Carowinds

Carowinds

Carowinds Logo (2014)
Slogan "Where the Carolinas come together" "Thrill Capital of the Southeast"
Location Charlotte, North Carolina, Fort Mill, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates 35°06′16.13″N 80°56′22.12″W / 35.1044806°N 80.9394778°W / 35.1044806; -80.9394778Coordinates: 35°06′16.13″N 80°56′22.12″W / 35.1044806°N 80.9394778°W / 35.1044806; -80.9394778
Owner Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
General Manager Pat Jones
Opened March 31, 1973
Previous names Paramount's Carowinds (1993 - 2006), Carowinds (1973 - 1992)
Operating season Late March — Early November
Visitors per annum 2,000,000 in 2015
Area 398 acres (1.61 km2)
Rides
Total 64
Roller coasters 13
Water rides 7[1]
Website www.carowinds.com

Carowinds is a 398-acre (161 ha) amusement park, located adjacent to Interstate 77 on the border between North and South Carolina, in Charlotte and Fort Mill, respectively. The park opened on March 31, 1973, at a cost of $70 million. This was the result of a four-year planning period spearheaded by Charlotte businessman Earl Patterson Hall, who was inspired to build the park by a 1956 trip to Disneyland and a dream of bringing the two states closer together. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, Carowinds also features a 20-acre (81,000 m2) water park, Carolina Harbor, which is included with park admission.

History

The original Carowinds logo, used from 1973 - 1992.
Carowinds logo used from 2003 to 2006

The Carowinds theme park was originally envisioned as a component of a large resort which would include hotels, a shopping center, a golf course, and an NFL stadium. However, attendance at Carowinds was curtailed by the 1973 oil crisis, and plans for the proposed resort were put on hold. Hall and the other stockholders of the Carowinds Corporation continued to operate the theme park through 1974, though sagging attendance and mounting debt forced the company to sell to Taft Broadcasting in early 1975. The park was purchased by Paramount Communications in 1993 and joined the Paramount Parks family. Ownership had transferred from Family Leisure Centers – a joint venture between Taft and Top Value Enterprises) – to Kings Entertainment Company, which in turn was acquired by Paramount. The park was renamed Paramount's Carowinds in 1993 and later became an asset of Viacom following its acquisition of Paramount in 1994.

The name "Carowinds" was derived from the park's original theme of the history and culture of the Carolinas, and is a portmanteau of "Carolina" and "winds", in reference to the winds that blow across the two states. Carowinds opens in late March each year and closes in early November, after the park's Halloween event, "Scarowinds." In 2005, a portion of the park reopened during December for the Winterfest Christmas festival. However, the park did not repeat the event in 2006, citing poor attendance. A similar decision was made regarding Kings Island's Winterfest.

Sale to Cedar Fair

On January 27, 2006, the Dayton Daily News reported that CBS Corporation (which split from Viacom at the end of 2005) would be selling Paramount's Carowinds and other parks in its Paramount Parks division.

On June 30, 2006, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company acquired Paramount Parks, including Carowinds.[2]

Although Cedar Fair continued to use the Paramount's Carowinds name through the remainder of the 2006 season, it began to phase out the Paramount name in press releases, the park website, and on signage within the park. In January 2007, a new logo featuring the Cedar Fair icon but lacking the "Paramount" name, was revealed on the park website. The new logo featured the trademark Cedar Fair flags, flying on the letter "I" on the Carowinds name. The other four Paramount-branded parks that Cedar Fair acquired all received similar changes. The "Paramount" name was dropped from all of the parks after the 2006 season.

Cedar Fair era

On August 26, 2013, Cedar Fair announced a $50-million investment plan to expand Carowinds over three years starting in 2014.[3] The expansion will include a $30-million roller coaster, a $2.5-million water slide, a $7-million food complex, and $4 million to improve the park's ticket booths and front areas.[4]

On August 21, 2014 Carowinds announced the addition of Fury 325 for the 2015 season. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride is the fifth-tallest roller coaster in the world, after its debut in the spring of 2015 as another component of the park's previously announced "top-to-bottom" expansion program.[5] A new front entrance, replacing the original North Gate entrance of the park, also opened along with Fury 325 for the 2015 season.

On August 27, 2015, Carowinds announced that the water park known formally as Boomerang Bay will be expanded and renamed Carolina Harbor in 2016. The Australian theme will be removed and replaced with a Carolina harbor theme. The expansion includes a new six-slide complex, a new wave pool, and several new splash areas for kids.[6]

Themed areas and attractions

The rides at Carowinds are based loosely around eight themed areas.

Carowinds Plaza

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Carolina Skytower 1973 Intamin A 262-foot (80 m) tall Gyro tower that gives guests a view of Carowinds and Charlotte. It was originally sponsored by and branded as the Eastern Airlines Skytower. It is turned into a Christmas tree of lights during the holiday season. 2
Intimidator 2010 Bolliger & Mabillard A steel hypercoaster inspired by the famous stock car racing driver Dale Earnhardt. The 232-foot-tall (71 m) roller coaster travels up to 80 mph (130 km/h). 5
Nighthawk 2004 Vekoma A Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster. The coaster operated as Stealth at California's Great America before being installed at Carowinds. When moved to Carowinds, it was known as Borg Assimilator (2004–2007) and was themed after the Borg character from the television show Star Trek: The Next Generation. The theming was removed when Cedar Fair acquired the park, and the ride was renamed Nighthawk. 5
RipCord 1995 Skycoaster, Inc. A skycoaster formally known as Xtreme SkyFlyer. This ride is an upcharge ride. Guest must pay an additional fee to ride. 5
Rip Roarin' Rapids 1982 Kings Island Entertainment Company A river rafting water ride. 3

Carolina RFD

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill 2010 Sally Corporation An interactive dark ride where guests shoot at targets to collect points. Originally, the building was a theater that housed a variety of shows. It was previously known as Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion from 2001 to 2009. 2
The Flying Cobras 2009 Vekoma A standard Boomerang model roller coaster relocated from Geauga Lake. The train is pulled up the lift hill backward and then released down the hill forward into a cobra roll and vertical loop before repeating the journey in reverse. In 2017 it will be renamed the The Flying Cobras to pay tribute to the classic air shows that were once seen at the Carolina County Fair.[8] 5
WhiteWater Falls 1988 Hopkins Rides A shoot-the-chutes water ride. 4
WindSeeker 2012 Mondial A 301-foot (92 m) tower swinger ride that spins to music and a light show. It was the tallest ride ever built at Carowinds. 4

Carolina Boardwalk

Sign for Carolina Boardwalk
Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Carolina Cyclone 1980 Arrow Dynamics A steel roller coaster featuring two vertical loops and two corkscrews. It was the first roller coaster to feature four inversions. 5
Carolina Goldrusher 1973 Arrow Dynamics A steel roller coaster. It was the first roller coaster at Carowinds and is only one of three original rides still operating. 4
Ricochet 2002 Mack Rides A steel wild mouse roller coaster. 4

Carolina Showplace

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
The Scrambler 1973 Eli Bridge A classic Twist ride. It was originally named Kaleidoscope. 3
Vortex 1992 Bolliger & Mabillard A steel stand-up roller coaster. It was the South's first stand up roller coaster. 5
SlingShot 2015 Funtime A Sling Shot ride that catapults riders nearly 300-feet into the air at speeds up to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). SlingShot is an additional charge attraction. 5

County Fair

Ride Year Opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Action Theater 1994 Iwerks Entertainment, Inc 2016: Home of Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 3Z Arena. A 3D intra-active experienced developed by PopCap Games, Electronic Arts, and Alterface Projects, puts 2 teams against each other in a 5-minute backyard battle, where they'll shoot screens with blasters and track their scores as they go. N/A
Afterburn 1999 Bolliger & Mabillard An inverted roller coaster featuring 6 inversions. Formerly named Top Gun: The Jet Coaster (1999–2007). 5
Dodg’ems Majestic Rides A classic bumper cars attraction. 3
Southern Star 1986 Intamin A Looping Starship thrill ride. Formerly known as Frenzoid. 4
Yo Yo 2008 Chance Morgan A swing ride that currently occupies the spot where Whirling Dervish, the park's original Wave Swinger, was located. It was relocated from Geauga Lake. 3
Electro Spin 2017 Mondial A Top Scan that will send riders through a freely rotating orbit through the air on its floorless gondolas. 5
Zephyr 2017 Zierer A swing ride that will suspend guests as the ride rotates in a circular, wavelike motion. 3
Rock 'N' Roller 2017 MACK Rides A Music Express that will Rock N’ Roll guests around and around, up and down as high-energy tunes and spectacular lighting complement this awesome experience. 3
Do-Si-Do 2017 HUSS A Troika that will send guests flying through the air and gliding up, down and around as three giant arms rotate riders in different directions – all while increasing speed and elevation. 3

Thrill Zone

Ride Year Opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Fury 325 2015 Bolliger & Mabillard A giga coaster loosely themed around Charlotte NC's nickname the "Hornet's Nest" with a height of 325 ft (99m), making it the tallest giga coaster and non-launched roller coaster in the world, reaching speeds of up to 95 mph making it one of the fastest in the world. Fury 325 is the second roller coaster in the park to cross the state line of North and South Carolina and the tallest ride ever built at Carowinds. 5
Drop Tower: Scream Zone 1996 Intamin A drop tower ride with a height of 160 feet (49 m) and a drop of 100 ft (30 m). It was originally named Drop Zone: Stunt Tower (1996–2007). 4
Hurler 1994 International Coasters, Inc A wooden out and back roller coaster. 4
Scream Weaver 1975 Anton Schwarzkopf A Schwarzkopf Enterprise ride. 4

Planet Snoopy

Ride Year Opened Manufacturer Description Rating[7]
Character Carousel 1973 Philadelphia Toboggan Company An antique carousel. The only attraction in Planet Snoopy that is not themed towards the Peanuts. 1
Charlie Brown's Wind Up 1973 Zamperla A miniature swing ride. Formerly called Top Cat's Swing Time. 1
Flying Ace Aerial Chase 2003 Vekoma A suspended family coaster. Formerly called Rugrats Runaway Reptar (2003–2009). 4
Flying Ace Balloon Race 1987 Zamperla A flying balloon ride. Originally called Boo Boo's Balloon Race & Peter Potamus' Magic Flying Balloons. 2
Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie 1998 E&F Miler Industries A big city chase through Lucy's neighborhood ensues on this miniature, 15-foot-high (4.6 m) roller coaster with cars resembling taxi cabs. Formerly Hey Arnold's Taxi Chase (2005–2009) and Taxi Jam (1998–2004). 2
Peanuts Pirates 2005 Heinrich Mack K.C, A rotating pirate ship ride themed to The Peanuts relocated from sister park Canada's Wonderland where it was once known as The Great Whale of China. Formerly known as Flying Dutchman's Revenge. 3
Snoopy vs. Red Baron 1973 Chance Rides A small plane ride themed to Snoopy. Originally called Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines. 2
Snoopy's Junction 1973 Crown Metal Products A miniature train ride. Originally opened with the park in the Country Crossroads section (now Carolina RFD) as Shortline Railroad. In 1975, the ride was moved to a new home. This train ride was formerly known as Flintstone Express, Yogi's Jellystone Garden and Dora the Explorer's Azul Adventure. 1
Snoopy's Space Race 2010 Go Forth Industries A small flying jet ride. 2
Snoopy's Yacht Club 2005 Go Forth Industries A mini speed boat ride relocated from sister park Canada's Wonderland where it was known as Bedrock Dock. Formerly known as Little Bill's Cruisers. 1
Woodstock Express 1975 Philadelphia Toboggan Company A family wooden roller coaster. Formerly Fairly Odd Coaster, Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster and Scooby Doo. 4
Woodstock Gliders 2005 Bisch Rocco Flying Skooters A Flying Scooters ride themed to Woodstock. First resided at Cincinnati's Coney Island Park in 1935. In 1972, debuted as Flying Eagles at sister park Kings Island with the park's opening. Moved to Carowinds in 2005, where it was first called Danny Phantom's Phantom Flyers. 3
Woodstock's Whirlybirds 1998 Caripro Amusement Technologies A mini monorail with helicopter cars themed to Woodstock. Formerly known as Chopper Chase. 2

Carolina Harbor

Main article: Carolina Harbor

Included in the price of admission to Carowinds is access to Carolina Harbor water park. Based on a Coastal Carolina theme, it features 15 rides and attractions. Originally opened as Ocean Island in 1982, the water park has also been known as Riptide Reef (1989–1997) WaterWorks (1997–2006), and Boomerang Bay (2007–2015). On August 27, 2015, Carowinds announced a planned 2016 expansion for the area that will add five additional attractions and result in the name changing to Carolina Harbor.[9][10]

Paladium

The Paladium is an outdoor amphitheater located at Carowinds. It opened in 1975 and was the Charlotte area's premier outdoor concert venue until the opening of Blockbuster Pavilion, now PNC Music Pavilion, in 1991. Admission to the Paladium is separate from admission to Carowinds.

Fast Lane

Fast Lane is a limited-access line queue system offered for an additional charge at Cedar Fair amusement parks. Visitors can purchase access, which includes a wristband that allows them to bypass standard lines in favor of shorter ones at many of the parks' most popular attractions. Fast Lane Plus is a more expensive, higher-end version that includes several additional attractions.[11]

SCarowinds

In 2000, the park introduced SCaroWinds; an annual Halloween attraction. SCarowinds is presented on select nights in September and October, as well as the first weekend in November. The park is open with The Great Pumpkin Fest starring Snoopy and rest of the Peanuts gang throughout the day, typically closes at 5:30pm, and reopens as SCarowinds at 7pm with the evil witch and SCarowinds' 1st lady of terror Lilith.[12] The experience includes numerous haunted attractions and incorporates most of the existing park rides into a nightmarish experience. The SCarowinds Halloween Haunt is recommended for ages 13 and up, but any age is permitted for admission.

List of attractions

As of 2015, SCarowinds features 12 attractions including seven mazes and five scare zones.[13]

Attraction Type Opened Location
Urgent Scare(Formerly The Asylum, The 7 Ward) Maze 2014 Nighthawk Midway
Dark Harvest Maze 2016 County Fair (behind PVZ Arena)
Defex Maze 2010 Planet Snoopy Behind Snoopy's Train
Blood Yard Scare Zone 2014 Cobra Plaza
SlaughterHouse: The Final Cut Maze 2015 Thrill Zone Behind Carolina Cyclone
Psycho Circus Scare Zone 2016 County Fair
London Terror Scare Zone 2013 Near Harmony Hall
Mass Acres Scare Zone 2012 Carolina RFD
The Playground Scare Zone 2009 Planet Snoopy
Scary Tales Scare Zone 2013 Vortex Plaza
Silver Scream Studios (Formerly Silver Scream Sinema) Maze 2008 (Redecorated in 2015) Thrill Zone by Hurler
Zombie High School Maze 2013 Carolina RFD Backlot Behind The Carolina Cobra

Live shows

Attraction Location Description
Blood Drums Carowinds Plaza Stage A drum and light show
Rocktoberfest Harmony Hall An 80s cover band plays the night away
Skeleton Crew In front of Southern Star Cirque Imagine in an outdoor setting with a Halloween overlay

Carowinds Festival of Music

The annual Carowinds Festival of Music allows music students to play in public performances and receive comments and ratings from nationally recognized adjudicators. Bands, choirs, show choirs, and orchestras can all play for ratings. Plaques and ribbons are awarded for performances which receive ratings of superior and excellent.[14]

Timeline

Southern Star, originally added in 1986
Hurler, added in 1994

References

  1. ↑ "Boomerang Bay". carowinds.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Press Releases :: Cedar Fair Entertainment Company". Cedarfair.com. Archived from the original on 2006-07-28. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  3. ↑ Frazier, Eric (August 26, 2013). "Carowinds plans $50 million expansion". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  5. ↑ Théoden Janes (21 August 2014). "Carowinds to get one of the world's tallest, fastest coasters". charlotteobserver.com. McClatchy Company. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Welcome to Carolina Harbor | Carowinds". carolinaharbor.carowinds.com. Retrieved 2015-09-03.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ratings assigned per Carowinds, where "1" is the least intense and "5" is the most. See their "ride listing". Carowinds. on their website for more specific details.
  8. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/carowindspark/photos/a.125492718598.106289.91085023598/10154613520773599/?type=3&theater
  9. ↑ Kulmala, Teddy (August 27, 2015). "Carowinds announces major waterpark expansion, new slides". The Herald. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ Janes, Theoden (August 27, 2015). "Carowinds expanding its water park in 2016". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Carowinds Fast Lane". Carowinds. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  12. ↑ "SCarowinds Halloween Haunt Hours". Carowinds. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. ↑ "SCarowinds attractions". Carowinds. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Carowinds Festival of Music :: North and South Carolina's Themed Amusement Park". Music.carowinds.com. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  15. ↑ Carowinds,com. Carowinds https://www.carowinds.com/what-s-new. Retrieved 10 February 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ Twitter. Carowinds https://twitter.com/Carowinds/status/689928765561008130. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ "Carowinds to Reach Exciting New Heights". PR Newswire. August 21, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  18. ↑ Worthington, Don (February 1, 2015). "Carowinds' upgrades focus on 'business of making memories'". The Herald. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Carowinds-Facebook". Carowinds. April 11, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  20. ↑ Worthington, Don (September 7, 2013). "Carowinds announces 2 new water slides for 2014". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  21. ↑ Celeste Smith, Eleanor Kennedy. "Carowinds buys 61 acres for expansion". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
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