Carowinds gets Knott's paint job

I know this isn't earth shattering news but I have been riding by Carowinds alot lately( I live 3 miles away) and the other day I noticed that they are painting the Sky Tower the same as the one at Knott's Berry Farm. It now has the red White and blue color scheme. They are using the cabin as a scaffold which must be scary as that thing will bounce as they walk around it. I guess it's still safer than a 300' tall scaffold though. Ride it up to the level you're working at and crawl thru the maintainance hatch.

The Southern Star/ Frenzoid was literally erected over night as it wasn't there one day and was the next. Unless it was just a primer coat the thing is going to be a greenish white.

Thunder Road has had alot of structural work done but I haven't noticed any re tracking. That doesn't mean there hasn't been though as I have seen maintainance crawling all over it .

The sign out front still refers to the park as Paramount's Carowinds as does signage on Carowinds Blvd.

I'm looking forward to our first full year under the Cedar Fair influence.

There is a rumor floating around that great america may add the "Knotts" name into the park to stop the confusion of it and six flags great america.

How many people are really going to get a park in Northern California confused with one near Chicago? I can see the rebranding to leverage the Knott's name in California, but "to avoid confusion" is by itself a lame excuse.
*** Edited 3/13/2007 4:49:36 PM UTC by GregLeg***

Reason number one is the web site.

www.knottsgreatamerica.com

Plus, six flags owns the trademark rights to the name "great america".

Yup, not saying it's not happening, but "it avoids confusion" isn't much of an excuse. Most patrons in Chicago don't know, or care, that there's another park near San Francisco that happens to be named Great America.

I wouldn't call it an excuse. The park has now had three different owners in addition to sharing the name with the park in Chicago. Adding the "Knotts" name moves the park closer the an association with the much more recognizable southern California theme park, and away from the "Six Flags, "Marriott" AND "Paramount" name.

It's about branding and trademarks as well, not just GP recognition. *** Edited 3/13/2007 6:03:01 PM UTC by DWeaver***

Next thing you'll know Gilroy Gardens will ve remaned "Knott's Garden." Heck, why knott "Knott's Landing?"

I like how the website calls Great America a "Themed Amusement Park." Because, honestly, calling it a "Theme Park" is giving it way too much credit.

Maybe they could call it a "Simulated Theme Park."

Yeah, Paramount really screwed that park up. It's certainly in better hands now.

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GregLeg said:
Yup, not saying it's not happening, but "it avoids confusion" isn't much of an excuse. Most patrons in Chicago don't know, or care, that there's another park near San Francisco that happens to be named Great America.

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I agree. When you mention this fact to almost anyone, the answer is usually, 'Woah, really?"

The Southern Star/ Frenzoid was literally erected over night as it wasn't there one day and was the next. Unless it was just a primer coat the thing is going to be a greenish white.

I guess it was just primer as the thing now has a white and light almost Carolina Blue scheme .

Knott's Landing...I love it! :)

I wouldn't call it an excuse.

That's because it probably isn't. That theory is probably from the author of the news item and not Cedar Fair PR.

Very true. ;)

Well, we are talking Cali here, home to more TV shows & movies. Then again, I think Don Knotss might be spinning in his grave if he saw all this.

It seems appropriate to divide parkes into three main categories: Theme parks, themed amusement parks, and traditional amusement parks. Admittedly some parks straddle the line between these categories.

Traditional amusement parks -- Little if any theming, emphasis on the traditional amusement park experience. Examples: Knoebels, Canobie Lake, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Lakeside, Waldameer

Themed amusement parks -- Some theming involving attractions and sections of the park -- overall theming not an essential part of the parks appeal. Examples: Six Flags over Texas, Kings Dominion, Worlds of Fun, Hersheypark

Theme parks -- Theming of the overall park, park sections and attractions is an important part of the overall experience. Examples: WDW Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios Orlando, Busch Gardens Europe.

Some parks lie between these categories. Kennywood, Cedar Point, and Lake Compounce are examples of parks that share attributes of a traditional amusement park and a themed amusement park. Knotts Berry Farm, Holiday World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Idlewild are examples of parks that share attributes of a themed amusement park and a theme park.

There is a photo of the Carowinds Skytower with it's new paint job in the Rock Hill Herald today. Rock Hill, SC is a town about 10 miles south of Carowinds.

http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/14208.html

The whole American Flag tower theme doesn't look so good in my opinion. At least other rides in the park are getting some attention. Can't wait to visit and see all the improvements. :)

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Acoustic Viscosity said:
Knott's Landing...I love it!

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LMAO! Now THAT is a disturbing thought! ;)

-Tina

I love the new paint job, I think it looks really nice.

*** Edited 3/16/2007 1:57:29 PM UTC by Airromeo4Ever***