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2010--The Year of the Coaster...and the kiddie rides...and historical anniversaries...This is a Big Year

Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:00 PM

I’ve found it difficult to stumble around the Intimidator™ and Planet Snoopy area lately. Decked in my bright orange hard hat and trekking throughout the park the past week, I’ve noticed that there is much more going on at Carowinds right now than just building a $23 million scream machine. All around the construction zone for the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in the Southeast and stretching all of the way to the newly themed children’s section, Planet Snoopy, the asphalt has been ripped up and dug into. There are holes and gravel and bricks and machines I have never seen--some that are ran by remote control! My inquiring mind wanted to know…what on earth are they doing? To my delight I discover that one of our projects this year is removing a large portion of the asphalt in the park and replacing it with pavers, the small bricks you oftentimes see in historic downtown roads. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps cool down the midways and prevent heat-related illnesses. This is a project that has begun this off-season and will continue over the course of several years until all of the asphalt is replaced!

It gets better. I continue zipping around in the golf cart, passing a beautifully repainted and re-themed Planet Snoopy (it looks almost magical), until I reach the bottom of the park in the Carolina Boardwalk area. Carolina Cyclone’s facelift was no secret, but the new colors are breathtaking! It was difficult for me to picture a Cyclone that would be blue, yellow, and orange. The shade of blue now having been applied is a very creamy color with a hint of purple and the yellow is just now being added! A very bright yellow—I might add! The point is Carolina Cyclone looks the best it has ever looked! Happy 30 years of flipping riders upside down four times!

I continue whizzing about to the Carolina RFD area when I smell something. Mulch is being laid everywhere. I imagine that strolling through the park during a busy Saturday one doesn’t typically notice things like mulch or greenery. But when it has just been laid in countless of planters after the cold winter of dullness subsides--one takes notice. It was interesting to discover that 90 percent of all the greenery in the park is grown from seed in our own Carowinds greenhouse. Moreover, 100 percent of the greenery is maintained by the landscaping staff. It takes a really big green thumb to maintain 122-acres of planters, trees, bushes, floral arrangements, and potted plants placed on midways, restaurants, and between rides and roller coasters.

Long story short, walking through the park during the off-season is sometimes more interesting than when the rides are up and running and crowds fill the queues. This is how it all happens, and sometimes our busiest time of year is when we are preparing for a new season of thrills. Our goal is excellence for the guest and for 2010 we hope you notice!