eating steak every night if I wanted. Grant, the only bill I had back then was food and gas.

Oh look at the time sonny, old Grandpa Roller has been a ranting and carrying on.

[Chris]

ObamaScam? Do you mean the Affordable Care Act? I don't think you need to be spamming your political thought into this thread. Save that for the random BS thread.

And comparing what you did back then to current day is a moot point.

[kirkgun]

It's been said that Sky Tower has been running, and I've gone to the park twice this week and not seen it move yet. For that matter I've been to Carowinds probably a dozen total times over the past 3 years, and never seen it run one time.

What's the secret to getting a ride on that thing? I'm beginning to believe that thing is a just hologram and a practical joke Carowinds veterans play on noobies.

"You've never been to Carowinds before? You should go take a ride on the Sky tower. It's great."

[Tawny71]

Skytower was up at the beginning of last season. I rode it once in the spring. Then they had an issue with it and had to order a part, then got the wrong part, and now have it all refurbished. (From what I understand...) This time of year is a very low-capacity time for the park. It's been very normal in years past for things like Hurler, Thunder Road, Rip Roarin Rapids, and Whitewater Falls to not open until noon. It's also been normal for varying rides throughout the park to have periodic downtime while the park is understaffed. I'd rather wait for a ride to be fully staffed (ensuring passenger safety) than for them to have a bunch of rides open without adequate staffing. Things should be better for staffing after June 10, but, of course, then crowds will be bigger, as well.
I'm looking forward to going this week on Tuesday when crowds will be light, and I'm just going into it knowing that some rides might not be open because of staffing. I find that having realistic expectations keeps me from being disappointed.