Carowinds Discussion

[nitrofan]

It has been confirmed that Carowinds will get a major new coaster in 2010, and the park confirmed that an announcement will be made 8/26/09.

The following is a teaser video released by the park:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tj-OQKGDWlk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tj-OQKGDWlk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Speculate Away!

[Austin]

hmm.. Prolly something like TTD maybe? only thing i can think of that would fit a nascar theme nless its like test track at disney except your racing people.

[nitrofan]

hmm.. Prolly something like TTD maybe? only thing i can think of that would fit a nascar theme nless its like test track at disney except your racing people.

Maybe it will be something like Xcellerator at KBF. That thing is race-themed, and looks like a lot of fun!

[palmer]

They said its a possible remake of an old coaster. I've never been to Carowinds, so i don't quite know the coaster. I heard from Finbow it was a White Lighnting or something like that.

[nitrofan]

They said its a possible remake of an old coaster. I've never been to Carowinds, so i don't quite know the coaster. I heard from Finbow it was a White Lighnting or something like that.

Ok, here's the story. First, someone sent this picture into Screamscape:

http://http://screamscape.com/assets/images/2009_0720_WhiteLightningLogo_300.jpg

Which made them think it was info that leaked from Carowinds, but with the teaser video (above) themed after NASCAR, people are speculating that that picture is fake.

Recently at Carowinds, this shipping container arrived:

http://http://database.thrillnetwork.com/dbgallery/photos.php/ip_6735/carowinds/roller_coasters/unknown5731.jpg

http://http://database.thrillnetwork.com/dbgallery/photos.php/ip_6734/carowinds/roller_coasters/unknown5730.jpg

http://http://database.thrillnetwork.com/dbgallery/photos.php/ip_6736/carowinds/roller_coasters/unknown5732.jpg

It is similar to when a fake box of snakes arrived at the park last year as a teaser for Carolina Cobra.

Now with conflicting evidence, no one really knows what the theme is. The thing we do know is that footers that look like they could be for a B&M Hyper have been poured!

http://http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/3778216415_c501242660_o_101.jpg

[palmer]

Two things:
1. The pictures are minimized and xed out
2. It sounds like KD is getting the hyper. Maybe a possible copy.

[nitrofan]

Two things:
1. The pictures are minimized and xed out
2. It sounds like KD is getting the hyper. Maybe a possible copy.

1. Not sure what happened with all the pictures, but you can find links to all of them on Screamscape.
2. I don't know how much more obvious they can make it wothout a press release, King's Dominion is getting an Intamin Giga.

[palmer]

hyper, giga, i got confused! They are close to the same. Anyhooser: The hyper might be a possible Goliath/Nitro/Raging Bull material. If so, Carowinds pulled a good move on the coaster pick.

What did the pictures look like? What did they say on it?

[nitrofan]

hyper, giga, i got confused! They are close to the same. Anyhooser: The hyper might be a possible Goliath/Nitro/Raging Bull material. If so, Carowinds pulled a good move on the coaster pick.

What did the pictures look like? What did they say on it?

I would get you pictures, but they probably won't show up on the screen. There were lots of track pieces and shipping containers arriving at the park and one of them had a piece of paper that said Giga in fine print and was attached with Intamin packing tape.

Carowinds is still a mystery, but the poured footers look a lot like those on Diamondback.

[razor12]

Yeah i'm pretty sure that Carowinds is getting the B&M hyper and might possibly be called "White Lightning." Cedar Fair is goin crazy with all the hypers and the KD Giga.

[palmer]

I would get you pictures, but they probably won't show up on the screen. There were lots of track pieces and shipping containers arriving at the park and one of them had a piece of paper that said Giga in fine print and was attached with Intamin packing tape.

Carowinds is still a mystery, but the poured footers look a lot like those on Diamondback.

Not KD, i've seen those. I mean Carowinds, i wonder what those boxes would say.

[nitrofan]

Not KD, i've seen those. I mean Carowinds, i wonder what those boxes would say.

The 2 close-ups that I have seen say:

Bulldog Shipping
Thinking Big, Really Big
Morgantown, WV 26505
Item #44

and the other one says:

Lightning Really does Strike Twice!

It's interesting to see the conflicting evidence pointing to NASCAR and a White Lightning theme.

[palmer]

Well, i did some reserch. Morgantown, WV is home of WVU (West Viriginia University).
Bulldog shipment can be odd, but Bulldog is Georgia University's name. Ironcially, NASCAR hall of fame member Bill Elliot is born in Georgia, in a town 2 hours near Georgia University. And in that town, they hold a "Mountain Moonshine Festival" which is a racing festival. Even more ironic, WVU's name is the Mountaineers. Plus, Bill Elliot has 44 career wins. Also, Morgantown has other zip codes, one of them is 26508, and if you add the numbers up, it equals 21, which was Bill Elliot's original racecar number. Also, there is a movie called "White Lightning" which is a about someone who got arrestes for illegal moonshine. Elliot worked with a racecar driver who used to moonshine. This is a bit confusing but it did a snot load of research on it. I hope this is it cause i wasted and hour just reserching this.

[Austin]

LOL wow. your the only person who would do that. lol

[palmer]

i also found out that Carowinds is getting Carolina Cyclone repainted.

[palmer]

LOL wow. your the only person who would do that. lol

thanks, i need that after searching for an hour

[Austin]

lol. Its supposedly going to be called white lightning i belive. good finds tho lol.

[nitrofan]

LOL wow. your the only person who would do that. lol

I researched it for like 15 minutes too, but I didn't find anything interesting enough to report.

[Austin]

The park has now recieved its first pieces of track. They are for the station and transfer track and are Red B&M track.

[palmer]

No, u beat me! Wait a minute, B&M and Carowinds, maybe this is the new B&M coaster rumor

[Austin]

yep heres the screamscape story and then ill get pics in a second

(8/6/09) Big news for Carowinds today as the first pieces of bright red B&M track have now arrived on site in the lot next to Thunder Road where they placed the Carolina Cobra track last year. A couple of readers were onsite today to send in pictures of the pieces, which look to be either station or transfer track segments.
http://www.screamscape.com/assets/images/2010_07_Teaser_300.jpg

[nitrofan]

^Any ideas on why pictures don't show up in posts?

No, u beat me! Wait a minute, B&M and Carowinds, maybe this is the new B&M coaster rumor

Really?!? Nah

[Austin]

wtf

this is weird. Ill try it again in a sec maybe

[Jason]

From the second that I read the box, I have been guessing it was a B&M Dive Machine.

[palmer]

You and Dive Machine....First about the GASM removal idea and now this! What's next from you?

[Austin]

well it recieved new track today, interesting to note is, one piece has magnetic brakes. So could this be a launch? I hope lol.

[palmer]

Photo Removed- Illegal Photograph. Six Flags phrohibits on-ride photography. If you want to know what the brakes looked like, they were just metal fins sticking up.

This photo shows the magnetic brakes of Kingda Ka at SFGAdv, which shown as if riding. And that coaster in front of Kingda Ka, Great American Scream Machine, is where Jason wants his Dive Machine.

[palmer]

Wow, this old. Chiller's in the back. Sorry off topic. Had to point it out. Some people know that that has to be pointed out.

[palmer]

Intimidator once again! This actually looks great. It has the L shaped out and back layout, 8 hills, a hammerhead, and staudim seating, like diamondbacks.

This coaster is record breaking by being the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in the Southeast.

[Austin]

Its kinda odd how both of the intimidators are located in the south east but they both say they will be the fastest, longest and tallest in the south east.

http://intimidator.carowinds.com/

[palmer]

^AH! Wrong! KD's Intimidator's is the Tallest and Fastest in the MID ATLANTIC (which is stupid). KD is in Virgina, which is Northern of USA, but it's the most South of North can be.

[Austin]

technically its not.

The south is defined by the northern most line of KY, which runs all the way to the atlantic, so that puts them both in the south

[palmer]

No, there is a gap inbetween the north and south, which is the Mid. Virgina and North Carolina is Mid

[Austin]

not according to the actual line, which was established in the late 1800's after the civil war. i think its the mason dixon line.

[nitrofan]

They're not going to change their record claims because of 2 Geography Nerds talking about history most park-goers don't know about. Let's just accept it.

I'm so glad that this wasn't a disappointment like Intimidator 305!

[Austin]

lol. i know alot about history lol. Still kinda odd how they are both in dispute of that record in the southeast tho.

[palmer]

It really doesn't matter that much.
Anyway, the ride looks great, and actually has airtime hills.

[nitrofan]

Quick Update:

The brake run, transfer track, lift hill, first drop, and second hill have been completed up to this point. You can see live views of the ride's construction from 3 web cams at http://www.intimidator.carowinds.com

[palmer]

Wow, that's a lot and it's not off-season yet. Maybe they can open it on Opening Day!

[bobbinbop20]

wow, there really building this quickly!

In any event, I'll be riding it next spring!

[nitrofan]

Wow, that's a lot and it's not off-season yet. Maybe they can open it on Opening Day!

Cedar Fair usually opens new rides on opening day, as well as most seasonal parks.

Opening new rides on Memorial Day Weekend seems to be a Six Flags thing and a year-round park thing.

[nitrofan]

I found this picture posted by the park to Carowinds' Facebook page today:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs110.snc3/15756_170569923598_91085023598_2837536_3865645_n.j pg

This ride is coming along quick!

[bobbinbop20]

They certainly are moving quickly on the track, but there's lots to do after the track is done being built.

[nitrofan]

I believe I'm late by about a week, but all track has been completed on the coaster! Now it's just a race to the finish with everything else.

[palmer]

Wow, and they have 4 months to "theme", finish the queue line- if they haven't, edit the station, test run, and all the small thing. They definetaly can open this by opening day.

[palmer]

One of the three trains has arrived at Carowinds, looks like test runs are coming very soon.

[nitrofan]

One of the three trains has arrived at Carowinds, looks like test runs are coming very soon.

http://carowindsconnection.com/images/news/1-12-10trains.jpg

http://carowindsconnection.com/

[bobbinbop20]

There's a possibility that I might be going to Carowinds the second weekend that their open, I'm hoping Intimidator will be open!

[hardie1010]

I'm going either April 5th or 6th. Intimidator is definitely thee first ride I'm getting on . Followed By BORG (we used to call it BONG) I mean Night Hawk (My first and only Flying Coaster I've ever been on).

[Changsucks]

I would assume Intimidator would definitely be open the second week the park is open. I don't know why they wouldn't have it ready by opening.

[hardie1010]

I would assume Intimidator would definitely be open the second week the park is open. I don't know why they wouldn't have it ready by opening.

On the official Intimidator website, It said that it would be open March 27th which is the parks opening day too.

[nitrofan]

Intimidator was running test runs on thursday!

[palmer]

^I was going to post that, but you beat me to it.

Anyway, that is a very good sign. Carowinds is easily ahead of schedule for the ride.

[nitrofan]

This makes me mad...

http://sfkkonline.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=20&pictureid=411

[palmer]

^That pisses everyone off. They kill airtime.

[Changsucks]

Are you surprised?

[Austin]

How can you all be pissed off when no one has rode it yet?

[palmer]

^Hypers have trim brakes. I have rode Nitro, which has these. And it kills airtime. Therefore, those will kill the airtime of that hill.

[Austin]

You dont know that if tit hasnt been tested with people

[nitrofan]

You dont know that if tit hasnt been tested with people

Trim Brakes = Slower Trains = Less Airtime

There's a reason El Toro consistently gets ranked as one of the best coasters out there.

I was watching testing videos the other day though and they haven't turned the trims on yet. Hopefully they will stay that way!

Are you surprised?

No, I'm just disappointed.

[Austin]

Wow you all are quick to criticize something thats not even open. It might not even be trims. It could be anti-rollbacks. You just cant tell from the picture. Another thing, you dont know how hard they will trim or of they will even use them. But you all hate trims and say they kill nitro but you all still love it. Wait until people have ridden it before you jump to conclusions.

[nitrofan]

Wow you all are quick to criticize something thats not even open. It might not even be trims. It could be anti-rollbacks. You just cant tell from the picture. Another thing, you dont know how hard they will trim or of they will even use them. But you all hate trims and say they kill nitro but you all still love it. Wait until people have ridden it before you jump to conclusions.

We all do love Nitro, but it has the potential to be so much better if there weren't trims. There was only one trims that was on when I was there during the summer. Luckily it was towards the end of the ride, but it really killed the speed for a few hills. Without the trims, it could be an airtime monster like El Toro.

They are not anti-rollbacks. They don't put trims going up hills in the middle of a coaster. If the train were to not make it over the hill and got caught by the anti-rollbacks, that would just make evacuation of the ride much more difficult. If it just rolls down to the dip and eventually stops, they could evacuate the train with only a short lift, if not a ladder. If it was stuck near the top of the hill, it would be much more difficult to evacuate and they would need a very large lift.

[bobbinbop20]

I have to say, the one hill on Diamondback that has trims is also the best airtime delivering hill on the ride, probably because its alot shorter then the ones before it, but still. No joke it was awesome. We'll have to see how Intimidator does with them though....

[Changsucks]

No, I'm just disappointed.

It was expected from the beginning. B&M Hypers just drive me crazy...does it really get any more boring!?

[bobbinbop20]

B&M Hypers just drive me crazy...does it really get any more boring!?

In my opinion Intamin hypers are the ones that are boring, everyone just hypes them up so people think it's better then it really is.

[Changsucks]

In my opinion Intamin hypers are the ones that are boring, everyone just hypes them up so people think it's better then it really is.

I understand if you don't like Intamin Hypers, but how are they boring? They are all original.

[bobbinbop20]

I understand if you don't like Intamin Hypers, but how are they boring? They are all original.

Well it's not that I think there bad or anything, there better then alot of other coasters, I just feel that they a little bit over rated. I'm just a big fan of how b&ms trains are designed and I feel that's the flaw in intamin hypers, the seats are fine on the upper body but compleatly restrict the legs, when I think about it, intamin hypers have very good layouts, but the trains don't let the ride shine like it should, I don't know, maybe I'm just a weirdo

[nitrofan]

Intimidator is testing with all 3 trains! Go check the webcam!

[Jp]

Carowinds is under a Tornado warning.

Issued by The National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
8:08 pm EDT, Sun., Mar. 28, 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN GASTON COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF GASTONIA... WEST CENTRAL MECKLENBURG COUNTY IN THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA... NORTHERN YORK COUNTY IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA...

* UNTIL 900 PM EDT

* AT 805 PM EDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR KINGS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK... OR 11 MILES NORTHWEST OF YORK... MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CROWDERS AND CLOVER... GASTONIA... LOWELL AND LAKE WYLIE... CRAMERTON... BELMONT... MCADENVILLE AND CAROWINDS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MOBILE HOMES AND VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER. OTHERWISE... GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME OR PLACE OF BUSINESS. MAKE SURE THERE ARE AS MANY WALLS AND FLOORS BETWEEN YOU AND THE OUTSIDE AS POSSIBLE.

TO REPORT TORNADOES... DAMAGING WINDS... LARGE HAIL... OR FLOODING... THROUGH OUR AUTOMATED REPORTING SYSTEM... CALL OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER... 1 8 7 7... 6 3 3... 6 7 7 2.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA.

&&

http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/48333:20?phenomena=TO&significance=W&areaid=NCC119&office=KGSP&etn=0013

[nitrofan]

It'll probably turn out to be nothing. I rode Goliath at SFOG 6 times while there was a Tornado Warning, these warnings rarely mean anything. It's not even raining at Carowinds...

[Jp]

Yea, I know I just wanted ya'll to be inform.

[nitrofan]

I was considering heading to Carowinds next week, but it's Spring Break and I just checked the Webcam and the first set of switchbacks for Intimidator is full 15 minutes after park opening! I guess I'm just going to have to wait until summer. :(

[hardie1010]

I'm going on Tuesday! Intimidator is the first thing I'm going to ride, and I probably won't get any re-rides :(

[nitrofan]

I have a friend going today, so I'll have to ask him about crowds.

@Hardie: The reports so far have said that Intimidator has been one of the shortest waits in the park. I was watching the webcam earlier and they didn't have a single train stopped on the brakes for about the 10 minute period I was watching. I'm just worried about all of the other rides. I don't have a season pass either, so I don't want to pay $50 to be miserable.

[nitrofan]

I rode Intimidator yesterday. I'm not really sure what I think of it.

It was very windy all day and rained on and off, raining very hard at times, so I think it may have just been running slow due to the weather. Based on how it was performing yesterday, I found it rather forceless and little airtime. It seemed to be moving very slow through the course and felt like it could have vallied on one of my rides.

I got 12 rides in various spots on the train, and I would definately say the back row is the way to go. It really is the only place to get a good amount of forces on the ride, though it is fun riding in the front with all the wind blowing.

They were assigning seats, though seat requests were granted all but 2 rides. The only time seat requests weren't granted was if they already had 3 trains worth of people at the gate you wanted. They did have the single-rider line open, but it was highly abused. Very few people were actually singles, and I got 3 rides in at one point in the normal line while 1 person was waiting for 1 in the single rider line.

The first time I rode the first set of switchbacks (3 switchbacks) were filled. I waited about 15 minutes. By the time a train was at the 2nd hill, they dispatched another train almost every ride. They had 3 trains and the crew was flying! I think they were even faster than Nitro's crew was last year.

Later in the day, it started pouring down rain and they closed for about 10 minutes and took 1 train off the track. They had a really weird operating system going where they wouldn't let the second train into the station until the first one had cleared the lift hill. It really seemed to slow dispatches and I asked an attendant why they were doing that, and they said it was rain mode where they had to keep an extra block open between each train. I have never heard of this before, but I was glad to hear they weren't just being slow.

Overall, I'd probably rate the ride a 7/10 based on how it was running. I'll have to try it again when the weather is better, but I think Nitro and Goliath at SFOG are both better than Intimidator based on how it was running.

[Jp]

New for 2011

Carowinds introduces million dollar light show and expanded hours in 2011
new nighttime spectacular utilizes light, sound and motion to create a full sensory experience
the skyline of Carowinds will light up next summer as the amusement park announces plans to debut snoopy's starlight spectacular, a million dollar nighttime walk-through light and sound experience featuring snoopy and the peanuts™ gang, in the summer of 2011.

Designed using a diverse mixture of low energy and high efficiency led lighting, this immersive light and sound spectacular will stretch from county fair through the entrance of planet snoopy and feature more than one and a half million led lights adorned from trees and buildings. Midways will be accented by vibrant animated and stationary light displays, vivid theatrical lighting and other cutting edge special effects, all orchestrated to a custom designed audio soundtrack.

To showcase snoopy's starlight spectacular, Carowinds will extend its operating hours until 10pm every day from june 27 through august 7, 2011. This expansion will offer guests more evening hours of fun to experience everything carowinds has to offer. Snoopy's starlight spectacular will come to life each evening during these 10pm closes.

"Carowinds is dedicated to providing diversified entertainment the entire family can enjoy together”, said Carowinds' vice president and general manager, bart kinzel. “the addition of snoopy's starlight spectacular and extension of our operating hours reaffirms our commitment to providing quality, family entertainment at the greatest value."

Guests can experience more hours of thrills than ever with a 2011 season pass, now on sale at www.carowinds.com or at the Carowinds main gate during regularly scheduled operating dates. 2011 gold season passes are available for $64.99 each when you purchase 4 or more, and include exciting benefits like free parking, admission to Scarowinds halloween haunt and discounted bring-a-friend dates. Special renewal rates are also available for current 2010 season passholders. Offers expire october 31, 2010. Click the button below to learn more information about our 2011 season pass program.


Click on link to watch the video and the official press release!
http://www.carowinds.com/public/news/whats_new_2011.cfm

[nitrofan]

I guess the light show is ok, but I'm very excited about the expanded hours! Six Flags, please follow their lead!

[SFNE Expert]

Until Weber came in weren't they closing at 10 anyways?

[nitrofan]

Until Weber came in weren't they closing at 10 anyways?

I asked on Carowinds Connection and they said that they closed at 8 on weekdays and 10 on weekends in the early 2000's. I'm not sure what it was before that, but that was Weber's doing.

[Austin]

How is it Weber's fault?

[SFNE Expert]

Whops, I should have made it more clear. I meant the SF parks because I was responding to Nitrofan saying "Six Flags please follow their lead." They were closing at 10 until Shapiro left.

Then Weber cut it down.

I think the Snoopy's Starlight Experience looks amazing a Knotts and Kings Island and I'm sure it will be a big hit at Carowinds. Don't they do a couple different versions of the show a night or something like that?

[Austin]

It should be cut. Theres no point in late hours when you can accomplish everything in the park in the time its at right now. Its your home park, you go multiple times a year, you know when to go and when not to, so if you cant ride everything etc then you suck at planning.

[SFNE Expert]

Night riding. Only thing I want is a pitch black night ride on Bizarro but you have to time it perfect because in the summer it doesn't get dark that late. Bizarro at night is 10x better. But you're right, it should be cut.

[nitrofan]

It should be cut. Theres no point in late hours when you can accomplish everything in the park in the time its at right now. Its your home park, you go multiple times a year, you know when to go and when not to, so if you cant ride everything etc then you suck at planning.

That is just a ridiculous statement. While when I go to parks, I usually have a pretty specific plan for at least the first part of the day, I am in a minority. Parks should not be open for an amount of time where you have to specifically plan every part of it in order to get everything done. This may be a shock to some people, but some parks are BIGGER than Kentucky Kingdom, Carowinds is one of them. While it's not the most crowded park out there, it takes at least 6 hours on a weekday to get all of the coasters done if you don't have a plan, but you don't stop anywhere. If they close at 8, that leaves their guests with only 4 more hours left for the park to spend money on food, drinks, souvenirs, etc. On top of that, most people want to ride flats, family rides, water rides, go to the water park, see shows, and more!

Most people are not like coaster enthusiasts when they go to parks, and I have seen it from all sides. Most people do not have a season pass and go to their park 10+ times a year. If I have a ticket and I go once a year (which the majority of people do) I want to make the most of my day. Night is when the park really comes to life for night rides and it gives opportunities for end of the day shows like Disney's and Starlight Spectacular, which really rounds out the day. On top of that, many people will come to a park in the morning and either leave or go to the water park in the afternoon, then come back for the night. If they close earlier, people will just leave earlier in the afternoon and not come back at night. The more time people are in a park=more money.

And please don't give me the "it costs more to be open at night" excuse. The employees still get payed the same minimum wage payment wether it's night or day, and most lights in a park (in stores, ride stations, etc.) are on during the day anyways. There really isn't much of a reason why it would cost more to be open at night.

How is it Weber's fault?

Because he was the CEO during that time, and the park hours reflect perfectly what Weber has stated his philosiphies are.

[SFNE Expert]

I agree with you more nitrofan. However the point Austin was making I think is that the extra hour, or two hours in some cases can add up after a while. It may not be that much but it can be.

I would prefer all parks to stay open until then because I love night rides. Especially on Bizarro. Eff Al Weber though and him ruining the fire. Sorry. I'll stop myself from going off on a fan boy rant.

I do have a season pass but this year I've only been to SFNE twice. Why, I haven't had that much time to get to the park and my friends aren't big coaster enthusiasts. We always need the whole day to get the whole park done and a few hours in the water park.

[Austin]

So how come you dont complain about a better park called Busch Gardens closing at the same time?

[nitrofan]

So how come you dont complain about a better park called Busch Gardens closing at the same time?

Because they don't...

http://buschgardens.com/bgw/Plan/Calendar.aspx

[Austin]

They do. 10-8

[nitrofan]

They do. 10-8

Did you click the link? Weekdays in the summer are 10-10.

When schools are in session, yeah they're open 10-8, but I'm not complaining about that because there are so few people at the park during those times, you're right, it's not worth having the park open until 10.

I'm talking about how all parks should be open 10-10 or later every day during the summer, and if any park has hours where they close earlier than 10, I will complain about it.

[SFNE Expert]

^^Um, all August they did 10-10. Today is 10-9. Next week they're changing to a back to school schedule of 10-7.

[Austin]

The whole past week it was 10-8. Did you miss that? This week like he said its gong to 10-7.

So I'm just wondering, are you looking for the greater good or the best for you in the park hours. Slashing unnecesary hours where expenses are higher cushions their bottom line. This in turn lowers their expenses and provides Six Flags more money to blow on stuff to satisfy every Six Flags fan boy. Since when was wasting money in a deep recession smart?

[nitrofan]

The whole past week it was 10-8. Did you miss that? This week like he said its gong to 10-7.

So I'm just wondering, are you looking for the greater good or the best for you in the park hours. Slashing unnecesary hours where expenses are higher cushions their bottom line. This in turn lowers their expenses and provides Six Flags more money to blow on stuff to satisfy every Six Flags fan boy. Since when was wasting money in a deep recession smart?

Did you read my above post? I said I'm not complaining about them closing earlier while school is in session because so few people are there. Most schools were in session last week and will be next week.

As for the second part of your post, I think you should go back a page and read this post from me:

That is just a ridiculous statement. While when I go to parks, I usually have a pretty specific plan for at least the first part of the day, I am in a minority. Parks should not be open for an amount of time where you have to specifically plan every part of it in order to get everything done. This may be a shock to some people, but some parks are BIGGER than Kentucky Kingdom, Carowinds is one of them. While it's not the most crowded park out there, it takes at least 6 hours on a weekday to get all of the coasters done if you don't have a plan, but you don't stop anywhere. If they close at 8, that leaves their guests with only 4 more hours left for the park to spend money on food, drinks, souvenirs, etc. On top of that, most people want to ride flats, family rides, water rides, go to the water park, see shows, and more!

Most people are not like coaster enthusiasts when they go to parks, and I have seen it from all sides. Most people do not have a season pass and go to their park 10+ times a year. If I have a ticket and I go once a year (which the majority of people do) I want to make the most of my day. Night is when the park really comes to life for night rides and it gives opportunities for end of the day shows like Disney's and Starlight Spectacular, which really rounds out the day. On top of that, many people will come to a park in the morning and either leave or go to the water park in the afternoon, then come back for the night. If they close earlier, people will just leave earlier in the afternoon and not come back at night. The more time people are in a park=more money.

And please don't give me the "it costs more to be open at night" excuse to make you feel better about KK. The employees still get payed the same minimum wage payment wether it's night or day, and most lights in a park (in stores, ride stations, etc.) are on during the day anyways. There really isn't much of a reason why it would cost more to be open at night.

[nitrofan]

I rode Intimidator again today (while, now it's yesterday) about 30 times and I am pleased that I had a completely different experience on the ride than last year. As you can read in the post above, the weather was less than desirable, which I am assuming caused the ride to run slow last year. This year it was sunny and hot all day, and the ride was really flying! There were some great intensity moments as well as lots of airtime.

A full PTR will be posted soon. I don't have many pictures of my actual day in the park, but I have some coaster pictures and some pics to show you the lines today (or lack thereof). I just wanted to share my experience quickly.

[Austin]

Nice! Glad you had alot of fun lol. I'm holding out hope on maybe a DC park trip next summer.