Thunder Road to close

Obviously I don't know all the details and reasoning, but I'm really upset that this has come to be.

http://www.wral.com/carowinds-to-close-wooden-thunder-road-roller-c.../14666760/

Maybe it'll become Twisted Thunder Road?

But I heard it was for a water park expansion. I'd like to see Cedar Fair jump on RMC train. If they do, then a Mean Streak RMC makeover could be in the future.

tAer it down?77???7?

No, they're converting it to a floorless.... :-)

I've also read that waterpark expansion is the reason for the departure of the coaster. Guess we'll find out one way or the other in the coming months.

It's probably being relocated to MA.

I'm disappointed that its closing. It better be for more than a waterslide. A GCI doesn't sound too bad right now, though I doubt that will happen. I'm probably going to be at Carowinds on T roads last day though.

As is the case with HersheyPark, a poorly-located waterpark has long-term consequences...

Sucks. The recent work done on Thunder Road had really improved the ride.

New for Dorney in 2016...

Fine by me.^^

I took a ride on Thunder Road today, knowing it would in all likelihood be my last on it. That's a really bittersweet feeling, riding a ride you know is in its final throes. I took the front row as one is obliged to do, and man, that ride HAULED down its outbound leg. The airtime was simply nuts, and I was grateful for the elevated turnaround just so I could catch my breath.

It's a dated ride, one long past its prime and I'd argue it's ready to call it a day, but even if it never meant much to me before, it was a privilege to take one last spin on it, and such a stellar one at that. It was kind of touching hearing some of the people in line talk about how it was their first "big" roller coaster, if not their first one, period. There are rides that go away that nobody misses because they're simply terrible, but it seems like this one created an awful lot of memories during its run. Even if it isn't to me what it is to so many people in the Carolinas who grew up with it, it'll be a little sad to see it go.

I can relate; Rebel Yell was my first adult-sized coaster. I'd hate to see that one go, too. I'm a little surprised to see Thunder Road closing, especially with the recent rehab.

I feel a little bit of worry about Rebel Yell and Racer, but I think that both are probably a little safer seeing as they seem to have a bit more "history" behind them, even if it's just in the enthusiast community. Besides, they don't seem to stand in the way of any expansion the way Thunder Road allegedly does.

I could be wrong, but I'd pretty surprised to see either of those two go anytime soon.

A youtuber I watch called this a week before this was announced.

Screamscape also has been warning about the removal of Rebel Yell for a while now, well before this announcement.

Both Kings Island and Kings Dominion built through the structure of their similar coasters. Kings Dominion even extended their water park on the other side of Rebel Yell. So seeing that it can be done, because it has been done, I doubt that "expanding the water park" is really the reason the ride is being removed.

I rode it somewhere around 2010, and I really liked it. It was the least busy coaster in the park. While other coasters had a 30 - 45 minute wait, Rebel Yell was nearly a walk-on. I agree that the station was hard to find, and location is important when it comes to rides in a park layout. Drachen Fire is a good example.

sirloindude said:

I took a ride on Thunder Road today, knowing it would in all likelihood be my last on it.

*ahem*

You were here and I wasn't informed ahead of time?

It was literally decided a day or two before. It went from Silver Dollar City to Kings Island to a last-minute switch to Carowinds. Also, it was a rare opportunity to spend time with my mom who met me in Charlotte.

Trust me, I plan on giving you a shout when I return later this year. I'm hoping to come back at least one or two more times.

Excuses, excuses...

koolcat1101 said:

A youtuber I watch called this a week before this was announced.

What did he win?

It was hardly a big secret. I mean, if Screamscape knew about it...

I bet it was that kid. The one who says "cooster".