[flickrset=72157664208139743]
Quick overview….much new paint, new wooden fences in many places. Intimidator is still themed to Dale Earnhardt after the suspicion 40% sale on all merch last year, prompting rumors of a re-theme. The Intimidator crew was cheering riders on for departure and arrival. Many greetings and smiles from employees (CW must have gotten the messages about previous year sour pusses). Clean outside (even scrubbing garbage lids around the park) but bathrooms were another story.
Rearranged drinks location in Harmony Hall an improvement in flow and clutter. Vortex was down much of day with Drop Tower and WindSeeker down for a bit. HUGE new warehouse built behind the old storage area (pics next time if I remember). The new Starbucks looks nice but is far from finished inside. The waterpark is still mostly mud. Long way to go here. The miniature golf area is gone but not apparently incorporated into the waterpark changes. Construction on the waterpark entrance has started.
Long lines plagued the rides and FastPass ticket line. The Easter photo op was nicely done using Snoopy in bunny ears. An area was set up for chalk drawing. The Panthers Drum-line performed throughout the day. The new Cirque Imagine was advertised as was, oddly, the new country show in Harmony Hall…where there was a country show last year.
Plants vs Zombies? uh, I didn't get it. Perhaps just because I'm not into games? I'll leave this up to others to review when they visit. It was hard to tell what I was shooting at or where my bullets were landing. The seats just rocked forward or backward between levels and stayed stationary during play. Lame and boring with bad lines and no way to pick the Zombie or Plant side. Also, they only use one side of the theater. The theatre on the other side is dark and used for storage. Something needed upgrading, but this doesn't live up to the hype. So much more could have been done with this. It just missed the mark. The moving entrance sign has been returned to operation. The store area was also reopened in the exit area. The 3D clown themed house here during SCarowinds is likely gone.
Most ride ops were being interactive with riders. Even the carousel was prompting yells, chants and question/answers. Some of the new flats have already arrived and are clearly visible under the Fury325 return track. The 3D theater refurb is nice, but Intimidator and Cobra need a paint job ASAP. Intimidator almost looks pink. The new mobile app shows ride wait times (how hard would it be for BGW to do this?).
There was a plethora of Peanuts characters out to hug or take photos with. The Mayor and 2 other characters were also roaming about.
They have also started their PhotoKey program called FunPix. It is $19.99 per day for the public or $39.99 all season to Pass holders only. This is compared to BGW's $95 (non-pass holder price) which does not include Christmas Town. FunPix also has specially designated FunPix Photo Spot locations were you scan a QR code with your mobile device to "unlock super-cool frames and borders for one-of-a-kind photos".
All in all, I'd say it was the expected Carowinds. Improvements are continuing. The friendliness, smiles and greetings from any employees we passed was the most remarkable and noticeable of changes to us. Now if they would just let us pick our own ride seating.
Quick overview….much new paint, new wooden fences in many places. Intimidator is still themed to Dale Earnhardt after the suspicion 40% sale on all merch last year, prompting rumors of a re-theme. The Intimidator crew was cheering riders on for departure and arrival. Many greetings and smiles from employees (CW must have gotten the messages about previous year sour pusses). Clean outside (even scrubbing garbage lids around the park) but bathrooms were another story.
Rearranged drinks location in Harmony Hall an improvement in flow and clutter. Vortex was down much of day with Drop Tower and WindSeeker down for a bit. HUGE new warehouse built behind the old storage area (pics next time if I remember). The new Starbucks looks nice but is far from finished inside. The waterpark is still mostly mud. Long way to go here. The miniature golf area is gone but not apparently incorporated into the waterpark changes. Construction on the waterpark entrance has started.
Long lines plagued the rides and FastPass ticket line. The Easter photo op was nicely done using Snoopy in bunny ears. An area was set up for chalk drawing. The Panthers Drum-line performed throughout the day. The new Cirque Imagine was advertised as was, oddly, the new country show in Harmony Hall…where there was a country show last year.
Plants vs Zombies? uh, I didn't get it. Perhaps just because I'm not into games? I'll leave this up to others to review when they visit. It was hard to tell what I was shooting at or where my bullets were landing. The seats just rocked forward or backward between levels and stayed stationary during play. Lame and boring with bad lines and no way to pick the Zombie or Plant side. Also, they only use one side of the theater. The theatre on the other side is dark and used for storage. Something needed upgrading, but this doesn't live up to the hype. So much more could have been done with this. It just missed the mark. The moving entrance sign has been returned to operation. The store area was also reopened in the exit area. The 3D clown themed house here during SCarowinds is likely gone.
Most ride ops were being interactive with riders. Even the carousel was prompting yells, chants and question/answers. Some of the new flats have already arrived and are clearly visible under the Fury325 return track. The 3D theater refurb is nice, but Intimidator and Cobra need a paint job ASAP. Intimidator almost looks pink. The new mobile app shows ride wait times (how hard would it be for BGW to do this?).
There was a plethora of Peanuts characters out to hug or take photos with. The Mayor and 2 other characters were also roaming about.
They have also started their PhotoKey program called FunPix. It is $19.99 per day for the public or $39.99 all season to Pass holders only. This is compared to BGW's $95 (non-pass holder price) which does not include Christmas Town. FunPix also has specially designated FunPix Photo Spot locations were you scan a QR code with your mobile device to "unlock super-cool frames and borders for one-of-a-kind photos".
All in all, I'd say it was the expected Carowinds. Improvements are continuing. The friendliness, smiles and greetings from any employees we passed was the most remarkable and noticeable of changes to us. Now if they would just let us pick our own ride seating.
