2004 Carowinds Speculation

With the recent news of the refurbishing (plumbing, electricity, painted arrows) of the old smurf island, it seems that Carowinds might not be building a HUSS Giant Frisbee as many speculated. I dont think there is a flat enough spot on the island to build a frisbee and i can't see them flattening it. A while back someone from the park said that whatever they put on the island would be amazing or something of the sort, dont remember the exact words. I don't really think that a frisbee would be that amazing. Any speculations?

Just glad to hear that maybe something will be added to this peice of land. It's been a long time coming.

It sounds like a coaster is slated for the island from the various "well informed" rumors I've read here and there - probably a B&M. I've heard everything from floorless, flyer, and hyper. The one I heard that comes from a source that seems more reliable than others from past experience was saying a hyper, and that it was going in next year but got delayed for budgetary reasons. Many other rumors I've read have said 2005 for the new coaster, with 2004 being a re-theming of County Fair, with an addition of a flat ride or two - and somewhat curiously another wave pool for the waterpark, along with some more slides.

The common thread in most is that the island WILL be used for a coaster at some point, so I'd be surprised if anything else went out there.

I didn't notice anything much from Sternwheeler or Skytower on Sunday 4/5, or in Carolina RFD near the island. The one semi-curious thing I did notice in Carolina RFD is that they closed off the smaller path that goes from the Top Gun entrance beside Country Kitchen. This was the path that wound through the shade trees / grassy area across from the bathrooms there. It was fenced off with similar fencing to what's already there, which apparently happened last week. This past weekend, they had also removed the benches and looked to be clearing it some.

There isn't a lot of room there, so I'd be surprised if they're adding a ride - although a small flat could fit. The area already has shops, bathrooms, a sit down restaraunt, with games and snack stands very close by - so it'd be a bit odd to put any of them there - and definitely strange for Carowinds to add anything in midseason.

Unless a coaster was Vortex-sized, it would most likely need a good bit of room aside from just the island and surrounding area. It'd most likely not go into Nick Central, and would be a bit unusual for it to go over Vortex and / or Goldrusher - so it'd be most logical for it to use Carolina RFD / County Fair. The cleared-out area is a good ways away from the island, so it may not be related but I could see part of a coaster using the island and flying over the midways like Top Gun, and using that area for part of it. Or they could be relocating something to provide access to the island - I'd guess where the boats went to Smurf Island - although there isn't much there that'd need moving. For anything other than a building or ride for this season, it's still odd to do anything with it this early. Even if they were putting in a large coaster for next season that used that area, that would seem to be an easy enough area to clear later on.

I'd think this may just be surveying work, etc. to see what they need to do to the island for a future coaster if it weren't for the clearing of that pathway area. That could be exactly what's going on, and the pathway area is going to be used for something totally unrelated - but it's odd that both areas are having work done on them at this time of the year. If nothing gets added to the pathway area soon I'm going to get even more curious - because they wouldn't have any need to close that off this soon for anything in 2004, even a large coaster.

Reading between the lines this COULD be prep work for a 2004 coaster, although that may just be wishful thinking. I wouldn't be THAT surprised though - a coaster larger than Top Gun may take a good while to construct, especially with the complications of being in the middle of the park on an island - although I'm sure they can drain the "lake" it's in if they needed to - and that could explain work being done this early in the year.

Or they're putting in a few more basketball games this year along the pathway section, and they're just teasing us with the thought of something on the island. That wouldn't surprise me too much, either LOL.

It should be an interesting season watching these areas to see if we can figure out what's going on, if anything.

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Ken

You're locked and ready to fly!

I went this Saturday and I could not find any arrows or any work being done on the island. I noticed the path way being blocked off as well and the Kaleidscope(scrambler) got a new paint job. Hopefully thats not the only thing to get painted this year. I just do not see a roller coaster on the island any time soon. It just does not seem like one would fit, especially a floorless, a flyer, or a hyper. I was hoping, whatever is next, that it utilizes the bridge by the North Gate. I think better use of the island would be to add a Tomb Raider themed attraction on it, but I highly doubt that as well... and I wouldn't be suprised if we saw a waterpark expansion/re-theme anytime soon. Oh, and I really really hope they re-theme County Fair... it's sooo... ugly?:)

I think that a coaster on the island is very feasible. Look what they did with Top Gun, the way it fits into the landscape is incredible! I think that a coaster on that island would be an awesome addition to the park. Maybe build a bridge to the island and have the station in the woods. Some nice theming would really add to the attraction. But, i think that the flat rides is more likely for next year, lets just hope they are something like a Jump2, Giant Frisbee, or Top Spin. No More Kiddie Stuff!!!

I'd say look for some work to be done on the waterpark next year. My roommate got an e-mail survey about the water park. One of the questions was a list of names for it. That's not to say that it will happen. I'd say look for some flats to be added next year. The next major coaster, I'd say would be in 2005. But remember...when it comes to Carowinds, Paramount is notorious for changing their minds.

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Max Cannon
TomServoMC@aol.com or gwazi@carolina.rr.com

"Its all about the Pretzel"

I think using that entire island for HUSS frisbee is pretty unlikely. If they get one, my prediction says it will be located where Whirling Dervish was - there's tons of space around there. I predict they'll add a hyper starting by Frenzoid or to the right of Thunder Road (There's tons of freespace there) and it will span over Carolina RFD, over the water and onto Smurf Island, Cedar Point style, and then back. You'll see. :)

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Tales for the L33t

Oh, now I see what you mean by using the island. I guess we will have to wait and see. And about the waterpark, I got the survey too, which has made me lean more towards a waterpark expansion.

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RollerJunkie said:
I think using that entire island for HUSS frisbee is pretty unlikely. If they get one, my prediction says it will be located where Whirling Dervish was - there's tons of space around there. I predict they'll add a hyper starting by Frenzoid or to the right of Thunder Road (There's tons of freespace there) and it will span over Carolina RFD, over the water and onto Smurf Island, Cedar Point style, and then back. You'll see. :)

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Tales for the L33t

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That is what I was thinking. Maybe they'd put a Helix or Something on the Island. However I Certainly Do not want Carowinds to start Stacking Rides, Much Like Six Flags Does at there parks.

Do they ever use that Parking Lot next to Thunder Road these days? The last time I've seen people Parking there was in the Early 90's. They could use that Space for Something, Like a WaterWorks Expansion.

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"Grit Your Teeth, Bare The Load, Enjoy your ride, on Thunder Road"
*** This post was edited by Dukeis#1 5/5/2003 10:21:04 PM ***

Food for thought...the next coaster was suppose to go on the SC side of the park, since SC isn't as strict on the park as NC can be. (That's why the cars stop in the station on Richochet.) This is a NC thing. SC has always been more cooperative with the park.

To me the perfect place for the hyper is that little service road next to Scooby Doo. The station could be at the picnic area (and some how work a drop or something under the bridge so everybody would be happy) with a turn around near the picnic area at TG. Plus, it would be on the SC side :)

Maybe the work on the island is some prelim work for Scarowinds? They've always used the island for an attraction during that event. Since the park closes in September (before Scarowinds starts), they could be getting an early start. I don't really see them filling in the lake. If they did use the island, it would probably be an entrance/exit on the Sternwheeler. Or they could build a bridge to it from the old Smurf Island dock.

Max
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Max Cannon
TomServoMC@aol.com or gwazi@carolina.rr.com

"Its all about the Pretzel"

I like the idea about using the parking lot near Thunderroad for park expansion. Regardless of what they add I hope it's something more thrilling than a kiddie coaster or kiddie flat.

I was always hoping for a hyper, but now would be satisfied with a floorless, flyer or huge woodie in addition to some big flats.

If they were to try to fit a coaster on that island, I would like to see something like a dueling launched one that would weave in and out of the trees there. That way they wouldn't have to worry too much about its height. With white lightnin' and SFOG's Viper gone, we need a good launched ride nearby IMO.

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-Vortex Crew 2003-