[BelowThePeak]

So I thought this would be a fun idea for a thread. We have a wishlist thread, but as far as I know, we don't have one for long-term predictions. That's what this thread is for.

Basically, the idea of this thread is to predict what the park will look like in ten years. Maybe one of us can necro this thread in 2028 (if any of us are still here ) to see whose predictions were accurate. If any of you want to include illustrations like in the other threads, that would also be fun.

My predictions:
- Coaster Count: 15 (+2 from 2018)
- New and/or Renovated Coasters: GCI Wooden (2019), Floortex (2021), RMC Hurler (2023), Family Steel (2024), B&M Launched Wing (2026)
- Removed Coasters: Hurler (for RMC conversion) (last season - 2021), Carolina Cyclone (last season - 2024)
- Other New Dry Park Additions: Huss Frisbee (2020), Camp Snoopy Expansion (2024), Dark Ride (2025)
- Other Removed Attractions: Boo Blasters (for new dark ride), YoYo, Scream Weaver, Dinosaurs Alive (for Camp Snoopy Expansion)
- Waterpark: New Slide Complexes (2022, 2027)
- Other Renovations: Multiple new restaurants (including one full-service), new and upgraded shops, improved landscaping, renovated South Gate entrance.

[gabed]

On April 6, 2028, I’ll be 27 and probably married. Yeesh that’s scary. Anywho here’s my predictions

2019: GCI Wooden Coaster and all new makeover of Crossroads.

2020: Mat Racer Slide in Carolina Harbor and a Mondial Frisbee in Carolina Boardwalk.

2021: Vortex is converted, improvements are made to the entrance plaza.

2022: Hurler is given the RMC treatment. Light improvements made to Thrill Zone.

2023: Dinosaurs Alive is retired (if not before then) and part of the land is used for new Camp Snoopy rides.

2024: Park takes an off year. Cedar Fair is finally satisfied with their investments following a decade of aggressive growth.

2025: New flat ride

2026: Carolina Harbor addition, first in six years. Nighthawk is removed after residing in the park for 22 years. Land clearing begins for new coaster.

2027: New ground up coaster. Not specifying type or manufacturer since many new models will exist that have not yet been invented.

2028: New flat ride.

All in all:

Coaster Count: 14 (+2) (-1)
Flat Ride Count: +3
Converted Coasters: 2

[tarheel1231]

I don't want to be an armchair moderator but we did have a thread for this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3966&hilit=splash+capital

With that being said, my predictions for the next ten years:

-I'm starting to think Nighthawk's days are numbered. It's low capacity, uncomfortable, and it doesn't manage to crack the top six most ridden attractions. As the park continues to expand, it's going to need more capacity, and Nighthawk stands in the way of that. I think it'll be gone no later than 2025. If it isn't, I'd expect the park to find a way to increase capacity through new trains.

-I'm on the fence about both Vortex and Hurler. I think Floorless Vortex is likely, but not guaranteed at this point. Hurler is the park's 4th most popular attraction, and it's relatively smooth. Most of the coasters that have seen I-Box conversions were dilapidated and rough, while Carowinds has invested hundreds of thousands into refurbishing Hurler over the past four years.

-South Gate may end up being refurbished as early as next year given its proximity to the 2019 attraction. I don't see a heavy refurbishment here though, as it's usually only open during the busiest weekends.

-I see most of the Dinosaurs Alive land getting used for Camp Snoopy and some of it left over for some adult flats under Afterburn.

-I can possibly see the park adding a new water ride but given that no proper water rides have been installed in the Ouimet/Zimmerman era, I don't think it'll be on the scale of a water coaster. I'm thinking Cedar Fair wants to use real estate on rides that can remain open and adequately staffed throughout the year, and water rides have a small window that they can successfully operate in (May-Sept/Oct) I'd expect something on the scale of a splash battle.

-I expect Carolina Harbor to utilize the land behind the two wave pools eventually, bringing in new slide complexes. That field in front of Blackbeard's Revenge may see something too.

-I expect the park to have at least one more show venue for guests to escape the heat. I could see Boo Blasters getting gutted for this and reverting back to its original purpose, which would bring the total number of indoor show venues at the park to three.

-I think we could see an extended operating season, with the park opening closer to Dollywood and SFOG's openings and weekend operations through November.

-The Paladium will most likely still be here as Joyfest and Rock the Park seem to be huge crowd-pullers.

-I see accommodations getting expanded as attendance continues to rise, with new cabins/cottages being added to Camp Wilderness and possibly even a new wing to Springhill Suites.

[BelowThePeak]

I've been thinking a lot about Nighthawk, too, actually. I'm one of the few who actually enjoys the ride, but for being located right in the middle of the park and one of the biggest rides, it doesn't live up to the hype (and the capacity is way too low). The biggest thing that makes me think it might not be on the chopping block quite yet is that it's still being marketed as one of the park's most "major" coasters.

Having said that, I think Nighthawk's location would be a prime spot for a really good launch coaster. I've always said I'd love to see something like Helix in the park (to give the lineup more diversity than if it were a B&M). Having said that, I definitely wouldn't be opposed to another B&M if that's what they went for.

As far as Vortex goes, I think that if it doesn't get converted within the next few years, its days are numbered. It's an underwhelming mid-tier attraction in a park that's striving to become "the Cedar Point of the South."

[Edwardo]

I’ll be here in ten years to point out how Hurler is still Hurler and not an RMC.

[tarheel1231]

I’ll be here in ten years to point out how Hurler is still Hurler and not an RMC.

Quick question: If next year's new coasters winds up being a GCI, what do you think is the likelihood of them coming in to fully refurbish Hurler a la Ghostrider?

[coasterbruh]

That's a big . . . IF.

[Edwardo]

GCI has already done extensive work in Hurler. I do hope eventually they come in and completely retract it and it would be nice to get MF trains and a rethemed station. Wouldn’t surprise me but I have no knowledge.

[RollerBee]

GCI has already done extensive work in Hurler. I do hope eventually they come in and completely retract it and it would be nice to get MF trains and a rethemed station. Wouldn’t surprise me but I have no knowledge.

So do you want to take all the wood back without putting new track.

Full retrack of Hurler and no more trim brake please!

[cwgator]

This seems somewhat realistic:

2019: GCI

2020: Carolina Harbor Addition (s)...Dino's Alive closes

2021: Vortex Conversion

2022: Camp Snoopy Expansion using part of DA area

2023: Thrilling Flat

2024: Launched coaster in remaining DA area.

2025: Off Year, Possible Carolina Harbor Addition

2026: Too far out to think about...lol

[FamousAmos]

I'd like to add:
Why would the park spend the last 3 off seasons retracking Hurler if they were just going to RMC it
That wouldn't make much sense.

[CCookieMonster]

Here's what I think:

2019: GCI or RMC (too hard to decide right now)

2020: A few new thrilling/family flat rides (maybe a water ride, because we need another one in this Carolina heat)
Carolina addition, 3 or 4 new slides (first expansion in 4 years)

2021: A few new family rides, might be incorporated in a new section of the park, or a renovated section of the park

2022: New thrilling flat ride

2023: New launched coaster

2024: Camp Snoopy expansion, MAYBE new kids area

2025: Too far to predict

2026: Too far to predict

[Chris]

I'd like to add:
Why would the park spend the last 3 off seasons retracking Hurler if they were just going to RMC it
That wouldn't make much sense.

I'd like to add:
Why would the park spend 5 years renovating and retracking a racing wooden coaster only to tear it down?

[CCookieMonster]

Chris has some common sense here.

[arby]

Ha! You beat me to it, Chris. I was going to mention the same thing...