A couple of carowinds questions?

I am planning a trip to carowinds next week on tuesday, and noticed that they are only open till 8pm on weekdays. I find it strange that a major park closes that early in july. Does anyone else find that weird?

http://www.carowinds.com/visit/visit_calendar.cfm

Anyway.

Is there enough time to do everything in the park if they close at 8pm? I am only able to do one day there. I am mainly there for the coasters, and not the water park.

Any other tips about the park would be great.

Also, is there anywhere to eat just outside the park? I can't stand cedarfair food.

I can't remember what time the park closed when I was there last July, but 8 does seem really early. I was there after dark, so I guess it was definitely later than 8. If you're focusing on the coasters, I'd say you should be able to get it all in one day. I was there on a Saturday and only had a significant wait (over an hour) for Nighthawk.

The park was pretty nice, although the layout was a bit confusing until I took a couple laps around. The best parts were the bullseye painted on the flight line of their Skycoaster that freaked everyone out, and the signs at beverage stands that said "Caution: Hot beverages are hot."

As for food outside of the park, I remember a few fast food joints right outside of the parking lot. The only thing I can remember for sure is that there was a Wendy's.

Wendys will work just fine.

It's pretty sad when you go to an amusement park(places normaly known for tasty foods), and the food tastes like crap and is overpriced.

The 8pm closing baffles me, is the park really small?

Wait...you can't stand the food at Cedar Fair parks, but Wendy's is just fine?

Does anyone else find that funny? :)

Not really.. sorry..

Carowinds has always closed a 8 during the week with little deviation. This is not a Cedar Fair thing. They ussually only stay open till 10 on Saturdays and have in the past been open till 10 during the 4th of July week. As for food outside the park, Wendy's, Shoneys, Cracker Barrel, El Cancun and KFC are closest. There is a food court in the mexican mall at the Carowinds entrance and 2 resturants at the Carowinds Blvd/ Hwy 49 South Tryon St. intersection. Fatz and Tilted Kilt (Hooters in kilts). There is also a Ci Ci's pizza across from that intersection. If you stay at one of the hotels near the park and order Papa John's there's a chance I'll be your delivery boy. Hope you tip well.

Other than Flight Deck (& Super Saturator, which has since been replace with the 'Rang) there wasn't another coaster at Carowinds my motley crew of four wanted to ride more than once. Flight Deck was awesome...one of the best inverteds out there and we couldn't get enough. We'd ride, run around and back on. And in the last few hours of the park it we had ERT-like conditions on Flight Deck (yes, this was mid-summer).

john13601 said:
Tilted Kilt (Hooters in kilts).

I've always wondered what Hooters in Kilts looks like. Odd place to put a kilt, but hey Im not complaining ;)

Wife and I are heading there for the Coaster Stock event Friday. Though not sure how long we will be there as there is a lot of activity at her work this week, so we will see.

I have my fingers crossed that the park is not too buisy the day I am there.

Danthecoasterman.....I would rather eat a sack of white castles and drink a six pack of strhos(sp) beer, than eat in a cedarfair park....it's just that bad. So yes, wendys or any other fast food place is much better than anything cedarfair could try throwing at me.

I love Wendy's!

I don't remember what time the park closed last time I was there, a few years ago. Now that I think about it, I do remember that the sun was still out, and I thought it was too early for them to close.

It's a nice little park. I really like the mine ride.

You shouldn't be pressed for time to get in all the coasters so long as the crowds aren't HUGE. This is just a couple of weeks before kids go back to school in the area so it's hit or miss. I'd throw Thunder Road in the mix for re-rideability and Vortex is a must ride at least once. Keep in mind Hurler is a copy of the one at KD so skip it if you've ridden it there. Carolina Cobra is, as Moosh points out, a cookie cutter at dozens of other locations, so is Ricochet and Runaway Raptar. Not sure if there is a clone of Carolina Cyclone (arrow double loop double corkscrew) but Fairly Odd Coaster is one of only a few (2?) of it's kind (the other at KI). Both of those are worthwhile if you have time and appreciate all aspects of a coaster (or just need the credits).

All of the former PPs save for PGA have a junior John Allen (Scooby Doo). I have had some fabulous rides on Hurler and some "very much less than fabulous". The same can be said for Thunder Road - although on my last visit it was running quite well. Do NOT miss the flying skooters (late of PKI)....in a kids area near the junior woodie, but far from a children's ride, LOL. Whatever they're calling the B&M invert these days ;) - it's clearly among the best in a very good breed.

Sounds like a small enough park for a one day visit.

Thank's for all the tips.

It really is possible CH. Especially if it isnt busy.

It isnt a far walk at all from one end of the park to the other and if the waits are less than 30 mins, you can knock out all the major rides in one day easily.

^^^^...And that was the case.

The only coaster we did not get onto was nighthawk because of a rain storm that came thrue an hour before the park closed.

So...Top Flight. Best in the park, no?

After burn, or top gun....whatever it is called, was bar far the best ride in the park.

Until next year :)

I really enjoyed Afterburn. But Its an invert and B&M so those were 2 pluses for me already.

Ohhh Moosh back in my general area again!! Weeeeee...