Thought I would start just a park thread for everything Carowinds (my old home park) since the old threads are gone. So I'll just keep everything related to the park in this thread.
2016 Speculation
Yesterday the park announced it's retiring the parks wooden racing coaster Thunder Road. Opened in 1976, this will be just shy of it's 40th anniversary. I'm a bit sad to see it go since it was one of the first big coasters I ever rode. There is plenty of speculation as to whether the way it's worded means they could just mean it's leaving in it's racing form and retiring. That leads some to think about RMC conversion which can be done, but seems a bit pointless on an out and back coaster. Before anyone says they have an exclusive contract with Six Flags, that isn't true and has been confirmed by RMC on their Facebook page. They are a small company and can only do so many projects each year and I'm sure several have been booked to keep them busy. Plus it's a wise decision to see how any new company does before delving into unknown territory.
The park hinted last year during the announcement of Fury 325 that they plan to make a "Big Splash" in 2016. Since Thunder Road borders the water park it would make sense that it will most likely be a water park expansion. That being said if that's all it's going to be then they could just open the pathway underneath and expand on the other side as Kings Dominion and Kings Island has done. There are at least 3 maintenance paths going under it already. I'm hoping they are just messing with us and it will return in some form next year. I won't be holding my breath however. Other "Big Splash" ideas could be a water coaster or even a log flume. Time will tell.
If it is water park expansion they will likely re-brand it as Soak City like many of Cedar Fair's other properties. Kings Dominion was changed to it this season with the addition of new slides and play area. I would prefer it stay as Boomerang Bay...whether I care for water parks or not. It's just a better name than the generic Soak City. They could also take this opportunity to separate it from the main park during this like was done at Kings Island. If they did that then they will really make those mad who frequent both sides.
I will be going to Charlotte in a couple of weeks and will spend 2-3 days at the park. I'll post a nice trip report with pictures of the latest progress of the park. I have 3 new credits to obtain with this visit. They are Carolina Cobra, Intimidator and Fury 325. This will put my coaster count at 80. I don't travel much anymore so getting to 100 isn't easy...lol I'm just glad they announced Thunder Road's closure before I went so I would know to get extra rides in on it.
Here is the Facebook Announcement made yesterday. You can see the outcry from fans of the ride and some have set up petitions.
https://www.facebook.com/carowindspark/photos/a.125492718598.106289.91085023598/10153328325998599/?type=1&pnref=story
2016 Speculation
Yesterday the park announced it's retiring the parks wooden racing coaster Thunder Road. Opened in 1976, this will be just shy of it's 40th anniversary. I'm a bit sad to see it go since it was one of the first big coasters I ever rode. There is plenty of speculation as to whether the way it's worded means they could just mean it's leaving in it's racing form and retiring. That leads some to think about RMC conversion which can be done, but seems a bit pointless on an out and back coaster. Before anyone says they have an exclusive contract with Six Flags, that isn't true and has been confirmed by RMC on their Facebook page. They are a small company and can only do so many projects each year and I'm sure several have been booked to keep them busy. Plus it's a wise decision to see how any new company does before delving into unknown territory.
The park hinted last year during the announcement of Fury 325 that they plan to make a "Big Splash" in 2016. Since Thunder Road borders the water park it would make sense that it will most likely be a water park expansion. That being said if that's all it's going to be then they could just open the pathway underneath and expand on the other side as Kings Dominion and Kings Island has done. There are at least 3 maintenance paths going under it already. I'm hoping they are just messing with us and it will return in some form next year. I won't be holding my breath however. Other "Big Splash" ideas could be a water coaster or even a log flume. Time will tell.
If it is water park expansion they will likely re-brand it as Soak City like many of Cedar Fair's other properties. Kings Dominion was changed to it this season with the addition of new slides and play area. I would prefer it stay as Boomerang Bay...whether I care for water parks or not. It's just a better name than the generic Soak City. They could also take this opportunity to separate it from the main park during this like was done at Kings Island. If they did that then they will really make those mad who frequent both sides.
I will be going to Charlotte in a couple of weeks and will spend 2-3 days at the park. I'll post a nice trip report with pictures of the latest progress of the park. I have 3 new credits to obtain with this visit. They are Carolina Cobra, Intimidator and Fury 325. This will put my coaster count at 80. I don't travel much anymore so getting to 100 isn't easy...lol I'm just glad they announced Thunder Road's closure before I went so I would know to get extra rides in on it.
Here is the Facebook Announcement made yesterday. You can see the outcry from fans of the ride and some have set up petitions.
https://www.facebook.com/carowindspark/photos/a.125492718598.106289.91085023598/10153328325998599/?type=1&pnref=story
After 39 wonderful years and nearly 40 million scream-filled rides, Thunder Road will give its last race on July 26. The ride is being retired to make room for future family-fun attractions. Please join us this summer as we say good-bye to this iconic coaster.