General Carowinds discussion
#37806
Wow I can't believe I'm the first one to post this. The Carowinds facebook page just announced that there will be a big announcement very soon. Do you think it will be something pertaining to the Intimidator (hence why I posted this here)? Maybe it's a new flat ride? What are some of the seasoned-posters opinions? (sorry hdmech :D )
#37807
Ok let me just say this. This off season has been a roller coaster of emotions, my god. I have literally been on the edge of my seat the whole time. I don't think I can take much more...I might just have a heart attack. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Seriously though, I can only wonder if the announcement pertains to the 2010 season or the 2011 season. God the suspense is killing me....
#37808
Answering your questions:
pb3176 wrote:is there a reason that they test in the afternoons? i noticed that they usually start testing around 1or so,


We don't run Intimidator in temperatures below 40 degrees.

chknwing wrote:Yo Dani, if you are reading the board today, how about panning the camera down a bit so we can see the winner circle progress and maybe post a few pictures of the progress of Planet Snoopy.

We would...but then we'd have to call it the "Planet Snoopy Webcam" ;) I'll continue to take pics and put them on FB.


chknwing wrote:Anyone know if there will be in line TV's showing Dales Greatest Hits? And speaking of in line, I know there will be soda machines in line, Hey Dani, you know why no one plays the games, because after buying drinks for the kids, their broke. How much is a soda, $3.50? I can get a soda, 2 tacos, and a burrito for $3.50 at Taco Bell. IMO, charge more for passes, parking, pay rides etc, but charging that much for a drink is ridiculous.


We have free water at our restaurants and kiosks :) And purchasing the Season Pass cup is the best deal you can get on drinks--very reasonable costs for refills. Yes, there will be TV's showing Dale footage in the queues.

chknwing wrote:For those who were wondering, Dani states that the gift shop will be a tunnel from the ride you have to pass through it to see your picture etc. Also says that all asphalt will be replace with pavers to prevent heat related illnesses. Planet Snoopy will have comic strips posted through out the line queues.


For those of you who have been to KD, it is very similar to the way Dominator's gift shop is laid out as an exit/ride photo view/gift shop. Also- you pass the line (if it is really long) at this point as well.


rctdcifreak wrote:Agreed. But that really isn't the point. The point is about one key element: Guest Interaction. And guest interaction is a key element in making first and non-first time guests transform into repeat guests. Thus bring in more money than previously thought or expected.

As far as the speed of the line goes, I am only saying that by having someone at the front it could potentially aid in speeding up the line. Assisting in height checks and reminding soon-to-be-riders that certain behaviors are expected while in line.


We actually do have employees at the ride entrance in certain circumstances, especially if the line is very long, if we are overstaffed, etc. I cant count how many times I've walked past Nighthawk and we've had an employee stationed there with a height stick. We are hiring an elite team to work Intimidator, and I have faith that the lines will move quickly, especially when operating 3 trains/96 people on the ride at a given time.

WORMY- Your photos are majestic :) Thank you for being so diligent in taking the photos. I'd post photos everyday if I wasn't so busy working on our Big Announcement!
#37810
Thanks for the responses Dani, can't wait for the 27th! Speaking of the 27th, has the park decided how season pass processing will be handled?

For those of us traveling on Opening Day it would be helpful to know exactly what time processing will start so we can plan accordingly, unless we can just get in with the ticket and process sometime later in the day. I don't want to end up stuck in a season pass processing line while I watch ticket purchasers run past into the Intimidator line.
#37811
chknwing wrote:Anyone know if there will be in line TV's showing Dales Greatest Hits? And speaking of in line, I know there will be soda machines in line, Hey Dani, you know why no one plays the games, because after buying drinks for the kids, their broke. How much is a soda, $3.50? I can get a soda, 2 tacos, and a burrito for $3.50 at Taco Bell. IMO, charge more for passes, parking, pay rides etc, but charging that much for a drink is ridiculous.


If you don't like the prices don't go. Problem solved. Either that or do like I do and eat outside the park before you go. Nobody ever thought of that. :roll: Those prices aren't that ridiculous either. The Atlanta Braves charge almost $5.00 for a 20 ounce bottle of soda at their ballpark. Coasterstock gave us a whole buffet for a great price. Heck, it was almost free if you think about it especially if you're a season pass holder. 17 hours in the park with a buffet for under $20 is a GREAT deal.
#37813
Just because the Atlanta Braves do something doesn't make it not ridiculous. That's basically 500% of market price for a soda. Carowinds can do it and still sell them because they have a self containing environment, but that doesn't mean it's not overpriced.
#37816
The business increase they would see from providing 4.99 meal combos and 1.99 drinks would be very very high I would guess, but this thread isn't about any of that.

Glad to see the webcam is back up in good form.
#37821
when it says Intimidator vending queue.. can somebody tell me what that means .. im a little confused.. is there gonna b vending machines like soda machines in the line to get drinks when your waiting in line or what.. im really confused.. so if someone could refresh me on what that means.. THANKS!! :D
#37823
If you were at the park the year the Drop Zone (aka Drop Tower) opened they had the same thing it was an area inbetween both lines that held a total of four soda vending machines (two per side). When you go through the line now you will see an awning in between the lines towards the middle with some electrical outlets on the ground. This is that area except now with the vending machines taken out and away since the line for Drop Tower doesn't get extremely long anymore.

To answer your question yes hypothetically speaking there will be vending machines in line where you can get either snacks or drinks (not sure which yet). It will prolly look a lot different than the inline vending areas of past Drop Zone but the same concept. Does that clear up your question or was what I said kinda confusing?
  • 1
  • 204
  • 205
  • 206
  • 207
  • 208
  • 232